Issue 4, Volume IV

2005 CENTRAL OREGON AREA PROFILES AVAILABLE MONDAY 
At last, new profiles will be available on April 4th, and we will be working next week to deliver all bulk orders, which were up more than 50% over last year. The profile provides a statistical snapshot of the region including current numbers on population, income, employment, housing, other economic indicators and key facts and contacts for utilities, education, and business assistance. Bulk ordering is still possible for members in quantities over 25, at $0.35 each.  To place your order, contact Meg Thompson at meg@edforco.org.  This publication is also available electronically at no cost at /edco_publications/profile/.

NEW JET SERVICE LOGS SUCCESSFUL FIRST MONTH
It appears that Central Oregonians and visitors to the region have quickly incorporated travel into their plans via new air service on Delta from Redmond to Salt Lake City International.  While the numbers are still unofficial, all indications are that the service ran at 75% of capacity for March - making it the most successful startup for Delta nationwide since 9/11. Ten flights were completely full and eleven more were at 90%+ capacity.  This success is attributed in no small part to use of the travel bank that EDCO spearheaded, which saw more than one-third of funds expended by the end of March ($226,000 of the total $626,000). 

There have been a few glitches in the initiation of the service with regards to booking travel, however these are being resolved day-to-day.  Due to the great response by travelers, we are seeing ticket prices climb for last minute and even some advance notice booking.  If you have had difficulties booking or ticket prices seem exceptionally high, please contact us at info@edforco.org  so that we can work with Delta to improve the service.  

2004 RESIDENTIAL PERMITS SOAR IN BEND AND REDMOND
If you think the housing market is booming here - you may not know just how right you are.  EDCO recently performed some research on residential building activity in the western U.S. and learned that Bend issued more residential (single and multi-family) permits that any city in Oregon, and higher than most major metro areas in the West.  According to the US Census Bureau, Redmond ranked third in the state for new housing permits behind Portland (which is 25 times its size).   On a per capita basis, Bend and Redmond were in the top tier for all communities in western states last year. For a rundown of the numbers, visit our website at /COFacts/housing#permits. 

OREGON RANKS HIGH FOR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
According to a recent survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, business owners in Oregon said that the state was more supportive in its business environment that neighboring Washington and California.  Oregon business surveys produced a supportive rating of 29% compared to 16% in California and -9% in Washington.  The figures were based on percentages of businesses that called their states "highly supportive" or "supportive" minus the percentages that said their states were "not supportive" or "not at all supportive". Oregon's numbers were comparable to the national average among 26 states surveyed.  Survey results are posted on the Internet at www.nfib.com/object/sbcor0305.html.

REGION'S ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BELOW STATE FOR SECOND YEAR
A new trend in Central Oregon is unfolding with respect to unemployment rates.  Looking back 20 years, 2003 and 2004 were the first years that the tri-county area's unemployment rates were below those of Oregon as a whole.  In 2003, the region's rate was 8.0% compared to 8.2% for Oregon.  This past year see that gap widen to 6.8% for Central Oregon and Oregon 7.4%.  These numbers are even more noteworthy considering that the region's phenomenal population growth necessitates an even greater rise in employment to result in dropping unemployment numbers.  Certainly the addition of T-Mobile and 20 other new and expanding local companies where EDCO has played a key role is helping to make the region a leader in economic vibrancy and diversification.  For more information about employment and unemployment visit the the Oregon Employment Department (statewide/regional) or the Bureau of Labor Statistics (national).
 
OBM NAMES EDGE WIRELESS #1 LARGE EMPLOYER IN OREGON
In its annual ranking of 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon, Oregon Business Magazine recognized Bend-based Edge Wireless as the state's top large company.  Edge was last year's runner up in the small company category.  Edge has been on a track of expansion that mirrors the community - growing from handful of people in 2000 to one of the region's top 40 private employers today with a team of nearly 150.  Key to making and being at the top of the list are employee ratings in five workplace categories:  attraction, retention and compensation; work environment; decision making and trust; performance management and rewards; and career development and learning.  Congrats Edge Wireless!  For more information about the company, visit www.edgewireless.com .

Other Central Oregon employers with headquarters or operations in the tri-county area that made the 100 Best include:  US Celluar, David Evans & Associates, Umqua Bank, R & H Construction, Wells Fargo Bank, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt, Bank of the Cascades, West Coast Bank, Amerititle, Columbia River Bank, NW Community Credit Union, Combined Communications, and Staffing Services.  

In other news, EDCO member Hooker Creek Companies made history last month by being named "Business of the Year" in both Bend and Redmond - the first time any business has received this distinction in the same year. 

APRIL 14th PUB TALK WILL FEATURE STEVE McCALLION OF ZIBA DESIGN
Steve McCallion is the Creative Director and founder of the Research and Planning group at ZIBA Design - an international industrial design and branding firm based in Portland. Consistently recognized with awards from Business Week, IDSA and others, ZIBA is one of the most renowned product development companies in the world. The company creates iconic products that win in the market place: from the creation of Microsoft's first ergonomic keyboard to a line of mobile phone accessories for Logitech.

Where:    McMenamin's Old St. Francis School - Downtown Bend
When:     5:30- 7:30 pm
Cost:     $15 for EDCO and OEF members; $25 for non-members

RSVP required to Jennifer@edforco.org. Pay at the door by cash, check (payable to EDCO) or credit card.

COCC OFFERS SUPERVISORY LEADERSHIP COURSE FOR MANUFACTURERS
April 5- May 26
Effective supervision and leadership are critical to a company's ability to recruit new workers, retain valuable, current employees, and to improve productivity. This supervisory course is tailored specifically to new and veteran supervisors and managers in the manufacturing industry. Topics of the eight week course include: Time Management, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Motivating Employees & Communication Skills, Conflict Management, Performance Evaluations, Employment Law and more. Due to sponsorship of the course, its $500 cost has been reduced to only $149.

Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please call Central Oregon Community College (COCC) at 504-2930 for registration or additional information. 

DESERT SUN DEVELOPMENT JOINS THE EDCO BOARD
EDCO is pleased to welcome Desert Sun Development as a new Platinum Member and to the EDCO Board of Directors, which is now a contingent of 28 top private and public leaders in the region.  Though new to commercial and industrial sector in Central Oregon, the company has quickly grown to 45 employees and into one of the largest building developers in Bend in only a few years.  The company is multi-faceted - it includes three subsidiaries:  High Desert Security and Fire, Crusher, Inc., and Ridgerunner Electric & Heating.  Desert Sun was instrumental in helping to retain Idatech, a Bend-based fuel cell development and manufacturing company, by giving them a home in Desert Sun¡¦s new 145,000 square foot light industrial complex in East Empire Business Park.  Other recent Desert Sun projects include a 50,000 square foot automotive complex at Empire Parkway, and new headquarters and distribution facility for US Allegiance at the East Empire complex.  In the year ahead, the company is looking forward to new projects in North Brinson Business Park and on prime light industrial land near the Redmond Airport.  For more information about the company, contact them at 317-1593.

WELCOME NEW EDCO MEMBERS!

PLATINUM MEMBERS - $5000+

• Desert Sun Development  - Tyler Fitzsimmons and Shannon Egeland
  Please see the narrative above for more information about this new EDCO member.

BRONZE MEMBERS - $250

• Deschutes County Title Company - Steve McDonald
  With offices in Bend and Redmond, Deschutes County Title Company was the first title  company within the political borders and has been serving escrow, title search and  insurance needs since 1909.  A forward-thinking company, Deschutes County Title is  anticipating moving into their new office in the Old Mill District later this Spring.  For  more information, visit www.deschutestitle.com . 
• Francis Hansen & Martin LLP -  Gregory J. Stuman
  Francis Hansen & Martin LLP has been providing legal services to the Central Oregon  business community for over 25 years.   A full service law firm, the partners represent  clients in the areas of Civil Trials and Appeals, Business Law, Real Estate, Land Use,  Banking Law, Utilities Law, Homeowners Association Law and Estate Planning.  For more  information visit www.francishansenmartin.com

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS - $150

• Ford Partners Commercial Properties - Stephen Ford
  Newly founded Ford Partners was created by Stephen Ford, who brings experience and  knowledge of the Central Oregon commercial and industrial markets.  Focused on the  needs of buyers and tenants, Stephen works to avoid the conflict of representing both sides  of a property or lease transaction.  For more information call 330-7070.   
• Mark Powell
  Founder and Chairman of Housevalues.com, Mark Powell saw his initial investment of  $35,000 in the form of home equity loan, grow to a business now listed on the NASDAQ-  all in a period of five years.  Mark was the EDCO keynote speaker for the March Pub Talk  and in addition to his duties at Housvalues.com he is providing advice to entrepreneurs on  funding, planning and marketing.  For more about Mark, visit www.markpowell.com.
• Project Development - Frank Langlois
  Established in Bend in 1999, Project Development serves the circuit board design needs of  technology companies in a wide range of sectors designs printed circuit boards throughout  the Pacific NW.  For more information call 382-5059 or email Frank at  pcb@projectdevelop.com. 

Thank you to these new investors, renewing members and to all longstanding members for your support!  For more information on how to become an EDCO member, please contact us at 388-3236 or visit /about_edco/whyjoin/
 
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
An EDCO member since 1999, AmeriTitle serves the Central Oregon region  by providing  title insurance, escrow  closings and 1031  tax deferred exchanges with local branches in Redmond, Prineville, Sisters, Sunriver and three in Bend.   With it's headquarters in Bend, the company operates with 38 offices in 26 counties throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho and is the largest title agent in the State of Oregon.  As noted in the article above on Edge Wireless, AmeriTitle was also  recognized  as  one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2005 by Oregon Business Magazine,  an award the company has received several times in the past number of years .

AmeriTitle's parent company Jeld-Wen, Inc., Oregon's largest privately held employer, provides the company both with a strong financial framework as well as access to philanthropic resources through the Jeld-Wen Foundation.  Local civic involvement by AmeriTitle includes: Rotary, United Way,  Kiwanis, Bend Downtowners,  Central Oregon Builder's Association,  and the Central Oregon Association of Realtors.

"Economic Development for Central Oregon is so very important to our region and we appreciate their continual efforts in recruiting larger companies to the area to stimulate and keep our economy strong." - Cindy Schafler, General Manager of AmeriTitle.

For more information about the company visit www.ameri-title.com

PENDING RECRUITMENT PROJECTS
Without breaching constraints of confidentiality, we want to make you aware of a few of our pending projects for the region.  They include but are not limited to:

• An industrial coatings company is considering relocating from the Portland area to Prineville.  The company would initially employ a half-dozen people and occupy a 10,000 - 20,000 square foot facility.
• A metal fabrication company is considering a move from southern California to Bend.  The company would occupy 30,000-50,000 square feet and employ 15-20 people initially.  If an existing facility can be secured, the company could plan a move as early as Summer 05.
• A specialty machining company is considering expansion or relocation to Madras.  The company supplies the outdoor recreational equipment manufacturing industry, and is interested in moving to Jefferson County for lifestyle reasons.  The company would employ 5-6 people initially and occupy 5,000-7,000 square feet.  
• Owners of a southern California manufacturing company have indicated their commitment to relocate in Redmond and are designing a new 15,000 square foot building that they expect to build and occupy in 2005. They would employ eight people.
• A headquarter firm with operations in eleven states and with nearly 500 employees is looking to relocate from the Salem to Central Oregon, bringing approximately 15 new jobs in the area.  The company, XL Management, plans to relocate temporarily to Sisters and then permanently to Redmond, where it is building a new 20,000 sf building this summer.  The company is actively looking to fill positions now for a controller, accountants (2), AP and AR clerks, and payroll clerk positions and experienced person in HR and benefits.  If you know of people interested in being considered for these positions, please contact EDCO or the company directly at michael.macy@xlmgt.com. For more information aboutL Management, visit www.seniorlivinginstyle.com.
• A new specialty paint manufacturing company from the Portland area is evaluating establishing manufacturing operation in Redmond where they would build a 15,000 sf building and create 8 new jobs.
• A growing manufacturer of recreational equipment is looking for land to construct a 40,0000 sf building that would allow the company to expand employment by more than 50 people during the year ahead. Pac Equities, an investment and real estate development company, is moving ahead with plans to construct the first phase of a six-building complex in Airport Business Center in Redmond.  Each of the anticipated LEED certified two-story structures will generate a total of 22,000 sf of flex space that can be used for office, distribution or light manufacturing.       

PENDING RETENTION/EXPANSION PROJECTS

• A large secondary wood products manufacturer has been awarded $45,000 from the Employer Workforce Training Fund for its internal training initiatives. The company will be adding 30 new jobs in the coming year. EDCO recommended that the company apply to the fund.
• IdaTech has taken partial occupancy of its new building, located in Basalt Business Park in Bend. EDCO worked closely with the company to retain its operations in Central Oregon, including facilitating an agreement to lease the new building from Desert Sun Development.
• GL Suite continues to add to its workforce, growing from seven employees last year to over 27 to date. The company has also recently moved into a new office space that more than triples its previous square footage in order to accommodate this rapid growth.
• EDCO is working with a Prineville manufacturer in coordination with the Business Resource Network to evaluate the company's recruitment efforts and to propose potential solutions. The company has several open positions available that need to be filled.
• Bend-based US Allegiance is moving forward on plans to expand its headquarters and distribution operations with a new, 45,000 square foot built-to-suit facility in East Empire Business Park. The company has already hired several new people on its way to doubling from 25 to 50 employees.
• Secondary wood products manufacturer Pioneer Cut Stock in Prineville recently invested more than $500,000 in new buildings and equipment to increase production.  Since the end of 2004, the company has added 44 new people to their workforce, which is expected to continue to grow through the year.  EDCO assisted the company with incentives and Prineville Enterprise Zone approval. 
• PCC Schlosser, manufacturer of titanium castings for aerospace and medical device applications, has an 8,000 sf addition underway at their Redmond plant to accommodate their expanding operations.  The company expects to be adding as many as 20 new employees over the next several months. 
• A Redmond manufacturer is finalizing plans to construct a 25,000 sf new building.  The company will be relocating from leased space into their own building, which is designed for further expansion in the future.  This company expects to add eight new employees initially and as many as 20 by year's end. 
• A growing Redmond manufacturer of construction materials has purchased industrial property to build a new facility for its growing operations.   
   
  FEEDBACK
  We would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this electronic newsletter and ways to improve it (i.e. is it getting too long?). Just fire back a response.  Once again, thank you for your support and interest- we are working hard to make the most of your contributions to help strengthen and diversify the regional economy!