Oregon business development leaders meet with Senate President Courtney, House Speaker Hunt, Majority Leaders Devlin and Nolan and Minority Leader Hanna

Discuss successful efforts to create and save jobs for Oregonians

SALEM—The state's top economic development officials today outlined their plans to help existing Oregon businesses create and retain jobs while positioning the state to succeed in the post-recession, 21st century economy.

Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) Director Tim McCabe, Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission Chair Wally Van Valkenburg and members of the OECD Commission and the Oregon Innovation Council visited legislative leadership including Senate President Peter Courtney, House Speaker Dave Hunt, Senate Majority Leader Senator Richard Devlin, House Majority Leader Rep. Mary Nolan and House Minority Leader Bruce Hanna.

"We want our legislative leaders to know about our emphasis on helping existing Oregon businesses create and retain jobs as well as our efforts to attract more investment into the state," said OECDD Director McCabe.

In addition, McCabe and Van Valkenburg echoed Governor Kulongoski's emphasis on producing a highly educated workforce and utilizing innovation to maintain Oregon's position as a recognized leader in the 21st century economy.

"Whether it is testing electric cars, building solar panels and windmills or encouraging nanotechnology development, Oregon has already surged to the front of the pack when it comes to the nation's next wave of economic growth," said Van Valkenburg.

The economic development officials also discussed OECDD's already successful efforts to create thousands of jobs across the state of Oregon at companies such as Climax Portable Tools, Agri-Plas, SolarWorld and FedEx.

"We have helped create and retain thousands of jobs across the state of Oregon," said McCabe. "But now we must ensure existing Oregon businesses survive this economic storm and the state is well positioned to hit the ground running when it ends. To that end, our efforts will focus on making sure existing Oregon businesses sustain their competitive advantages."

The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses that provide sustainable, living-wage jobs for Oregonians through public-private partnerships, leveraged funding and support of economic opportunities for Oregon companies and entrepreneurs. Visit www.oregon4biz.com for more information on doing business in Oregon.