 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
“For every new listing, we’re getting one sale in the last 24 hours,” Greg notes. “Take these numbers, which are not terribly uncharacteristic and project out for a month - we’re looking at 900 [sales and new listings] per month. That’s a balanced market with a significant, sustainable level of market activity.” Greg is quick to point out that the market has changed – gone are the days of 2004 and 2005 where two homes sold for every new one listed and too many buyers chased too little inventory. “The market we just came out of was driven by buyer fear of loss. Today buyers have more time to make an informed decision because inventory count is higher.” Asked about seller motivation, he adds that realistic pricing is critical. Many sellers are investors with unrealistic expectations. “A wait-and-see attitude with a property just thrown on the market is by definition a home not priced attractively. There’s a big difference between wait-and-see attitude and pricing to sell. There is an educational process with sellers.” CENTRAL OREGON IN THE NEWS
100 Best Companies in Oregon
Other regional accolades over the past month included Computerworld's ranking of top public/government websites that included Deschutes County's site (www.deschutes.org), which was selected from 11,227 sites. Visit this link for the full details: http://www.nprcouncil.com/e-government/Computerworld_Article.pdf. More national press came for the region's reputation as a golf destination by high-end monthly newsletter Golf Odyssey, which placed Sunriver Resort as one of four acclaimed courses for "Best Resorts for Family Foursomes." See the whole story at http://www.golfodyssey.com/newsletter.html 2007'S PREMIER PUBLIC POLICY FORUM - OREGON BUSINESS PLAN JAN 4TH
RESERVE TODAY! JAN 11TH PUBTALK FEATURES KEYNOTE AMY TYKESON, PRESIDENT &CEO OF BENDBROADBAND, AND EARLY STAGE PRESENTER, SUN BIODIESEL Where: McMenamin's Old St. Francis School - Fr. Luke's Room - Downtown Bend When: Thursday, January 11th, 5:00 - 7:30 pm Cost: $15 for EDCO and OEF members; $25 for non-members Less than two weeks away, we kick off the first PubTalk of the new year with Amy Tykeson, president and CEO of BendBroadband. Along with best practices, look for Amy to share problems and challenges experienced from the helm of this family owned and operated company. PubTalk's early stage presenters are Dan Davis and Dale Porter, co-founders of Sun Biodiesel. Both have extensive careers in conventional and green power production and will reveal their plans to grow both their new company and this emerging new market. This year's PubTalk series is underwritten by title sponsors Ball Janik and Community First Bank and through the sponsorship of Access Knowledge, LLC, Bend Venture Conference and media Sponsor, The Bulletin. For additional information on this event or to pre-register, CLICK HERE, or call EDCO at 388-3236. THIS WAS A SELL-OUT, SO RESERVE NOW! WORKFORCE SPECIALIST MARYANN BILLINGTON KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT REDMOND 2007 ANNUAL LUNCHEON & FORUMWhere: Eagle Crest Resort Conference Center MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR EDCO'S FEBRUARY 15TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What drives Toyota? The presumption of imperfection--and a distinctly American refusal to accept it. In other words, Japanese continuous improvement grafted to the American competitive spirit. In the December issue of Fast Company, senior writer Charles Fishman delves into Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky manufacturing plant for a fascinating look at the culture that drives this successful company. 
Citing a 34% sales gain from 2002 to 2005 and a healthy $1,587 per car profit, the core of Toyota's genius, Fishman says, lies in the company's "quiet, internal, self-critical competitiveness." He explains that this competitiveness "is rooted in an institutional obsession with improvement that Toyota manages to instill in each one of its workers, a pervasive lack of complacency with whatever was accomplished yesterday." 
On December 12th, Les Schwab Tire Centers announced plans to build a new corporate headquarter facility in Bend's new Juniper Ridge development. Accompanying this decision was the naming of Dick Borgman, as new President & CEO of Les Schwab Tires, Oregon's third largest private employer. Both announcements usher in a new era for the company as it plans for future growth that could double revenues over the next decade. For the past year-and-a-half, EDCO worked to provide the company with research, information on incentives, and site selection services as it evaluated competing proposals from the metro areas of Sacramento, CA, Portland/Vancouver and Reno, NV. Bend was the only community considered by Les Schwab in the Central Oregon region, and Juniper Ridge was selected among other possible locations within Bend. Among the factors considered were corporate tax structure, availability of space, metro size and ability to attract talent, financial and other incentives, and travel connectivity/commercial air service. 
Eighteen months ago, EDCO assembled community proposals for Prineville and Redmond for a new administrative center and dental hygiene school for a site location search by ODS Companies. The company considered these communities along with five other areas across the state - eventually focusing on downtown Redmond for its new facility. Complications with parking and adequate development space surfaced during four months of discussions and negotiations, and in early October the company announced that it would be considering options in other areas of the region. Approximately two months ago, Portland-based commercial developer/builder Gerding Edlund contacted EDCO to assist with a coordinated plan review and fast track permitting with the City of Bend for a new, 90,000 square foot Class-A office building the Old Mill District at the intersection of Wilson and Bond. The project will bring more than 120 new, well-paying jobs to the region in claims processing and dental hygiene instructors. The project is on track to begin construction summer 2007. In addition to ODS, the new building (which promises to be one of the most striking in the region) will be shared by the consolidated offices of Western Title, which is a partner-owner of the development. For more information, click here: 
More than a year ago, EDCO began discussions with business, government and other community leaders within Crook County about the possibility of a new, local economic development program dedicated to projects and initiatives within the Prineville community and outlying areas. Over this period of time, a partnership with the Prineville/Crook County Chamber of Commerce has emerged, using the EDCO-Redmond Economic Development, Inc., relationship/agreement as a model. Two days following Les Schwab Tires' headquarter relocation announcement, the company issued a press release that outlined a $50,000 grant for multi-year support of the new program. These funds will be combined with contributions from the city, county and local businesses to fund a three-year pilot program. Timing on these efforts is critical to foster additional economic activity and diversification over the next two years - when Les Schwab Tires' move is expected to occur. For more information about this exciting proposed program, 
Central Oregon’s Economy 
Since it was launched in 2002, the Oregon Business Plan has provided the strategic framework for Oregon's business and elected leaders to work together, building a stronger, more competitive state economy. Entitled Leadership Summit 2007: Gaining Sustainable Advantage, the event convenes on the eve of the 74th legislative session and provides a unique opportunity to hear private and public leaders. Specific topics include preK-20 education, quality healthcare, transportation and land use improvements, stable public financing, and economic innovation. Cost is $125 and includes lunch and all materials. For more information and to register online, click here:
|
WELCOME NEW EDCO MEMBERS!
BRONZE LEVEL MEMBERS
Sublime Design Group
Take a look at Sublime Design Group's website and you instantly realize Sublime is a different sort of creative agency. Fresh, lively, and playful, the site captures the energy and conviction Kelly and Aileen Walker bring to their business. Started in earnest in 2003, the Walkers have grown Sublime to encompass a 10 person staff, with a main office in Redmond and an auxiliary studio in Bend. Both Kelly and Aileen have 20+ years experience in the advertising world, Kelly as a writer and Aileen as a designer.
Asked what makes Sublime unique, Kelly thoughtfully responds that it's all about how they treat people - both clients and employees. The words "accessible" and "attention" come up repeatedly. "We're accessible to all sizes of business. We respect small clients and can work creatively within a limited budget. We dote on our clients - that means we're responsive and provide quick turnaround." Kelly adds that Sublime is big supporter of startup companies; "after all, we're a small business ourselves." Among others, Sublime's client roster includes: Opportunity Knocks, Harley Davidson Bend, Bend Garbage & Recycling, Oregon Department of Forestry, L&S Gardens, Café Sintra, Bend Police Department, and The Learning Company. Click here for more information: www.thesublimedesigngroup.com
Iverson Group
Meet Bryan Iverson and you quickly find yourself considering ideas you hadn't previously entertained. Bryan is as unique as his businesses services are diverse: strategic marketing and advertising, political campaign management, public affairs and government consulting, and TV production. The Iverson Group has a strategic alliance with Rage Productions, which serves as the production arm of Iverson, so the company produces work for other local advertising agencies and offers top-end production capabilities for their own clients.
Iverson Group boasts a long list of clients. On the political side, Bryan ran Ron Saxton's gubernatorial bid east of the Cascades, he works with Chuck Burley and consults with Tammy Baney and Mark Cappell. His company also does work with CORA, Robberson Ford, and the City of Prineville. Bryan serves as the Prineville appointee to EDCO's Board, noting that "economic development is vital to our sustainability over the long run. If Central Oregon isn't growing, we'll lose. And business-to-business connections are critical to solve problems." For more information, visit: http://www.tigadvertising.com/
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL MEMBERS
Cascadian Group is an independent management consulting firm established to engage in acquisitions, new ventures, and management consulting - with an emphasis in technology, energy, manufacturing, and distribution businesses. That alignment, says the firm's principal, Jason Moyer, is the reason for joining EDCO. A native of Sisters and an OSU grad, Jason was happy to return to Central Oregon this year after a ten year stint in Portland, noting that a healthy, diverse business climate made the move possible. Asked what makes Cascadian Group unique, Jason comments that he's "a consultant who does real work and will do the implementation, not just provide recommendations."
Jason brings more than a decade of consultative and analytical experience from PacifiCorp, Intel, Planar Systems, and ReliaStar Financial. His most recent focus has been to provide large companies with management consulting at the project level, often serving as the project implementation manager. Jason wryly notes that "projects nobody else wants" frequently come his way because he's willing to solve challenging issues, adding that he "always leaves the company better than he found it." For more information, visit: http://home.bendbroadband.com/cascadian
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Robberson Ford & Mazda
A founding member of EDCO back in 1981, Robberson Ford Mazda knows first hand the value of economic development. When Jeff Robberson's late father, Gordon, came to Bend in 1958, the two previous Ford dealers had gone bankrupt. "Livable wage jobs were hard to come by in those days," Jeff says "It was very difficult for the average mill worker to afford a new vehicle." Jeff refers to it as "Bend's seven year cycle -- they'd lose mill jobs and then gain some." While the situation has changed for the better, Jeff knows planning and a focus on new jobs will always be top priorities.
Robberson says when he came into the business, his father told him "You're here to work for this community." Jeff's excitement comes through when he speaks of Robberson's civic involvement. "It amazes me how many times a fundraising goal is set, met and exceeded in this community. We all realize how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful area." His civic involvement includes the Ski Foundation, United Way, Prineville Chamber, Deschutes Co. Commission for Children & Families, Rotary and the Boys & Girls Club.
Currently, Robberson Ford Mazda employs 125 people at their three locations. Reflecting back on the opening of the new Prineville dealership in 2003, Jeff says "when I did the ribbon cutting, I realized its population was exactly the same as Bend's when my father opened the Bend dealership in 1958. And back then, Robberson Ford was located on Bond St. in the St. Clair Building!"
Asked about the value of EDCO membership, Jeff responds "it's important that we actively choose which companies come into and thrive in our region. We have to bring in livable wage jobs that fit with the character of this community. EDCO is as important now as it ever was."
PENDING RECRUITMENT PROJECTS
- A newly formed company supplying product to the defense industry is looking to establish an office and assembly facility in Bend. The company is initially seeking a 1,200 - 1,500 SF space to get started with small office, open warehouse with roll-up door. If you know of a light industrial or flex space that would work, please contact Roger at EDCO at 388-3236 or roger@edcoinfo.com.
- As noted in articles above, Les Schwab Tires announced this month that it would be constructing a new, 120,000 SF headquarters in Bend's proposed Juniper Ridge project. Within a week of this news, ODS Companies announced that it would be building a new 90,000 SF administrative center and dental hygiene school in the Old Mill District in Bend. Combined, the two projects will bring more than 450 new, high-paying jobs to Bend - 120 of which are also new to the region.
- A new manufacturing company that will supply the food processing industry in the Pacific Northwest is looking to establish operations in Redmond. The company is projecting to have 15 employees within the first year and grow steadily from that point.
PENDING RETENTION/EXPANSION PROJECTS
- Aircraft Rubber Manufacturing (formerly Fuel Safe) recently initiated permits for a new, 100,000 SF building in the City of Redmond's Desert Rise industrial development. The project is expected to start construction this spring and should be completed toward the end of 2007.
- H.D. Fowler, supplier of various pipe and irrigation components, is moving forward on permits for construction of a new warehouse and distribution center in Redmond. The new 9,000 SF facility, and roughly four acre storage yard will be located at the corner of 9th Street and Antler Avenue.
- Dana Signs started construction of a new 4,000 SF building in Airport Business Center in Redmond. The company expects to add at least one employee and is already looking toward future expansion.
- Fuqua Homes recently provided a complete tour for business leaders who are members of the Bend Rotary Club. EDCO's Business Development Manager Eric Strobel helped facilitate the event, which provided an opportunity for business leaders to better understand the state-of-the-art building technologies used in the Bend Fuqua manufacturing plant. Fuqua has also been working with Housing Works (formerly Central Oregon Regional Housing Authority) on solutions for low/moderate income housing.
- The Bend Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting last week for the impressive new Heart Center, a partnership between Cascade Healthcare Community and Heart Center Cardiology (formerly The Cardiology Group) attached to St. Charles Medical Center - Bend. The 55,000 SF center offers heart services to patients such as education, wellness and prevention, and the most advanced, specialized heart surgery and rehabilitation available in the country. Along with St. Charles and Heart Center Cardiology, tenants of The Heart Center include Cardiothoracic Surgeons, PC, Pediatric Heart Center of Central Oregon and Heart Institute of the Cascades.
FEEDBACK
We would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this electronic newsletter and ways to improve it. 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!
|
|
|||
|
|||
