Business Oregon News

March 2011

Governor Kitzhaber and Business Oregon Unveil Business-friendly Web Tools and Services

Resources Will Help Oregon Companies Compete Globally for New Customers
In what I see as another sign of his clear commitment to focus intensely on growing Oregon's economy and assisting Oregon businesses, we recently joined Governor John Kitzhaber's team to unveil new, Web-based resources for Oregon businesses.

These new resources will help new and existing business owners grow their companies and create jobs in Oregon, through direct access to financial and development services from our agency, as well as other state, local and federal resources.

Through the "Oregon Advantage" Web portal, companies outside the state looking to expand or relocate can clearly understand the numerous competitive advantages Oregon offers. The Web site, created by Business Oregon, houses a comprehensive list of business-friendly resources available at all levels of government and offers a way for businesses to connect with experts in their local area regarding their business needs. This information also is accessible directly from the Governor's Web site.

"We know Oregon is open for business," Governor Kitzhaber told the media. "Oregon Advantage now lets the rest of the world know as well. These resources allow new and existing Oregon companies to get to work quickly and efficiently, providing jobs across the state."

New and updated content includes:

• The Oregon Advantage: a Web portal communicating critical information about Oregon's competitive business environment, linked to a searchable database of available certified industrial properties and an intake form where site selectors can directly communicate with Oregon's national recruitment manager.
• More Business Support: A list of organizations at the local, regional, state and federal level that offer economic development resources to Oregon companies.
• Grow Your Business: Additional updated content is available under this section that communicates the services and tools available from Business Oregon to help existing Oregon companies grow their business.

For Oregon companies, it is my hope that these Web-based resources will make it easier to see what tools are available to help companies grow. For site selectors looking for ideal business location, I think it provides a single location to get all the information they need. In essence, we are trying to create a one-stop shop where site selectors from around the world can quickly see why Oregon is a great place to do business.

I hope you all get a chance to explore and utilize these new Web tools.

Oregon Delegation Travels to Japan to Spur Business Expansion and Recruitment Opportunities

Trip Aims to Build Upon Oregon's Fast-Growing 2010 Exports
Over the last two weeks, a 17-member Oregon delegation has been working in Japan to recruit clean technology investment to the state and create more business opportunities for Oregon firms. In addition, the delegation attended Asia's largest trade exposition—more than 900 exhibitors at the PV System Expo in Tokyo—featuring the latest in solar, fuel cell and battery technology.

The group also hosted two, sold out "Invest in Oregon" seminars in Osaka and Tokyo with 110 Japanese firms in attendance to meet with our team to learn about investment opportunities here in Oregon. The seminars were organized by Business Oregon in partnership with the Japan America Society of Oregon (JASO) and have been generously sponsored by Delta Airlines; the Port of Portland; InSpec Group; Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt; and Taylor Schwabe America Access.

In fact, you can come hear a first-hand report from the participants in the two seminars on March 16 in Portland. Speakers will give a report on lessons learned from the seminars, key messages from the Japanese business participants, as well as other related recruitment activities (see calendar).

The delegation included state and local economic development officials representing the cities of Hillsboro, Gresham and Salem. In addition, representatives from the Port of Portland and Portland General Electric attended. Metro President Tom Hughes and Salem Mayor Anna Peterson joined the delegation to help promote increased business investment and tourism from Japan in the Portland Metro region as well as Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

We call our collaborative approach "Team Oregon." It has already been highly successful at bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors to help increase clean tech investment throughout the state of Oregon. I firmly believe our approach adds value in three critical ways:

1. it helps existing Oregon companies win more clean tech business in Asia (CH2M Hill, Gerding Edlen and InSpec are all on the trip);
2. it helps educate leading Japanese firms about investment opportunities in Oregon; and
3. it help develop and grow existing partnerships between clean tech firms and Oregon communities.

Communities like Gresham, Hillsboro and Salem have all previously benefited from this approach and the resulting overseas clean tech investment spurred from such firms as SolarWorld, Ferrotec, Solexant and Sanyo Solar. I remember the initial contacts between Business Oregon and these companies that occurred at previous trade shows just like this year's PV Expo.

Oregon's 2010 Exports Soar

China and Asian Markets Are Fastest Growing
The trip to Asia followed on the heels of the news that Oregon exports roared back in 2010 increasing 19 percent, led by high-tech sales and record shipments to China and the rest of Asia. Oregon companies had $17.68 billion in foreign sales last year. That's just short of the $19.4 billion record set in 2008, but still impressive growth above 2009's $14.9 billion level.

Exports to China, Oregon's biggest foreign customer, surged past $4 billion last year after growing even during the recession. Those are record Oregon sales to any country.

"You saw a drop with every other market, but not China," Ivo Trummer, global strategies manager for Business Oregon, told the Oregonian.

The trend shows that developing countries are eclipsing wealthy economies as Oregon's biggest foreign customers. As the charts below show, China leads the pack displacing Canada.

Hundreds of Jobs to Be Created in Film and TV Productions this Spring in Oregon

It is only March, but 2011 is already shaping up to be the biggest year ever for Oregon's growing film and video industry and that means hundreds of job opportunities for Oregonians.

Vince Porter, executive director of the Governor's Office of Film and Television told me he estimates film and video spending in Oregon will increase more than 50 percent to $90 million in 2011. By the end of this year, Porter estimates direct spending on film and video production in Oregon will total $275 million since 2007 with a total economic impact to the state of an estimated $542 million over that period of time.

This rapid growth and the huge, positive economic impact are especially important to note as the Legislature considers Governor Kitzhaber's recent proposal to enhance tax credits for film and TV projects by $17.1 million to total $25 million over the next two years.

Porter recently told the Eugene Register-Guard that there is a direct connection between the Governor's proposal and the increased interest in shooting TV shows and films in Oregon.

"Number one, as soon as Governor Kitzhaber announced in his budget that he was interested in supporting (film and television projects), I got a call from every television network as they were getting ready for the pilots season," Porter said. "We spent a lot of time working hard to show that Oregon can play as different places. Last year, for some reason, a lot of writers were writing television or film projects set in Oregon."

Even with Governor Kitzhaber's proposal, it is important to remember that Oregon's incentives still trail such states as Louisiana, Michigan and Georgia.

Here in Oregon, we offer rebates for goods and services purchased in the state and for wages for work done in the state—by residents and nonresidents—that add up to about 16 percent of the amount spent here. Production companies must spend a minimum of $750,000 in Oregon to qualify for the rebates.

So far the Film & Video Office says four projects have committed to production in Oregon in 2011. Grimm, an NBC pilot, is scheduled to shoot in the Portland area in March, with a decision on the series due in May. Gone, a film by Lakeshore Entertainment starring Amanda Seyfried, is due to start production in April. These two projects, over a four month period, are expected to hire more than 200 locals.

Leverage, which currently airs on TNT, will begin production in Portland of its fourth season at the end of February. Every season the show puts more than 450 local hires on payroll. Last year they wrote checks to more than 400 Oregon vendors throughout the state. The IFC show Portlandia will shoot its second season here in Portland soon and the show is expected to hire 60 people and use almost an entirely local crew.

Porter said other potential projects include a pilot episode of Brain Trust, with a decision on the TBS series due in April. In addition, two independent films are scheduled for production in Southern Oregon with two more in the Portland area later this year.

All in all, I am happy to see yet another growing industry here in Oregon creating jobs for Oregonians.

Job Creation will be Focus of New Community Solutions Team

Governor Kitzhaber Names New Regional Coordinators
I am also pleased at the recent news that Governor Kitzhaber has appointed Scott Fairley, Jeff Griffin and Mark Ellsworth as new Regional Solutions Coordinators to seize job creation opportunities and solve problems that stand in the way of economic development in eastern and southern Oregon as well as the Northwest Region and the Willamette Valley.

Fairley will coordinate a Regional Solutions Center in eastern Oregon. He has worked in eastern Oregon for more than 14 years and has experience working with community leaders and local officials to create economic opportunities for this region of the state.

Griffin will coordinate a Regional Solutions Center for southwestern Oregon. He has more than 12 years of experience working with communities in the Southwest Oregon, using the community solutions model to support economic recovery efforts.

Ellsworth served for the last six years as a regional coordinator for the Portland Metro area and Hood River County on the previous Governor's Economic Revitalization Team.

Regional Solutions Centers will co-locate state agency staff to complete community-based projects that address regional and community priorities identified by public, private and civic leaders in the region. The Eastern Oregon Solutions Center will be located at Eastern Oregon University; the Southern Oregon University will house the Southern Oregon Solutions Center.

If you want to contact these new coordinators, here's how:

Scott Fairley, Regional Coordinator	Eastern Oregon 146 S. Main, Suite 203 Pendleton, OR 97801	541-429-2120
Jeff Griffin, Regional Coordinator	Southwest Oregon 155 N. First St. Central Point, OR 97502	541-423-1371
Mark Ellsworth, Regional Coordinator	Northwest Region and Willamette Valley	503-703-6706

Seminar on Complying with U.S. Export Controls & the Export Control Reform Initiative

Proposed changes in the U.S. export regulations are underway. A solid understanding of the existing rules and their application will give companies an advantage as the new regulations are developed and implemented. Company representatives responsible for managing and complying with U.S. export control regulations and other company employees (transportation, legal, finance, sales/marketing, engineering) impacted by export control laws should attend.

The seminar will be held March 9-10, 2011, at the Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway, in Portland. The participant cost is $375. Registion is available online.

For more info, contact Scott Goddin or Jennifer Woods or either by phone at 503-326-3001.

"Doing Business in Japan" Update

Japan-America Society of Oregon
Come hear from four leaders from the private and public sector recently returned from a trade mission to Japan where they hosted two "Invest in Oregon" seminars for Japanese companies. For more info, call 503-552-8811.

4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2011
$15 per person
ODS Building
601 SW Second Avenue, 20th Floor Conference Room
Portland

Upcoming Events

• Business Development Commission March 11
• Broadband Advisory Council March 24

Find a complete listing of events on our Events Calendar