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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 1998)
•„ 4 » • ■» • B44MHMWPP • • • • • ♦ W • • • • • *' *» ». • » « **• k/ ' í3h ». : ' J ’ V?’ • O c to b a r 7 ,1 99 8 • C 7 (Tljp IJ o rtla n b ODbseruer’» ínoRíty ® asiness *-• »• , * » ;*• ; •• * - , . : * n. .»• A - !• < *■ ■ ik J Solving Problems, Not Running Programs by S enator A vei . G ordey What Is the Interim W ork Group on Economic and Community Group R eport to Im plem ent “A?w D irections” Ihe Interim W oikG m upreached three basic findings in its report. These are: 1. Principles for Investment o f R e The Interim W ork G roup on Eco nomic and C om m unity D evelopment was chartered by the 1997 Legislature to im plem ent “N ew Directions” for eco nomic development in Oregon envisioned by the 1995-97 Biennial Report o f the Economic Developm ent Commission. The 15 m em ber w ork group is com prised o f legislators, representatives o f local governm ents, the G overnor’s of sources The visions, goals, and priorities o f regions and their com m unities should drive the p lan n ing and investm ent processses o f state agencies. Both local priorities and state or federal interests should be respected in the investment o f state, local and federal funds, the prin ciples established by the work group for investment o f state resources include: fice, the Economic Developm ent C om mission and the p n vate sector. The work group w as charged with reviewing the work o f com m unity developm ent agen cies including the Economic Develop ment Departm ent and recom mending how to im plem ent "N ew Directions" in economic and com m unity developm ent in Oregon. During the past year, the Interim W ork G roup has brought to gether an array o f interests to provide the framework in w hich O regon should ap proach econom ic and com m unity devel a. Flexibility of state structures and processes to meet local needs b. Use of partnerships in decision making c. Demonstrated accountability d. Efficiency of public investments and assistance for local priorities 2, Need for Regional Partnerships and Integration opment into the next century. Nen< Directions Focuses the Efforts o f the Interim Work Group Inclusiveness - Support distressed comm unities and populations that have not shared in the economic boom; S ustainability - Ensure economic strategies reinforce O regon’s long term prosperity and livability. C om petitiveness - Focus economic assistance on businesses that are starting up o r already doing business in Oregon; and Partnerships - Link state investments and initiatives thataffect local comm uni- ties. R ecom m endations o f the D ork “I ’ve always fe lt that our sta te’s minority entrepreneurs have shown the same kind o f pioneering spirit that made Oregon famous. They had the courage to take a risk and to follow a dream. As a result, our state s thriving minor ity-owned businesses play a vital role in our economy, creating jobs and helping keep our strong quality’ o f life. As these enterprises grow and expand, i t ’s importantfor minority business owners to instill that same pioneering spirit in their community, and to encourage more women and minorities to start new businesses. That will be good fo r all Oregonians. ” ’Ml JR --i f'. Y*- '»•' ■A - 1 . . . - A ' Vi*.«» ** ■X : t .- . ‘t Tj • ♦’ > - Ron Wyden Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, Oregon Senator Senator Avel Gordly 5. Coordination o f Resources an d A dequate Funding Coordinate and allocate financial and other resources based on regional and community-identified priorities andstate- wide concerns through the regional part- nerships'eommunity solutions process. Though the new system will improve utilization o f whatever level o f funding is available for economic and community development, the current level o f funding is inadequate to address the needs o f Oregon communities, to leverage other public and private resources, and gain real commitment by all parties to measurable outcomes. The work group strongly rec ommends that depleted funds be recapi talized and increased lunding be provided to accomplish state priorities for eco nomic and community developm ent Senator Avel G ordly (D-Portland) represents District 10 w hich includes parts o f Northeast and Southeast Port land. Sen. G ordly is vice-chair o f the Interim Senate C om m ittee on Trade and Economic Development, and is a m em ber o f the W oik G roup that developed this report. The report was presented to the G overnor on Septem ber 22,1998. Establish regionally organized part nerships, supported by a team o f region ally located state com m unity solutions, representatives, to m ore effectively and efficiently integrate local, state, federal and private sectoractivi ties, set regional priorities and resolve com m unity and regional issues. Each region will have an opportunity to pilot a partnership m odel that is determ ined to be the m ost effective w ay for it to address its ow n problem s and key issues. This is in tended to establish a w ay to m ove from a categorical approach o f m aking regu latory decisions and funding projects to an integrated approach to problem solv ing and decision m aking. It is a m ajor shift that applies to all com m unity solu tions agencies, but is recom m ended to be a pervasive transition throughout state agencies as a better w ay to deliver public services. < - V W eil • 1r < i ¿1 s cJ F* LX , V - IV * z T s tribal Hrhirrtl ■ Mirtt Attorneys at Law 7 7 7 < W 7nH A v* Ai.fr«. 7AD Portland Oregon 97204 BUILDING THE Saluting our Ewterglug arirb Businesses THE PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Teamwork • Involvement • Commitment The Port of Portland is working with minority enterprises to develop sources which create opportunities for DBE participation. We’re working with the construction industry, the professional services industry, material supply companies, minority agencies, the Small Business Administration, financial/bonding organizations, other public agencies and private enterprises. We want to understand the needs of the DBE community, and meet these needs. For information about business or contract opportunities, call 503/731-7593. For employment opportunities with the Port of Portland, call 503/731-7480 or visit the Port’s web site at www. portofportlandor. com © PORT OF PORTLAND V V ' í is proud of the minority-owned businesses in the OAME Cascade Plaza business incubator. We salute the following North Portland incubator businesses: DESIGN-A-WELD* MAGNETIC ATTRACTIONS Manufacturer of Refrigerator Metal M illing and Lathing Esau W illiams, Owner Magnets of All Types *M inority-owned Marilyn Riggs, Owner --------------------------------------------------4 L____________________________________ r BECKER & NADEN Manufacturer of the Easeltech hand tool for manicurists Cherie Naden, Owner IPM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Insect Control Systems Philipp Kirsch, Owner ¡Ktyt' '-.i Each of these businesses has received a small business loan through PDC's Economic Development Department. The business incubator program provides support to budding entrepreneurs until they can get a solid financial start. Another emerging business then takes their place. If you would like more information on small business loans from the Portland Development Commission, please contact Wally Zw ingli at 823-3321. PDC supports minority-owned businesses because we know that successful small businesses are the backbone o f a healthy local economy. i & W ■ ’ A
