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Bend Chamber Weekly
November 13, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator
This Week's Highlights
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2010 Economic Forecast: A slow recovery
According to Oregon State Economist Tom Potiowsky, the worst of the recession is behind us, but the recovery will be a slow crawl.
Potiowsky stated Oregon would not reach pre-recession levels until 2013. Even though the recession is over, many people probably won't notice a difference until late 2010. "In my mind, the feel good recovery isn't going to happen until the second half of 2010," he said.
The job sectors won't likely see any growth until late 2010, early 2011 or as late as 2012. Potiowsky stated many businesses are still trying to stabilize their budgets and workforce. More than likely, businesses will offer more hours to already-employed workers, get rid of furlough days, and increase staff to full-time. From there, businesses are likely to start hiring temporary employees again.
Potiowsky said once consumers start spending again, and the economy returns to a level of normalcy, businesses will increase staffing. "I really think we are coming out of the woods here," he said. "Definitely 2011 should feel better."
However, we are unlikely to see changes in unemployment rates. Potiowsky pointed out even if employers start hiring, the rate only tracks the number of people who apply for unemployment insurance. This means while some people start new jobs, others will be applying for assistance, he said.
One cause for concern in the recovery is inflation. In the next few years, Potiowsky says the Federal Reserve needs to reduce stimulus spending at the right time and banks need to start lending more money. If this doesn't happen, inflation could rise rapidly, and outpace workers' potential wage increases.
"If labor can't get higher wages, how are they supposed to afford higher priced items," he questioned. "If we do see inflation, we will slip back into a recession situation."
Potiowsky said he's not overly concerned about inflation at this point because more federal stimulus money still needs to be spent. There is about $2.8 billion in funds that hasn't been spent in Oregon. "A lot more is still in the pipeline," he said.
While the outlook for the moment is positive, Potiowsky says there are still some risks in the forecast including the credit markets. He says the credit markets really need to open up so businesses can once again get loans for daily operations. "If the credit markets don't loosen up, we could slide into a slower growth rate then currently projected," he said.
Some other areas of risk include the H1N1 virus because its effects are virtually unknown and geopolitical situations. Potiowsky said if another terrorist attack happens on U.S. soil, "all bets are off."
Above all, Potiowsky stresses patience because the recovery period will be slow. |
Healthcare: Where is Central Oregon headed?
Healthcare is an issue at the center of everyone's mind these days. From the national scene to local hospitals, what does the future hold? What issues are medical professionals and hospitals facing? How are local healthcare facilities planning for the future?
At November's Town Hall Forum on November 20, Jay Henry, Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Medical Center Bend, will discuss the hospital's strategic planning for 2010 and healthcare issues the local community could face.
Get your questions answered at the next Bend Chamber Town Hall Forum which will take place at the St. Charles Medical Center campus in Bend.
If you can't attend the event, the Chamber would like to give you the opportunity to have your questions answered by sending in questions. If you have a question surrounding this topic, please send them to courtney@bendchamber.org by Thursday, November 19. The answers to questions we receive will be published in the Chamber Weekly on November 27. |
Take advantage of great deals with the Bend Chamber Member Holiday Party
| Bend Chamber Holiday Party is brought to you by: |
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You've made the decision to attend the Bend Chamber Member Holiday Party, but several questions remain. Can you get a babysitter, do you really want to drive yourself to the event, and can you get some Christmas shopping done while at the High Desert Museum? You are in luck because there are answers to all of your questions!
The Bend Chamber and Kiddoz, Inc. have a solution to your childcare problem. During the Bend Chamber Member Holiday Party, Kiddoz, Inc. is offering free child care (a $16 value) for children ages 30 months to 9 years.
There is a suggested donation of $5 per child which will be allocated to a nonprofit agency focusing on children. Children do not have to be potty trained, but parents are asked to leave a diaper bag with essentials and a change of clothes.
Parents also don't need to worry about feeding their children prior to dropping them off because Kiddoz, Inc. will also provide a healthy meal of pizza, vegetables, and snacks!
If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer, please call Kiddoz at (541) 312-4742 to pre-register by November 30. You can start dropping your children off at Kiddoz, Inc. on December 2 at 5 p.m. and pick them up no later than 8 p.m.
If you are not excited about trying to find a parking spot at the Holiday Party, consider carpooling. Shuttle Service, provided by Central Oregon Breeze, will begin at 5 p.m. from the southwest portion of the Wal-Mart parking lot. The shuttle service will run round-trips nonstop during the event.
The Member Holiday Party is also a great opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done. Remember to bring some money as there will be a 20 percent discount at the Museum's Gift Shop during the party only. |
City of Bend prepares for winter road conditions
The City of Bend Public Works Department has organized a maintenance plan for periods of snow or ice. It involves a small army of more than 40 pieces of equipment and three shifts of personnel and contractors.
As part of that plan, city streets are divided into major collectors and arterials, plus streets that serve schools, medical facilities and major employment centers. These areas are scheduled to receive de-icing first prior to a storm and sanding and plowing when snow accumulation reaches two inches. The goal is to complete the work within 24 hours. Public Works crews and contractors will clear residential streets only after at least six inches of snow has accumulated.
Citizens are asked to keep in mind that snow may be plowed onto sidewalks or into driveways. When necessary, citizens are asked to move snow from the sidewalk to the property side of a walkway rather than out into the street.
"City code requires property owners, or the person in charge of property, to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice," stated a recent press release.
The average annual snow removal cost is $300,000 in a light snow year and $600,000 or more in a heavy snow year. For special requests, call the snow removal hotline at 541-317-3002, ext. 7. In an emergency, call 911. For more information, visit the Snow removal link on the City's home page at www.ci.bend.or.us. |
In the News
Deschutes County Seeks Mental Health Advisory Volunteers: The Deschutes County Addictions and Mental Health Advisory Board currently has openings for up to five volunteer Board members. Citizens who are interested in helping plan, guide and evaluate how publicly funded mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse treatment services are delivered in Deschutes County should consider applying. Advisory Board members are volunteers and are not compensated. Membership requires attendance at monthly meetings, usually held in Bend; and terms of service are three years. Applications are due November 20 and are available for pickup upstairs at the Deschutes County Health Services Department, 2577 NE Courtney Drive in Bend or at the Deschutes County Personnel Office, second floor, at 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend. Please call (541) 322-7504 for more information.
City of Bend seeks committee applicants: The City of Bend is seeking applicants for several advisory commissions and committees. Positions are open on the Arts, Beautification and Culture Commission, the Affordable Housing Committee, the Budget Committee, the Planning Commission, and the Transportation Safety Advisory Committee. For a full list of openings and more information about each position, visit Committee_Openings. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, December 4. For applications or more information, please contact: City of Bend, 710 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97701 or call 541-388-5505.
Suggestion boxes offer odd requests: A recent survey by CareerBuilder, found office suggestion boxes filled with unusual recommendations. Here is a sample from the over 2,900 hiring mangers that were surveyed: put beer in the vending machine, jail time should be covered under family medical leave, only require work during daylight hours because employee is scared of the dark, more time off to pursue side business as a clown, replace desk with a futon so employee can lay down and work, add a tanning bed to the break room, and have a team meeting in Hawaii.
Small businesses expect to rebound in 2010 according to survey: According to the latest business confidence survey by Administaff Inc., 52 percent of small business owners are expecting an economic turnaround in 2010. The survey covered 5,900 small and mid-sized businesses. "Small and medium-size businesses are signaling that they are cautiously optimistic about an economic rebound in 2010," said Paul Sarvadi, Administaff's chief executive. "However, current political uncertainty appears to be a significant factor slowing the pace of recovery." Forty-eight percent of respondents stated they expect sales to increase through the rest of the year and into 2010. Some of the short term worries cited by businesses include the economy, health-care reform, controlling operating costs, and the rise in healthcare expenses. |
Upcoming Events
November 17 - Professional Development Series - Warning! Effective Presentations Are Closer Than You Think - Learn to be a Dynamic Presenter! We all have the capability, but not all are born to love public speaking. The great news is these skills can be learned. Effective presentation skills will guarantee your audience stays engaged, captivated, and will have a higher retention of material. In this interactive session, learn how to apply effective tools, tips, and tricks appropriate for presenting to any size audience. A. Lynn Jesus-Olhausen is a Project Advisor with Advisicon, Inc. with 13 years of experience in managing projects, mainly in the real estate industry. Interested in attending this session? Please RVSP by November 16 at www.bendchamber.org. If you have trouble signing up, call 382-3221.
November 20 - Town Hall Breakfast - Healthcare: Where is Central Oregon headed? Healthcare is an issue at the center of everyone's minds these days. From the national scene to local hospitals, what does the future hold? What issues are medical professionals and hospitals facing? How are local healthcare facilities planning for the future? At this Town Hall, Jay Henry, Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Medical Center Bend, will discuss the hospital's strategic planning for 2010 and healthcare issues the local community could face. Please RSVP for this event by November 19 at www.bendchamber.org. If you have trouble signing up, call 382-3221.
December 2 - Bend Chamber Member Holiday Party
Brought to you by:
Join fellow Chamber members in sampling delicious food from Awbrey Glen, Baldy's Barbeque, Jake's Diner, Old Mill Bistro, and Subway Sandwiches. Wet your whistle with Deschutes Brewery microbrews, Grocery Outlet wine, or Bendistillery's martinis and coffee drinks. Top off the evening with desserts from Goody's and Healthy Bites Personal Chef Service. Here is wishing you a wonderful time at the celebration this year and a prosperous 2010! If you are interested in attending, register today at www.bendchamber.org/holiday-party.
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