Performance

January 22, 2013

CEDR Project and Program Updates

Clatsop Community College Small Business Development Center Results

We are proud to report very strong results for our Clatsop Community College SBDC in all deliverable areas for 2012. Our results exceed the statewide results in EVERY category.

Total Business Clients Served
166 vs. 116 (2011)
Total Counseling Hours
933 vs. 385 (2011)
Capital Formation (assisting business clients with access to capital)
$375,735 vs. $191,500 (2011)
Business Starts
3 vs. 2 (2011)
Jobs Created (full-time equivalent)
29.50 vs. 8.00 (2011)
Jobs Retained (full-time equivalent)
10.50 vs. 3.00 (2011)
Training Events
36 vs. 20 (2011)
Training Attendance
409 vs. 204 (2011)

CEDR Project Accomplishments

CEDR Committee Report

Three CEDR committees were formed this year to be action-driven and results-oriented. Meetings were held bi-monthly for each committee.

Business Retention and Recruitment Committee
- Priority business clusters: Hospitality/Tourism/Retail Trade, Craft Brewing/Distilling, Historic Preservation, Forestry/Wood Products, Maritime, Health Care, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurs.
- Targeting specific assistance and support strategies for each cluster.
- Focus on growing existing businesses while recruiting new businesses to locate in Clatsop County.
CEDR Membership/Marketing Committee
- Going after more private sector funding for CEDR. Reinforcing the importance of CEDR as the business "connector" for the entire county. Pacific Power and Clatsop Community Bank are current examples of this partnership, and will be expanded.
- CEDR county-wide business awards event coming March 20, 2013
SBDC Advisory, Education and Workforce Training Committee
- This committee creates linkage between programs offered with the SBDC, Clatsop Community College, our high schools, Tongue Point Job Corps Center, the State of Oregon, MTC works, Chambers of Commerce and other organizations.
- Focus is on training, workshops, seminars and curriculum that enhance the skills of our workforce at all levels.
- Major focus for 2013 is to "connect" all workforce training partners.

Clatsop Community College SBDC Small Business Management Program

Kevin was named the director of the CCC SBDC Small Business Management Program this fall in addition to his other responsibilities. This exciting program is a signature program through Clatsop Community College that has been offered for over thirty years.

Forrest Koch, CPA, was named the facilitator of the program, with monthly classes that started during fall term at the CCC South County campus in Seaside. Several businesses have enrolled.

Kevin and Forrest attended a two-day SBM training conference in Salem with the other SBDC SBM directors, facilitators and State SBDC Director Michael Lainoff and Deputy State Director Mark Gregory.

This program is integral to the success of small businesses in Clatsop County, and will be a major focus for 2013.

CEDR Executive Director Committee Participation

ADHDA (Astoria Downtown Historic District Association.)

There are very exciting things happening that will impact Downtown Astoria economically and continue the revitalization of the area. Kevin serves on the business development committee that is spearheading the "building blocks for a successful downtown" with revitalization expert Michele Reeves. Attended and participated in all monthly and planning meetings, two community meetings, interviews with Michele on Clatsop County's economy, and facilitated stakeholder meetings. Also partnering with the state of Oregon Main Street Program on this project. Best practices learned will be shared with all cities in the county.

Col-Pac/Business Oregon

CEDR is a member of the Col-Pac Economic Development District. Kevin works on an ongoing basis with Col-Pac Executive Director Mary McArthur and Business Oregon Development Officer Dennie Houle with economic development strategies that "connect" Clatsop County, Astoria, Seaside, Warrenton, Cannon Beach and Gearhart with state and federal programs. Projects include Col-Pac-led "BUY LOCAL" connectory network of manufacturers and suppliers that CEDR will roll out in 2013. Other projects include assisting businesses with access to capital through traditional and non-traditional financing, working with individual businesses and entrepreneurs, and "regional solutions" initiatives leveraging Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Western Washington County resources and heft.

North Oregon Coast Business Incubator

CEDR is working with a group that is led by BK Srinvasan, retired Intel executive with a home in Seaside, to establish and grow an Angel Investor network that is focused on entrepreneurs in Clatsop County looking to grow their concept, ideas and business to a multi-million dollar level, providing family-wage jobs and high income earners living and working in our communities. Roll-out in 2013. Huge economic potential.

Clatsop Community College Committees

Kevin serves on the business regional advisory committee, the entrepreneurship committee, the alternative revenue committee, and as an advisor to President Larry Galizio on the business department program and other workforce education programs that will create, grow and retain more jobs in Clatsop County, short-term and long-term.

CPP (Columbia-Pacific Preservation)

CEDR is a founding member of CPP. Pacific Power funded a $20,000 grant program for 2012 that CEDR administered for creating a manual on energy efficiency for historic buildings. Reinforces Clatsop County as THE historic epicenter for our state. CEDR is working with the CPP board of directors to define more economic impact programs that will create more jobs.

Clatsop Forestry Economic Development Committee

CEDR is a member of the CFEDC, the Clatsop Forestry and Wood Products Economic Development Committee. Dedicated group of business owners, key employers, county, state, OSU extension service members. Assisted the planning and execution of the annual "leaders forestry tour" on September 6, highlighting good stewardship of the forest with sustainable harvesting, and the continuing huge economic impact the forest and wood products cluster has on our local economy.

County Manager/City Manager Monthly Meeting

Kevin attends and presents a CEDR update at the monthly meeting of the county manager, all city managers and other stakeholders. Uses the opportunity to also ask for input, feedback and guidance on economic development topics.

Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce Board

CEDR is an advisory member of the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Kevin attends and is an active participant in the monthly meetings.

Business Organization Participation

Kevin attends the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber breakfast monthly meetings, Seaside Chamber of Commerce weekly meetings, Cannon Beach Wednesday morning meetings, SDDA (Seaside Downtown Development Association) weekly meetings, and ADHDA general monthly meetings. At each meeting, programs are reviewed, workshops discussed and an emphasis is placed on SBDC counseling for small businesses, always FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

Ongoing Training

In 2012, Kevin received a scholarship through Business Oregon to attend the week-long Ellensburg Economic Development Leadership conference. The sessions were intense and invaluable, with many new networking connection made.

Also in 2012, the CCC SBDC joined with five other Small Business Development Centers (Tillamook Bay, Oregon Coast, Lane, Linn-Benton and Chemeketa CC) in a regional roll-out sharing training, expertise and experiences that will aid counseling and training for the small business community.

Dick Powell and Kevin have attended several training session with the CAT team (Capital Access Team), funded through the state SBDC network to break down barriers that impede businesses securing funding for their business, and to strengthen relationships with the local lending community.

As is shown by the membership of ALL of our cities (Welcome Gearhart!) ,Clatsop County, and several private organizations and business leaders in YOUR CEDR organization, we are working TOGETHER to improve our local economy. Note: Partnering more with the Port of Astoria is a CEDR focus for 2013.

CEDR's mission of "Delivering business-driven economic development services to CREATE, GROW and RETAIN Clatsop County Businesses" is truer than ever, especially with your support!

Thank you for taking the time to review this report. Please contact me at any time with questions, concerns, to volunteer on one of our committees, or to join the CEDR organization through a financial contribution. Please also bookmark our CEDR website as the "go-to" source for anything business in our county.

CEDR is committed to being the "Connector" for business in Clatsop County, and to work with each city and the county to improve our economy, one business at a time.

Kevin Leahy
Executive Director