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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 14, 2012)
opinion An Opinion: Columbia County’s Industrial Grade Workforce is Ready for Business By Jeff Kemp and Tony Hyde Columbia County’s greatest economic asset is its highly skilled workforce. These highly skilled workers excel in manufacturing. Fortunately, workers with experience in goods producing industries- -a full 25% of the local workforce--can find quality opportunities throughout the region. However, the bottom-line value of working locally, for residents and the community, is incomparable. In Columbia County, there are currently unfilled openings for skilled workers at manufacturers--and the Columbia County Economic Team foresees a growing manufacturing sector that generates many more such opportunities for local residents in the future. Manufacturing is a key industry here. It generates more wages than any other private-sector category--$63 million in total payroll last year. And local manufacturers need skilled employees today. Manufacturing jobs range in scope from production operator to industrial engineering manager. In Columbia County these positions pay, on average, $50,000 in annual wages--more than any other category. At face value, these wages slightly trail neighboring counties, for example, by only $3000 per year relative to Multnomah County. However, switching to a local manufacturing job from a similar position elsewhere, is like getting, on-average, a $12,500 pay raise when you factor the high cost of a long commute. A 20-mile commute each way, at minimum, costs $5500 per year in gas and car wear-and-tear. In terms of lost wages, the cost of time spent commuting is, on average, almost $10,000 per year. Yet, you almost can’t put a price tag on the considerable loss of free time. For example, commuting 45 minutes to Portland, each way, eats up 7 ½ hours per week, 375 hours per year. This grueling commute is the equivalent of nearly 10 extra weeks of vacation per year--time anyone would rather spend with their family, or whatever else adds to their notion of “the good life.” We both are fortunate to work locally, and spend some of our free time in service to the community. Community groups – Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks Club, Chamber’s of Commerce, for example -- are a big part of what makes Columbia County great. We can only imagine what it would mean to the community if each group had 50 more people volunteering one hour per week, instead of commuting. An “on-shoring” trend finally seems to bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. after decades of decline. Rising productivity here, and increasing costs overseas, is leveling the playing field. This points to new opportunities for Columbia County’s skilled workforce, entrepreneurs, and the community. The Columbia County Economic Team (CCET) is hearing from local manufacturers that they are getting new contracts. Contracts that were formally awarded to Chinese competitors. Perhaps this explains, in part, why the Oregon Employment Department finds Columbia County manufacturers to have added 100+ jobs in the last twelve months. Regional and statewide 291 A Street call Kim Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Look for our next issue on August 28. Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Lady’s Night Wed 5-12 “STILL BIKER FRIENDLY” LIVE MUSIC • Specialty hamburgers • Draft beer & mixed drinks • Pool tables & satelite TV • Special live music events • Free Wi-fi Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia August 18 Random Access August 25 Step Child Aug.31 - Sept.1 Play it Again Karaoke Now Beer & Kegs to go Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 economic development groups are working diligently to capitalize on on- shoring and new export opportunities to stimulate economic growth--and Columbia County is well positioned to participate in and take advantage of these strategies. Our robust base of industrial sites, favorable business cost structure, and access to markets means Columbia County is ripe with opportunity--for entrepreneurs, the community, and, most of all, Columbia County’s industrial grade workforce. Learn about the manufacturing companies operating in Columbia County by visiting the Columbia County Economic Team’s website at www.columbiacountyoregon.com, and discover job openings at www. worksourceoregon.org. There are great opportunities in our own backyard. Jeff Kemp is CEO of Pacific Stainless Columbia County and a member of the Columbia County Economic Team. Tony Hyde is a Columbia County Commissioner and a member of the Columbia County Economic Team. august14 2012 3 Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Mark Brown Marc Farmer Tony Hyde Jeff Kemp Dr. Carol McIntyre DeAnna Pearl Gayle Rich-Boxman Wolfgang Rotbart Christopher Sedlmeyer Michal Smith Photography Scott Laird Gayle Rich-Boxman Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. 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