Where did January go? How is it already February? Lots going on.
1. We now have two paper choices in Jackson County filling the void left by the closure of the Medford Mail Tribune. Read more on Page 38.
2. SOU and Asante are seeing record breaking philanthropy. Embedding a culture in your business of giving back is important to the economic well being of Southern Oregon. Read more on Pages 26 and 34
3. Base, The Black Alliance and Social Empowerment group I shared with you last February has launched an opportunity page to help Southern Oregon businesses, non profits, commissions and committees seeking diversity in leadership post their openings and direct them toward the Southern Oregon Black Community.
4. Ken Trautman, Co-Founder and CEO of People's Bank announced his retirement and the board (of which I proudly serve on) has named bank president Julia Beattie to succeed him as CEO. This is a story I'll go deeper on as Ken retires on July 1st, 2023 but how cool is it that the CEO of Southern Oregon's largest community bank is going to be Julia. I'm so proud of her and excited to see how she leads the bank forward as Ken steps back. Page 21.
5. I noticed on the screen shot of the Grants Pass Courier that is on Page 38 that Grants pass High School has hired it's first female principal in school history. As proud as I am of the bank and Julia stepping into her new role as CEO, I'm also taken aback about how Women in Leadership roles is still not the norm in all of Southern Oregon. That's why Dena and I support the Women's Leadership Conference (https:// www.womensleadershipconference.net/conference/) and encourage you to attend.
6. My friends at Common Block Brewing teased on social the other day that they are expanding 75 miles away from Medford and that the building had a cow on it. I knew exactly where that was and got very excited for them. They are opening this summer a second location in the historic Crater Lake Creamery Building in Klamath Falls, where Klamath Basin Brewing Co. — which closed in November 2021 — served locally-made brews for over 15 years. Plans for the sizable brewpub include 250 guest seats and a 15 barrel (466 gallon) brewing system, similar to operations at the Medford location. Common Block will begin renovating the 7,500 square foot building this winter, and plan to offer the same menu in Klamath Falls with wood ovenfired pizzas, beer-inspired entrees, shareable plates, and kid-friendly fare. And of course, craft beer.
7. The Jackson County Expo is putting on a world class music festival called Rogue Music Fest (RogueMusicFest.com) June 16-17, 2023 with Country Superstars Eric Church and Carrie Underwood as the headliners. 7 more amazing artists will be announced soon. This is a huge undertaking and very exciting. Hotels, Campgrounds, Restaurants and Food Trucks will be slammed with business as over 10,000 festival goers flock to Southern Oregon to enjoy the weekend of entertainment in an intimate setting. Get your tickets today at https://roguemusicfest.com/.
Jim Jim@SouthernOregonBusiness.com
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
AMERITITLE - PAGE 4
PEOPLE’S BANK - PAGE 20
MANAGED HOME NET - PAGE 29
SOU - LEADERSHIP BEGINS HERE
SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITYPAGE 28
PROJECT A - PAGE 36
The Southern Oregon Business Journal extends sincere thanks to the following companies for sponsoring the journal. Without their support we could not produce a FREE resource for Southern Oregon businesses.Founder Greg Henderson ghenderson703@gmail.com Greg started the Southern Oregon Business Journal in 2015 and retired in 2020. Common Block Brewing, Medford and soon Klamath Falls Celebrating Mount Ashland with Steep Slope Hazy IPA Photo taken from their Facebook page https://www.commonblockbrewing.com/
BASE launches THE place for Black residents in Southern Oregon to discover leadership employment, volunteerism, internships, board and commission positions - 5
Oregon takes first step to giving tax breaks to homeowners who rent out rooms - 6
Hunter Communications Brings High-Speed Fiber Internet To Chiloquin - 7
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek proposes $32.1 billion 2023-25 budget - 8
Business Oregon Opens Applications for Venture Fund Program - 12
Navigating the Employer Database - 14
Computer Systems Design Industry in Oregon - 16
SORIN announces Python or JavaScript Coding Camps - 19
People's Bank Announces The Retirement Of Ken Trautman, Chief Executive Officer And Co-Founder - 21
PBCO Financial Corporation Reports Q4 and 2022 Earnings - 22
Business Ownership by Gender in Oregon - 24
Philanthropic giving increasing significantly at SOU - 26
SBDC - Keeping It Balanced - 31
Going Digital - 33
Panda Cares Foundation donates $500,000 to Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital project - 34
Olsrud family donates $12 million to support the new women’s and children’s hospital at Asante Rogue
Regional Medical Center -35
Two Papers seek to fill void left by Medford Mail Tribune Closing - 38
Travel Oregon Bolsters Tourism Efforts in Local Communities Across the State Through $1.4 Million in Capacity and Small Project Grants - 39
A JOURNAL FOR THE ECONOMICALLY CURIOUS, PROFESSIONALLY INSPIRED AND ACUTELY MOTIVATED
By Jim Teece Publisher Southern Oregon Business Journal
It’s a job board with a vision to be THE place for Black residents in Southern Oregon to discover leadership employment, volunteerism, internships, board and commission positions, and other ways to get involved in our community.
“We all know that economic opportunity is the pathway to a more inclusive Southern Oregon.” Said the BASE leadership team via a press release about the new website feature, “We want to provide a platform for those of you doing good work in the community to connect with Black residents and to empower Black residents to get involved in the community they call home. “
Many organizations in Southern Oregon have expressed interest in making their teams more diverse, or in creating a workplace more representative of the community we live in.
This tool provides a way to reach the Black residents in Southern Oregon. View the Opportunities Directory at https://baseoregon.org/ opportunities/
Last year I did a series of stories on Black business owners in Southern Oregon for Black History Month and showcasing the good work that BASEOregon.org is doing.
BASE is an acronym for Black Alliance & Social Empowerment and I have
been supporting them in one way or another since they launched the nonprofit. I wanted to circle back on what B.A.S.E. has been up to since then.
One of my companies (Project A) donated a website upgrade that BASE called Opportunities.
BASE Black Alliance & Social Empowerment
325 S. Riverside Suite 4435 Medford, OR 97501
Community@baseoregon.org www.baseoregon.org
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/02/07/oregon-takes-first-step-togiving-tax-breaks-to-homeowners-who-rent-out-rooms/
Oregon moved a step closer Tuesday to giving homeowners tax breaks for renting out rooms in their houses.
House Bill 3032 would allow homeowners to subtract up to $12,000 per rented room from their state taxable income each year. The House Committee on Housing and Homelessness endorsed the measure on a 9-1 vote; it still needs approval from a second committee before it could be voted on by the full House.
Legislative analysts haven’t yet calculated the potential costs to the state in missing tax revenue. But Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Portland, said Tuesday that it would cost Oregon more to build affordable homes than encourage people to rent out rooms.
“At this moment in time, we have a housing crisis,” Dexter said. “We’re seeing a lot of folks implementing or using the homeshare option, and I think a lot of those folks are low-income. The tax impact or the revenue impact is always going to be a concern, but the building of new housing for those individuals would be a greater cost to the state.”
Rep. Jami Cate, R-Lebanon, was the only committee member to vote against the bill. She said she was concerned that it lacks clarity and could result in people abusing the law, such as homeowners claiming they’re renting to family members just to get a tax break.
As written, the bill doesn’t preclude parents charging their adult children rent, for instance. Proponents contend that that’s a selling point: Adult children living at their parents’ homes won’t take up an apartment needed by someone else. Oregon is now short roughly 110,000 houses or apartment units.
People would only qualify for the tax break if they rented a room to the same person for at least
three consecutive months and charged less than $1,000 per month in rent.
About 1.5 million owner-occupied Oregon homes have at least one vacant bedroom, according to Home Share Oregon, a Portlandbased nonprofit that encourages sharing homes and helps connect people who want to rent rooms with people with extra rooms. The organization describes home-sharing as a way to provide shelter for thousands of people while helping owners, particularly older adults, afford their mortgage payments.
The organization’s executive director, Tess Fields, told lawmakers during a committee hearing in January that about 800 homeowners and 3,000 renters have signed up to participate in the program since it launched a year ago.
The bill’s supporters include groups that work with older adults, such as AARP and Meals on Wheels People. Representatives from those organizations described it as a way to help older people afford to remain in their communities and reduce negative effects of isolation.
It’s also supported by America’s Service Commissions, the organization that runs the Americorps program and stations volunteers in Oregon and other states for year-long terms. Close to two-thirds of the Americorps volunteers in Oregon in 2021 struggled to find safe, affordable housing, America’s Service Commissions CEO Kaira Esgate told lawmakers in a letter.
But tenant advocates are skeptical, noting that people who rent rooms have fewer rights under Oregon law than those who rent full homes or apartments. A 2019 law prohibits landlords from evicting tenants without cause after the first year of residency, except in limited circumstances such as a building being uninhabitable. That law
doesn’t apply when landlords rent rooms in their homes.
A Portland ordinance that requires landlords to pay some tenant moving expenses if they change lease terms, raise rent by 10% or more or don’t renew a lease also doesn’t apply in cases where the tenant lives with the landlord.
Alli Sayre, the organizing coordinator for Portland Tenants United, told committee members that the bill is a handout to rich homeowners that leaves renters without housing stability.
“I have lived with my landlord before,” Sayre said. “It is like living with your parents. It is not a longterm housing situation for most people. In exchange for the inconvenience, the tenant ostensibly gets cheaper rent.”
Sayre added that landlords already can deduct their mortgage interest payments from their state taxes – that deduction cost the state close to $1.1 billion in the current two-year budget cycle. There’s no similar tax break for renters, though a trio of Republican senators introduced a bill to allow renters to deduct up to $5,000 from their taxable income when filing state taxes. That bill hasn’t been scheduled for a committee hearing.
“It is completely nonsensical to allow a landlord who is already using the rental income to pay their mortgage, from which they can deduct mortgage interest, to double dip by claiming a second deduction on the income itself,” Sayre said.
House Majority Leader Julie Fahey, who voted for the measure on Tuesday, said she was conflicted about the vote. If the goal is to reward people who are already renting out rooms, it accomplishes that, she said.
“But if the goal is to result in more people renting out a room, I’m not sure that this is the right tool for that,” Fahey said.
https://hunterfiber.com/news/
Hunter Communications announced today that construction is now underway on a new 100% fiber optic broadband network that will bring its award-winning Fiber to the Home internet service to more than 1,100 locations in Chiloquin, Oregon.
Founded in Medford, Oregon, in 1994, Hunter Communications provides fiber optic broadband internet, fixed wireless services, voice services, and managed IT to business and residential customers throughout Oregon and northern California. Those products now include 2.5Gbps symmetrical download and upload speeds for Hunter’s residential service, making it the only provider in its territory to offer the fastest internet speed available and the future standard for smart homes, gaming, telehealth, entertainment, and working from home.
“Hunter’s mission is to bring fast, reliable internet service to unserved and underserved communities,” said Hunter Communications Chief Executive Officer Michael Wynschenk, who spoke remotely at the Chiloquin City Council meeting on January 24. “We’re honored to contribute to a solid infrastructure that will help the people of Chiloquin thrive.”
The need for fast, reliable internet continues to grow among consumers nationwide, according to the latest OpenVault Broadband Insights (OBVI) report. Telehealth services, for example, have nearly doubled from 37% in 2021 to 67% in 2022, with 90% of Americans aged 70 years or older using telehealth. More than 80% of American households have 200 Mbps of higher download speeds and use at least one streaming service.
“We’re excited that Hunter Communications is bringing fiber optic internet to Chiloquin and its potential to benefit our community,” the Chiloquin City Council shared in a statement.
Network construction to approximately 800 of the 1,100 Chiloquin locations is funded through the Federal Communication Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction in which Hunter was awarded $19.2 million to bring high speed fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack it. The RDOF Phase I auction is part of a broader effort by the FCC to close the digital divide in rural America and target areas lacking fixed broadband service that meets the Commission’s minimum standards with download speeds of at least 25
Mbps. Chiloquin is the first of 14 Oregon and northern California communities where Hunter will use the funding.
More information on the RDOF Phase I auction is available at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/ 904.
Hunter is headquartered in Medford, Oregon, where the company has established a legacy of service excellence and commitment to local communities. With multi-Gig speeds, no data caps, and competitive pricing, Hunter’s 3,000-plus mile fiber network is nationally recognized for performance and reliability.
In 2022, PC Magazine recognized Hunter as the top internet service provider for gamers in the Northwest. In 2020, BroadbandNow recognized Hunter with four Internet Service Provider Awards, including for fastest business internet speeds in Oregon and among the top 10 nationwide. Additional information is available at Hunterfiber.com.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/01/31/oregon-govtina-kotek-proposes-32-1-billion-2023-25-budget/
The $32.1 billion state budget Gov. Tina Kotek proposed Tuesday redirects hundreds of millions of dollars that would have gone to the state’s reserves to build houses, teach kids to read and improve access to mental health services.
Education and human services, including funding behavioral health and homelessness, make up a combined 75% of the
budget proposal, with $13.5 billion budgeted for education and $10.8 billion for human services. It’s an increase over the $26.8 billion budget legislators approved two years ago for the 2021-23 budget cycle.
“My mission as Oregon’s governor will always be to deliver results and move the state forward to build the Oregon we all want to live in,” Kotek said in a press conference announcing her
recommended budget. “This vision for Oregon’s future cannot be realized in one budget cycle. But this plan today provides a roadmap for how we’re going to reach this state’s long term goals.”
Oregon budgets in two-year cycles, and the next begins July 1. Governors usually must present their budget proposals to the Legislature by mid-December. Newly elected governors,
including Kotek, have until Feb. 1 to share their plan for state spending.
From there, the governor and her staff negotiate with legislative leaders, lawmakers on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee and other interested parties to reach a compromise that the Legislature will vote on later this spring. Kotek’s proposed budget provides a roadmap for Democrats in the legislative majority, who share many of her priorities, but details will change over the next few months of negotiations.
A December report from legislative budget analysts predicted that the state would have $30.2 billion in revenue from the General Fund and Lottery Funds, and that it would cost $30.7 billion to continue funding programs at the same level as the prior budget – a gap of more than $500 million. Kotek’s proposal consists of $32.5 billion in revenue and $32.1 billion in spending. Those higher revenues in the governor’s budget include money that was allocated but never spent in the 2021-23 budget and was folded back into the state’s General Fund.
It includes no new taxes, Kotek said, though it does call for a new fee of 40 cents per telephone line to fund a suicide help line. New fees, like new taxes, require a three-fifths vote in the Legislature, meaning Republicans must support it.
Kotek’s proposed budget also reflects the state’s latest federally
approved Medicaid plan, which includes a waiver from federal rules that allows the state to use $1.1 billion in federal funds beginning in 2024 to help pay rent and food costs for people on the Oregon Health Plan who are homeless or have unstable housing. One in three Oregonians receive health care through the Oregon Health Plan, and the plan allows the state to use federal funds to address issues like homelessness that contribute to health issues.
Kotek’s budget proposal involves redirecting $765 million that would have automatically been saved in the state’s reserve funds, which now total more than $2 billion, to programs intended to improve education, homelessness and mental health.
That recommendation comes as state economists predict a mild recession sometime this year. Kotek said the state is better prepared than most to weather a recession because of its high reserves.
Diverting money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and Education Stability Fund could require support from Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Dan Rayfield, who previously served as co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee, said during a meeting with reporters on Tuesday that legislators will have conversations about that later this spring, but he thinks it’s reasonable to keep some money out of reserves.
Rayfield, D-Corvallis, noted that Oregon’s $2 billion in savings is a
historic high, and that the state expects to send roughly $3.7 billion back to taxpayers in the form of the “kicker” tax refund that’s triggered when the state collects more in revenue than it budgeted.
Senate Republicans praised Kotek for preserving the kicker refund in her recommended budget. The House Republican caucus said in a statement that it was optimistic that the governor’s proposed budget didn’t touch the kicker or call for tax increases, but it was concerned that agencies will raise fees.
“The Governor focused her budget on several topics our caucus has also identified as priorities,” the House Republican statement said. “However, we are disappointed there was no initial mention of other crises impacting our state such as transportation backlogs, a severe drought impacting our agriculture industry, public safety in our communities or Oregon’s severe public defender crisis.”
Those issues are addressed in the broader budget recommendation, but Kotek didn’t focus on them. Rayfield told reporters the broad vision in Kotek’s budget aligns with priorities held by legislators in both parties. Legislators will work with the governor on details, he said.
“What I really appreciate from the governor’s budget is the focus on housing and homelessness,” he said. “Highlighting that and those investment packages make a ton of sense moving forward.”
About 18,000 Oregonians are homeless, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and about 11,000 are unsheltered, living in tents or cars. Many more Oregonians are on the brink of homelessness, dealing with high rent and minimal savings.
Kotek earlier this month called for $130 million in spending during the current budget period to add 600 new shelter beds, rehouse 1,200 homeless individuals or families and provide rent assistance and eviction prevention services to help 8,750 households stay in their homes.
Her request for the next budget period includes $172 million to help rehouse homeless people and connect them to long-term rent assistance if needed. It also includes $130 million for permanent supportive housing, or housing bundled with other services including counseling and job help, as well as $73 million for a permanent homeless prevention program and $24 million to operate new and existing shelters.
To start meeting the goal of building 36,000 new homes per year, Kotek’s proposing creating a new state office and spending $770 million on bonds to build more homes affordable to lowincome families. The proposed Housing Production and Accountability Office, jointly overseen by the Department of Land Conservation and
Development and the Department of Consumer and Business Services, would be in charge of working with developers and local governments to reduce bureaucratic land use laws or permitting barriers that slow the building process.
Kotek’s proposed budget calls for building on the $1 billion the Legislature allocated to behavioral health in 2021, money that has been slow to reach Oregonians in need. Staffing shortages and complicated funding systems make it difficult for people in crisis to find the help they need, leading to preventable deaths and incarceration.
“Despite many innovative programs and people who work tirelessly to serve their clients, Oregon’s patchwork of funding and revolving strategic direction have left Oregonians with a confusing conglomeration of services and a hopeless outlook,” the budget document said.
Kotek’s plan calls for more funding for incentives for behavioral health workers, including $60 million earmarked for student loan repayment, scholarships and tuition stipends, $20 million to nearly double an incentive program run through the Oregon Health Authority and $127.4 million to continue a 30% rate increase for providers treating Medicaid patients that was enacted in 2022.
The Medicaid plan, also called a waiver, and funds from Measure 110, the voter-approved law that decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs and allocated money to addiction services, will provide $278.9 million for treatment, housing and employment assistance and peer support services for people struggling with substance abuse issues.
Kotek’s budget request includes $14.9 million to expand jail diversion programs and $47.6 million to mobile crisis teams like the CAHOOTS program in Eugene where mental health professionals, rather than police, respond to people who are intoxicated or experiencing mental health breaks. The goal of those teams is to help people find treatment, rather than send them to jail, and free police to focus on more serious crimes.
iIt includes $195.7 million to continue some of the 2021 investments, with more money for aid services including community-based behavioral health centers. Another $40 million would go toward operating mental health residential facilities.
There’s also money earmarked for suicide and youth serrives, including $18.4 million to operate the state’s new 988 help line and $7.7 million to expand suicide prevention programs. And the Oregon State Hospital, which houses people charged with crimes who are not competent to aid and assist in their own defense, and others,
would receive more than $50 million to hire more workers and upgrade facilities.
Kotek’s budget request would increase the State School Fund from $9.5 billion to $9.9 billion. The fund covers most of the state’s K-12 budget and is the single largest item in the state’s budget. Still, the increase is less than the $10.3 billion the Oregon Education Association says is necessary to maintain current service levels for students.
Oregon Education Association President Reed Scott-Schwalbach called the proposal a “move in the right direction,” but not enough.
“As students in Oregon continue to recover from not only the educational, but also the social and emotional impact of the pandemic, it is more important than ever for lawmakers to pass a budget that avoids any cuts to services for our neighborhood public schools and institutions of higher learning,” ScottSchwalbach said in a statement. “Governor Kotek’s recommended budget gets us closer to that reality.”
Kotek said her $9.9 billion is a starting point, and that she expects to work with legislators to reach a higher number.
Fewer than half of Oregon’s third-grade students were reading at grade level in the 2021-22 school year, and research shows that students who aren’t reading at grade level
in third grade are four times more likely than their peers to drop out of high school. Kotek’s budget calls for $100 million for preschools, elementary schools, community-based organizations and tribes to teach children to read.
There’s also a proposal to spend $20 million in the summer of 2023 for summer school programs focused on literacy, with schools providing a 50% match. Kotek plans to seek the same funding in 2024, but it’s not included in the proposed budget. Her request also calls for $30 million for summer enrichment programs, which are intended to help children connect with each other and their communities as they recover from the pandemic and its effects on schools.
More than $200 million would be set aside for programs for early childhood education and care, including $62.5 million to pay preschool teachers more and reduce teacher-to-student ratios for young children with disabilities. Another $100 million would go toward building or expanding child care facilities. And the remaining money would support efforts to add child care facilities at affordable housing developments and expand the state’s employment-related day care program, which helps lowincome working families and students pay for child care.
The budget doesn’t include any funding for construction projects at Oregon’s universities, though
they would receive $200 million to address deferred maintenance. Kotek said that was a result of needing to focus on housing.
Kotek’s recommended budget includes $40 million for the Oregon Public Defense Services Commission to form a legal team of state employees to help represent people accused of crimes who can’t afford to hire their own attorneys. The state and federal constitutions guarantee defendants the right to legal representation, but a shortage of public defense attorneys means about 770 Oregonians lack attorneys for ongoing criminal cases, according to the Oregon Judicial Department.
The proposal calls for spending $200 million from the state’s Lottery Funds for as-yetunspecified incentives for advanced manufacturing, including semiconductors. A legislative committee is working on details of the state’s semiconductor incentives to take advantage of billions in federal funding under last year’s CHIPS and Science Act.
https://development.oregon4biz.com/acton/rif/14786/s-062a-2301/-/ l-0007:4d5c/q-000c/showPreparedMessage?sid=TV2:DN9mNii8R
Business Oregon is now accepting applications for the new Business Oregon Venture (BOV) Fund Program under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program. Due to the nature of the venture capital industry and SSBCI program guidelines, Business
Oregon will be accepting and reviewing BOV Fund Program applications on a rolling basis. The first deadline to submit applications for review will be February 28, 2023.
Business Oregon believes venture capital fund managers can play an important role in
Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Oregonians can leverage fund managers’ expertise, networks, and private capital to develop and maintain a strong pipeline of high-growth opportunities.
Business Oregon will deploy a portion of its overall SSBCI
allocation through the BOV Fund Program to invest in SECaccredited venture capital funds in need of capital to become operational or scale up significantly. The SSBCI program places an emphasis on fund managers with access to startups led by Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI). Business Oregon is preliminarily allocating $15 million to the BOV Fund Program.
Program eligibility requirements can be accessed on the U.S. Treasury’s website.
Basic criteria for venture capital fund strategies include:
• State participation limited to Oregon companies only.
• Average portfolio company of fewer than 500 employees.
• Average check size to portfolio companies smaller than $5 million.
• Portfolio company equity rounds smaller than $20 million.
• Funds must demonstrate that $1 from the BOV Fund Program will “cause and result” in at least $1 of new private financing at the fund level.
Business Oregon staff will screen all BOV Fund Program proposals for eligibility and completeness and refer the qualifying submissions to a review committee. The review committee will include private industry
experts along with members of the Oregon Innovation Council and Business Oregon representatives.
To learn more and download the application, visit the BOV Fund Program webpage. Please email SSBCI.info@biz.oregon.gov with questions about the BOV Fund Program. For clarification purposes, The Business Oregon Venture Direct Program is separate from the BOV Fund Program. More information on these and other SSBCI-funded venture capital, venture debt, and small business lending programs can be found on Business Oregon’s website.
Program Documents: SSBCI Initial Program Guidelines
https://biznews.oregon.gov/ acton/ct/14786/s-062a-2301/Bct/ q-000c/l-0007:4d5c/ct5_0/1/lu? sid=TV2:DN9mNii8R
SSBCI Fact Sheet
https://home.treasury.gov/ system/files/256/State-SmallBusiness-Credit-Initiative-SSBCIFact-Sheet.pdf
SSBCI FAQs
https://biznews.oregon.gov/ acton/ct/14786/s-062a-2301/Bct/ q-000c/l-0007:4d5c/ct7_0/1/lu? sid=TV2:DN9mNii8R
What is the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed The American
Rescue Plan Act, which reauthorized and funded the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The new version of the SSBCI program provides a combined $10 billion to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to empower small businesses to access capital needed to invest in job-creating opportunities as the country emerges from the pandemic. The funds will also support recipient jurisdictions in promoting American entrepreneurship and democratizing access to startup capital across the country, including in underserved communities.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 reauthorizes and expands the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program, which was originally established in 2010. SSBCI will provide a combined $10 billion to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to expand access to capital for small businesses emerging from the pandemic, build ecosystems of opportunity and entrepreneurship, and create high-quality jobs.
SSBCI provides recipient jurisdictions funding for: (1) credit and investment programs for existing small businesses and start-ups, and (2) technical assistance to small businesses applying for SSBCI funding and other government small business programs.
https://www.qualityinfo.org/-/navigating-the-employer-database
Finding a job is easier if you know where the employers are.
The Employer Database tool on QualityInfo.org can help with this. This tool provides information about over 300,000 businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Northern California.
The Employer Database can be searched in two ways: By employer name
By industryThere are also several options to narrow (or expand) the geographic scope of your search. You can now search by:
Zip codes
Cities
Counties
Workforce regions
Entire states
The Employer Database tool also allows searching for all firms within a given area (except entire states).
Here’s a quick example of how the tool could be used to find residential construction firms in Curry County:
Select a specific industry. You can either scroll through the list, or type an industry name
in the select box. Typing ‘construction’ here will help narrow down the choices!
Select ‘2361 – Residential Building Construction’. The ‘2361’ part of this is a NAICS code, a standard way of classifying industries (more on this later). You may notice a number in parentheses after each industry choice. This is the number of firms in that industry for the geographic area you’ve selected.
If you want to see where these businesses are in the entire state of Oregon, you can just click the ‘Get Report’ button now. But to narrow our search down to just those firms in Curry County, select ‘Counties’ from the area type list, then ‘Curry County’ from the list of all Oregon counties.
Now click the ‘Get Report’ button to get your report for Curry County. The report will show a map with the location of the firms, and a list showing the firm name, its address, and specific business. If you click the name of a firm in the report, you’ll get more information about that business, including a contact name and phone number, if available.
If you select a different industry, you may notice a couple of things: First, the numbers in parenthesis next to each industry have become much smaller. This is because
these now represent the number of firms just in Curry County, not for the state as a whole. Second, have a look at the industries in the selection list that are near your selection of ‘Residential Building Construction’. Because the list is sorted by NAICS industry code, you’ll find other construction-related industries here, even ones that don’t have ‘construction’ in their industry title, such as ‘Building Finishing Contractors’ and ‘Building Equipment Contractors’.
To search for employers by name, simply change the search type to ‘Search by Name’, and enter the employer name (or part of it) in the name search box, and click ‘Get Report’.
It’s also possible to get a report for *all* employers in a city, county, workforce region or zip code. Just leave the industry unselected in the Industry Search, or omit a name to search for in the Industry Name search. This will generate a report for all businesses in the selected area (with the exception of entire states).
Note that unlike many of the other labor market information tools on QualityInfo, there is no option in the Employer Database to download all search results at once in a spreadsheet. This is because
business information provided by the tool comes from a thirdparty vendor, Data Axle, which licenses its data to the Oregon Employment Department for use by job seekers, and restricts the download of large numbers of employers at one time.
For more information about how to use the Employer Database and other job search and career planning tools on QualityInfo.org, contact your local Workforce Analyst.
Why is there an article about finding employment in the Southern Oregon Business Journal?
Maybe you are looking for employees and want to find out where and what others are posting about the job you are looking to find applicants for.
Maybe you are looking into starting a business and want to see who the competition is in the area you serve and what openings they have.
Maybe you are looking for areas that are underserved.
Maybe you are looking to see what others pay for positions you are looking to fill or what benefits they offer.
What ever the reason, I find looking at the jobs in an area are very helpful when I’m looking at starting a business or buying one.
https://www.qualityinfo.org/-/computer-systems-design-industry
The private-sector computer systems design industry lost 500 jobs (-3%) during the pandemic recession. Although that is a significant loss of jobs, it pales in comparison to job losses during the high-tech recession of 2001 when Oregon’s computer system design industry shed 3,500
jobs from 2000 to 2003, 30% of its workforce. On the good news side, the industry added back those 500 lost jobs during the pandemic by December 2021. By July 2022 the industry had added 700 additional jobs and was at a new peak of 17,900 jobs.
Computer systems design is the industry that writes the
software that runs computers, designs the integration of software and hardware, and operates data processing facilities.
After the bursting of the tech bubble in 2001, the need for the industry quickly resumed and growth continued much as it had before the bubble. The
average growth of employment in the industry since 2003 has been 4.2% per year.
The Great Recession caused only small job losses in the computer systems design industry. Annual average employment fell by only 100 in 2009 to 9,600 jobs total. Growth resumed in 2010. The industry added 7,500 jobs (+70%) from its low point in 2009 to a new peak of 17,100 in 2019. It then fell some due to the COVID-19 pandemic before its new peak in 2022.
The total number of privatesector businesses in the industry changed little from 2015 to 2018, but it increased by about 100 in 2019 to 2,626. In 2021, the number of businesses increased again to 2,916, although about 800 of these businesses reported no employment that year. There are also a handful of local and state government units in this
industry, and they have about 600 employees.
The private-sector computer systems design industry paid an annual average wage of $136,341 in Oregon in 2021, an increase of 8.2% from 2020. Its total payroll was more than $2.3 billion. Wage growth in the industry was 5.1% per year on average from 2011 through 2021.
Growth is expected to continue for the industry. A forecast by the Oregon Employment Department predicts that the industry will add 4,100 jobs from 2020 to 2030 and end up with a total of 20,800 jobs in the final year. That is growth of 25% over 10 years, much faster than the expected employment growth of 16% for all industries combined in Oregon.
There were 2,578 worksites with one or more employees on an annual average basis in the computer systems design industry in 2021. Most are fairly small. Only 556 of these worksites had more than four employees on an annual average basis. Just 305 firms had 10 or more employees. The largest 1% of the worksites had nearly one-third of the total industry’s employment.
The different parts of the industry tend to favor somewhat different-sized worksites. The broad computer systems design industry actually contains four sub industries: custom computer programming, computer systems design services, computer facilities management, and other related computer services.
The custom computer programming sub industry has many worksites, but it is
dominated by small ones. About 82% had one to four employees in 2021, and only 1% had 100 or more employees. This sub industry had 43% of the total employment in the whole computer systems design industry. The worksites in the catch-all other computer related services sub industry also tended to be small. About 79% had one to four employees in 2021, and the sub industry had no really large employers. It was also the smallest of the sub industries with only 5% of the total industry employment.
The computer system design services sub industry had a few more of the larger worksites, 10% had five to nine employees, and 16% had 10 to 99 employees. It also had 45% of the employment in the whole computer systems design industry.
The computer facilities management sub industry had the largest share of the bigger employers. Only 54% of its worksites had one to four employees in 2021. About 18% had five to nine employees, and 23% had 10 to 99 employees. It accounted for only 7% of the broad industry’s employment.
It appears that some worksites in the broad industry are actually the information technology sections of
businesses that are primarily in other industries. For example, a large health care provider might have its IT section organized as a stand-alone worksite that is included in this broad computer-related industry.
The average wages paid in 2021 by the four sub industries in the private sector were all higher than the average wage for all industries in Oregon. The custom programming firms paid $138,737 on average, the computer systems design services firms paid an annual average wage of $137,356, the other computer related services firms paid $123,452, and the computer facilities management firms paid $113,111 on average.
The computer systems design industry is dominated, not surprisingly, by people working in computer occupations. Computer occupations account for about 58% of the industry’s employment. More than 175 different occupations worked in the industry in Oregon in 2020. Software developers and quality assurance analysts was the single most common occupation working in the industry, followed by computer and information systems managers.
How important are job titles in the industry? Not very, according to former software engineer Kevin Johnsrude of Corvallis. “When hiring someone, people in the industry are more interested in what you have done and can do,” Johnsrude stated, “and less interested in what your last job title was.” Although job titles are often not standard across different firms in the industry, there is a tendency to use the terms “developer” and “engineer” to denote more responsibility and independence and the terms “programmer” and “coder” for people who receive more direction. Johnsrude also noted that a person’s formal education wasn’t as important as the skills they had acquired.
Although computer occupations are by far the most common ones in the industry, there are other types of jobs, of course. Management occupations accounted for 17% of the industry’s employment in 2020, business/finance occupations accounted for 9%, and office occupations comprised 5%.
What is it like working in the computer systems design industry? Johnsrude stated that there are pluses and challenges. “It is a great opportunity to
invent and create,” he said. On the other hand, the work culture varies greatly among firms. People who are drawn to computer programming may create a work culture that is considerably different from a typical office environment. Another issue is turnover and the difficulty of retaining talented staff.
Overall though, Johnsrude emphasized the opportunities that the industry offers. Although many developers have four-year college degrees, it is possible to get into the industry with community college courses or even just online training. Many university students start their careers with one or two internships. Most new developers work closely with mentors for their first year on the job. Working at a startup business or starting your own business is also common for people starting out. The website stackoverflow.com provides survey results that give insight into software development professionals and their skills.
Software development requires lifelong learning of new technologies. The constant innovation in computers and software drives the industry to be open, flexible, and adaptable. It provides a great opportunity for workers with the same qualities.
by Dave Tribbett Founder and ED of SORIN http://www.sorin.charityIn 2022, SORIN kicked off their initiative to conduct a Python coding and Data science coding camp. We accepted applications from 16 –23 yr. olds in Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath counties. The goal was to present competitive options that challenge and educate with a focus on employable skills. SCAN ME!
In 2023, join us for a fun but challenging Python or JavaScript class. Work with other highly motivated students to build and hone your skills. In addition to coding skills, we also interlink entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
We are excited to let everyone know we are now taking applications for our 2023 coding camps! We will be accepting applications until Feb 14th, 2023! If you want to develop the core skills to build engaging applications, games and more be sure to apply asap! Classes will max out at 25!
The Python coding camp will start on March 1st, 2023, and the JavaScript class will start on July 15th, 2023. Classes will be from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Use the link or QR code to apply and learn more about the programs.
If you have questions, you can also contact us at contact@sorin.charity
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1FAIpQLSc-6xofl2gYY4OL52uHYWCEi_qGJpDP2BkIauYggT1F3Gv8L g/viewform?usp=sf_link
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The Company has named Julia Beattie, who currently serves as president, to succeed Ken Trautman as CEO.
Ms. Beattie will also join the Board of Directors for the Company and the Bank. Ms. Beattie has been with the Bank since 2013 and has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including the last three years as the Bank’s president.
“Today’s announcement is a continuation of our succession plan as developed many years ago, which included the retirement of three other executives over the last three years. I have worked very closely with Julia to ensure a smooth leadership transition,” commented Mr. Trautman. “Julia not only has the talent and experience, but also the leadership traits and quality of character that fit well within our organization.”
PBCO Financial Corporation (OTC: PBCO), the holding company (“Company”) of People’s Bank of Commerce (“Bank”), today announced the upcoming retirement of Ken Trautman, CEO and Co-Founder, effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Trautman will remain on the Board of Directors for the Company and the Bank.
Mr. Trautman started the Bank with CoFounder Mike Sickels in 1998 in response to the numerous mergers that took place in the southern Oregon market that had notably reduced a local community banking presence. Under Mr. Trautman’s leadership, the Bank has grown from seven employees in one Medford location to over 140 employees in eleven offices serving ten communities with assets of over $800 million.
“It has been very gratifying to see the positive impact the Bank has had for our customers, employees and shareholders over the past 25 years,” said Mr. Trautman.
“We are indebted to Ken for his dedicated service and leadership over the past 25 years,” said PBCO Board Chairman Roy Vinyard. “He navigated the bank through difficult economic challenges and has led the bank to continued growth and success. The board of PBCO extends our heartfelt gratitude to Ken for his outstanding leadership. We welcome the opportunity to continue to benefit from his industry knowledge and expertise as a board member.”
Mr. Trautman continued, “Julia’s breadth of experience, knowledge of local markets and high energy are an exciting combination for the Company. Her leadership has been an integral part of the Bank’s growth over the last few years as we entered new markets, hired teams, raised capital, and successfully completed a merger.”
“We are pleased that Julia Beattie will be succeeding Ken as PBCO’s next CEO. Her institutional knowledge, reputation in the industry, and commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Bank will ensure a smooth and successful transition,” said Mr. Vinyard.
Ms. Beattie received her Business Administration degree from Baylor University and her MBA from the University of Texas. She is an honors graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School, Seattle and currently serves on the board of the Community Bankers of Oregon.
https://www.peoplesbank.bank/about/press-release---january-25-2023
PBCO Financial Corporation
(OTC PINK: PBCO), the holding company (Company) of People’s Bank of Commerce (Bank), announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022 and for year-end 2022.
Highlights
• Net income of $2.0 million in the quarter, or $0.38 per diluted share
• Loan growth of $27.3 million in the quarter, an increase of 6.1% compared to Q3 2022
• Net interest margin of 3.74%, an increase of 34 basis points compared to Q3 2022
• Cost of deposits was 0.16%, an increase of 3 basis points compared to Q3 2022
• Hired team of commercial bankers in Eugene, Oregon
• Net income of $9.9 million for 2022 year-end, or $1.92 per diluted share
The Company reported net income of $2.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to net income of $3.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2021. Earnings for the full year 2022 were $9.9 million or $1.92 per share, down from $11.5 million or $2.33 per share for 2021. The reduction in earnings in
2022 is due to lower mortgage income of $1.7 million and absence of PPP fee revenue, which was $4.7 million in 2021, coupled with one-time income and expenses related to the merger with Willamette Community Bank in March 2021.
of deposits at 0.16% for the fourth quarter, but total deposit balances declined in the quarter as some customers sought higher yielding rates in alternative investments.”
“Despite a challenging operating environment in 2022, the Company proved resilient with strong profitability in fourth quarter and full year 2022,” commented Ken Trautman, Chief Executive Officer. “Further, we continue to identify opportunities to grow the Bank and remain focused on serving our customers and delivering strong financial results for shareholders. We recently hired a team of commercial bankers to lead our expansion into Eugene, Oregon, and believe we are well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in this market.
Deposits decreased $45.8 million in the quarter, a 6.2% decline from the third quarter of 2022. Over the last twelve months, deposits decreased $71.4 million, a decline of 9.3%. “A core strength of the Bank is the deposit mix with noninterest bearing balances accounting for 47% of total deposits at year-end,” commented Joan Reukauf, Chief Operating Officer. “We maintained a low cost
Loans increased $27.3 million in the quarter, or 6.1% growth compared to the third quarter of 2022. “We saw higher loan growth in fourth quarter than prior quarters in the year, as we remain focused on quality loan production at attractive rates,” commented Julia Beattie, President. “The Bank had relatively muted loan growth in the first nine months of the year due to our decision to remain disciplined when loans were at historically low interest rates.”
The investment portfolio decreased $5.3 million or 2.2% from the fourth quarter of 2021. During the most recent quarter, investments decreased $10.2 million from the third quarter of 2022, or 4.2%, and the average life of the portfolio remained at 4.6 years as short-term investments matured and were not replaced. Securities income was $1.06 million during the quarter, a yield of 1.7%, versus $979 thousand or a yield of 1.5% for the third quarter of 2022. Non-performing assets increased in Q4 as total loans past due or on
non-accrual increased to 0.56%, as a percentage of total loans, versus 0.38% as of Q3 2022. “The Bank’s overall asset quality remains strong, but we did see an increase in non-performing assets for the quarter. This increase was due to a hospitality credit that has not fully recovered from the pandemic shutdown,” noted Bill Whalen, Chief Credit Officer. During the fourth quarter, the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) increased by $348 thousand due to new loan growth as well as net charges offs of $56 thousand during the quarter. As of December 31, 2022, the ALLL was 1.09% of portfolio loans and the unallocated reserve stood at $839 thousand or 16.2% of the ALLL.
led to a significant decrease in mortgage production, and consequently, mortgage income decreased $136 thousand, or 48.2%, from the third quarter of 2022 and decreased $1.7 million, or 54.9%, for full year compared to 2021. Additionally, the Bank had a non-recurring one-time bargain purchase gain of $1.7 million from its merger with Willamette Community Bank in March of 2021 that inflated non-interest income during 2021.
Fourth quarter 2022 non-interest income totaled $2.4 million, a decrease of $583 thousand from the third quarter of 2022. During Q4 2022, Steelhead Finance factoring revenue decreased $341 thousand, an 18.0% decrease from the prior quarter, while increasing $774 thousand year-over-year, or 11.6%. “A majority of revenue generated by Steelhead Finance comes from our factoring partnerships in the freight industry,” commented Bill Stewart, Steelhead Division President. “The spot market freight surge, which yielded record freight margins in 2021 and into 2022, came to an end in the fourth quarter of 2022 and has returned to a more normalized level as reflected in Q4 revenue,” added Stewart. Increased mortgage rates in 2022
Non-interest expense totaled $6.2 million in the fourth quarter, up $699 thousand from the previous quarter. The primary reason for the increase in expense was attributed to salaries and personnel benefits due to an accrual adjustment. On an annual basis, salaries and benefits were up $1.2 million, a 9.1% increase over 2021.
Advertising expense was down $1.0 million compared to prior year as the Bank made a one-time donation in 2021 to provide housing relief for the survivors of the 2020 Alameda Fire in Jackson County. In addition, the Bank incurred one-time merger related expenses of $2.5 million during 2021.
lower deposit balances. The Tier 1 Capital Ratio for the Bank was 12.55% at quarter-end, down from 12.84% as of September 30, 2022. The Company had unrealized losses on its investment portfolio, net of taxes, of $22.7 million down from $23.6 million the prior quarter. “The Bank has a very strong capital position that continues to be well above the threshold to be considered wellcapitalized, which was augmented by a successful sub debt offering in March of 2022 totaling $25 million,” commented Lindsey Trautman, Chief Financial Officer.
PBCO Financial Corporation’s stock trades on the over-thecounter market under the symbol PBCO. Additional information about the Company is available in the investor section of the banks website.
As of December 31, 2022, the Tier 1 Capital Ratio for PBCO Financial Corporation was 10.92% with total shareholder equity of $68.4 million. During the quarter, the Company was able to augment capital through earnings while assets also decreased due to
Founded in 1998, People’s Bank of Commerce is a full-service, commercial bank headquartered in Medford, Oregon with branches in Albany, Ashland, Central Point, Grants Pass, Jacksonville, Klamath Falls, Lebanon, Medford, and Salem, with a loan production office in Eugene.
https://www.qualityinfo.org/-/business-ownership-by-gender-in-oregon
The U.S. Census Bureau recently started the Annual Business Survey to supplement its once-everyfive-years Economic Census survey of business owners. The results of both efforts provide insightful information about business ownership by gender, race, and ethnicity not available through any other source.
In 2020, the Annual Business Survey captured information for 91,000 firms in Oregon. Men owned the majority (55%) of these firms, while women owned 22%. Equally male/ female owned or unclassified businesses made up 23% of the total.
Male ownership was especially concentrated in a few industries in 2020. The highest rates of male ownership were in construction (74% maleowned), transportation and warehousing (67%), and manufacturing (63%). Female ownership was highest in health care and social assistance (40%), real estate
and rental and leasing (31%), and other services (30%). Other services is a broad sector that include industries ranging from automotive repair and maintenance to social advocacy organizations.
technical services ($85,500), wholesale trade ($71,200), and manufacturing ($66,200). Men owned more than 55% of firms in each of these sectors in 2020.
Oregon’s male-owned firms with payroll employees paid higher average wages ($42,700) than their femaleowned counterparts ($35,600). This disparity in average wages can be partially attributed to the industry distribution of firms by male and female ownership. Oregon’s highpaying sectors in 2020 included finance and insurance ($90,900), information ($88,300), professional and
However, even female-owned firms in high paying sectors had lower average wages than their male-owned counterparts. In finance and insurance, for example, female-owned firms had average wages of $44,500, considerably lower than maleowned firms ($86,300).
wages ($34,700) than their male-owned counterparts ($44,500).
Contrary to this general trend, however, female-owned firms paid similar average wages in the traditionally maledominated construction sector in 2020. Average wages in female-owned constructions firms were $54,400, slightly above the $53,800 paid in male-owned firms. Femaleowned firms in the accommodation and food services sector also had higher average wages.
Of the data available for 2020, female-owned enterprises made up the largest share of firms in one sector: health care and social assistance. In this industry, as in Oregon’s highest paying sectors, female-owned firms had lower average annual
More information about business ownership by industry and gender, race, or ethnicity can be found
at factfinder.census.gov.
Philanthropic support of SOU has soared over the past five years, the result of an intensive effort to transition the university toward a future of sustainable financial operations and improved student access.
New gifts and pledges grew nearly 125% over that period, according to Janet Fratella, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the SOU Foundation.
“In 2022, we received the two largest gifts in our history, and we are on pace to continue setting new records as we embark on the university’s inaugural
comprehensive campaign,” Fratella said.
Philanthropy has become a pivotal piece of revenue for public universities across the country over the past 30 years.
“As funding from the state has declined, the need for private gifts has increased and this added revenue over the longterm helps offset a continuing need to increase tuition, year after year,” Fratella said.
Investments from the university and its foundation over the past several years have provided the needed infrastructure to increase
giving in new and significant ways.
“Philanthropy is one of the new financial bedrocks of SOU, along with the strategic realignment of our operations and programs, targeted grant applications and entrepreneurial opportunities to create new revenue streams,” President Rick Bailey said.
The university received a $3 million estate gift in early 2022 from legendary wrestling coach Bob Riehm, who passed away in November 2020. A third of the gift endowed the men’s wrestling head coach position and two-thirds will be used to
fund scholarships for the team’s student-athletes.
Riehm coached the school’s wrestling program for 25 years beginning in 1969, winning three national championships and mentoring 100 NAIA AllAmericans. He compiled a 270-71-2 career record and has been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the SOU Sports Hall of Fame.
Bailey, Fratella and others announced in September what is easily the single largest gift in the university’s 150-year history – a whopping $12 million over 10 years from Lithia Motors, a Medford-based Fortune 200 company. The gift created the Lithia & GreenCars Momentum Fund, which will be used “to propel the university forward by investing in people and programs to implement the university’s and the company’s shared vision of sustainability and diversity.”
According to Bailey, the Lithia commitment will likely become a catalyst for other companies and individuals to participate in making a significant difference in both social and environmental change.
“A gift of this magnitude and scope has the potential to increase our national profile,” President Bailey said.
The Momentum Fund establishes a $5 million scholarship and leadership development program designed to recruit and retain first-generation and/or minoritized populations traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The first cohort of scholars will be named in 2023.
Another $4 million from the Momentum Fund will be used to establish the Institute for Applied Sustainability, which will be anchored by four distinguished faculty members and two administrators – all of whom bring sustainability expertise into their work, academic research or teaching. The institute will be led by Vince Smith, Ph.D., professor of environmental science and policy and director of the Division of Business, Communication and Environment. Members include Pavilina McGrady, Ph.D., associate professor of business; Bret Anderson, Ph.D., associate professor of economics; Christopher Lucas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Communication, Media and Cinema Program; Jessica Piekielek, Ph.D., professor of anthropology; and Rebecca Walker, the university’s sustainability director.
The institute’s mission will be to identify and implement initiatives that move the university toward sustainability in campus operations and leadership. Its members will collaborate with
executives from Lithia to develop projects and programs, such as the creation of a national sustainability conference, an academic credential in corporate sustainability and a national sustainability demonstration site.
The Momentum Fund also provides $1 million to support the university president’s efforts to develop new ways of solving complex problems, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to the Momentum Fund, Lithia & GreenCars have pledged to “electrify” SOU by providing electric vehicles to the university and installing charging stations across campus.
Finally, the company will continue to support the Lithia & GreenCars/Raider Golf Tournament, building upon many years of SOU athletic programs success. Proceeds from the annual tournament – which has raised more than $600,000 in each of the past two years – are used to provide scholarships to student-athletes.
“As we continue to engage more and more of our alumni and donors in the life of the university and demonstrate the impact of giving, we will see continued support and success,” Fratella said.
“SOU gave me the opportunity to grow and to change my life and to help change the lives of other people.”
ANGELICA RUPPE MS ’86
Have you ever experienced the feeling that you really love owning and running a business, regardless of what it does? I hope so, and this is one of the important aspects of business ownership that I wish remains top of mind with you in your daily work. If it has faded over time, stop and reflect on the times when you started and were fresh and starry-eyed, looking with anticipation towards the future and for what would be in store for you. Remember how great that felt? Take a moment to visualize that moment or time period and reflect on the changes that have happened since.
Since that time, have you focused on building, acquiring, making, promoting analyzing and a hundred other verbs that describe activities you have engaged in to keep your business running? Have you forgotten what your dreams were and how you were going to realize the joy your business was going to provide? I certainly hope not.
Whether you have or have not forgotten how it was, are you taking the time to remember
the best parts of business ownership and take satisfaction with what you have conceived and built? Experiencing the best parts of business ownership is part of keeping your balance. Maintaining perspective and balance is fundamental to your ability to experience joy in the creative aspects and success your business can provide you. Having these aspects integrated into the culture you cultivate in your business is very effective in employee retention, in acquiring top talent, in performing above industry standards, and for creating the wealth you desire as an owner. It has everything to do with maintaining market share and for staging your business for sale at the end of your intended stewardship of your company.
I have had the good fortune recently to participate in various discussions of not only how consuming businesses are, but also how that dynamic can be managed with the help of peers. In this case, peers are mentors who have reminded me of the value we provide, of the service we deliver, and they provide useful information I can use to make improvements
in our performance. In short, the feedback I receive from mentors, whether they be the top or bottom of businesses and other organizations, is helpful, actionable and appreciated. Even the times I hear something I don’t necessarily want to hear I find that feedback can oftentimes be the most useful for making corrections to our pathway.
In short, maintaining perspective leads to keeping one’s balance which translates into performance excellence both inside and for outside of a business. It is my hope you have built a peer support structure or mentor group to help you keep perspective and balance. Contact the SOU Small Business Development Center to add your name to a list of like-minded businesspeople who want to mentor and be mentored in a relaxing atmosphere.
From this start, let’s all make it a point in 2023 to experience the joy and prosperity we can have in our chosen businesses.
by Greg Henderson
The flies were most annoying. Each of us had our own swarm... “For the shade”, we teased. Aside from a cup of water, a bit of shade where the heat would climb above 110 degrees was the second most precious thing. The Australian Outback in the Nullarbor Plain of South Australia can be treacherously hot.
Hiking into Wilpena Pound in the outback of South Australia was an adventure for which we were barely prepared. Technology in 1978 had yet to give us the assured safety of quick contact in the case of any kind of emergency. We had no telephone, and our basics of gas, food or water was limited to what we carried in our well used Volkswagen Beetle. Faith and ignorance can take you places you may not otherwise go.
A small cave aged out of a weathered rock drew us to shelter from the sun. Aboriginal drawings as old as 20,000 years were on three sides of the cave. It wasn’t a written language that we understood but it was certainly an ancient communication shared long ago. How far we have come
since these messages were splayed on a cave wall?
It was 1455 when Johannes Gutenberg used a printing press to print the Bible. This would lead to the explosion of printing presses and the print media industry of the 19th and 20th centuries. The newspaper business with its print editions went crazy successful. Well, sure but, is anything truly sustainable?
And now we are in the Digital Age.
"Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you." is believed to be the first transmission sent by Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant Thomas Watson in 1876, over what would become the telephone. Though it could hardly be called ‘digital’ by today’s measures, it was an impressive step in that direction.
107 years later October 29, 1969, a message was sent via computer systems from UCLA to Stanford University. Though the first attempt at connecting using the word “login” caused the system to crash after the first two letters ‘lo’ were entered, success came shortly thereafter. That technology is
no longer infant but has miles to go.
Connecting 20,000-year-old Aboriginal cave drawings to digital communication today is a long stretch but there is a lesson in the advancements. Change is constant and guaranteed. When it occurs the habits of doing things the old way, because we’ve finally learned the language, stress the comfort of resisting change. The battles may rage for a time, but the change is inevitable. Perhaps for the betterment of all. We tend to be too complacent in our habits.
Get on board. The easiest thing to do is nothing. It is also the wrong thing to do. In another ten years the advancements since the turn of the century, before smartphones and internet communication from home will make those failing to keep up with the new normal feel like cavemen in Manhattan, totally and completely lost. Digital is here and leaving the station whether we’re on board or not.
https://www.asante.org/about-us/news/2023/panda-cares-foundationdonates-to-olsrud-family-womens-and-child/
Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group, has pledged $500,000 to support the new Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Panda Express managers from Medford and Grants Pass joined Asante leaders on a hard-hat tour of the new pavilion, where the gift will be recognized in the future Child Life Active Room, which will become a Panda Cares Center of Hope (PCCOH).
Asante is one of 170 member hospitals of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. As a national fundraising partner, Panda Restaurant Group empowers its Panda Express retail stores to fundraise for their local hospital affiliated with CMN Hospitals. Three Panda Express locations in Southern Oregon fundraise year-round to support children’s health at Asante.
“It takes community participation at every level to build this new facility for
children and families – from this generous commitment from the Panda Cares Foundation to each person who chooses to round up their purchase to support children’s health. We are all in this together. It’s exciting to share this future impact with local Panda Express leaders,” said Andrea Reeder, vice president and executive director of Asante Foundation.
Inside the Pediatrics Unit, the PCCOH will be a place where kids can be kids, with toys, art
supplies, and even gaming consoles for older children and teens. It is one of the places in the new facility where Asante’s child life specialist will engage and support kids outside of their hospital rooms. Child life specialists attend graduate school and complete advanced clinical training in order to help children and families cope with the stress and trauma that can come with illness and hospitalization.
The Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital is part
of the AsanteForward capital campaign. This facility will inhabit the top two floors of the new six-story pavilion at Asante Rogue Regional. For the first time, these floors will bring pediatric and perinatal services into one area of the hospital. This includes new and expanded space for the following services:
• Pediatrics unit for inpatient care of children up to age 17.
• Pediatric outpatient infusion clinic for children facing
cancer and other serious illnesses.
• The region’s only level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
• Labor and delivery.
• Family Newborn Unit.
• Obstetrics.
• OB Emergency Department.
• Support programs and services, such as Child Life. Learn more or make a gift today at www.asantefoundation.org.
Largest gift in Asante’s history benefits children and families in Southern Oregon
Wanda and Sherm Olsrud, Southern Oregon business owners and philanthropists, made a historic gift for families who receive care at Asante. The Olsruds’ $12 million in support to Asante Foundation – the largest donation in Asante’s history – will name the women’s and children’s hospital on the top two floors of the new pavilion at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford.
Sherm, who died in May 2019, often spoke about
philanthropy in terms of giving back to the community that had been so good to his family. Sherm and his wife, Wanda, supported a number of children’s programs in the Rogue Valley. “As a family, we viewed this important project as a perfect opportunity to continue their legacy to ensure children and families have a dedicated space to thrive,” said Steve Olsrud, owner of Sherm’s Markets and son of Sherm and Wanda.
“The Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Asante Rogue Regional is where families will welcome
new babies, where children will receive specialized care and where families from across our region will receive something precious that all children deserve—hope,” said Andrea Reeder, vice president and executive director for Asante Foundation. “We’re so grateful for the Olsruds’ leadership and generosity for patients who receive care in Southern Oregon.”
The Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital will inhabit the top two floors of the new six-story pavilion at Asante Rogue Regional.
Olsrud family donates $12 million to support the new women’s and children’s hospital at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center
541-488-1702
Last month I shared my dismay about Medford losing it’s local newspaper after Rosebud Media quickly shut down all services shortly after moving to an online only format.
Local News is important. It wasn’t good news. A lot of people reached out to me to see if I would solve this problem.
I kindly replied, No.
The Southern Oregon Business Journal isn’t a local newspaper. It’s a tool for small business dreamers, entrepreneurs, managers and community leaders to learn what others in the
region are doing and saying that impact our local economy. And it’s run by one person, Me.
A local newspaper needs to be staffed by reporters with beats and relationships. You need to sell ads and subscriptions. You need to listen to police scanners and deal with letters to the editor. You need an editor. Local News is not inexpensive to run.
As I shared, where there is a need and a void it will get filled, be patient. Well we didn’t have to wait long.
The Grants Pass Courier quickly hired a couple of laid off reporters from the Medford Mail Tribune
and let everyone know they are on it. The family that runs the paper committed to providing local, relevant news to Medford.
And then EO Media Group out of Salem, quietly set up shop in Medford and mailed a preview copy to every home in Jackson County, clearly sending a message as if to say “It’s ok Jackson County, We got you”. This Pacific Northwest owned, multiple region local news company has a track record of success in several communities.
They launched the Rogue Vally Tribune, not to be confused with the Mail Tribune.
I hope they both can survive here. We need them.
The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, has awarded more than $1.4 million through its Capacity and Small Project Grant Program to help destination marketing/management organizations and federallyrecognized tribes with capacity building and targeted projects to enhance and expand economic impact through travel and tourism. Funds were awarded to develop and refine skills, systems, structures and strategies to help the awardee successfully fulfill its mission and achieve outcomes that are more impactful. All projects being funded by this program must be completed by December 31, 2023.
“These grants directly support destination marketing and management organizations and tribal entities who are working every day on a range of improvements from enhanced accessibility and inclusion for all travelers to fostering sustainable travel that can even enhance the geographical character of a place, from its environment and culture to its heritage and the well-being of residents,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. “We’re excited to see what our awardees are able to accomplish collectively to help inspire travel and uplift Oregon communities in the year ahead.”
Preference for Travel Oregon’s Capacity and Small Project Grants was given to proposals that focused on capacity building as Travel Oregon believes capacity building funds provide an opportunity for awardees to set the organizational foundation to successfully move future projects forward.
The Capacity and Small Grant Project awardees are listed below in alphabetical order. For complete details on projects/ awardees see below:
A Greater Applegate Community Development Corporation, dba A Greater Applegate ($15,600) to hire a marketing consultant and part-time coordinator to provide expertise for the Destination Applegate Working Group in its efforts to promote the Applegate Valley.
Albany Visitors Association ($27,950) for undertaking a strategic planning assessment to guide future decisions and areas of emphasis for best supporting the community and tourism industry.
Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce ($35,000) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility
training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com.
Burns Paiute Tribe ($50,000) to hire a marketing consultant to create a strategic marketing plan around the destination’s assets and to support staff capacity for the Tribe to focus on tourism efforts.
Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce ($50,000) to add technical expertise to the Chamber with the hiring of a fulltime marketing manager.
Central Oregon Visitors Association ($50,000) for workforce development by supporting the Sunriver Resort Culinary Apprenticeship Program.
City of Lincoln City ($20,000) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com.
City of Troutdale ($43,500) to support destination management efforts by undertaking a destination strategic planning process and formulating a strategic roadmap to
guide Troutdale’s development, marketing and stewardship as a destination.
City of Woodburn ($25,000) to hire a consultant to provide leadership development, board development and strategic planning guidance for the volunteer-based North Marion Tourism Collaborative.
Clackamas County Tourism and Cultural Affairs ($24,000) to continue an additional year of staff capacity support through the RARE (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) AmeriCorps Program.
Columbia County Economic Team ($38,217) to conduct a professional branding exercise that will result in a branding strategy, style guide, artwork and toolkits/templates.
Coos Bay-North Bend-Charleston VCB/Oregon’s Adventure Coast ($25,000) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com. In addition, professional development will continue through attendance at the 2023 TravelAbility Conference.
Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce ($20,000) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com. In addition, professional development will continue through attendance at the 2023 TravelAbility Conference.
Discover Klamath VCB ($50,000) for capacity to facilitate and lead a new branding strategy and to deliver a 3-5-year marketing strategy.
Eastern Oregon Visitors Association ($48,406) for professional development to support staff participation in the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy and in Cornell’s Sustainable Tourism Development Management Online course. Additionally, technical assistance to improve organizational effectiveness by updating the organization’s bylaws; hosting a Board retreat; and implementing a software platform to enhance management of its regional grant program.
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce ($30,500) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com. In addition, professional development will continue through attendance at the 2023 TravelAbility Conference.
Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce ($33,190) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com. In addition, professional development will continue through attendance at the 2023 TravelAbility Conference.
Harney County Chamber of Commerce ($10,025) for tourism leadership professional development training and technical assistance support.
Hood River County Chamber of Commerce ($50,000) for staff and board training in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to better incorporate the voices and perspectives of others in unique and impactful ways. In addition to equity and bias coaching, a language, culture and representation educator will support staff, board and member businesses to be inclusive of cultures of the community, specifically the primary Spanish language speaking population.
Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce ($2,788) to support capacity by increasing staff hours to work on tourism projects and in developing greater Chamber membership.
Josephine County Visitors Association, dba Visit Grants Pass ($50,000) for capacity to support technical assistance on the creation of a Grants Pass Main Street organization and assistance in Cave Junction Main Street strategic planning.
Lake County Chamber of Commerce ($13,234.80) for a new staff position at the Chamber to help work on Dark Sky tourism efforts.
Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce ($3,150) to support staff professional development by attending a grant writing course.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce ($17,000) for professional development of Malheur County tourism stakeholders to attend the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism and to convene county-wide tourism planning workshops to develop a shared understanding and vision for tourism in the region.
Oregon Coast Visitors Association ($7,200) to ensure capacity needs are met and training is available upon the hiring of a new South Coast Agritourism Coordinator.
Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, dba Travel Pendleton ($12,000) to support a shoulder season (winter) marketing campaign targeted at the Portland area.
Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce ($42,340) to provide staff development in sustainable tourism, increase organizational capacity with the addition of an intern position to support rural destination development and marketing. Additional capacity support would occur through hiring a part-time position devoted to the Prineville Downtown Association that is currently operated by volunteers.
Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce ($12,000) for increased staff capacity with the hiring of a 12-month Project Coordinator to develop a membership benefit program to support small business development and tourism education.
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce ($50,000) for systemic support with diversity, equity and inclusion training opportunities, translation and messaging and communications with an emphasis and focus upon the local Latinx business community.
The Museum at Warm Springs ($35,000) to support the development of a marketing and community development plan as well as support staff capacity with the addition of a communications and marketing contractor.
Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce ($47,680) to support staff capacity to move forward fundraising efforts of the newly formed 501(c)3 Tillamook Chamber Community Foundation.
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association, dba Visit Tillamook Coast ($20,000) to contract with Empowering Access to conduct an
accessibility audit to identify gaps and shortcomings for accessibility for county recreation users with mobility challenges.
Travel Ashland/ Ashland Chamber of Commerce ($35,000) for staff training to conduct Strategic Doing Workshops and other components to implement an economic diversification strategy of tourism as well as training and additional labor for the management of supporting social channels.
Travel Lane County ($50,000) to better serve visitors experiencing hearing loss by expanding the number of Hearing Loops in Lane County lodging properties, performing arts venues and other attractions.
Travel Medford ($50,000) to build operational capacity and bandwidth by hiring a full-time graphic designer.
Travel Salem ($50,000) for continued work to occur on the Resilient Headwaters project to help communities throughout the Santiam Canyon recover from fire by producing a regional suite of recreational assets.
Travel Southern Oregon ($40,000) for a project manager to lead efforts in creating a Dark Sky Place nomination application with the International Dark-Sky Association.
Visit Bend ($50,000) to conduct a resident sentiment study in partnership with Oregon State University and provide the capacity and technical assistance to create a data collection process that can be used by Destination Management Organizations across Oregon.
Visit Corvallis ($33,192) for professional development for their board and staff to more effectively implement their strategic plan and work in destination development as well as training for staff to achieve the Sports Tourism Strategist designation.
Visit McMinnville ($10,000) for a trip generation and site access study that will assist with assessing parking, accessibility, and traffic flow for Quarry Park.
Waldport Chamber of Commerce ($17,550) to partner with Wheel the World to conduct an accessibility assessment of local tourism businesses, receive accessibility training through Wheel the World Academy and have viable tourism businesses listed on WheeltheWorld.com. In addition, professional development will continue through attendance at the 2023 TravelAbility Conference.
Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce ($3,600) for review of personnel and compliance policies and a final formatted updated employee handbook.
Warm Springs Community Action Team ($37,500) to support grant writing/fundraising professionals as they work to raise $2M in funds to continue the Warms Springs Commissary capital project to further small business growth.
Willamette Valley Visitors Association ($50,000) for professional development including: Board training and the updating of organization bylaws; staff participation in the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy and George Washington’s Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Development. In addition, adding technical assistance support with a grant writer, retaining contractors to work on sports and regenerative travel and expanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as an organization.
Southern Oregon Business Journal
5350 HWY 66, Ashland, OR. 97520
www.southernoregonbusiness.com
Warner Valley Overlook Double Standing Milky Way by Joey Hamilton - Photo Courtesy of Travel Oregon - See Page 39