Coast river business journal., January 15, 2020, Page 9, Image 9

COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL
JANUARY 2020 • 9
BUSINESS
CEDR REPORT
NEWS
Clatsop County’s economic
foundation has four pillars
By KEVIN LEAHY
For Coast River Business Journal
H
appy New Year! 2020 is here, and we are so excited about
the opportunities that are before us as we continue to work
together to build a vibrant economy in Clatsop County. My
article this month will be covering the four “Pillars” of economic
foundations in our responsibility: CEDR (Clatsop Economic Devel-
opment Resources), CCC SBDC (Clatsop Community College
Small Business Development Center), Clatsop WORKS Summer
Paid Internship program, and last but certainly not least, Clatsop
Community College, where we serve as the eyes and ears of the
business community to the college, as well as managing and staff-
ing the South County Center of CCC.
CEDR has served as the Economic Development Organization
for Clatsop County for over 12 years. Current efforts are focus-
ing on Enterprise Zone opportunities, with the Fort George (Big
Beams) purchase and development of the old American Can/Asto-
ria Warehouse Space in Astoria on the waterfront leading the
way. As of the date of this article, two of the four sponsors have
approved the agreement; the City of Astoria and the Port of Astoria.
Meetings with Clatsop County and the Warrenton City Commis-
sion will be held later this month. This is a very exciting economic
opportunity for our region!
CEDR events coming up
Two other very important upcoming CEDR events should be on
everyone’s calendar:
The annual Clatsop Job & Career Fair will be held this year
in Seaside at the Seaside Civic & Convention Center. The date is
Thursday, March 12, with all our local high schools attending from
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the general public and Clatsop Commu-
nity College students from 1:15 to 3 p.m. Last year there was 80
employers and 750 students in attendance, with hundreds coming
through in the afternoon. Employers who have participated in the
past will be receiving notification soon. For those who want to learn
more, or register, contact Debbie Newton at the Oregon Employ-
ment Department at debbie.m.newton@oregon.gov or call 503-
325-4821, ext. 226.
The annual CEDR awards event will be held at Patriot Hall at
the Lexington Campus of Clatsop Community College in Astoria,
and will be held on Tuesday, April 7. This event is a highlight of
the year for the Clatsop County, celebrating business success with
businesses of all sizes. Watch for more information and nomination
forms coming next month.
Clatsop Community College Small Business
Development Center
Over the past two years, our CCC SBDC has served 354 clients
with 2182 hours of advising; free and confidential. Assisting our
clients with financing their business has resulted in $2,688,900 in
access to capital, 20 business starts, 172 jobs created and retained,
plus 61 Hispanic businesses and 116 majority women-owned busi-
nesses. Our Signature Small Business Management Program, a
10-month cohort model, continues to grow and expand.
KEVIN LEAHY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CEDR,
AND CLATSOP COMMUNITY
COLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT CENTER
For 2020 we are expanding the offerings of our workshops.
Check out bizcenter.org/Clatsop and go to “our classes” which
share all upcoming workshops, or to register. You can also
contact us at sbdc@clatsopcc.edu or call 503-338-2402 with
questions.
Of special note are two important workshops coming up. On
Tuesday, Feb. 4 “What is your Business Worth” will be held in
Astoria at the Lexington Campus of CCC from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Topics covered will include:
• Business Valuation Strategies — Learn about the different
business valuation methodologies used to determine a businesses’
worth
• Business Planning for Value Growth — Gain an understanding
of how your financial statements can be tools to assess value, drive
profitability and enhance the value of your business over the long
term
• Exit Strategy Formulation — Identify a vision for your long-
term exit strategy and develop a plan that will act as a guide as you
make key management decisions.
• Succession Planning — How to identify a potential buyer, and
ways the different structures that can be employed.
And on Wednesday, Feb. 5 in Seaside at the South County Cen-
ter of Clatsop Community College will be “Get 20/20 Vision: Writ-
ing a Business Plan That Actually Works”. Overview: Whether
you’ve just started out or been running your business for years,
business planning can be a major game-changer for achieving suc-
cess.” 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Arnie Hendricks, CFO of Financial Management Resources will
conduct both workshops.
Clatsop WORKS Summer Paid Internship Program
The Clatsop WORKS program was developed to provide local
students, age 16 and up, with exposure to professional paid intern-
ship opportunities in Clatsop County, with the goal of community
building, economic development, promoting local career opportuni-
ties and retaining local talent.
We are in the third year of this program, and each year continues
to build to the next level.
For 2020 there will be 18 employers from throughout Clat-
sop County, compared to 12 last year, a 50% increase! Parents,
Grandparents, guardians and friends are encouraged to share this
great program opportunity with their high school or college stu-
dents. Deadline for students to apply is Friday, Feb. 7. Go to clat-
sopworks.com to learn more details, or to apply. Or call 503-338-
2507. Don’t delay! This is a once in a lifetime experience for our
students!
NOW OPEN!
Warrenton Branch
1771 SE Ensign Ln.
Our beautiful Warrenton Branch is now
open! When you’re in Clatsop County, stop
by to experience relaxing Oregon Coast
décor or hop on our free Wi-Fi. In the
coming months, Red Leaf Organic Coffee
will open a coffee bar inside the branch
to offer you tasty coffee and treats during
business hours. We’re sure you’ll feel right
at home in our Warrenton branch
and we look forward to welcoming you
through our doors.
www.tlcfcu.org
866.901.3521
/ILikeTLC/
A DIVISION OF
CREDIT UNION