Golden Rule Remodeling & Architecture, Inc.
Being a member of SEDCOR and attending the industrial site tours has opened my eyes to the outstanding variety of industries right here in the Willamette Valley. SEDCOR has done a tremendous job over the years not only recruiting, but preparing Salem and the surrounding communities for sustainable industrial growth.
As a member of SEDCOR’s Construction Alliance, we are working hard to help educate the young work force of tomorrow and to encourage the local government entities and businesses to utilize local talent in every way possible. SEDCOR and its members are fighting hard to build a strong economic base in the Willamette Valley that will benefit my business and all other businesses in the region.
Jack Johnston, Architect/Certified Remodeler
President
Grant Company – Mt. Angel
Being a concerned citizen here in Mt. Angel who wants very badly to see out small town survive, I must say that having people like Nick Harville out promoting business opportunities is one of the most encouraging public services I have seen. Nick has been our go to guy for anything we know of or need help with. His response time is nearly immediate, and his personal skills excellent when putting people together.
Mike Grant, Commercial General Contractor
September 19, 2011
To Nick Harville, SEDCOR Construction Alliance
Thank you so much for bringing SEDCOR to Dallas and specifically the Construction Alliance in their work with our students at Dallas High School.
In your first year working with our students at Dallas High School with our instructor Tim Ray, I think our students learned a lot and were exposed to a variety of people within the industry. That was a huge time commitment on the part of contractors and I worried initially about how you would be able to pull it off. It was amazing how you were able to make it happen.
I appreciate we learned from the experience and that your team is work with Tim Ray to improve the experience for this year’s students.
Please remember I am thrilled you are in our school district and am hoping we can find further partnerships and develop a comprehensive plan for our students who will be successful on an apprenticeship type path.
Letter from Christy Perry, Superintendent, Dallas School District
The Trading Company, Inc. – Woodburn
SEDCOR and Nick Harville have made a tremendous impact on how our company does business. I ran into Nick Harville and Tom Fox while looking for additional space for our company. I felt I had no choice but to find another facility since I had run out of space in my current location. Nick talked about Lean Manufacturing and that funding was available for up to half of the cost. I had read a fair amount about Lean and knew it could make a big difference. I attended a “Principals of Lean Leadership” class held by OMEP and I was sold. Because of this Lean training, I did not have to buy a second facility. Our current facility is more than adequate and runs much more efficiently. SEDCOR makes vital connections for business owners. If you have concerns, they are able to come up with great ideas and connections that can make things happen. They are educated and focused on making local businesses able to compete with the rest of the world.
Lainy Vanderwey, President
City of Silverton
SEDCOR is the go-to organization for economic development in the mid-Willamette Valley. The city of Silverton relies on SEDCOR to assist us in the recruitment of light industrial companies. SEDCOR is the first place we refer companies considering Silverton to who either need information on job training, employee recruitment, state or federal job creation incentives, and a host of other relocation information. The SEDCOR staff is well trained, professional and eager to assist the city in accomplishing our economic development goals.
Bryan Cosgrove, City Manager
Advantage Precast, Inc. – Keizer
SEDCOR’s staff is dedicated to the future prosperity of local communities and businesses. Their building coalitions, such as the SEDCOR Construction Alliance help industry groups be all they can be. The quarterly Industrial Site Tours make you feel good about the community and all the promise we have going forward.
Rick Day, President – General Manager
Marshall Composite Technologies, LLC – Salem
Our company has enjoyed immediate benefits upon becoming a member of SEDCOR. I strongly encourage all businesses in Marion and Polk counties to consider joining to have access to other businesses, networking opportunities and the resources provided by the SEDCOR staff. Membership really jump-started our business plan and gave us the instant visibility and credibility we needed.
Cameron Crawford, General Manager
City of Dallas
The staff at SEDCOR is incredible. Their knowledge of the latest technology has been helpful in our business recruitment process, their background in business development has helped our staff work with businesses in our city during the recession. Their international contacts has allowed Dallas to be a city of interest for possible business expansions. Nick Harville stays in touch with the businesses in our industrial area and plays a vital role at our Economic Development Commission meetings. SEDCOR is a great partner for the City of Dallas as we continue to look to grow our industrial base.
Jerry Wyatt, City Manager
Joining SEDCOR has proven to be a wise business decision for High Impact Technology. The SEDCOR staff members are true experts on mid-valley business and government operations. SEDCOR facilitated numerous meetings to help link us up with other companies in order to develop additional business opportunities. We consider our relationship with SEDCOR to be a very effective strategic alliance. SEDCOR is our “go to” organization when we need help with a challenging situation or locating services. HIT and SEDCOR will make a great team into the future!
Russ Monk, Director of Operations
Starting from a young age, I always wanted to be in business, I didn’t know what business until I matched my hobby of building and fixing things as a career. I learn through experience and example, aligning myself with and around inspiring professional people. I continue to extend my sphere of influence and knowledge by being involved in SEDCOR, a likeminded, progressive thinking, professional Association. I am now sharing my experiences up and down the chain and consider my membership part of my success.
Richard E. Duncan, AIC, President
SEDCOR’s contribution to the community has never been as evident as it is in these economically trying times. Their help with bringing SANYO Solar of Oregon LLC into the Mid-Willamette Valley area has brought new life to local businesses, one of which is Cherry City Electric (CCE), a long time SEDCOR member.
Along with the creation of over 100 factory jobs, the construction of the SANYO facility has brought jobs to over 30 subcontractors in the Willamette Valley. This has allowed many companies to keep employees who otherwise would have been let go. The two-million dollars we will pay out in wages on this project, plus the additional two-million dollars that we have contracted with local suppliers will circulate over and over in our community.
Ray Ellis, Vice President/General Manager
Specialty Polymers, Inc.
Rapid growth can be challenging, and as Specialty Polymers had grown from a small, regional manufacturer to a global company, we have encountered our share of challenges. SEDCOR has provided invaluable advice, and guidance as we have added employees, built a production facility in South Carolina, entered the Chinese market, introduced new product lines, increased the operating capacity of our Woodburn plant, and expanded into a new warehouse/office complex.
A family-owned company, based in Woodburn, Specialty has been providing innovative products to the paint and coatings industry for over 38 years. Today our environmentally friendly, water based products, are the key ingredient in paints, primers, and glues found in stores everywhere. Specialty’s production facilities, product development expertise, and outstanding employees provide a great platform for future growth. We appreciate the opportunity to access SEDCOR’s expertise and vast network to help us achieve our growth goals.
Sheryl Southwell, President
Garmin AT
Garmin AT, Inc. is a world renowned designer and manufacturer of general aviation avionics. Garmin’s emphasis on continual innovation, coupled with a desire to please their loyal customer base, has fueled the ever-growing product line. The Salem facility focuses on products such as the all-in-one aviation system that allows pilots to navigate and communicate with ease.
Since being acquired by Garmin International, headquartered in Olathe, Kansas in mid-2003, Garmin AT has experienced rapid growth. The company has been able to capitalize on synergies, utilizing a worldwide distribution network, while minimizing costs to the customer. However, this is only possible if the most efficient approaches are used. These approaches rely on Garmin’s ability to attract and retain high quality, skilled workers from electronic assemblers to engineers. Workers want to live in a safe and healthy community that offers solid education for their families, as well as for themselves. SEDCOR’s effort to create a strong local economy, and their ability to interconnect the community has been extremely beneficial to Garmin AT. Their support in finding training funds, facilitating lean manufacturing to reduce costs, as well as establishing community relationships have ensured success. With the projected growth of the company, it is certain that community infrastructure will be more important than ever and SEDCOR’s involvement will be even more critical.
Gloria Bracey, Controller and Administration Manager
Modern Building Systems
Since 1992, when Modern Building Systems moved from Tualatin to Aumsville, we have almost tripled revenues, and assets have increased six times. Modern is continuing to grow our customer base for new projects, and dramatically set to grow our leasing base of customers. We are currently working on opening new, and affiliate branches to meet our growth plans
SEDCOR was instrumental in Modern receiving a NWTAAC federal grant that helped fund a number of efficiency projects within the company, brought us a number of leads and customers, and helped keep the Mid-Willamette’s economy as vibrant as it could be during the good and not so good years.
SEDCOR’s vision on creating Mill Creek Industrial Park will loom large as a legacy, as will all the investment that has happened in the Mid-Willamette Valley due to their work. The business climate as a whole is very difficult to change by one or a few agencies. We must remember that, good times or bad, our community is in competition with similar communities for the companies that are looking to relocate or expand. If we do our job well, we will end up with the best companies that pay the living-wage jobs, and that are clean manufacturing, and excellent service sector industries.
Jim Rasmussen, President
Marion County
The economic vitality of Marion County and our neighbors has clearly been enhanced because of the strong partnerships SEDCOR has had with local governments. Marion County has been a member of SEDCOR almost from the beginning.
In 1999, when the SEDCOR Board of Directors was expanded to 45 members, Commissioner Patti Milne joined the Board, and has served on it since. In turn, in 2003, Marion County created the Economic Development Advisory Board. SEDCOR and the Economic Development Advisory Board share common goals. Both work toward the expansion and retention of existing businesses that can maintain local jobs, while keeping the welcome mat out for new businesses bringing new jobs. In order to do this, both groups know the importance of looking to community business people for direction and feedback.
Major projects the County has worked with SEDCOR on include the recruitment, placement and training of Wachovia workers just a few years ago, and the recent Regional Economic Study which will help guide economic development efforts in the near future.
Patti Milne, Marion County Commissioner
