Eugene Economy

Chambers and Businesses Collaborate to Support Education

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Events Team

The A Champion in Education (ACE) Awards program is a collaborative effort between the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce and the Eugene, Bethel, and Springfield School Districts with support from local businesses. The purpose of the ACE Awards is to recognize excellence in education among local teachers, administrators, classified staff and volunteers while reinforcing the important connection between education, business and a healthy local economy.

Twelve awards are presented each year with winners receiving a $1,000 monetary award for a project or program in their school. Winners are also honored at an elegant event at the Hult Center in Eugene on Thursday, May 6th. Over the past four years local schools have received over $45,000 through this program.

How can you support this program?

· Nominate a deserving local educator

· Participate as a Supporting Sponsor

· Attend the event

Call Kim Clark, Events Manager at (541) 242-2354 or e-mail kimc@eugenechamber.com for more information.

The ACE Awards wouldn’t be possible without the support of local businesses including our 5th annual presenting sponsor Oregon Community Credit Union, reception sponsor Pacific Source Health Plans, nomination software sponsor All Academic, and supporting sponsors SELCO Community Credit Union, brass/Media Inc., Horace Mann Insurance, and Hamilton Construction.

B2B Connections: Attracting Customers, Building Trust – and a Stronger Economy

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 by Dave Hauser

Business-to-business networking is a term that many people link to the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, but it sometimes seems as if there’s a new networking group announced almost every day. However, there are three clear advantages to building your business with a Chamber membership:

• The best business networking extends beyond the swapping of a business card, or blind referrals, and rather operates as an exchange of business information, ideas and support. Chamber efforts such as the Latino Business Network, Women Business Leaders, Smart-ups, Eugene Greeters and Young Professionals Network provide valuable information, skills and connections.

• Eugene Chamber business networking is a basic for an organization dedicated to building a stronger regional economy, which makes us different from other great local organizations that exist solely to provide business-to-business networking. Our members get the best of all worlds. Not only do we provide them countless opportunities to participate in exchanges of ideas and receive support, but they also join in a vision to sustain meaningful work in regional economic development, entrepreneurial support, business advocacy and more.

• Networking through the Chamber adds credibility to your business. A national study by the Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based market research firm, revealed that membership in a local chamber of commerce can significantly boost a business's image among consumers and other businesses. Consumers who were told that a business is a chamber member were 51 percent more likely to be highly aware of it and 57 percent more likely to think positively of its local reputation. As a result, consumers are 63 percent more likely to buy goods and services in the future from a company they believe is a member of a chamber of commerce.
The Chamber offers access to a number of interlaced networks. The Chamber understands the value of making connections, the ones that businesses and consumers rely on to make decisions¬. The ones that foster trust. The ones that build an integrated, member-supported regional economy, over the long term.

Dave Hauser is president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. As the area’s leading business advocate, the Chamber works to create an environment in which business will thrive. The Chamber works with partners in business, government and education to improve the quality of life for local residents.

Regional Economic Prosperity Requires Young, Creative Talent

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 by Dave Hauser

The key trends shaping cities and region are fairly well-known: More baby boomers are planning to retire; the number of women joining the workforce has stabilized; and college attainment levels have plateaued. As a result, young professionals are becoming increasingly important to the economic health of growing cities, according to one national report.

The study by Portland economist Joe Cortright indicates that young, college-educated workers are capable of counteracting this impending economic shift because of their entrepreneurial nature and willingness to relocate. The key to growing cities will be to attract and retain young professionals, Cortright says in “The Young and Restless in a Knowledge Economy.”

Recognizing that opportunity, the Eugene Chamber of Commerce is leading and supporting efforts to retain, engage and attract young professionals:

•Young Professionals Network (YPN). The focus of YPN is to provide programs specifically targeted to meet the needs of young professionals for networking, professional and personal development, community involvement, awareness and influence.
•Entrepreneurial programs. Through Chamber initiatives such as the entrepreneurial support group SmartUps and the investor-focused Willamette Angel Network and conference, we’re supporting new ideas and business success.
•Partnership with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Since 1986, we’ve worked together to promote and foster the development of volunteer leadership. While not exclusively for young professionals, Leadership Eugene-Springfield (LES) has attracted participants who have used the program to establish meaningful volunteer leadership roles in our community that meet the area’s need for the active participation of informed, skilled and motivated community leaders.
•A central role in the creation of the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE). This new group enriches the cultural life of our community by acting as a catalyst for creating dynamic partnerships between the art, culture and business sectors.

Dave Hauser is president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. As the area’s leading business advocate, the Chamber works to create an environment in which business will thrive. The Chamber works with partners in business, government and education to improve the quality of life for local residents.

Celebrating the Business of Community

Thursday, September 10, 2009 by Events Team

On October 6, members of the region’s business community will gather for the sixth annual Emerald Awards at the Hult Center. The awards celebrate the business of community and honor those who help make Eugene/Springfield a wonderful place to live and do business.

The Emerald Awards are important because they recognize the stars within the business community here in Lane County – the businesses that look beyond the bottom line to create a community in which our families can thrive, now and in the future.

While our community has it moments, few would argue the fact that local businesses play an essential role in the livability of our community. Providing job opportunities, competitive wages and valuable goods and services for Lane County’s citizens are all fundamental and necessary ingredients contributing to a vibrant and healthy local economy.

But it doesn’t stop there. Local businesses enhance our enviable quality of life by contributing to the health of our environment, the quality of our schools, the abundance of our parks, and the success of our treasured service organizations. And that’s what the Emerald Awards are all about.

These are businesses that recognize that our community is only as strong as the weakest among us. In lean times and lush, they understand that their success is inextricably linked to the vitality of our entire community.

For more information http://theemeraldawards.org. To register to attend the awards ceremony visit the Eugene Chamber's website.

Local Government Affairs Council Needs You

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 by Jared

Want to make a difference in your community, influence public policy outcomes, and support the Chamber’s mission to promote a healthy local economy?

The Chamber’s Local Government Affairs Council (LGAC) is accepting applications from members interested in helping the Chamber weigh in on important city, county, and state decisions that impact local businesses. From transportation to public safety, downtown to taxation, LGAC has played a role in public policy decision making for a decade, helping chart the course for the Chamber’s advocacy work, and providing their insight to state, city, and county elected officials and staff.

The Committee is comprised of 25 members, from various categories of Chamber membership, and a variety of experiences and expertise. The group meets weekly, Friday mornings at 7:30am at the Eugene Chamber.

Contact Jared Mason-Gere, Director of Business Advocacy at 242-2355 or jaredm@eugenechamber.com, for more details.

Building an Economic Playbook

Monday, August 10, 2009 by Dave Hauser

The announced closure last summer of Hynix Semiconductor Manufacturing America and layoffs by a handful of the region’s most prominent employers served as reminders of just how fragile our local economy can be. While Eugene/Springfield has had its share of economic development successes over the past decade, recent announcements point to the need for a comprehensive regional economic development game plan.

A generally accepted definition of economic development is "the development of economic wealth of countries or regions for the well-being of their inhabitants." I really like the last part. Throughout our 100-plus years, the Eugene Chamber has linked a strong local economy with the livability of the people in the community.

So how is the local economy performing?

The Eugene economy created 400 new jobs in the three and half years from March 2001 to November 2004, according to a 2005 report provided to the United States Conference of Mayors. That earned the city a ranking of 174 out of 318 metro areas undertaking efforts to rebound from the 2001 recession.

Employment declined in Lane County at the beginning of summer by about 8,000 jobs, or 5.1 percent, compared with the year before. Losses occurred in all industry sectors but health care. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 8.4 percentage points over nearly the same period, reaching 14.2 percent in May.

Manufacturing, an important building block in any local economy, has declined. In Lane County, wood products and transportation equipment have been particularly hard hit.

If our local economy were a college football team, you could say we are struggling to become bowl eligible. That’s not to suggest we haven’t had economic successes. We have. Or that local economic development organizations, including the Eugene Chamber, aren’t working hard to produce results. We are.

What holds us back is the absence of a comprehensive regional economic development strategy. Today, there are no fewer than 14 economic development organizations in Eugene/Springfield, each working from a different business plan. If we were a football team, we’d be trying to win a game with each player working from a different playbook.

We need a regional playbook. A plan that aligns the efforts of public and private players with an economic development strategy that defines the kind of local economy we aspire to -- and that then institutes a series of coordinated steps to achieve it. We need a plan that produces more results to advance the well-being of residents.

This is a top priority of the Eugene Chamber. We are, and have been, committed to collaborating with local partners to produce results that work for our communities.

Dave Hauser is president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. As the area’s leading business advocate, the Chamber works to create an environment in which business will thrive. The Chamber works with partners in business, government and education to improve the quality of life for local residents.

Ten Reasons to be Optimistic in 2009

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 by Dave Hauser

Anyone can look at the challenges we face in developing local businesses and advancing the economy -- and be defeated by them. But there are too many examples that our local economic engine is running and ready to run down the tracks to stay pessimistic for long. So, with my apologies to David Letterman, here are my "Top 10 reasons to be optimistic about the economic future":

1. Local companies are thriving.

- Companies such as Bulk Handling Systems, Springfield Creamery, Western Pneumatics and other manufacturers are growing in our market.

- Enterprise Rent-A-Car doubled its downtown location to 275 employees, and it will soon reach 300 employees.

- Seneca Sawmill Company will launch plans for a $45 million electrical co-generation facility after receiving final regulatory approval.

2. The medical sector continues its dynamic growth.

- PeaceHealth, Oregon Region, continues to make capital investments in our area and has plans for more.

- A new regional veterans hospital ($82 Million) is in the works.

- Projections for the Oregon State Hospital Replacement Project in Junction City value it at $182 million.

- The two local chambers of commerce, two city governments, two hospitals, the University of Oregon and Lane Community College (LCC) are joining forces to explore ways to accelerate the growth of the medical sector in our region.

3. Lane Community College is taking a major step forward.

- Broad community support for a local bond measure will allow LCC to continue its critical contribution to workforce training. The $82 million capital project will strengthen the institution’s role in driving the region’s economic recovery while providing the shorter-term benefit of new construction.

- It may be possible to leverage the $82 million with another $8 million in capital from the $176 million Oregon economic stimulus package.

- Prospects are high for a new $27 million downtown center.

4. The University of Oregon keeps the local economy running.

- In fiscal year 2007-2008, the university generated an estimated $1.5 billion in direct and indirect expenditures. For every $1 the university received in state taxpayer support, $20 was pumped into the state's economy.

5. Eugene will forever be known on the world stage as Track Town, USA.

- The perfectly executed 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and the USA Track and Field Championships cemented our reputation as "Track Town, USA … Forever," and positioned Eugene as a logical host for major track-and-field meets in the years to come.

6. EWEB’s relocation creates new opportunities for downtown Eugene.

- A new Eugene Water & Electric Board operations center in west Eugene will inject more than $83 million dollars into the local economy.

- The move has prompted redevelopment plans of EWEB’s existing 27-acre site on prime riverfront property in downtown. Rowell-Brokaw Architects and a community advisory team are leading the effort to create a master plan.

- EWEB is also stimulating the local economy with projects such as the Leaburg Dam fish passage ($11 million), the re-licensing of the Carmen/Smith facilities ($135 million) and the eventual conversion of approximately 75 downtown properties from steam to an alternative energy source.

7. Expansion of retail centers establish Eugene as a shopping hub of the southern Willamette Valley.

- The Coburg Road corridor saw a flurry of activity beginning with the redevelopment of Coburg Square (on the northeast corner of Coburg and Willakenzie Roads) and continuing with the construction of Coburg Station and Uptown Plaza. In all, more than 45,000 square feet of retail space was built, with the potential for more than a dozen storefronts.

- Development continues at Crescent Village, and Nike’s move to Oakway Center set plans in motion at the Fifth Street Public Market for an upscale inn with amenities unlike any other offered in the area.

8. Entrepreneurial development has new momentum.

- Dynamic new ventures in Eugene/Springfield such as Floragenex, TakeShape Inc., Arcimoto, Sunburst, MitoSciences and Dune Sciences are the foundation for tomorrow’s economy.

9. Where quality of life is concerned, our natural assets have received national attention.

- Eugene/Springfield earned a ranking on Forbes magazine’s "The Best Places For Business And Careers" list, and we earned third place in three population categories of the "Next Cities" report that surveyed young professionals 20-40 years old for their best places to live and work.

10. Interest in economic development continues to grow.

- It’s summer, and rays of hope shine through the fog of economic challenges. Gray Northwest skies always give way to infinite sunshine in summer. These economic storm clouds, too, shall pass, and our business community will emerge from its solid grounding, ready to grow and yield a bounty.

Our diverse local economy is supported by a number of industries, and because we support businesses of all types and sizes, we are an attractive destination for the kinds of innovative companies that do well in challenging economic times.

Legislature Increases LTD Payroll Tax Rate Cap

Monday, July 13, 2009 by Jared

The state legislature has approved an increase in the maximum payroll tax rate that can be charged by Lane Transit District.

Prior to this new legislation, the maximum payroll tax rate was .7 percent ($7 per $1,000 of payroll), and that rate could not be reached prior to 2014. The governor proposed that the payroll tax be allowed to increase to .7 percent (it is currently .65 percent) on January 1, 2010, and then be allowed to increase to .8 percent over a ten-year period. LTD discussed this proposal with the Eugene Chamber of Commerce when it was first introduced, and the Chamber voted to support an increase to .7 percent and to be neutral on the possible eventual increase to .8 percent, working to strike a balanced stance, understanding the importance of LTD to the local economy, while working to keep the local tax burden low.

The actual legislation, which is contained in Senate Bill 34, does not include the option of increasing the rate immediately to .7 percent, but retains the potential for an eventual increase .8 percent. The increase in the rate to .8 percent can only be made after "the Board makes a finding that the economy in the district has recovered to an extent sufficient to warrant the increase in tax." It also required that the increase be phased in over a ten-year period, and that the increase in any one year not exceed .02 percent. For a business with an annual payroll of $500,000 (which is a higher payroll than 90 percent of all businesses in the district), the increase would be $500 per year when fully implemented over the ten-year period. Full implementation would not occur until 2022 at the earliest.

While the law now allows for a higher maximum payroll tax rate, any actual increase in the rate must be authorized by the LTD Board of Directors.

The potential for an increase in the payroll tax rate provides the community with an option to enhance transit service. During the last three years, transit ridership has increased more than 30 percent as more and more community residents have opted to use transit. However, budget problems have required a 3 percent service reduction in 2009, and there is a possibility of additional service reductions in the future. This additional funding could allow for service to be enhanced in the future.

Hanging On To and Attracting The Young and The Restless Key to a Positive Economic Future

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 by Dave Hauser

Demographics and livability may significantly contribute to our region’s economic recovery. At least the research of one Oregon economist says it’s so — and that bodes well for our region.

No matter that you are not an expert demographer. You can probably guess the key trends shaping all cities and regions: More baby boomers are planning to retire; the number of women joining the workforce has stabilized; and college attainment levels have plateaued. As a result, young professionals are becoming increasingly important to the economic health of growing cities, according to a recent national report.

The study by Portland economist Joe Cortright indicates that young, college-educated workers are capable of counteracting this impending economic shift because of their entrepreneurial nature and willingness to relocate. The key to growing cities will be to attract and retain young professionals, Cortright says in “The Young and Restless in a Knowledge Economy.”

And much is at stake in attempting to attract these young and talented 25 to 34 year olds who will determine the path of our economy.

These trailblazers are more concerned about quality-of-life issues than being in a hot market. They are 60 percent more likely to live in areas close to the core of a community. So you can argue that young professionals will not only influence the future of local economies, but their desire to live close-in will help drive long-standing planning goals of building and preserving healthy downtown cores.

Recognizing that opportunity, the Eugene Chamber of Commerce is leading and supporting a host of efforts to retain, engage and attract young professionals:

The creation of the Young Professionals Network (YPN). The focus of YPN is to provide young professionals with programming specifically targeted to meet their needs for networking, professional and personal development, community involvement, awareness and influence.
The development of programs that we believe will create a local climate that supports entrepreneurs and innovation. Through Chamber initiatives such as the entrepreneurial support group SmartUps and the investor-focused Willamette Angel Network and Willamette Angel Conference, we’re creating an environment that supports new ideas and business success.
Partnerships since 1986 with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce to promote and foster the development of volunteer leadership in our communities. Leadership Eugene-Springfield (LES) is a program designed to meet our area’s need for the active participation of informed, skilled and motivated community leaders. While not exclusively for young professionals, LES has attracted participants who have used the program to establish meaningful volunteer leadership roles in our community.
A central role in the creation of the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE). The mission of the new group is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of our community by acting as a catalyst for creating dynamic partnerships between the arts, culture and business sectors.

Eugene-Springfield’s well-deserved reputation for outstanding livability, coupled with efforts to hold on to and attract talented young people, will be an important piece of an economic strategy that drives a prosperous future.

Dave Hauser is the president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, a 1200-member organization dedicated to promoting a healthy local economy.

Planning Efforts Warrant Business Engagement

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 by Dave Hauser

A number of factors influence the health of a local economy. Day in and day out, we work at the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce to track and shape the many various policy decisions made in our community. While many of them appear relatively minor, they all affect different aspects of our business community and our larger community’s health and well being and therefore deserve attention from area business leaders.

Here are just a few items that are progressing quietly, but that could be very consequential:

The West Eugene EmX Extension would yield a bus rapid transit line along the West 11th Avenue corridor similar to that currently running between the downtown Eugene and downtown Springfield stations along Franklin Blvd. This may provide some relief and stimulus to an area that is experiencing significant development and transportation challenges. By bringing $75 million in federal and state funds to our community, Lane Transit District could begin construction on a major phase of the popular rapid transit lines. Following completion of federal environmental requirements, the final approval of the project is expected in 2010.
The Walnut Station Mixed Use Center is Eugene’s first foray into the use of form based codes. Form based code is a planning approach that stresses form over function. That is, code determines what the building looks like, but does not regulate, or regulates very loosely, the use of buildings in the area. The hope is that Walnut Station will become a walkable, vibrant, mixed-use center based around the EmX rapid transit line and the UO arena. The plan will require dramatic changes to Franklin Bvld and surrounding businesses. There is a lot of promise to this plan, but we’ll continue to play a role in efforts to ensure that it is properly implemented.
EWEB is moving ahead on a master plan for its riverfront property. While the future use is not yet determined, we’re hopeful that this space by the Willamette River will be used to create a vibrant, active area to attract local businesses and restaurants to the scenic area now occupied by EWEB facilities. The proximity to the river, the connection to the downtown area and the adjacency to Eugene’s federal courthouse area make this property a prime spot for development and for the future of the city’s economy.
The Eugene Comprehensive Land Assessment will help determine how Eugene addresses its shortage of commercial, industrial lands. In May 2008, Eugene hired a consultant to conduct a land study regarding the city’s Urban Growth Boundary. This project began in June 2008 and completion is anticipated by December 2009. This all needs to be accomplished to determine where new residents will live, where they will work, and how transportation and government services need to change over time. A variety of Chamber and business leaders sit on the Citizen Advisory Committee, helping lead the project forward to a productive outcome.

While we often grow frustrated with the slow pace of public projects in our community, there certainly is no shortage of processes at any time. As these various plans come to fruition, we should all be optimistic that they’ll help our region emerge from the recession poised to grow our local economy and capitalize on future opportunity. At the same time they are issues that call for the continued involvement of the Eugene Chamber and area business leaders to ensure that they equally compliment a vibrant economy and the livability of our community.

Business and Education Partner for Economic Prosperity

Thursday, June 18, 2009 by Dave Hauser

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce has always believed strongly that business–education partnerships are essential if we are to achieve both high-quality education at all levels and a diverse and vibrant local economy. The growing complexities of technology and the work process confer a premium on skilled, talented people. This, in turn, calls for first-rate education systems. Employers want to locate in areas with pools of well-educated workers; employees value strong schools for their children, and they want continuing education opportunities for their own job security and advancement. Talented graduates fuel the economy.

Consider the following:

90 percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States require education and training past high school
63 percent of high-wage, high-growth jobs in the next decade will require a bachelor’s degree
A 1 percent increase in college graduates in a region’s workforce increases wages by 1.3 percent

Businesses in Eugene-Springfield have long demonstrated a readiness to play an active role in educational enhancement. Frankly, their motives are appropriately self-serving — a steady stream of well-trained young men and women is a major contributor to the vitality of all companies. I have found businesses more than willing to provide tours, guest speakers, work-experience programs, mentoring, job-shadowing opportunities, curriculum support, grants, scholarships and much more.

This Chamber has advanced and supported programs to connect students with career information (Lane County Career Fair) and business mentoring that addresses middle school literacy (Literacy Partners). It has also celebrated excellence in our public schools (ACE Awards) and supported community stewardship (Future First Citizen).

If human capital is the driver of future economic prosperity, then our region — through a host of business and education partnerships — is well-positioned for success.

Oregon's Green Economy Growing

Thursday, June 11, 2009 by Jared

Oregon is among three states, including Colorado and Tennessee, having large and fast-growing energy economies, according to a study conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts.

Pew Charitable Trusts looked at green economy of all states, plus Washington, D.C.

Oregon had 19,340 green jobs in 2007 and a 4.77 percent growth of such jobs from 1998 to 2007. Of the total 1,902,294 jobs in Oregon, 1.02 percent are considered green, which is the highest percentage of any state and Washington, D.C.

Pew Charitable Trusts’ definition of the clean energy economy includes jobs in clean energy; energy efficiency; environmentally friendly production; conservation and pollution mitigation; and training and support.

The Eugene Chamber's Top 10 Local Issues

Monday, June 8, 2009 by Jared

Every day government officials at all levels make decisions that impact the local economy and the ability of businesses to succeed. The Chamber serves as the voice of business, ensuring that the interests of business are considered in local decisionmaking. The Chamber works on behalf of its members to help create and maintain an environment in which business can succeed.

1. Residential and Industrial Land Supply

2. Downtown Redevelopment/Renewal

3. Economic Development

4. Public Safety

5. Infill Compatibility Standards

6. Transportation Infrastructure

7. Mixed Use/Nodal Development

8. EWEB Riverfront Master Plan

9. Mass Transit/EmX

10. City and County Budget Shortfalls

Do you have comments about the Eugene Chamber's Top 10 list of local issues? Let us know your thoughts.

Building a Roadway to a Prosperous Future

Monday, May 4, 2009 by Dave Hauser

It is probably no secret to those in business that economic prosperity and transportation go hand in hand. While improved transportation networks alone do not guarantee economic well-being, the economic health of a region is difficult to create and sustain without regular investments in transportation. Local companies rely on efficient multi-modal transportation systems. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said it best, "At the end of the day, if you don’t have a big league transportation system, you’re going to have a little league economy."

Diminishing resources, multiple priorities and growing congestion on all transportation systems are challenging our ability to ensure a "big league" transportation system. Add to that a complex transportation planning program, where a project may take 20 years or more to move from concept to reality, and it is no wonder businesses are challenged to stay engaged. Yet we must come together to establish a vision for a local transportation system that fits the needs of our economy and community.

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce supports a regional transportation system that provides access to all modes of transportation. We believe the region should continue to advance the use of alternative modes while planning for the future and the increased capacity needs of our roadway networks. Most importantly, we need to champion strategic infrastructure investments that drive commerce; they are critical to our livability and economic future. And by the way, those investments are not likely to happen without the active support of this organization and its members.

Read the December08/January09 issue of the Eugene Chamber’s Open For Business magazine for more articles and information about local transportation options.

Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Supports Seneca Renewable Energy

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 by Jared

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce supports sustainability and the City of Eugene’s goals of making our community a prominent home to leading sustainable businesses.

In this vein, the Chamber enthusiastically supports Seneca Renewable Energy’s proposed biomass cogeneration facility. The Chamber believes this is a chance to take local sustainability efforts to the next level, and capitalize on current opportunities to grow our local economy.

Our Mayor and City Council have strongly advocated for sustainability and the potential for increased efficiency and reduced waste to pay dividends to Eugene area businesses. With support from the City Council, Mayor Piercy launched the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI) with the goal of making Eugene one of the most sustainable mid-sized cities by the year 2020.

In the 2006 report to the City Council, The Sustainable Business Initiative Task Force’s "Vision of a Sustainable Eugene" calls for a scenario in which Eugene would be home to businesses that "have become so efficient in their use of energy and generating their own renewable energy that many are net energy producers that sell surplus power back to local utilities for redistribution to other citizens." Community decisions would "result in reduced vehicle miles traveled, reduced energy consumption, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels." The Seneca Renewable Energy facility will help make this vision a reality.

The Sustainable Business Initiative calls for a "triple bottom line" for businesses and governments that accounts for environmental and social impacts in addition to the traditional economic bottom line. The new Seneca facility will put local contractors and their employees to work during these difficult economic times, as well as create permanent, family-wage jobs for area residents. Seneca will use wood byproducts, 100% of which will be supplied by their existing operations, to power their dry kiln and produce nearly 20 megawatts of electricity, while using best available control technology to meet and exceed emissions standards.

By creating family-wage jobs, producing clean power and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and generating a profit, Seneca’s cogeneration facility fits the "people, planet, profit" model for sustainable business. The Chamber is excited to have a project of this scope occurring locally, hiring local employees and construction companies, and holding the potential to sell the produced electricity to EWEB.

The Eugene Chamber of Commerce welcomes Seneca’s contribution to local sustainability efforts, because it will contribute to our shared goal of building a healthy local economy, and a healthy, vibrant community.

Please contact the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) at LRAPA Permit Coordinator, 1010 Main Street, Springfield, Oregon 97477 or E-Mail: colleen@lrapa.org

and the Eugene Water and Electric Board here: http://www.eweb.org/ContactUs.aspx?id=20 to let them know you support Seneca’s cogeneration facility, and clean, homegrown energy.

Small Businesses Own an Advantage of Flexibility During a Recession

Saturday, March 28, 2009 by Membership Team

Small business owners concentrate a lot on what they do best – selling their products or services. During good economic times, you can probably run your business successfully focusing mostly on that. During tough economic times, however, the belief that as long as you are still selling goods the rest of the business will take care of itself doesn’t necessarily hold true. As the economy slows and credit tightens, you need to expand your job description to include oversight of areas that may have been unnecessary to examine during the good years but can help with survival through the economic downturn.

Manage your cash flow. Review your cash position and anticipated cash needs. Ask yourself, have you been meeting your budgeted projections? How much of a drop in revenues can your business withstand and for how long?
Manage your receivables. Look at who you are selling to and evaluate their credit worthiness. Watch for new patterns of slow payments and follow up immediately. Keep receivable agings current at all times.
Analyze your expenses. Determine which ones can be controlled by disciplining your spending. Can you reduce spending in any areas to put fewer burdens on your cash-flow needs?
Review your financing. Talk to your lenders to determine the status of your credit lines, compliance with their terms and likelihood of renewing their commitments with similar amounts, rates and terms. Review your reliance on credit and make sure it is in line with your business’s short-term needs, goals and risk tolerance.
Don’t panic. A solid financial plan can help you face the current economic challenges. Develop a plan now to respond to future declines in revenues before they actually occur. Review your business strategies and update projections. Review your product/service lines to identify the most profitable items and determine how to leverage for future growth in profits.

Being a small business has its advantages. You have greater flexibility and can more easily adjust to changes in the economy than your larger counterparts. You can also use the economic downturn as an opportunity to buckle down, refocus, assess and make your company more financially sound.

By Kim Conway, Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co. LLP for the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Convenes Health Care Cluster

Friday, March 20, 2009 by Dave Hauser

Challenging economic times require new approaches to grow the local economy. With that in mind, the Eugene Chamber, in conjunction with the Springfield Chamber, recently convened a discussion of health sector leaders along with economic and educational organizations with an eye toward exploring the willingness to move from general consensus that opportunities exist toward a more strategic approach to health cluster development.

Eugene Chamber leadership believes that Eugene/Springfield metro area possesses significant assets, energy, and support to more strategically develop the health sector’s economic contribution to the region. "We are excited about the opportunity to identify short-term and long-term opportunities where collective focus would provide the greatest benefit and accelerate growth of health sector." commented Chamber Chair Eric Forrest (Pepsi-Cola Bottling of Eugene).

Among the participants in the regional collaboration are the City of Eugene, City of Springfield, University of Oregon, Lane Community College, PeaceHealth, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, Lane Workforce Partnership and Lane Metro Partnership.

LGAC Makes Recommendations for 2009 State Legislature

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 by Jared

The Local Government Affairs Council (LGAC) works to promote business and the health of our local economy through effective public policy development and active, vigorous advocacy. Most of LGAC’s focus, and the focus of the Eugene Area Chamber’s government affairs in general, is placed at the city and county level. However, LGAC and the Chamber also work to ensure that state level legislation supports a healthy economy, and that Eugene businesses have a champion, and that employment and livability in Eugene are maintained and improved.

Among its past work in Salem, the Chamber has helped protect and support Enterprise Zones as a tool for economic development, stopped the expansion of burdensome local regulations, supported work to ultimately increase the availability of commercial and industrial land, and pushed for improved transportation infrastructure.

This year LGAC has again weighed in on several key issues affecting Eugene area businesses. Chamber members and staff are headed to Salem to lobby our local legislators as part of Chamber Day at the Capitol, and will follow up with trips to Salem to testify and advocate on behalf of the organization.

This year LGAC has focused on supporting legislation to improve local public transit, opposing proposed corporate income and beer taxes, opposing a bill that could reduce the investment in local tourism promotion, and energy bills that would increase costs and put local businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

Download the Chamber's 2009 legislative platform.

Chamber President Hauser speaks at "Projects in the Pipeline"

Monday, February 2, 2009 by Jared

Each January, AIA-SWO partners with the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) to conduct a joint meeting for the benefit of its members about the state of the local economy, specifically the prospects for the construction sector in the coming year. Attendees heard about "Projects in the Pipeline" from a panel of speakers representing some of the major public and private sector entities that together have been responsible for much of the local construction activity in recent years.

This year’s panel included:

Philip Farrington – PeaceHealth
Jon Lauch – Eugene School District 4J
Chris Ramey, AIA – University of Oregon
David Suchart – Lane County
Denny Braud – City of Eugene
John Tamulonis – City of Springfield
David Hauser – Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

Read what the panel had to say.

Reasons to Celebrate

Thursday, January 22, 2009 by Events Team

Last night’s Celebration of Business drew well over 600 of the area’s business professionals together to honor some of our top community leaders. Congratulations to our Shining Star recipients: Kip Much, NW Natural; Jeanne Staton, Staton Companies and Tim Campbell, Campbell Commercial Real Estate, for helping the Eugene Chamber shine in its effort to build a healthy local economy.

We salute our 2008 Future First Citizens for their amazing efforts at pursuing not only their dreams, but also the best interests of others. KeyBank’s longstanding and generous support of our Future First Citizen scholarship program allows us to recognize these local area high school students who are truly at the top of their class and our leaders of tomorrow. Finally, the highlight of the evening ended with the beautiful tribute to our 2008 First Citizen, Pete Moore. Pete’s contributions will reverberate throughout our community for numerous years to come.