2. Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Mission To promote a HEALTHY LOCAL ECONOMY by influencing *Business success *Public policy *Community development

3. Chamber activities that support our mission  Networking  Represent the interests of business with government  Building a strong local economy  Promoting our community  Promoting candidates that represent business interests  Education/Roundtables/program  Assist-broker or direct  Primary source of business information  Community development

4. Contact program CONTACT summary from 2004 Update on 2005 International Trade/Executive Outreach Feedback regarding opportunities Agenda

5. CONTACT An award winning program

6. 2004 Funding $29,000 by Lane County (CONTACT and International Trade Promotion) Budgeted for $10,000 OECDD investment (not received for CONTACT)

7. Goal To promote job retention and growth through: Business retention Business expansion Business development “Existing businesses account for over 80% of all new jobs”

8. Responding to Business Needs  Overcome obstacles  Support growth and expansion opportunities  Provide assessment of the business climate to community leaders Express appreciation to firms

9. Importance to be in Lane County

10. C ONTAC T Creating Opportunity Opportunity

11. Strategy  Company leaders interviewed  Each company receives assistance based on their needs/interests  Information is analyzed and reported back to the community  Forward initiatives to promote solutions

12. CONTACT Participants 94 Business Leaders 88 Volunteers Over 11 Partner Organizations CONTACT Partners Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Lane Community College Lane Council of Governments Lane Metro Partnership Lane Workforce Partnership Oregon Economic & Community Development Dept. SCORE Small Business Int’l Trade Office Springfield Chamber of Commerce State of Oregon Int’l Trade Division U.S. Dept of Commerce Others

13. Companies Visited in 2004  94 local businesses  Targeted industries 72% manufacturing=traded sector, growth, higher wages  Employ over 4,588 residents  Over $198 million annual payroll  72 headquartered in Lane County

14. Outcome: Job Growth & New Investment

15. Job Development 1 year235 jobs 3 years634 jobs

16. Investment 29% (27 companies) planning to make additional investments (expansions)

17. CONTACT r esponded to 160 Issues and Opportunities  International Trade30  Workforce 20  Apply for Gov’t Contracts 18  Business recruitment referral14  Business Counseling13  Expansion11  Financing10  Regulation 9  City issues 5  Air service 2  Other28

18. CONTACT r esponded to 160 Issues and Opportunities  International Trade30  Workforce 20  Apply for Gov’t Contracts 18  Business recruitment referral14  Business Counseling13  Expansion11  Financing10  Regulation 9  City issues 5  Air service 2  Other28

19. Responded to 179 Issues and Opportunities 2005 (79 companies)  International Trade  Workforce  Apply for Gov’t Contracts  Business recruitment referral  Business Counseling  Expansion  Financing  Regulation  City issues  Air service  Other

20. Examples 2004 EXPANSIONS Food products manufacturer + 14 International Trade, site issue Software developer + 30 expansion High Technology +5 (potential for more) financing 2005 EXPANSIONS Manufacturer (+2 in next 2 months, +40 in two years) Growth plan, financing, workforce RETENTION Research and development company (retain jobs)

21. CONTACT is working… Firms Rated City Responsiveness Higher Than In Previous Years (Scale from 1-5, 5 most satisfied) Year20002001200220032004 Eugene Firms2.42.11.82.62.9 Springfield Firms4.22.5 3.33.4 All Firms2.82.11.92.83

22. CONTACT is working… Firms Rated City Responsiveness Higher Than In Previous Years (Scale from 1-5, 5 most satisfied) Year20002001200220032004 Eugene Firms2.42.11.82.62.9 Springfield Firms4.22.5 3.33.4 All Firms2.82.11.92.83 2005 average is approx 3.05 (all firms)

23. Advantages in Lane County

24. Themes 2004 The local economy is tied to the national economic recovery. The region’s quality of life is the main reason businesses are located here. Some local regulations are a hindrance to doing business. Community decision-makers influence business decisions to stay or leave. Public education of business’ contribution to quality of life can help the community. Workforce is valued. Workforce training and development is needed. The cost of doing business is challenging local firms.

25. Themes 2005 The local economy is tied to the national economic recovery. The region’s quality of life is the main reason businesses are located here. Some local regulations are a hindrance to doing business. Community decision-makers influence business decisions to stay or leave. Public education of business’ contribution to quality of life can help the community. Workforce is valued. Workforce training and development is needed. The cost of doing business is challenging local firms. Competition/Profitability

26. Recommendations 2004 Continue to improve business friendliness (regulation etc.). Assist in keeping the cost of doing business low. Assist in communicating the significant relationship between business and the quality of life of the Eugene Area. Provide workforce training.

27. Responded to 883 Issues and Opportunities 2000-2004 International Trade Financing Workforce Expansion City issues Air service Regulation Business Counseling Explore Gov’t Contracts Business recruitment referrals Other

28. Extended benefit... Additional activity stemming from CONTACT Group meetings to discuss individual opportunities Export assistance- Canada and China How to apply for government contracts led into “Meet the Buyer” Industry meetings City responsiveness on the rise Key workforce issues (i.e. finding skilled labor) Validate work on regulation, air service.. Data/program used elsewhere

29. International Trade Exporting to Canada - 42 people. 4.3 satisfaction rating. Selling Globally via the Internet-14 people. 4.2 satisfaction rating. The Art of International Trade Negotiations-26 people. 4.6 satisfaction rating. Exporting to China-32 people.4.4 satisfaction rating. Importing Products from Overseas -30 people. 4.6 satisfaction rating. Exporting Your Products- Basics-11 people. 4.7 satisfaction rating. TOTAL 155 attendees. 4.5 average satisfaction (1-5 scale), 12+ projects Other Assistance: Certificate of Origin, Finding agent/distributor, Freight forwarder, etc.

30. Executive Outreach Goal: Develop a relationship with decision makers located outside of the area. Summary Good idea Difficulties Businesses are receptive but felt no urgency Scheduling Working with local representatives 10 companies –Met with decision makers of headquarters –Met with local decision makers –Met with local – pending meeting with HQ –Partners (avoided duplication)

31. Considerations for EDC -Activities must have tangible value to businesses -Activities must have measurable value to Lane County

32. Opportunities - CONTACT -More direct individual assistance/follow up i.e. red flag/green flag -More data/better data analysis -Further define issues and opportunities (i.e. regulation, workforce) -Expand problem solving …after report results are announced. -Greater promotion of CONTACT services on year round basis. -Expansion to other industries (?) -Industry/topic roundtables ---------------------------------------------------- Considerations: 1) Tangible value to businesses 2) -Measurable value to Lane County

33. Discussion…