Issue 5, Volume IV

REGION RESPONDS TO MONACO CLOSURE 
Monaco Coach Corporation announced on April 15 that it will be closing its Bend facility in 60 days and consolidating operations at its Coburg headquarters. The Bend operation is Monaco’s only facility on leased property, and the lack of large industrial parcels in Bend available for purchase has been an ongoing concern for the past several years as the company has expanded its production. Local Central Oregon economic development officials were not privy to highly confidential negotiations taking place between the Governor, the Oregon Economic Community and Development Department (OECDD) and Monaco Coach Corporation. The company was strongly considering a move out of state for the Bend operation.

Click here to read the April 15 Press Release

EDCO has been working closely with local employers (including The Lancair Company, Fuqua Homes, Nosler, Epic Air, Clear Pine, Hooker Creek, Bend Garbage & Recycling and Bright Wood) as well as the Employment Department, COIC and WorkSource partners to ensure that those employees who wish to remain in the region locate job opportunities. Monaco will be holding anon-site job fair featuring over 40 employers on May 20. The fair will begin at 1:30 pm.

Click here to read the April 29 Bend Bulletin article "Absorbing the Job Losses"

TOP DESTINATIONS SOUTHWEST, SOUTHERN CA FOR NEW JET SERVICE
After the first two full months of operation, it appears that a trend is already apparent for new Delta Connection jet service to the southwest U.S. via Salt Lake City.  Salt Lake City was the #1 destination – capturing 11.2% of all passengers.  Other top destinations for travelers using the new Delta service included:

In aggregate, travel to the southwest totaled more than one quarter of all passengers on Delta flights originating from Redmond.  Interestingly enough, East Coast destinations for the first month of service represented a much smaller aggregate percentage, only (11.4%) of all passenger travel.   This appears to be at least a preliminary indication that there is strong support for further improved service to either Phoenix or southern California.  EDCO will be working with the Redmond Airport and Central Oregon Air Service Task Force in the months ahead to investigate options for new service to these markets, so look for future updates!

THREE NEW CENTRAL OREGON SITES CERTIFED BY STATE
Central Oregon added three new large-scale industrial properties to Oregon’s Certified Site program – an effort to provide project-ready options for companies in the national business area that are looking to expand or relocate.  The Madras Industrial Park (Phase IV), Tom McCall Industrial Park (Prineville) and Jefferson Park Business Center join the La Pine Industrial Park as four of two dozen certified sites across the state.  Certification of city-owned property in Redmond, Desert Rise, is in the process of being certified in the next 30 days.   

The primary purpose of the program, which has worked well in attracting new jobs and investment in New York State and Pennsylvania, is to have sites that have identified and eliminated any potential barriers to development.  A recent example of the power of the program is Google’s recent decision to locate a new processing facility in The Dalles.  Google identified that it only wanted to consider sites that were certified and within an enterprise zone.   The community had a site that met both criteria at the Port of the Dalles.  Competing with several other communities in other states, The Dalles was inevitably was selected for the new facility which will bring 50 new jobs and $20 million in capital investment. 

MADRAS WILL BE “OREGON’S MOST CHANGED COMMUNITY” IN THREE YEARS
Change has been a familiar way of life for Deschutes County residents over the past decade, however Jefferson County residents have been somewhat insulated to this dynamic.  That is all about to change according to Rick Allen, Mayor of Madras.  At the April EDCO Board Meeting held at the headquarters of Bright Wood Corp., he outlined a dozen large scale projects that will have a profound impact on the community of Madras.  They include:

• Significant redevelopment projects in the downtown core through a newly formed urban renewal district. 
• A new community aquatic center (none currently)
• New upscale motel complex
• Movie theater (non currently)
• New world class museum built by and to house Pamplin’s art and artifact collections
• Light Industrial activity at Jefferson Park Business Center
• Newly reconstructed highway interchange at US 97 and OR Hwy 26
• 820 acre planned unit development that will include a new golf course, and more than 1000 home sites
• At least half a dozen additional small to medium scale new residential developments
• New branch education center for COCC
• New, state-of-the-art flight shop building at the Madras Airport

Combined, these projects represent an incredible magnitude of activity and capital investment in the community over the next several years.  Most projects are already underway or funded, so it is not a question of if Madras will be changing, but how soon. 

CITY OF BEND BUSINESS ROUND TABLE
On April 26th, EDCO hosted the second Business Round Table with the City of Bend. The event included city councilors, staff and representatives from nine diverse businesses. The group discussed the issues and challenges facing many local Bend employers who plan to expand their operations. Specific topics included economic development issues related to land and real estate availability and affordability, including the City’s future plans for Juniper Ridge and the Bend Airport. EDCO plans to hold another Business Round Tables in July and then in October during Industry Week.

May 12th PUB TALK WILL FEATURE BOB MARCHANT OF MODO INC.
"Changing Strategies - Giving up the Dream to Find the Dream"
Bob Marchant is President/CEO of Modo, Inc., a global design and manufacturing firm that specializes in mobile furniture for medical technology. Since founding the firm in 1987, Bob has led design and development projects for clients including: Medtronic, Philips, Haemonetics, and GE Healthcare. Modo’s work has earned numerous design awards including IDEA, ID Magazine, IF Hanover and Good Design.  Three years ago, Mr. Marchant appeared on the cover of Inc. Magazine for his efforts with MODO. 

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 NOW!

Pay at the door by cash, check (payable to EDCO) or credit card.

RECENT CENTRAL OREGON MERGERS & ACQUISTIONS
Summit Medical Equipment, a Bend bioscience company specializing in anesthesia systems for veterinarians, recently announced a merger with Molecular Imaging Products (MIP). MIP produces biochemical products to assist life science researchers. The company will be headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Summit will become a division of MIP under the name Summit Anesthesia Solutions. Its operations and four employees will remain in Bend.

On April 4, Respironics (Nasdaq: RESP) announced it had acquired Bend-based Mini Mitter, developer of scientific equipment and medical devices for ambulatory monitoring of physiological and behavioral parameters in humans and animals. The acquisition will broaden Respironics current product line of products for the sleep and respiratory markets. Respironics is headquartered in Murraysville, PA.

Click here to read the April 4 Press Release

WELCOME NEW EDCO MEMBERS!

GOLD MEMBERS

• Clear Choice Health Plans, Gunnar Hansen
  Clear Choice is a provider-owned and Oregon operated insurance company based in Bend that offers health insurance including Medicare Advantage plans, commercial plans and third party administration to individuals and businesses throughout Central and Eastern Oregon and the Columbia Gorge.  Clear Choice is a different kind if insurer, in no small part because it was created by our region’s health care community to serve its customers. Today, it has the most extensive network in Central Oregon, which includes contracts with over 98% of all physicians (525 physicians) and 100% all hospitals in the market area.  For more information about the company and its plans, visit www.clearchoicehp.com .
• KTVZ/News 21 – Dan Volz and Jim DeChant
  The news leader in broadcasting, KTVZ has been providing up-to-date news and information since the region joined the television world back in 1977.  For nearly 30 years the region’s NBC affiliate has become an integral part of life here and KTVZ’s signal now covers an area from Madras to Sunriver, Sisters to Burns.  The company has been a generous corporate sponsor – supporting many local charities and events over the years.   Look for new public/community awareness commercials for EDCO later this summer as part of KTVZ’s membership.   For more information about the company visit www.ktvz.com  

SILVER MEMBERS

• Mill Quarter Properties – Aaron Lafky
  Bend’s Mill Quarter is a redevelopment project on the original site of Bend’s Old Mill, providing nearly 150,000 square feet of mixed-use residential and commercial space.  The project mixes contemporary loft living with traditional European marketplace storefronts, Brownstone-style row houses, rooftop gardens and town homes. Recent construction projects to this “mini Pearl District” bridge between downtown and the Old Mill District include:  new 6,200 sf concrete, steel and brick building occupied by R & H Construction; Sunriver Realty’s new Bend office and 25 new row house units along Arizona Way.  For more information about this exciting development visit www.millqtr.com .

BRONZE MEMBERS

• Bend-La Pine School District – Doug Nelson
  The largest school district in the Central Oregon region, the District has been educating students in the communities of Bend, Sunriver and La Pine dating back to schools built in the 1880’s. Today, the District has nearly 14,000 students in a total of 24 elementary, middle and high schools.  The District’s students have historically lead Oregon in national testing scores which range from 20-30 points over Oregon’s averages and 60-70 points over national averages.  For more information about the Bend-La Pine School District, visit www.bend.k12.or.us .

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

• Evan Hill
  A construction and IT specialist, Evan has assisted construction companies with problem identification, solution choice, solution implementation, personnel training, and post-implementation evaluation.  Evan is also a seasoned technology leader who believes in using technology to improve your bottom line.  To learn more about Evan, visit www.evanhill.org .
• Audio Visions Plus
  Located in Bend, Audio Visions Plus was developed to provide a great audio and visual experience for any occasion – weddings, conventions, movies, concerts, or private in-home theater.  State-of-the-art audio and video equipment for nearly every production need is available for sale or rent from Audio Visions Plus.  For more information, visit their web site at www.audiovisionsplusonline.com .
• John L. Scott – Sharon Abrams
  Sharon Abrams, a resident of Central Oregon for the last 13 years, believes the area has a peace and nourishment about it that makes Central Oregon unique.  For more information about her services, call Sharon at (541) 317-0123 or visit her web site at: http://www.johnlscott.com/agentdetail.asp?agent_id=lNaIBNULBEaIA4QK&ba=1 .

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, membership levels and benefits, please contact us at 388-3236 or visit /about_edco/whyjoin/
 
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

An EDCO member since 2003, Alpine Internet Solutions focuses on website development.  Drew Child, President and CEO, joined Alpine in 2001 to work with the founder and Chief Technology Officer, Brian Cash.  The company focuses on developing affordable solutions for website development, web marketing, and sophisticated website management software. 

Using Alpine Center Stage® and Rainmaker Online™, companies are able to rapidly adjust and modify their web presence and online business communication practices in response to changes in communication strategy and market requirements.  Alpine is a trusted guide for web marketing strategy whether the goal is a graphic redesign, moving up in search engine lists like Google, generating leads, building an effective email marketing campaign and/or creating web pages for customer self service.  

Clients like, Sun Country Tours, First Resort Realty, Lancair, Brooks Resources, HP, Northwest Community Credit Union, Portland Public Schools, the city of Bend, Sunriver, Continental Mills, EDCo and Opportunity Knocks rely on Alpine as a guide for their web based communications efforts.

Drew Child, Alpine President and CEO, has also been active in establishing a presence for the Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum and PubTalk in Central Oregon.

For more information about the company visit Alpine Internet Solutions at www.alpineinternet.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 getting closer to making a decision to establish a new operation in Prineville.  The company would initially employ a half-dozen people and occupy a 10,000 - 20,000 square foot facility.
• Owners of a southern California manufacturing and distribution company have indicated their commitment to relocate to either Bend or Redmond and are working on move details for later this year as well as designing a new 15,000 square foot building that they expect to build and occupy in 2005. They would employ eight people.
• A growing manufacturer of recreational equipment is looking for land to construct a 40,000 sf building that would allow the company to expand employment by more than 50 people during the year ahead.
• An established Oregon-based insurance company is looking at Redmond, Prineville, and three communities in southern Oregon for a new claims processing center for their operations.   Company representatives visited the region last week and are looking to narrow their focus on one or two communities within the next 30-45 days.  The center would employ 50-100 people with average starting wages in the $12-14 range. 
• An aerospace company that designs and manufactures pressurization systems for general aviation and jet aircraft is considering Bend as well as areas in Texas, Arizona and Colorado for relocation and consolidation of their operations.  The company is a supplier to all major general aviation aircraft producers in the US, including Lancair. 

PENDING RETENTION/EXPANSION PROJECTS

• Immediately after receiving news of Monaco Coach’s relocation of its Beaver Motor Coach Bend plant to Coburg, EDCO began connecting local employers with job openings to the Beaver Motor Coach HR department and WorkSource partners. Read details about this project under the Monaco headline above.
• Construction on Epic Air’s new 100,000+ sf facility at the Bend Municipal Airport is slated for completion by early June. At the company’s request, EDCO arranged an April 13 media event featuring a sneak preview tour of the building with COO Dave Hice. The Bulletin and News Channel 21 both covered the event. The company has already begun hiring for its production staff, and was pleased to report to EDCO that the publicity resulted in a flood of resumes.
• A local manufacturer has contacted EDCO regarding applying to the Prineville Enterprise Zone. The company is planning to purchase $300,000-400,000 of new equipment and is eligible for the Zone tax benefits. In addition, EDCO and the Business Resource Network met with the company regarding its current recruitment needs.
• EDCO is working with a manufacturer in Bend to locate a 10-12,000 sf. warehouse space for one of its suppliers. EDCO also facilitated a meeting with the City of Bend to re-evaluate the City’s SDC calculation for the company’s planned 60,000 sf building, resulting in a cost savings of $30,000.
• EDCO referred a candidate to a local tech manufacturer who was recently hired as the company’s new national sales manager.
• We are working with a local supplier in the secondary wood products sector to Monaco Coach that is looking for a smaller facility and to diversify its customer base. 
• A local startup company in Jefferson County serving the home & garden and agriculture industry approached EDCO about their expansion plans.  We are working with the company on securing facilities, equipment and working capital to capitalize on a new product. 

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!