Economic Incentives

Oregon Economic & Community Development Department
A list of incentives offered by the State of Oregon are listed on the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department's website. Incentives and resources for local businesses and companies considering relocating to our area are listed on the website. [click here to view]

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USDA Rural Development
www.rurdev.usda.gov/or
USDA Rural Development delivers a variety of assistance to rural businesses and communities. USDA staff administers a variety Federal loan guarantee, loan, and grant programs designed to create and retain jobs, support business and cooperative development, and promote sustainable economic progress in Oregon’s rural communities.

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Oregon Business.
Come for a Week. Stay Forever
Business incentives, information on workforce, economic data and profiles.
www.oregon4biz.com

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Information on Enterprise Zones [click here]
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City of Salem – Downtown TOOLBOX
www.cityofsalem.net/~urbandev

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Oregon Gateway for Business and Education
http://oregongateway.trainingmatrix.com

To be on the cutting edge Oregon companies need better, faster and newer approaches to workforce training. The Oregon Gateway for Business and Education is industry’s link to assessment and training for effective and efficient employees. The Gateway is a web-based portal (a website) that can help human resources staff, professional development staff, supervisors and individuals find the training they need for themselves and their employees with just a couple of clicks.

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Chemeketa Community College
Center for Business & Industry

Call 503-399-5181 or 503-399-5088 or visit www.BizCenter.org and http://www.chemeketa.edu/aboutus/locations/ted/index.html

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Labor Market Information
www.qualityinfo.org

Area businesses seeking average-wage information for their industries and other regional economic information can receive free help from the Oregon Employment Department. Pamela Ferrara is the Workforce Analyst with the Oregon Employment Department for Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties. She assists private businesses by providing information on wages, recruitment and retention, skill set analysis, employment/unemployment statistics, regional economic information, demographic statistics, and other labor market related data.

Ferrara, is based out of the Salem field office of the Employment Department, and will meet with businesses in the three-county area. She may be reached at 503-378-4801 ext. 223, or via e-mail at Pamela.A.Ferrara@state.or.us. Ferrara is also available as a speaker, and one of a number of topics available is: “The expert at your fingertips - how to find labor market information to help your business grow.”

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Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) was recently awarded a $3.2 million Department of Labor grant to provide Lean Manufacturing training to the food processing industry. The Department of Labor created the new $24.2 million “Advanced Manufacturing Initiative” to provide funding to train workers in advanced manufacturing skills. The grants are part of the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, an effort to prepare workers with the skills they need to take advantage of new job opportunities in high growth sectors.

OMEP, in partnership with the Idaho, Washington and Nevada MEPS, will provide lean manufacturing training for at least 48 value-added food processing companies, 12 in each state. The grant will allow OMEP to advance the skills of over 2,000 workers in moving to lean and more advanced practices on the plant floor. This partnership with U.S. Department of Labor was established because of the high value these MEP organizations provide to companies and their employees. A portion of the funds are being redirected away from traditional educational institutions into MEPs, which understand where businesses are creating jobs and what types of skills are needed to stay competitive.

Surveys of MEP clients show dramatic improvements in creation or retention of jobs, increased or retained sales, cost savings, and investments in modernization, information systems, and workforce training. Other studies show that MEP clients experienced between 3.4 percent and 16 percent more growth in labor productivity over a five-year period than similar non-client firms.

As manufacturing and biotech evolve and new jobs are created, the food processing industry is seeing a rise in the need for a higher level of skilled workers. High performance and lean practices are needed to remain competitive and respond more effectively in the marketplace. These grants will bring a higher level to technology along with the skills necessary for the workforce.

OMEP is affiliated with Oregon Institute of Technology and works closely with regional and state economic development groups including the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) and Southern Oregon Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI). Information is also shared with Small Business Development Centers and community colleges across Oregon, where many small manufacturers go to obtain advice or training.

Since 1996 more than 500 Oregon manufacturers have benefited from our consulting expertise and unique partnerships. Being able to provide innovation and creative ideas in terms of new products and the use of research and development allows businesses to continue to succeed in the global economy.