T H E M O N T H LY B U S I N E S S S E C T I O N F O R L I N N A N D B E N T O N C O U N T I E S A N D T H E M I D - W I L L A M E T T E VA L L E Y
www.democratherald.com/business • www.gazettetimes.com/business
January 2012
Jim Bernau, president of Willamette Valley Vineyards, shows environmentally friendly bio-casks for use in restaurants in the production area of the winery. DAVID PATTON | ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD
Oregon wineries blossom Once thought impossible, vineyards thrive in the valley By JENNIFER ROUSE
W
hen Jim Bernau planted his first grapevines on a hillside south of Salem in 1983, he was one of a few dozen dreamers who thought Oregon just might be the perfect place to produce wine. Nearly 30 years later, those early vines have produced Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of the leading wineries in the state, and thousands of bottles of acclaimed pinot noir. The number of dreamers betting on wine as a crop of the future has swelled exponentially as well. State statistics show that the Oregon wine industry has nearly doubled in the past decade, and the growth shows no signs of slowing down. Bernau, who is scheduled to receive a Weatherford Award from Oregon State University’s Austin Entrepreneurship Program in honor of his achievements with Willamette Valley Vineyards, said that despite an economic downturn that led growers to tighten their profit margins, the Oregon wine industry is poised to continue its success. Of course, he’s thought that from the beginning. When Bernau decided to start a vineyard, he was acting on research he’d done in the course of his job as a lobbyist for the Oregon Small Business Association. While working to pass legislation benefiting the fledgling wine industry, he became convinced that Oregon was a “great undiscovered country.” “It lit a fire in me. I didn’t know it couldn’t be done,” he said. “And when people told me it couldn’t be done, that was like fuel.”
INSIDE A6: Oregon State University celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation through the Weatherford Awards
cause everyone thought we were crazy,” he recalls. Since those early days, the Willamette Valley has proven to be excellent for coolclimate grapes, most notably pinot noir. And, as Oregon wineries have attracted accolades, their numbers have grown. More than 20,000 acres of wine grapes were planted in 2010, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That’s nearly double the number from a
decade before. “The growth is going to continue to be linear, if not exponential,” said Neil Shay, director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute, located at Oregon State University. “The number of acres planted all across the state is still increasing, and we know of more and more vineyard acreage being planted and more people buying suitable acreage.” But according to industry leaders, there is still room to grow. “If you go to Burgundy, in France, they are all planted,” Bernau said. “The only way they’re going to get more land to plant is if they take out the houses at the bottom of the hills.” Oregon, by contrast, has many acres suitable for wine grapes that aren’t planted yet.
Room to expand market share
Market share has room to expand as well, growers believe. Oregon is the United States’ third-largest wineproducing state, but currently most of that wine is purchased within the state’s borders. In some ways, that’s a good thing. ‘Everyone thought we were crazy’ David Buchanan of Tyee Wine Cellars outside Corval“We don’t have a lot of great big huge wineries,” said lis knows the feeling. The Buchanan family planted the Buchanan, of Tyee Wine Cellars. “We’ve got a lot of first wine grapes on their farm in 1974, back when you small, local wineries. They’re good for a healthy lifestyle, couldn’t get a loan to start a vineyard because no one be- and they complement the local foods.” lieved it could be successful. That kind of connection with local producers draws in “We had television people coming out to talk to us be- customers, Bernau said. He expects to see more connec-
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tion between wine growers and wine drinkers in the future, as consumers seek out what they view as authentic local brands. To facilitate that connection, he plans to turn what’s currently a special events center at his vineyard into a restaurant, where customers can experience food and wine pairings. However, having a mostly local clientele also means there is room to grow in the export market. “Oregon is the only major wine producing region in the world where we consume a large portion of our own production,” Bernau said. “Others are exporting a lot more.” Across America, wine consumption is up and sales are strong. According to a 2010 study by the Wine Market Council, per capita wine consumption in the United States has increased steadily every year since 1994. Data from Wine Business Monthly show that the two wine varieties seeing the most growth in retail sales are riesling and pinot noir — two cool-climate grapes that grow well in the Willamette Valley. Those types, especially pinot noir, also tend to be more expensive, with average prices per bottle starting at $20 to $30. But that hasn’t driven customers away. To survive during the economic downturn, wineries did some discounting and tightened their profit margins. Now sales are climbing once again. Bernau’s Willamette Valley Vineyards, a publicly traded company, posted a net profit of $373,407 in the third quarter of 2011. The weather and its impact on the harvest is always a big unknown for wine growers. In recent years, the total number of grapes harvested has been down, due to weather-related factors. However, according to early reports, the wine from grapes grown in 2010 is poised to be some of the state’s best ever, and 2011 is similarly reported to be of high quality. “Folks are very enthusiastic,” Shay said. “[The wine from] 2008 was supposed to be one of the vintages of the century, but 2011 might be one of the best vintages ever.”
MID-VALLEY InBusiness
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MOVERS&SHAKERS CH2M HILL DONATES TO AMEDC: Albany Millersburg Economic Development Corp. has received a $30,000 donation from CH2M Hill. The company is donating money it received as part of winning a 2011 CH2M Hill CEO Excellence Award for work on Albany’s Talking Gardens project. Talking Water Gardens is a water treatment and reuse project that is the first public/private engineering project of its kind in the United States. CH2M Hill worked with the cities of Albany and Millersburg, and metal manufacturer ATI Wah Chang, to create the 39-acre functional wetlands system. The check was presented to AMEDC on Thursday. CERTIFIED: Anderson & Anderson Anger Management Services awarded an anger management facilitator certification to Bill Graybill, a life and leadership coach. Anderson & Anderson is the largest provider of certified anger management facilitator training in the world. Graybill specializes in conflict and anger management in Jefferson. He works with individuals and groups to help them overcome obstacles that are limiting their success. For 10 years, Graybill has taught conflict and anger management cross culturally and internationally. He is also pastor of Abundant Life Center in Jefferson. To reach Graybill, call 541791-6544 or go online at www.billgraybill.com.
made available to agricultural producers seeking to establish or expand markets for their value-added agricultural products.Funds can be used for feasibility studies or business plans,working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products,and for farm-based renewable energy projects.Eligible applicants include independent producers,farmer and rancher cooperatives,agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producerbased business ventures. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage. The U.S.Department of Agriculture,through its Rural Development mission area,administers and manages housing,business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices.Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS: Heartland Humane Society has announced new board members and officers for 2012-13. Officers are Lisa Schubert,president; Lissa Perrone, presidentelect; Sanna Watson, past president; Lissa Perrone,treasurer; Kathryn Switzer, secretary; Theresa Hogue,Sylvia Moore,Sue Pisias,Suzanne Roppe,Lisa Schubert,Karen Timm,Diana Thompson and Justin Wirth, members at large; and Andrea Thornberry and HELPING HANDS AWARD: The Susan Wechsler,ex officio. Spirit Mountain Community Fund has presented a Ye?lan NEW THERAPIST: In February, Lima (Helping Hands) Award to Samaritan Mental Health in AlAlbany’s Larry Bardell of Albany bany will welcome Allison Taylor, InReach Services. He was one of a mental health therapist who two people to be honored with provides outpatient therapy for the award which was presented adolescents and adults. on Dec. 19 by Kathleen George, Taylor specializes in youth and the fund’s executive director. The parent conflict, award honors individuals who ex- oppositional beemplify community service and haviors, phaseinspire their colleagues. of-life changes, Award winners were nominated depression, grief by their peers and selected by and loss issues, Spirit Mountain Community anxiety, stress Fund’s Board of Trustees. After re- management, tiring from the Veterans Affairs attention deficit hospital as a psychiatric mental hyperactivity Taylor health nurse practitioner, Bardell disorder and rehas provided nearly 400 mental lationship concerns. health appointments in just six Taylor received a bachelor’s demonths. He treats those with gree in social work from Calvin Colanxiety, depression, schizophrelege in Grand Rapids,Mich.,and a nia and suicidal feelings who master’s degree in social work from would otherwise not have access University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. to mental health services. Bardell, She is a member of the National Aswho is bilingual, also teaches the sociation of Social Workers,and a lipostpartum depression educacensed clinical social worker. tion class for Albany InReach for Taylor is accepting new paSpanish-speaking mothers. tients, and can be reached at 541812-5060. HOME CARE AGENCY HONORED: Visiting Angels, a senior NEW EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIhome care agency, was just awardDENT: Beth Hogeland has been ed “Best of Home Care”status by selected as the next executive vice Home Care Pulse, a neutral third president of Academic Affairs and party organization that monitors agencies.Visiting Angels has been Workforce Development at LinnBenton Community College, serving seniors in Linn, Benton, succeeding Carol Schaafsma, Marion and Polk counties since 2004 and is located at 250 Broad- who will retire in June. Hogeland, a Millersburg resialbin St. in downtown Albany. Of dent, has been the 13 categories considered, the Visiting Angels team ranked in the dean of the Libtop percentile in each. For more eral Arts, Social details about the award, visit Systems and www.bestofhomecare.com. Human Performance division UNIVERSITIES FORM VETERI- at the college NARY CONSORTIUM: Oregon since 2009. PriState University has joined four or to that posiother universities with colleges of tion, she was Hogeland veterinary medicine to form a dean of LBCC consortium designed to create Family Resources and Education more opportunities for students, from 2002 to 2009, and was a faculty members and professionfaculty member in Family Reals in the field. The Consortium of Western Re- sources from 1990 to 2002. A graduate of Florida State Unigional Colleges of Veterinary versity, Hogeland holds a doctorMedicine is a regional think tank ate degree in human developcommitted to strategic planning, ment and family science as well action and collaboration, according to Cyril Clarke, dean of the OSU as a master’s in education and a bachelor’s in child development College of Veterinary Medicine. Joining OSU in the consortium are and elementary education. In addition, she earned her master’s Colorado State University,the University of California at Davis,Washdegree in counseling from Truington State University and Western man State University. University of Health Sciences. Hogeland will be responsible One of the first initiatives confor the planning, development, sortium members will pursue, supervision and evaluation of Clarke said, is faculty developfour major instructional diviment. The universities plan to sions, and serve as acting presicreate a regional teaching acade- dent in the president’s absence, my that would offer advanced in- among other duties. She will struction for faculty on the latest start her new position April 1. innovations and research in veterinary medicine. Other topics and issues the consortium will address include: • Removing the gaps between societal needs and selected career tracks among veterinarians; • Recruitment of veterinary students and increasing professional readiness of graduating veterinarians; • Learning and application of “soft skills,” such as communication and veterinarian-client interactions; and • Creating rich and innovative learning environments for students. COMPANY TO RECEIVE RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS: Queen Bee Honey Company in Corvallis will receive $30,824 in business development assistance through the Value-Added Producer Grant program, which was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Dallas Tonsager, Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development, announced last week that 23 recipients throughout Oregon had been selected to receive the assistance. Rural Development funds are
January 2012
L EG I S L AT I V E P R E V I E W
Nearly 300 bills already filed • A bill from Morse, also part of the “Blueprint for Prosperity,” calls for a Oregon’s Legislature convenes on constitutional amendment that reWednesday for what legislative lead- quires general fund spending not to ers hope will be a brisk 29-day sesexceed the average rolling six-year sion. personal income growth rate. When It’s the first constitutionally manrevenue exceeds that rate, the extra dated even-year session since voters money would be placed in an emerin 2010 approved annual legislative gency reserve fund. When the fund sessions, so leaders are feeling pres- equals 12 percent of the previous sure to make sure the session runs general fund spending, the excess smoothly – because nearly 300 bills would be returned to taxpayers. The already have been filed to go along bill would preserve the kicker, but the with the session’s budget-balancing money would be returned to taxpaychores, that could be a tall order. ers only after the emergency fund is Mid-Valley InBusiness checked in filled. Morse hopes the bill would with area legislators to ask what help bolster fiscal stability for the their top priorities would be in the state. session and what issues would be of • Morse has a bill that would reparticular interest to businesspeoquire the Division of State Lands to ple. Here are excerpts from the refollow the Corps of Engineers wetsponses we received: land manual and all guidance documents and to not exceed those rules. Sen. Frank Morse, R-Albany The bill also would provide an appli• Morse is backing a plan proposed cant the opportunity to challenge a by House Republicans to add 50,000 final Department of State Lands wetjobs to Oregon’s economy in five land determination through binding years. arbitration. Morse believes the bill would be a boost to economic devel• Morse also is backing a Senate opment. Republican “Blueprint for Prosperity,” which • Morse is backing legislation to includes these points: give implementation authority to the Enact a rules moratoproposed health insurance exrum on nonessential change.“This will be a benefit for agency rule-making small business in providing health inauthority and give the surance to their employees,” he said. Legislature more influ• Morse also expects health care Morse ence over agency rule transformation and the Oregon Edumaking; provide an excation Investment Board to be front emption from Oregon land-use laws and center during the session. for rural counties with populations • But he’s realistic about the shortless than 50,000; require the Legisness of the session.“Realistically,” lature to evaluate job and business impacts from major new regulations he said,“there likely will be little legand bills. islation emerging.”
MID-VALLEY INBUSINESS
Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany • Olson will be closely watching HB 4004, the wetlands bill.“It’s interesting because the co-chairs of the (House) Agriculture Committee wanted the bill,” Olson said.“So the bill already has bipartisanship built into it.” Among the provisions of HB 4004 are these: Creation of a soil research commisOlson sion to determine the economic impact of rules adopted by the Department of State Lands; once property has delineated as wetlands, certification can be transferred for up to 10 years instead of the five currently allowed; wetlands that impact less than one acre with an urban growth boundary shall not require mitigation if the responsible governmental body has a stormdrain master plan. • One of Olson’s two measures this session is HB 4074, which deals with wellness programs and permits employees to pay additional cash dividends to participating employees. • Olson’s other measure this session is HB 4098, which would increase timber harvest levels on specified state forests. Olson said the proposal would pump an additional $441 million into the private sector through personal income growth over five years. It’s part of the House GOP jobs package. Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, was unable to respond by press time. We’ll check in with her later.
Weatherford Awards honor innovation OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY A Hollywood screenwriter, a cookware innovator, a communications trailblazer and a wine entrepreneur are among the recipients of this year’s Weatherford Awards, Oregon State University’s annual celebration of lifelong and pioneering entrepreneurship and innovation. The event will be held Feb. 16, at the Hilton in downtown Portland. Hosted by OSU’s Austin Entrepreneurship Program, the event starts at 5:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by a dinner and the award presentations. Tickets are $95, available until sold out and can be obtained on the web at http://ow.ly/8I5Z0 or by contacting Mary McKillop, 541713-8044, email mary. mckillop@bus.oregonstate.edu. The Weatherford Awards recognize pioneering and lifelong entrepreneurs and innovators. This year, three of the honorees are native Oregonians and two are OSU alums. The awards are named for OSU’s Weatherford Hall where entrepreneurship and business students can explore their innovations and new venture ideas in a unique, living learning residence hall. The recipients of the 2012 Weatherford Awards are: • Jim Bernau, a native Oregonian and founder of Willamette Valley Vine-
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yards, purchased the site in 1983 and cleared away the old pioneer plum orchard hidden in scotch broom and blackberry vines. He planted pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris. Willamette Valley Vineyards has become one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title “One of America’s great pinot noir producers” from Wine Enthusiast magazine. • Carolyn Chambers, founder of Chamber Communications Corp. and a pioneer in the cable television industry, died in August at the age of 79. Her family will accept the award in her honor. A native Oregonian, Chambers earned a degree in business in 1953 at the University of Oregon, where she was the sole woman in her class. At 25, just four years out of college, she borrowed $100,000 from her father and pooled that with funds from other investors to launch Liberty Communications. In 1983, she founded Chambers Communications Corp., which today operates ABC affiliates KEZI in EugeneSpringfield, KOHD in Bend and KDRV in Medford and Klamath Falls. The company also includes a production arm, Chambers Pro-
ductions, and Chambers Cable. • Stanley Cheng, chairman and CEO of Meyer Corp. and founder/owner of Hestan Vineyards. One of seven children, Cheng was born in 1947 in Hong Kong. He attended OSU, where he received his degree in mechanical engineering. In 1981, Cheng founded California-based Meyer Corp., America’s largest cookware company and the second largest in the world. In the midst of building his cookware enterprise, Cheng, who also received the 2002 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Housewares Charity Foundation, cultivated his growing passion for wine. In 1996, Cheng and his wife, Helen, purchased a 127-acre property that they named Hestan
Vineyards in Napa Valley. • Mike Rich, a Portland screenwriter whose breakthrough came in 1998 when his script, “Finding Forrester,” was awarded a prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Within weeks, it was picked up by Columbia Pictures and was a holiday season release in 2000, starring Sean Connery and directed by Gus Van Sant. His second screenplay, “The Rookie,” starred Dennis Quaid and Rachel Griffiths and was both a commercial and critical success for Disney in 2002. He also wrote the screenplays for “Radio” (2003), “The Nativity Story” (2006) and the 2010 film, “Secretariat.”
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MID-VALLEY InBusiness
January 2012
DAT E B O O K
B US I N ES S DATA Center. Information: LBCC Business, Healthcare and Workforce Division, 541-917-4923. Feb. 7: “Responsible Alcohol Sale Training” for Linn County alcohol retailers and service establishments. Presented by Linn County Alcohol & Drug Prevention Program with Linn Together and the Lebanon Police. Time: 2 to 4 p.m., Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St., Lebanon. Free. Info: Danette Killinger, 541-967-3819 or online at www.linntogether.org. Feb. 8: Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter monthly breakfast meeting. Topic: “Employment Law Update: Key Developments from 2011 & What to Expect in 2012.” Presenters: Randy Sutton and David Briggs, Saalfeld Griggs PC. Time: 7:30-9 a.m., Allann Bros., 1852 Fescue St. S.E., Albany. Cost: Free to society members; $15 nonmembers. Info: diamondbluerose@centurytel.net. Feb. 8: “Legal Options & Information for Senior Care.” Speaker: Steven A. Heinrich, attorney at law. Time: 3 to 4 p.m., CorvallisBenton County Public Library, Community Room, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis. Free to the public. Info: Email Dennis Dunmyer, regcourt.co@bpmsenior.com. Feb. 16: Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Time: 5 to 7 p.m., Time Challenge, Lebanon Center, 75 Tangent St., Lebanon. Cost $8. Info: 541-258-7164. Feb. 16: Business Trainer Program informational meeting for Albany Area Chamber of Commerce members. Presented by Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and LBCC Small Business Development Center. Time: 6 to 7 p.m., Phoenix Inn, 3410 Spicer Drive S.E., Albany. Free for chamber members. Registration deadline Feb. 14. Info: 541-926-1517. Feb. 21: Expanding Your Leadership Edge workshop, “Community Leadership.” Facilitator: Joseph Bailey, Linn-Benton Community College. Speaker: Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa. Time: 8 a.m., chamber office, 435 First Ave. W., Albany. Cost: $10. Info: 541-926-1517. Feb. 21: Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Time: 5:15 to 7 p.m., Red Canoe Credit Union, 810 Burkhart St. S.E., Albany. Cost: $6 registered chamber members; $7 chamber members at the door; $10 nonmembers. Info: 541-926-1517.
Starbucks CEO paid $16 million in 2011 PORTLAND (AP) — Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was given a pay package worth roughly $16 million in the company’s 2011 fiscal year. Starbucks performed well last year, but Schultz’s compensation shrank by 26 percent compared to 2010, when he was given $22 million for bringing the company roaring back from the recession and more than doubling its profit. Schultz received a nearly $1.4 million salary in 2011, according to a document filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That’s up 8 percent from the $1.3 million salary in the prior year. His cash performance bonus, as well as the value of his stock and option awards, shrank. Starbucks gave him stock awards in 2011 worth $5.5 million, which is down 48
percent from the $10.5 million he was awarded the prior year. He was also given option awards worth nearly $6 million, down 4 percent from the $6.2 million in the prior year. The company gave him a cash performance bonus of nearly $3 million in 2011, down from $3.5 million the prior year. Schultz also received $235,294 in other perks such as security and use of the company plane, compared with $231,664 in perks the year before. Starbucks continued its strong performance in 2011, as more customers began to visit its stores around the globe. The Seattle-based company’s 2011 fiscal year revenue increased 7 percent to $11.7 billion and its profit jumped nearly 32 percent to $1.25 billion, or $1.62 per share.
Residential Average Sales Price by Area
Unemployment Rate Nov. 2011
Dec. 2010 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0
Dec. 2011 12.7
9.4
10.6 9.1 8.9
8.7 8.5
U.S.
11.6 11.1
7.1
6.2 6.0
Benton Co.
Oregon
Thousands
Tuesday: Networking event, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Enoteca Wine Bar, 136 S.W. Washington Ave., Corvallis. Sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter. Open to all fundraising professionals. Meet colleagues in an informal setting and learn about what AFP has to offer. RSVP: kittredge@westernlaw.org. Wednesday: “Securing Your Business and Home,” two sessions on cyber security, presented by Linn-Benton Community College Business and Employer Services. Speakers: Kelvin Coleman, Department of Homeland Security; Karen Evens, U.S. Cyber Challenge director; Theresa Masse, chief information security officer for the state of Oregon. Free to the public.Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m., Central Willamette Community Credit Union, 7101 Supra Ave. S.W.,Albany; 4 to 5:30 p.m., HewlettPackard, 1000 N.E. Circle Blvd., Corvallis. Info: 541-917-4923 or Joseph Bailey at 541-917-4923. Wednesday: “Cyber Warriors: Choosing a Career in Cyber Security”, presented by Linn-Benton Community College Business and Employer Services. Time: 3-4 p.m., Hewlett-Packard, 1000 N.E. Circle Blvd., Corvallis. Free to the public. Info: 541-917-4923 or Joseph Bailey at 541-917-4923. Thursday: Downtown BrownBag Workshop, noon, conference room, Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, 257 S.W. Madison Ave., No. 113, Corvallis. Former Police Chief Lee Benson will present “Avoiding Identity Theft.” Sponsored by the Downtown Corvallis Association. Registration: 541-754-6624 or joan@downtowncorvallis.org. Friday through Sunday: Linn County Spring Home Show, Linn County Expo Center, 257 S.W. Madison Ave., No. 113, Albany. Hours: 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday: Salmon and Jazz, 5 p.m., Philomath Scout Lodge, 660 Clemens Mill Road. Dinner, auction and dance. Information: www.philomathrotary.org. Feb. 7: Phlebotomy program information session, 1 to 3 p.m., conference rooms B/C, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N. Santiam Highway. Free information session on the phlebotomy program that will run July 30 through Nov. 16 at the hospital’s Health Careers Training Center and the Linn-Benton Community College Lebanon
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Linn Co.
Source: Oregon Employment Department Note: Data are seasonally adjusted.
325 300 275 250 225 200 175 150 125
306,557 261,271 Benton County Linn County
194,920
2007
Dec. 2011
Albany N. Albany Brownsville Corvallis
432 114 22 496
Units sold past year
Dec. 2010
462 140 18 469
Average sales prices
Dec. 2011
152,843 227,137 142,559 272,966
Average sales price
Dec. 2010
159,209 246,155 177,075 279,284
2008
2009
2010
2011
Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service
Mid-Valley Residential Report Units sold past year
145,832
Independence Jefferson Lebanon Philomath Sweet Home
Units sold past year
Units sold past year
Average sales prices
Average sales price
Dec. 2011
Dec. 2010
Dec. 2011
Dec. 2010
53 52 292 75 127
59 42 310 79 130
158,156 205,597 135,051 248,024 117,647
213,637 199,914 151,786 242,126 119,579
Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service
Corvallis MSA (Benton County) Nonfarm Payroll Employment Source: Oregon Employment Department
Dec. ’10 1,130 3,280 4,360 810 1,360 3,660 5,660 3,420 1,170 580 9,730 2,890
Change from Nov. ’11 Dec. ’10 -30 60 -40 -30 0 50 -10 -20 0 20 20 40 0 120 -20 -180 -10 -20 -10 -30 -190 640 -110 -40
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Federal government State government Local government
Dec. ’11 1,190 3,250 4,410 790 1,380 3,700 5,780 3,240 1,150 550 10,370 2,850
Nov. ’11 1,220 3,290 4,410 800 1,380 3,680 5,780 3,260 1,160 560 10,560 2,960
Total nonfarm payroll employment
38,660
39,060
38,050
Dec. ’11
Nov. ’11
Dec. ’10
2,330 6,810 8,510 390 1,240 2,860 4,760 2,950 1,340 310 1,140 5,940
2,400 6,860 8,450 390 1,250 2,930 4,730 2,890 1,340 320 1,150 5,970
2,160 6,600 8,680 390 1,290 3,140 4,810 2,970 1,360 340 1,170 6,520
-70 -50 60 0 -10 -70 30 60 0 -10 -10 -30
170 210 -170 0 -50 -280 -50 -20 -20 -30 -30 -580
38,580
38,680
39,430
-100
-850
-400
610
Linn County Nonfarm Payroll Employment Source: Oregon Employment Department Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Federal government State government Local government Total nonfarm payroll employment
Change from Nov. ’11 Dec. ’10
U O I N D E X O F EC O N O M I C I N D I CATO RS The numbers: The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators slipped 0.3 percent in November to 88.8 (1997=100). The good news: Residential building permits were up a bit. The neutral news: Although initial unemployment claims continued to decline, suggesting sufficient economic activity to limit the pace of layoffs, hiring gains remained “tepid,” according to the report’s author, Timothy Duy of the University of Oregon. The bad news: Every other component of the index declined, including Oregon employment services payrolls (mostly temporary help firms), the Oregon weight-distance tax (a measure of trucking activity), consumer senti-
Another view: Duy also is tracking a new index, a 92 three-month moving average of the Oregon Measure of 91 Economic Activity. The three-month average in No90 vember was down 0.93, 89 largely unchanged from October. (A measure of zero 88 corresponds to the average growth rate for the period, in 87 this case from 1990-2011.) 86 The measure indicates that June-11 July-11 Aug-11 Sept.-11 Oct.-11 Nov.-11 Oregon is growing below the trend rate of growth estabment, core manufacturing or- Oregon recession in the past.” lished during the 1990-2011 ders and the interest rate Overall, Duy said, the index period, Duy said. spread. “continues to suggest cauTo learn more: Check out tion with regard to the outThe upshot: Duy noted the full report at the website look in 2012,” especially when that the index has experihttp://pages.uoregon.edu/ coupled with the continuing enced “a pattern of declines that has been associated with European financial crisis. oefweb/
Index, 1997 = 100
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