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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2004)
Page 5 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 7, 2004 Oregon lures California’s specialty food producers The initial response to Oregon’s efforts at recruit- ing California natural food companies may seem luke- warm at best to the average Oregonian, but state offi- cials are encouraged enough to begin planning the next wave of recruit- ment. That phase focuses on specialty food companies in general and will cast a wider net on prospective transplants. “We have many high quality specialty food manufacturers in Oregon right now, but we think it is an area of fertile ground for us,” said Jerry Gardner, business development manager with the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA). “We’ll continue contacting out-of-state companies and make them aware of all that Oregon has to offer.” Funds provided by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Dept. (OECDD) will once again target Northern Cali- fornia companies through direct contact, advertising in trade publications, ap- pearances at trade shows, and other marketing means. At the heart of the pitch will be the fact that the Oregon mystique is a great fit for specialty foods. “California seems to be the poster child for an unfriendly business cli- mate right now, and we have a lot of things going for us here in Oregon,” said Gardner. “We’ll pro- vide specific information to firms in California in hopes they’ll consider Ore- gon.” In looking at specialty food companies, Oregon officials are seeking small- to medium-sized busi- nesses that employ 100 workers or less. Products usually feature unique in- gredients, innovative pack- aging, premium pricing, and third party certification for organic or sustainabil- ity status. Products consist of meat, seafood, dairy, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Specialty food compa- nies are growing at a pace that exceeds traditional food processing. Because Oregon has already suc- cessfully demonstrated that specialty food companies can do well within its bor- ders, officials hope to ex- pand the already-existing “cluster,” which includes equipment and service pro- viders for that industry sector. Gardner said ODA and OECDD are mindful of what Oregon already has by way of an overall food processing industry. “Our strategy includes retaining the businesses we already have and helping them expand, but we also want to recruit new com- panies,” said Gardner. The specialty food company recruitment will come on the heels of an earlier effort aimed at natural food companies. Gov. Kulongoski sent let- ters to some 250 California companies extolling the benefits of relocating north of the state line. Those benefits include compara- tively low corporate tax rates, and savings on utili- ties and Workers Compen- sation rates. “We had about a 7 per- cent response rate from companies asking for more information and expressing some interest,” said Gard- ner. “We expected about a 2 percent response rate but got quite a few more hits than we might have antici- pated.” Most respondents indi- cated a long-term interest and were in no position to immediately relocate. That’s the kind of expecta- tion Oregon officials have with the coming recruit- ment effort. Buttolph appointed long-term care ombudsman for Oregon Lloyd Buttolph of Grants Pass has been ap- pointed by Meredith Cote, the Long-Term Care om- budsman for Oregon, to the Recruiting and Screen- ing Committee for District 82, Josephine County. He will work with the Recruiting and Screening Committee to help recruit volunteers to improve the quality of life for residents of nursing homes, residen- tial care facilities, assisted living facilities and adult foster homes. Buttolph previously was employed as a production analyst with Texaco and also serves as a certified om- budsman. The committee meets monthly to develop strate- gies for recruiting potential volunteers to serve as cer- tified ombudsmen. They visit the residents of their assigned homes weekly and serve as their advo- cates, protecting their rights, safety and dignity, and ensuring they receive the best possible care. The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombuds- man is a program of the state of Oregon. A training class for ombudsmen will begin on Jan. 7 in Med- ford. For more information on the Ombudsman Pro- gram, call (800) 522-2602. SCOTTISH NEW YEAR - A Scottish New Year feast was held on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the RCC Belt Bldg. in Kerby. The event was sponsored by the Shire of Myr- tleholt/Caversgate of the Society for Creative Anachro- nism. Participants were served traditional Celtic food. The evening also included entertainment, and some of those attending wore Renaissance attire. Hazardous waste reporting launched online by DEQ As a cost saving meas- ure, the Oregon Depart- ment of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Hazardous Waste Program has launched a new electronic reporting system for busi- nesses that must report hazardous waste that they generate. The Internet-based system, called Haz- Waste.net, allows busi- nesses to submit their in- formation to DEQ elec- tronically, instead of deal- ing with paper forms. Oregon has approxi- mately 4,000 businesses that are registered hazard- ous waste generators. Each December, DEQ sends out hazardous waste reporting forms to businesses re- quired to report their gen- erated wastes. The forms are due the following March 1. Each generator will receive a Personal Identifi- cation Number (PIN) to log into the system, and instructions on using the Internet to submit their annual report to DEQ. DEQ will also provide in- structions for those unable to provide electronic re- ports to DEQ. DEQ expects to save nearly $100,000 annually by moving to the new sys- tem, said Sheila Monroe, manager of DEQ’s Haz- ardous Waste Program. The electronic system will also help businesses track their waste generation ‘State of City’ address set for Monday A “State of the City Address” is on board at the next meeting of the Cave Junction City Council on Monday Jan. 12 at 7:30 in CJ City Hall. Agenda topics also include a sheriff’s report, public hearings about planned development, business licenses and util- ity service; and council updates. The longest journey is the journey inward. - Dag Hammarskjold Courage mounteth with occasion. - William Shakespeare, ‘King John’ The fruits of humility are love and peace. - Hebrew proverb 1-541-476-2127 more efficiently, she added. DEQ will offer train- ing sessions to businesses throughout the state in January to help answer any questions they may have about using the new sys- tem. The nearest session will begin at Medford City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. DEQ first imple- mented an electronic re- porting system in 2000, but the new system has ex- panded capabilities and is much easier to use. DEQ contracted with Windsor So l ut io ns , o f La k e Oswego, to design the new system. The new system is available to both large and small quantity generators of hazardous waste, as well as to conditionally exempt generators. Conditionally exempt generators are those who generate no more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste or no more than 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste in any single calendar month. DEQ will review how the new system is working and make adjustments is necessary. DEQ’s launch of this new system incorporates several recent changes made by the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency and ensures consistency with federal reporting re- quirements. MANSFIELD R. CLEARY Attorney at Law General Practice in Illinois Valley since 1980 Practice includes but not limited to: Bankruptcy - Eliminate financial problems Living trusts - Avoid probate Estate planning - Wills, power of attorney Domestic relations Auto accident - Personal Injury Criminal - DUII Real Estate contracts - Foreclosure 592-2195 200 W. Lister
