Dear EDCO members and supporters:

On Wednesday, October 12, EDCO will be hosting the 2005 Annual Awards reception at the Inn of Seventh Mountain. The event is the highlight of Industry Week (October 10-14) – a series of regional events designed to provide useful resources and information for entrepreneurs and primary employers in the manufacturing and technology sectors.

During the Awards, we will be recognizing primary employers in two categories:

1.  New businesses
2.  Local business expansions

We will also be presenting individual awards for the Private and Public Sector to two individuals who have played significant roles in supporting our employers and economic development in the region.

Today, we are asking for your nominations and recommendations.
While EDCO has a large portfolio of new recruits and local business expansion projects, we recognize that some primary employers may be quietly expanding without our direct involvement or knowledge.

Primary employer* recognition:
Please email us regarding primary employers who have expanded during the past year – we are considering projects that created jobs and capital investment in the region.

Person of the Year (Public and Private Sector) – nominations:
Again, please email us your nominations.  Indicate why you believe the person should be considered for the award. Last year’s recipients were: Jim Lussier of St. Charles Medical Center for the Private Sector and JoAnne Sutherland, City of Redmond for the Public Sector. Individual Award recipients will be selected by the EDCO Board of Directors.

NOTE: All nominations must be received by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Thank you!

Jennifer Houston
Business Development Manager
Economic Development for Central Oregon
541-388-3236
Jennifer@edforco.org

*What is a Primary Employer?
Most economic development organizations across the country focus their efforts on growing primary employment that will, in turn, support secondary employers and the entire economy. Primary employers, typically in the manufacturing and technology sectors, are generally defined as companies that export a majority (75%) of their goods or services outside a local or regional market area. Secondary employers include commercial and retail trade, housing, professional services and health care. Revenues generated by primary employers expand the local or regional "economic pie", while secondary employers tend to compete for customers and market share or a piece of that economic pie.