2014 Summer Newsletter
TEAM Oregon Advanced Manufacturing: A Blueprint for Success
A new TEAM on the horizon
In late 2013, the Portland Development Commission and Business Oregon recruited economic
development organizations and several companies to participate in a pilot outbound event to the
nation’s largest metals fabrication tradeshow – FABTECH in Chicago on November 2013. The
group generated six qualified recruitment leads. In addition, economic development
professionals participated in one-on-one meetings with national site selectors and other company
representatives.
This outbound activity generated a strong interest by Business Oregon, the Oregon Economic
Development Association (OEDA), development professionals and others to explore starting a
new team – TEAM Oregon Advanced Manufacturing. In March 2014, OEDA, in partnership
with Business Oregon, established the team. It is important to note that advanced manufacturing
was identified in a 2010 OEDA survey as a strong focus area for the Oregon TEAM initiative.
The TEAM Oregon Advanced Manufacturing development started with a work session of
interested organizations. The group discussed structure, protocols and preliminary strategies. A
steering committee was identified which includes Jody Christensen (McMinnville Economic
Development Partnership/OEDA TEAM Liaison), Sarah Garrison (City of Hillsboro), Jill Miles
(Business Oregon), Amy Jauron (Corvallis Benton County Economic Development) and Kevin
Johnson (Portland Development Commission). In addition to those organizations helping form
the steering committee, TEAM members to date also include the Port of Portland, City of
Sheridan, City of La Grande, Union County, Lane County, City of Wilsonville, GPI, SEDCOR,
City of Canby, City of Beaverton, and PGE. Membership is still open. The participation
investment is $1500 for OEDA members and $2000 for non-members.
The TEAM will be strategically positioned to grow the advanced manufacturing industry in our
local communities. Together, we send a strong message to out of state companies that Oregon is
open for business and that we will welcome their business to expand into our state. We are
working closely with our existing companies to identify tactical expansion opportunities. TEAM
Oregon Advanced Manufacturing will market Oregon and its communities with internal and
external endeavors. The TEAM has identified Transportation, Machinery, Fabricated Metal,
Primary Metal (NAICS 31-33) as focus areas for Year 1.
The TEAM will be presenting at the OEDA Summer Conference and is planning monthly
resource workshops starting in August. To learn about TEAM Oregon Advanced Manufacturing
membership, contact Jody Christensen at jody@mcminnville or Jill Miles at
[email protected]