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Bend Chamber Weekly
July 31, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator
This Week's Highlights
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PV Powered involved in $3 million partnership
Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced on Wednesday, PV Powered, Inc. will be involved in a partnership where the company will receive up to $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop solar energy grid integration systems.
PV Powered will partner with several other companies across the United States for the project including Portland General Electric, South Dakota State University, Northern Plains Power Technologies, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and SENSUS.
According to a press release issued by Merkley's office, "a portion of that funding will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."
"Every day, we're seeing countries like China and India pour resources into the development of clean energy technology" said Merkley in the release. "To stay competitive in the world market and restore America's long-term economic stability, the United States must transition to a clean energy economy. The key will be making investments in American clean energy jobs like those being created at PV Powered in Bend."
Wyden echoed Merkley's sentiments stating, "Finding ways to connect solar power technology to our electric grid and bringing new, high paying jobs into Oregon is a win-win no matter how you slice it. This funding will continue Oregon's reputation as an alternative energy powerhouse and improve our economy at the same time."
According to the press release, PV Powered's project will optimize critical tools and techniques for connecting an array of different solar electric systems to the electricity grid.
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Bend Chamber Launches New Web site
The Bend Chamber's Web site is sporting a new look and design. If you haven't been to the Chamber's site lately, you will notice a myriad of new things including new photos, easier navigation tools, more events highlighted on the home page, and so much more!
"We redesigned the site because we were looking for a way to make navigation easier for both members and visitors," said Tim Casey, Executive Director. "Chamber members now have easy access to event information with featured, educational, and networking events listed right on our homepage."
On average, the Chamber has over 37,000 user sessions a month on its Web site. The site also features great advertising opportunities for members at affordable rates. For more information on Internet Ads, contact the sales team at sales@bendchamber.org.
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Deschutes County sees decrease in unemployment numbers
Two out of three counties in Central Oregon saw a decrease in unemployment numbers for the month of June. According to a recent report from the State of Oregon Employment Department, Jefferson and Deschutes Counties saw rates decline while Crook County saw an increase.
Deschutes County's seasonally adjusted numbers have decreased from 16.4 percent in May to 15.8 percent in June. "This is the first month that the unemployment rate has fallen in the county since October 2006," stated the press release.
The national unemployment rate for June was 9.5 percent while the state of Oregon's unemployment rate remained steady at 12.2 percent.
Several sectors added jobs including accommodation and food services, professional and business services, trade, transportation, and utilities. The State of Oregon also reports at least 50 jobs were added in the public sector.
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2009 Bend Chamber Fall Invitational Golf Tournament
The summer is flying by and that means the 2009 Bend Chamber Fall Invitational Golf Tournament will be here before you know it. Join us on Monday, September 14 at Brasada Ranch for a great day of golf. While the golf experience is fun and the sponsors stationed on each tee add to the festivities, the day culminates with a fine dinner and networking on the deck of the clubhouse as the sun sinks into the west.
Last year we attracted golfers with handicaps ranging from 1 to 35. Some players do not play enough golf to even determine a handicap so we just average their last three scores. This process helps the golf staff at Brasada determine a team handicap to level the playing field. We pay out prizes for both the low net and low gross teams. Start making plans now. If you do not know the names of your players, take the first step of securing a spot in the tournament by signing up online today at www.bendchamber.org/golf. We also encourage you to register as an individual and we will create a team for you.
If you are not a golfer, we also have some great options for you.
1. Donate an item for the tee bags (given out to each golfer and sponsor during registration). Golfers love snacks and treats!
2. Sponsor a tee and greet four new golfers about every 10 minutes as they tee off from your location.
3. Donate four similar prizes for a team prize.
4. Donate a gift certificate or product for use in our raffle.
5. Or just attend the dinner and network with a crowd of fun people.
Contact Gayle Najera at 382-3221 or gayle@bendchamber.org for more information.
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Board of Directors seeks candidates for open positions
The Bend Chamber of Commerce is seeking members who have a desire to become involved with the Board of Directors. This is a great way for members to become actively involved not only in the community, but also the Chamber.
The annual election for the four open positions will be held later this fall. The Board of Directors is seeking a diverse group of Chamber members to run for the open positions. Interested parties must be a current Chamber member and have time to devote to board responsibilities and Chamber activities. A term on the Board of Directors is for three years starting January 1.
Interested? Complete the following questions and return them, with a cover letter to the Nomination Committee Chairman no later than August 10, 2009.
1. Why would you like to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Bend Chamber of Commerce?
2. What are your qualifications as a board member?
3. In your estimation, what are the four top issues facing the Bend business community, and what are your general thoughts relative to those issues?
Please send all questionnaires and information to Jade Mayer, Nomination Committee Chairman at the following: Jade Mayer, c/o Brooks Resources, 409 NW Franklin Ave, Bend, OR 97701, or jade@brooksresources.com.
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Traffic Reminder from Bend Police Department
There will be several events going on in Bend this weekend and the Bend Police Department wants to make sure all drivers are aware of road closures.
The USA National Road Cycling Championship will continue in Bend through August 2. On August 1, the Deschutes Criterium will be held in and around the Les Schwab Amphitheater. The Shevlin Hixon and Simpson roundabouts south bound will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. On August 2, the Downtown races will be held and Bond and Wall from Greenwood to Idaho will be closed. Other closed roads will include Franklin from Lava to Broadway. Roads will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Warning and detour signs will be in place. Drivers should expect heavy congestion along Franklin/Lava and streets going to Georgia and Broadway.
Also on August 1 is the Central Oregon Classic Chevy Club's Flahsback Cruz. Staging for the Show and Shine will begin at 6 a.m. along Wall from Franklin to Kansas. Bend PD says drivers should expect congestion along Wall and Riverside from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. The cruise staging will begin at 6 p.m. along Riverside. Riverside will be closed to traffic from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The actual cruise will take place along Franklin, Lava, Bond, and Wall. Franklin will be closed from Lava to Broadway and Bond/Wall from Franklin to Greenwood from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. According to Bend PD, drivers should expect heavy congestion along Galveston, Broadway, and Lava south bound.
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In the News
Oregon continues to rise in business rankings: The state of Oregon recently tied with Arizona as one of CNBC's "America's Top States for Business." Last year Oregon was listed as number 20, but this year it gained two spots and climbed to number 18. The top five business states in the nation in order are Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Iowa, and Utah. In individual categories, Oregon ranked 20 in cost of business, 13 in work force, 19 in innovation and technology, and 14 in transportation and infrastructure.
City of Bend seeks volunteers for beautification:The City of Bend is starting a new Bend Beautification Program and is seeking volunteers. Volunteers will adopt a stretch of road or plot of land and complete projects such as litter pickup, weeding, and possibly planting new vegetation. This program is extended to individuals, service clubs, neighborhood associations, church groups, etc. Applications and information are now available by using the Bend Beautification Program link on the City's Web site at www.ci.bend.or.us.
Eight hour workdays are no longer the norm: In a recent survey conducted by NFI Research, senior executives and managers reported they typically work a 10 hour workday instead of traditional 8 hours. NFI reports the 40 hour work week is being replaced with 41 to 60 hour work weeks. Seventy-seven percent of senior executives and managers stated they work between 41 and 60 hours a week. NFI's survey shows 52 percent of respondents work at least 51 hours a week. Only about 20 percent of the executives questioned stated they worked 11 hours or more a day.
OSHA Workshops in August: Oregon OSHA will be offering several workshops in Bend during the month of August. On August 5 OSHA will offer "Introduction to Safety Training" from 8 a.m. to noon, and "Building a Traffic Control Program" from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. On August 6 the organization will offer "Workplace Safety Meetings and Committees" from 8 a.m. to noon and "Safety for Small Business" from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested in registering for any of these free workshops, fax your request on company letterhead to (503) 947-7462 or register on the Oregon OSHA Web site, www.orosha.org under "Education."
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Upcoming Events
August 11 - Professional Development Series Morning Session - An Economic Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste - Every time you turn around lately, someone is commenting on the current economic conditions. It has become an unavoidable topic that comes up at business meetings, social gatherings, and more. Many people are preoccupied with this topic, and it makes it difficult for them to keep a positive outlook. In this month's presentation, speaker David Rosell will cover a variety of items, including the following:
- Where are we in this financial chaos and where are we going?
- Overcoming F.E.A.R.
- We become what we think about
- It is time to engage and not retreat
- Many an optimist has become rich by buying out a pessimist
- Bears eventually hibernate
- How to avoid self-destructive investor behavior
- Your new retirement plan: doing ordinary things extraordinarily well
Take the time to gain new insight and outlook on this economic crisis. The PDS morning sessions are now free to attend, but please RSVP for this event by August 10 at www.bendchamber.org.
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