Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce

MissionTo promote a HEALTHY LOCAL

ECONOMY by influencing*Business success

*Public policy*Community development

Chamber activities that support our mission

Networking Represent the interests of business with government Building a strong local economy Promoting our community Promoting candidates that represent business interests Education/Roundtables/program Assist-broker or direct Primary source of business information Community development

• Contact program

• CONTACT summary from 2004

• Update on 2005

• International Trade/Executive Outreach

• Feedback regarding opportunities

Agenda

CONTACT

An award winning program

2004 Funding

$29,000 by Lane County (CONTACT and International Trade

Promotion)

Budgeted for $10,000 OECDD investment (not received for CONTACT)

GoalTo promote job retention and growth

through:

• Business retention

• Business expansion

• Business development

“Existing businesses account for over 80% of all new jobs”

Responding to Business NeedsOvercome obstacles

Support growth and expansion opportunities

Provide assessment of the business climate to community leaders

• Express appreciation to firms

Importance to be in Lane County

very important

27%

important15%somewhat

important15%

not important

43%

CONTACTCreating Opportunity

Opportunity

Strategy

Company leaders interviewed

Each company receives assistance based on their needs/interests

Information is analyzed and reported back to the community

Forward initiatives to promote solutions

CONTACT Participants

• 94 Business Leaders

• 88 Volunteers

• Over 11 Partner Organizations

CONTACT Partners• Eugene Area Chamber of

Commerce• Lane Community College• Lane Council of Governments• Lane Metro Partnership• Lane Workforce Partnership• Oregon Economic & Community

Development Dept.• SCORE• Small Business Int’l Trade Office• Springfield Chamber of Commerce• State of Oregon Int’l Trade Division• U.S. Dept of Commerce• Others

Companies Visited in 2004

94 local businesses Targeted industries

72% manufacturing=traded sector, growth, higher wages

Employ over 4,588 residentsOver $198 million annual payroll72 headquartered in Lane County

Outcome: Job Growth & New Investment

Job Development

1 year 235 jobs

3 years 634 jobs

Investment

29% (27 companies) planning to make additional investments (expansions)

CONTACT responded to

160 Issues and Opportunities International Trade 30 Workforce 20 Apply for Gov’t Contracts 18 Business recruitment referral 14 Business Counseling 13 Expansion 11 Financing 10 Regulation 9 City issues 5 Air service 2 Other 28

CONTACT responded to

160 Issues and Opportunities International Trade 30 Workforce 20 Apply for Gov’t Contracts 18 Business recruitment referral 14 Business Counseling 13 Expansion 11 Financing 10 Regulation 9 City issues 5 Air service 2 Other 28

Responded to 179 Issues and Opportunities

2005 (79 companies)

International Trade Workforce Apply for Gov’t Contracts Business recruitment referral Business Counseling Expansion Financing Regulation City issues Air service Other

Examples2004EXPANSIONS

Food products manufacturer + 14

International Trade, site issue

Software developer + 30

expansion

High Technology +5 (potential for more)

financing

2005EXPANSIONS

Manufacturer (+2 in next 2 months, +40 in two years)

Growth plan, financing, workforce

RETENTION

Research and development company (retain jobs)

CONTACT is working…Firms Rated City Responsiveness

Higher Than In Previous Years(Scale from 1-5, 5 most satisfied)

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Eugene Firms 2.4 2.1 1.8 2.6 2.9

Springfield Firms 4.2 2.5 2.5 3.3 3.4

All Firms 2.8 2.1 1.9 2.8 3

CONTACT is working…Firms Rated City Responsiveness

Higher Than In Previous Years(Scale from 1-5, 5 most satisfied)

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Eugene Firms 2.4 2.1 1.8 2.6 2.9

Springfield Firms 4.2 2.5 2.5 3.3 3.4

All Firms 2.8 2.1 1.9 2.8 3

2005 average is approx 3.05 (all firms)

Advantages in Lane County

Advantages to Lane County

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Themes 2004

• The local economy is tied to the national economic recovery.

• The region’s quality of life is the main reason businesses are located here.

• Some local regulations are a hindrance to doing business.

• Community decision-makers influence business decisions to stay or leave.

• Public education of business’ contribution to quality of life can help the community.

• Workforce is valued.

• Workforce training and development is needed.

• The cost of doing business is challenging local firms.

Themes 2005

• The local economy is tied to the national economic recovery.

• The region’s quality of life is the main reason businesses are located here.

• Some local regulations are a hindrance to doing business.

• Community decision-makers influence business decisions to stay or leave.

• Public education of business’ contribution to quality of life can help the community.

• Workforce is valued.

• Workforce training and development is needed.

• The cost of doing business is challenging local firms.

• Competition/Profitability

Recommendations 2004

• Continue to improve business friendliness (regulation etc.).

• Assist in keeping the cost of doing business low.

• Assist in communicating the significant relationship between business and the quality of life of the Eugene Area.

• Provide workforce training.

Responded to 883 Issues and Opportunities

2000-2004

• International Trade• Financing• Workforce• Expansion• City issues• Air service• Regulation • Business Counseling• Explore Gov’t Contracts • Business recruitment referrals• Other

Extended benefit...Additional activity stemming from

CONTACT• Group meetings to discuss individual

opportunities

• Export assistance- Canada and China

• How to apply for government contracts led into “Meet the Buyer”

• Industry meetings

• City responsiveness on the rise

• Key workforce issues (i.e. finding skilled labor)

• Validate work on regulation, air service..

• Data/program used elsewhere

International Trade• Exporting to Canada - 42 people. 4.3 satisfaction rating.

• Selling Globally via the Internet-14 people. 4.2 satisfaction rating.

• The Art of International Trade Negotiations-26 people. 4.6 satisfaction rating.

• Exporting to China-32 people.4.4 satisfaction rating.

• Importing Products from Overseas -30 people. 4.6 satisfaction rating. 

• Exporting Your Products- Basics-11 people. 4.7 satisfaction rating.

TOTAL• 155 attendees. 4.5 average satisfaction (1-5 scale), 12+ projects

Other Assistance:Certificate of Origin, Finding agent/distributor, Freight forwarder, etc.

Executive OutreachGoal: Develop a relationship with decision makers

located outside of the area.

SummaryGood ideaDifficulties

Businesses are receptive but felt no urgencySchedulingWorking with local representatives

10 companies– Met with decision makers of headquarters – Met with local decision makers– Met with local – pending meeting with HQ– Partners (avoided duplication)

Considerations for EDC

-Activities must have tangible value to businesses

-Activities must have measurable value to Lane County

Opportunities - CONTACT-More direct individual assistance/follow up

i.e. red flag/green flag

-More data/better data analysis

-Further define issues and opportunities (i.e. regulation, workforce)

-Expand problem solving

…after report results are announced.

-Greater promotion of CONTACT services on year round basis.

-Expansion to other industries (?)

-Industry/topic roundtables----------------------------------------------------

Considerations:

1) Tangible value to businesses 2) -Measurable value to Lane County

Discussion…