|
OEDA Recognizes Success in Oregon Economic Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baker City
,
OR
– Economic development successes throughout the State of
Oregon
were recognized at the
Oregon Economic Development Association
’s Annual Conference, Back
to
Business, in
Eugene
on
Oc
t
o
ber 4, 2005
.
Five recipients were announced for the 2005 Awards of Excellence in Economic and Community Development.
Economic Development Leader of the Year
The highlight of the awards presentation honored Larry Glassock, President of the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, as Economic Development Leader of the Year.
OEDA recognizes a professional who has attained outstanding achievement and who has consistently supported the vision and goals of local and state economic development in awarding Larry Glassock the Economic Development Leader of the Year.
Glassock has served the citizens of
Salem
and the surrounding communities of
Marion
and
Polk
Counties
for 13 years as the president of the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR). This organization ranks among the largest public-private economic development corporations in
Oregon
. Glassock has built membership
to
more than 450 dues-paying members and, during his tenure he has raised approximately $1 billion worth of investments
to
support economic development in the region.
Serving as President of the
Oregon Economic Development Association
for four years and actively engaging key legislative leaders throughout his career, Larry has supported economic development initiatives and has made business opportunities st
ron
ger in
Oregon
.
Outstanding Community Leadership
The City of
Lebanon
was recognized in the category of Outstanding Community Leadership for the Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse location due
to
extensive preparation work for a Certified Site.
Outstanding Community Leadership focuses on a project within an Oregon Community that has overcome economic challenges, demonstrating unique vision, leadership and citizen involvement.
In the past, the City of
Lebanon
did not have trouble attracting companies
to
visit, but they were unsuccessful in landing the company
to
establish operations in
Lebanon
. Walmart, for example, said ‘no’
to
sites in
Lebanon
when they visited because the site in question was faced with
to
o many uncertainties for development.
Mayor Ken Toombs and City Manager John Hitt exhibited critical leadership
to
work the city through the rigorous Certified Industrial Site Program. The work paid off when Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse decided
to
site their 1,358,000 square foot regional distribution center on
Lebanon
’s certified site.
Industrial Site Certification documents and assembles information needed by a business considering acquisition and use of a site. A certified site meets specific, market-driven criteria based on the standards of real estate professionals and of the industries that would develop and operate at these locations.
Partnership Excellence
Economic Development for
Central Oregon
was honored for Partnership Excellence in organizing Industry Week
to
highlight
Central Oregon
'
s primary employers.
Economic Development for
Central Oregon
earned the Partnership Excellence Award for Industry Week, which features a series of regional events designed
to
provide useful resources and information for entrepreneurs and primary employers in the manufacturing and technology sectors.
Twelve events effectively organized in five days drew attention
to
the support of primary employers in the region. Four cities held roundtables with local businesses.
Focused workshops on lean manufacturing, export assistance, technology, and entrepreneurship were available for businesses
to
hone skills for competitiveness.
EDCO’s Annual Awards and the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence were highlights
to
bring even more attention
to
successful business partners in the region. OEDA honors EDCO for the overall coordination of this monumental 2nd Annual event with government and private sector partners.
Creative Marketing and Promotions
The Chambers of Tillamook County won the Creative Marketing and Promotions category for familiarization
to
urs
to
educate partners on activities
to
promote
to
tourism in the region.
The Award of Excellence for Creative Marketing and Promotions goes
to
all of the Chambers of Commerce in
Tillamook
County
who worked
to
gether
to
raise awareness of the region’s offerings
to
visitors and residents by organizing three community
to
u
rs.
Prior
to
organizing a series of “fam” (familiarization)
to
urs, the chambers did not work
to
gether or know much about activities and services of other Chambers. As a result, opportunities were being lost instead of leveraged.
The creative approach
to
help colleagues with a limited budget made suggestions
to
visi
to
rs for interesting places and things
to
do in
Tillamook
County
, and provides an excellent example for other communities
to
replicate.
Representatives from Tillamook County Chamber of Commerce, Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce, Pacific City-Nestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, Garibaldi Chamber of Commerce,
Nehalem
Bay
, Manzanita and Wheeler Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce participated in arranging the
to
urs. Formal
to
ur packages for marketing
to
visi
to
rs are now in development based on the success of these “fam”
to
ur events.
Best Website
Best Website honors were awarded
to
the Oregon Employment Department for their
Business
Information
Center
website.
The Oregon Employment Department is recognized for the
Business
Information
Center
(www.QualityInfo.org/BIC) as Best Economic Development Website. This website offers
Oregon
businesses and entrepreneurs labor market information that is cus
to
mized for business decision-making. Businesses visiting the website will find information on industries, localized economic and population data for recruiting and training staff, tax credit programs, and even business financing resources. Contact information is presented as a “one-s
to
p” direc
to
ry for local business associations, ports, economic development partners, and chambers of commerce, as well as state contacts.
The extensive resource information and user-friendly navigation made this website a clear winner in this category.
About OEDA and the Awards Program
The
Oregon Economic Development Association
(OEDA) is a statewide non-profit organization working
to
support economic development professionals who are on
Oregon
's f
ron
t line in diversifying and expanding
Oregon
's economy.
The purpose of the Awards in Excellence program is
to
recognize exceptional and innovative economic and community development efforts. Peer recognition provides the opportunity
to
share success and potentially replicate in other areas of the state.
Steve Vincent, OEDA President, comments on the winners, “We are proud
to
recognize these exciting successes. Not only are we honoring our peers, the bo
tto
m-line is that
Oregon
residents and communities win.”
For more information contact:
Brian Cole, Executive Direc
to
r
Phone: (541) 523-0400
Email: oregon@eoni.com
|
