Oregon Business Plan Accomplishments

The Oregon Business Plan has become well established as a forum and a partnership for business and public leaders to consider and act on issues important to the Oregon economy. The accomplishments listed below represent the work of numerous business leaders, business associations, elected officials, public staff, and community leaders. While the Business Plan does not take credit for all of these accomplishments, each item was included in the original Oregon Business Plan in 2002 or an updated version of the Plan.  To view the current Oregon Business Plan initiatives, click here.     

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To view accomplishments by initiative, use the links below.

Accomplishments

Core Initiatives

Improve Public Finance and Service Delivery

Goal:  To revamp our system of public finance and budgeting - to provide stable and funding for critical public services and to create strong incentives for economic growth.  Read the initiative.  

Accomplishments

• New Budget Process.  The 2007 legislature passed HB 3141 which establishes a education system design team to design a new legislative process for review of and decision-making regarding state agency budgets relating to prek-20 education delivery.  
• PERS Reform. Governor Kulongoski and the 2003 Legislature enacted comprehensive PERS reform that created a separate system for newly hired employees, eliminated outdated actuarial assumptions, and limited conditions under which more than the PERS guaranteed rate could be credited to Tier I members. In September 2005, the PERS Board devised a new method to recoup the improper 1999 payments, though long-term employer rates under the overhauled system remain unclear.
• Prioritized Spending.  Governor Kulongoski organized his 2005-07 budget around six strategic principles and required agencies to submit budgets that demonstrated how they support his administration’s strategic vision. The method—adapted from recommendations outlined in The Price of Government—forced agencies to construct budgets from a zero base and facilitated the development of a balanced 2005-07 budget largely absent of one-time revenues or accounting gimmicks.
• Reserve Funds.  In 2003, Oregon voters created the Education Stability Fund—the state’s first sizable reserve fund. The Education Stability Fund is financed by lottery revenues and earmarked to K-12 and higher education. The fund’s balance cannot exceed five percent of the state General Fund and, assuming no economic downturn, is forecast to reach $629 million by 2011.  In 2007 the Governor and legislature created Oregon's first ever general purpose rainy-day fund, financed through a one-time diversion of the corporate kicker and the general fund ending balance.  
• Tax Changes.  The 2003 Legislature expanded the “single sales” factor, which allows corporations to determine their income taxes based on their share of sales in the state of Oregon. Now fully implemented, the tax policy makes Oregon an attractive location for capital investment by traded-sector firms that do high volume business outside of the state’s borders.  Also in line with OBP principles, the 2005 Legislature made the State earned income tax credit refundable, allowing low-income Oregonians to receive it in the absence of a tax liability. The change reduces regressivity for low-income taxpayers.

Read the initiative. 

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Increase education attainment and skills of all Oregonians while meeting targeted workforce needs of industry.  

Goal:  Education more Oregonians at higher levels than ever before with the goal of achieving the following composition of Oregon's workforce:  40 percent of students with a Bachelor's degree or higher, 40% of students with an associate's degree or other technical credential, and the remaining 20% with a high school diploma that represents a high level of academic and work readiness skills.  Read the initiative.

Accomplishments

• Data System. The Legislature authorized $4.8 million to develop the data system needed to automate transfer of student transcripts among K-12 schools and between schools in the K-12 and public postsecondary systems.   This supports joint work by K-12, community college, and OUS officials working to improve transcript transfer also made progress on the blueprint to create a more robust student data system integrated across the PreK-20 spectrum.
• Embracing the 40/40/20 Goal.  The 2007 legislature passed HB 3141 which creates an education system design team to design a budget process that would help Oregon reach the 40/40/20 goals.   
• New Diploma. The Governor identified postsecondary education as one of his top priorities and reconstituted the State Board of Higher Education, resulting in three working groups focused on solutions to access and affordability, service delivery and productivity, and ties to economic development.  
• Higher Graduation Bar.  In 2007 the Oregon State Board of Education adopted new high school diploma requirements that dramatically increase the rigor and relevancy of the high school experience.  Students will now have to gain an additional credit in math, English and science and the math credit must be at least at the Algebra I level.  Moreover, students will be required to gain an additional two credits from either a second language, art or career and technical education, and for the first time ever earning a high school diploma will require demonstration of 8 essential skills.  Get more information and learn how you can help implement these requirements by visiting www.getreadyoregon.org.  Also, many school districts have raised high school graduation requirements and offer higher level instruction consistent with Oregon’s higher proficiency standards.  Oregon became a partner in the American Diploma Project, an effort by Achieve, Inc., business and education leaders, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to raise high school diploma standards to levels that enable graduates to participate in higher education.
• Investments in Engineering.  The legislature has continued to strengthen its funding for the Engineering and Technology Industry Council as part of its effort to double the number of engineering graduates from Oregon Universities by 2009.  Learn more about ETIC and funding levels for engineering-related programs at www.oregonetic.org.
• K-12 Assessment. The Legislature recommitted to a statewide assessment for K-12, a computer-based effort that was highly successful and is well on its way to being fully implemented.  \
• Manufacturing Workforce Strategy.  The NorthWest High Performance Enterprise Consortium was awarded $499,962 to implement  the Oregon Workforce Manufacturing Strategy.    Manufacturing 21, the Lane County RV Consortium, the Gateway Consortium in Salem, and other manufacturing coalitions continue to implement and make visible training programs for manufacturing occupations.
• Need-Based Aid.  In 2005, the Legislature doubled need-based aid for postsecondary students and for the first time included part-time students.  In 2007, Oregon again doubled the amount of public dollars available for need-based aid through the Shared Responsibility Model that makes it possible for every student to attend college with a fair balance of contributions from the student, family, part-time work, and public resources.  Students can go to the Oregon Student Assistance Commission website and calculate the expected public contribution. 
• OUS Campus Flexibility. SB 437 gave Oregon’s public universities greater flexibility to serve critical needs and manage their affairs. The higher education board reshaped the Chancellor’s Office and delegated even greater authority to the campus level.
• Public Engagement.  Employers for Education Excellence (E3) and the Chalkboard Project have launched large, complementary efforts to connect with the public on education issues.
• Small High Schools. More than a dozen large high schools have committed to convert into small learning communities to improve student performance and close the achievement gap.
• Workforce Training. The Employer Workforce Training Account has expanded links with employers to advance workforce preparation, especially to meet the needs of the traded sectors and to fill statewide occupational skill gaps.

Read the initiative. 

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Expand Oregon's Capacity for Economic Innovation 

Goal:  Facilitate the commercialization of great discoveries, launch new business, hone new talent, and cultivate next generation firms, industries and jobs for Oregonians.  Read the initiative.

Accomplishments

• Oregon Innovation Plan.  The 2007 legislature passed the 2007 Oregon Innovation Plan, a suite of measures to elevate Oregon's innovation economy.  Specific items included:

• Investment in Ocean Wave Energy

• Investment in Manufacturing Competitiveness

• Investment in Food Processing/Seafood

• Continued investment in ONAMI

• Seed funding for BEST

• Seed funding for OTRADI

• Improvement to technology transfer

• Expanding the Scope of the Oregon Growth Account

• University Venture Fund modifications

• Visit www.oregoninc.org to learn more.  

• Signature Research. The Oregon Nanoscience & Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) was established as the state’s first signature research center. In 2003 the Oregon Legislature provided $20 million in capital and $1 million in operations. In its first year of operation, ONAMI leveraged more than $25 million in new federal and private research from less than $1 million of state funds.  In July 2004, the Micro-Nano Breakthrough Conference was held with more than double the anticipated attendance.  In 2007, as part of the Oregon Innovation Plan, the legislature created two additional signature research centers.  The Bio-Economy and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Center and the Oregon Translational Research and Drug Development Institute (OTRADI).  
• Economic Development Refocus. In 2003 the Governor, Legislature, and new department director formally realigned the mission, organization, and budget of the Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) to strengthen business retention, expansion, and recruitment. OECDD was allocated a $10 million "strategic reserve" fund to work with industry. HB 2011, adopted by the Legislature in August of 2003, codified the refocused mission. HB 2011 also directed OECDD to develop an economic development strategy for the state, and established the Governor's Council on Oregon's Economy to recommend methods for creating certainty in the development process.  The Legislature appropriated $7 million additional dollars to the effort.  ONAMI is receiving national attention because of the level of the deep collaboration among universities and businesses.
• Focus on Industry Clusters. The Oregon Clusters website launched in January of 2005, and the Oregon Business Council and the Oregon Economic Development Commission have jointly created the Oregon Cluster Network, which has met regularly since the spring of 2005. Industry clusters have helped shape the 2006 Oregon Business Plan agenda by offering feedback on the core initiatives and suggesting cluster-specific initiatives to improve competitiveness. Clusters and their unique industry-wide priorities will be a focal point of the 4^th Oregon Leadership Summit.  In the collaboration with Oregon, Inc., OECDD, and other statewide partners, the Cluster Network will continue to identify clusters, promote cluster development, establish best practices, and develop techniques to measure and analyze cluster health and performance over time.  
• Oregon Inc: In 2005, The Oregon Legislature passed and the Governor signed SB 838, establishing the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon Inc.).  The Council will coordinate the multiple knowledge economy and innovation efforts that will leverage public and private resources into a single statewide plan. The council will focus on commercializing research, increasing early stage capital, developing entrepreneurial capacity, enhancing Oregon’s international markets, and fostering a strong science and technology- based workforce and industry clusters.  
• University Research and Commercialization.  In February of 2004, the Oregon State Board of Higher Ed formed the Academic Excellence/Economic Development (AEED) Working Group.  Building off of the work of the Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development (OCKED), AEED has since identify 11 areas with high economic development potential that could build on existing or emerging academic excellence in Oregon’s postsecondary institutions.   AEED has extensively researched these areas, and is now positioned to work with Oregon Inc to leverage public and private resources into a statewide plan.  AEED also recommended that the Board of Higher Education establish a Research Council to capitalize on research excellence in Oregon’s universities.  The  Council was created in December of 2005.  Also, the 2005 Legislature  passed and the Governor signed SB 853, creating a tax credit (capped at $14 million total) for individuals who invest in OUS and OHSU research commercialization funds.
• Venture Capital. The 2003 Legislature passed HB 3613, creating the Oregon Investment Fund, which enhances Oregon’s in-state venture capital resources by $100 million.  
• Top-ranked MBA Program.  In 2005, Babson University announced the opening of a Fast-Track MBA program in Portland while the highly regarded Oregon Executive MBA (OEMBA) moved into a new state-of-the art facility in Portland, both offering increased opportunities for Oregonians.  

Read the initiative

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Reduce costs, improve quality and expand access to health care in Oregon

Goal: Lower health care costs, improve quality, and expand access to care

Accomplishments

The Health Care initiative was introduced at the December, 2004 Leadership Summit.  The Oregon Business Council (OBC) Health Care Task force received input from a variety of key stakeholders, including physicians, hospitals, employers, labor, foundations, policy experts and political leaders.  Here are some of the health care accomplishments since 2004.

• Electronic Medical Records and Data Exchange.  The OBC Health Care Task Force has developed a proposed operational and funding plan to establish a pilot project to enhance the exchange of health information among providers. 
• Transparency.   The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) and the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research (OHPR) developed websites to provide comparative information on hospital prices and quality.  The Oregon Health Policy Commission's Quality and Transparency Work Group, with participation by the OBC Health Care Task Force, providers, insurers and consumers, has overseen this work.  
• Quality.  The OBC Health Care Task Force has also supported the Aligning Forces for Quality imitative to develop and use improved quality measures.  
• Provider Payment.  The Oregon Quality Corporation launched a collaborative effort to develop standardized quality measures for ambulatory care.
• Purchasing.  The Oregon Business Council and the Oregon Coalition of Health Care Purchasers (OCHCP) joined together to educate employers and encourage them to use more effective purchasing strategies for health benefits, including the use of a common RFI ("eValue8") to gather information on cost, quality, and serve levels from health plans.  
• Systemic Reform.  The 2007 legislature passed the Healthy Oregon Act (SB 329).  The goals, principles, and approach were largely consistent with the plan for a comprehensive redesign of the heal care system that was presented in the 2007 Oregon Business Plan Health Care Initiative.   

Click here to view the white paper, current agenda items, and more info on this initiative.

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Enhance Oregon's Transportation Infrastructure

Goal:  Promote a successful economy, maintain quality, livable communities and shrink our environmental footprint via wise investments in transportation infrastructure

Accomplishments

• Improved International Air Service. With the support of the business community, Portland International Airport secured four new non-stop international flights to China/Asia via Air China Cargo; to Europe via Lufthansa; to Japan/Asia via Northwest Airlines; and to Mexico, via Mexicana Airlines.
• Increased State Highway Funding. The 2003 Legislature passed the Oregon Transportation Investment Act 3 - a $2.5 billion package for repair or replacement of city, county and state roads and bridges on Oregon’s key freight transportation corridors. It also funded strategic freight capacity on the state’s road system and increased funding for local government road and street maintenance and operation.
• Increased Federal Highway Funding.  Congress passed the surface transportation program re-authorization act, known as SAFETEA-LU, in 2005.  SAFETEA-LU increased the amount of federal highway funding Oregon will receive through 2009 by more than half a billion dollars.  Oregon has left behind its status as a net donor to the federal Highway Trust Fund and will receive more than it pays in.
• Secured Federal Funding for Critical Projects:  In 2005, Congress appropriated more than $100 million for Oregon highway projects, including six of the eight projects of statewide significance identified in the Statewide Transportation Investment Plan and eight of nine projects identified by the Oregon Transportation Commission.
• Revamped ODOT. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) hired Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners to manage the development and delivery of $1.3 billion in state bridges on the interstates and other major freight routes. This allowed ODOT to deliver the bridge and highway improvements without additional staff, changing its business model from in-house project delivery to strategic management of Oregon’s transportation system.
• Columbia Channel Deepening. Deepening of the Columbia River navigation channel to 43 feet will allow farmers and businesses in the Pacific Northwest to compete in overseas markets.  Congress appropriated $9 million in the Fiscal Year 2005 budget for the first year of actual dredging and associated ecosystem restoration.  In Fiscal Year 2006, Congress appropriated an additional $15 million.  By the end of calendar year 2005, about 25 per cent of the navigation channel will be deepened to 43 feet.
• Engage in Public-Private Partnerships. In 2003, the state adopted legislation to establish a new tool—an innovative partnership program within ODOT. Experiments in public-private partnerships to build or enhance transportation systems are being developed worldwide. Administrative rules have been adopted and ODOT is negotiating with a major firm selected in its first “Request for Interest.” 
• Launch Mileage Fee Pilot. The Road User Fee Task Force, created by the 2001 Legislature to examine alternatives to fuel taxes, is embarking on the next stage of its program to demonstrate how mileage-based fees might work in practice. Other states have shown interest in Oregon’s efforts to move the program from the theoretical to the practical.
• Multi-Modal Investments.  In 2005, the Legislature passed “Connect Oregon” which designated $100 million to fund critical non-road multi-modal transportation initiatives that will improve the flow of commerce.  Investments will focus on rail, transit, aviation and marine projects.  Decisions on projects to be funded under this program will occur in 2006.  The 2007 legislature passed "Connect Oregon II."
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Click here for current agenda items and more info on this initiative.

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Targeted Initiatives

Branding and Marketing Accomplishments

• Business Recruitment Campaign.  This campaign was launched in February of 2005 targeting general business publications in California and national site selector publications. Publications in California included California CEO, Fortune Small Business, and Business Journals in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Our stated goal was to generate 100 leads, and as of December 1st we have generated 125 new leads for Oregon. Additionally, regional economic development marketing partners have been reporting an increase of call volume since the launch of the campaign. Business recruitment advertising also appeared in the CoreNet publication for the first time this year and that, coupled with the presence of the Governor at CoreNet, greatly enhanced our visibility at this key site selector conference.
• Oregon Bounty Campaign. Oregon Bounty, a cross promotion between Brand Oregon, Travel Oregon, The Wine Board, and several commodity commissions, launched in November of 2004 with extraordinary results. Participating wineries reported a 40% increase in travel to wineries, and a stunning 50% increase in wine sales. On the strength of these results, Oregon bounty 2005 was greatly enhanced by the addition of 75 lodging partners, 75 restaurants, and over 100 grocery stores. Results of this year’s effort will be available in late December. 
• Advisory Board. The Governor appointed a 16-member Brand Oregon Advisory Board comprised of statewide business and community leaders. A separate state-agency advisory group has also been established.
• Brand Oregon Branding. Brand Oregon marketing guidelines and materials, including the Brand Oregon website and the style guide, have been made available to interested partners and state agencies. More than 25 agencies and partners have adopted Brand Oregon graphics and key messages.
• Tourism Promotion. The Oregon Tourism Commission’s spring and fall 2005 advertising campaigns featured seven “Book of Oregon” ads; the expanded media buy reached more consumers than previous tourism ad campaigns.
• Oregon Wild Seafood Campaign. This was launched in April 2004 in cooperation with four seafood commodity commissions, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Pacific Seafood, Clear Channel Communications, more than 50 grocery stores, and 15 restaurants. Seafood prices and sales rose significantly during the campaign timeframe.  Leverage was excellent. For every dollar Brand Oregon spent on the campaign, $10 in other funds were leveraged.
• Forestry Information. Brand Oregon collaborated with the Oregon Forest Resources Institute to create public information materials about sustainable forestry (scheduled for introduction in February 2005).  
• Healthy Food Branding. Brand Oregon formed a partnership with Providence Heart and Vascular Institute to feature Brand Oregon agricultural products in the 2005 "Heart Healthy Living" guide with a distribution of 180,000 copies.

Click here for current agenda items and more info on this initiative.

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Enhance Oregon's Forest Resource Benefits:

Accomplishments

• Forest Health Bill.  Among other things, the bill authorizes resources for fuel reduction and thinning projects on federal forestlands at high fire risk.  It limits appeals and judicial injunctions and requires judges to balance short term harm with long-term benefits. The bill is expected to create jobs in rural Oregon while protecting communities from catastrophic fires. Oregon’s Congressional delegation was instrumental in the bill’s passage. The delegation also obtained authorization and financing for a Forest Health Research Center in Prineville.
• The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watershed Health. The State of Oregon is near completion of a collaborative project to assess the effectiveness of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds efforts to conserve and rebuild coastal Coho populations. This process is designed to provide legal assurances for local participants that their actions are in compliance with federal environmental laws. The coastal Coho assessment and Oregon Plan evaluation will be submitted to NOAA Fisheries in early 2005.
• Forest Practices Watershed Research. The Hinkle Creek Paired Watershed Study now in place for three years is the initial installation of the Watersheds Research Cooperative, established to implement a new series of long-term paired watershed studies throughout Oregon to evaluate the environmental effects on water and fish of contemporary forest management practices. Oregon’s Congressional Delegation was instrumental in recently obtaining $500,000 to fund this project.
• New Forest Strategy. Governor Kulongoski directed the Board of Forestry to be the lead agency, in collaboration with OECDD, for developing a strategy for the sustainability of Oregon’s forest sector, including its future role in Oregon’s economy.  The Governor charged the Board to develop an action plan to enhance the forest sector’s sustainable economic, social and environmental contributions, including a "unified vision" of how federal lands should contribute to the sustainability of our forests.

Click here for current agenda items and more info on this initiative.

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Land Use Accomplishments

Initial Accomplishments

• Certified Sites. In May 2004, the Governor announced the first 11 industrial sites to be certified as “project-ready” for businesses wishing to expand in or move to Oregon. Each site has been certified by a third-party, private sector verifier that it is no more than six months away from development, and exceeds national standards for project-ready status. Additional sites are in the certification process.
• Online Site Inventory. The state has also created a website – www.OregonProspector.com -- that allows business officials to search for land in Oregon by city, county, property type, and size, and to determine if that land is certified as project-ready.
• Industrial Lands Taskforce. In March 2003, the Governor issued an Executive Order setting up an Industrial Lands Taskforce that released policy recommendations in fall 2003.  The Governor's Economic Revitalization Team (GERT) and other entities have implemented a number of the Taskforce recommendations.  The Executive Order also directed the GERT to identify and prepare industrial sites "to make ready for immediate development opportunities."
• Site Development Legislation. The 2003 Oregon Legislature adopted HB 2011, which directed the GERT and the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department to work with other state agencies to coordinate and streamline state policies, programs and procedures – and to provide coordinated assistance to local governments. In addition, this legislation called upon the state to work with local governments to identify 25 "opportunity sites" by December 15, 2003. That was accomplished.
• Land Conversion Study. HB 2011 also directed LCDC and the GERT to study and report on the conversion of industrial land to non-industrial land. The resulting Industrial Conversion Study Committee recently completed its work, including policy recommendations.
• Goal 9 Review. The Economic Development Planning Advisory Committee was appointed to advise LCDC on revisions to Goal 9 (Economic Development) and its implementing rule. LCDC adopted amendments to the Goal 9 rule in December 2005, to clarify and streamline the local process for identifying and planning for industrial and other employment lands. The amended rule focuses efforts on ensuring an available "short term" supply of land for economic development.  

Recent Progress

• Land Use Review. The 2005 Oregon Legislature passed legislation to appoint a 10-person citizens task force to complete a 30-year review of Oregon’s land use system and make proposals for recommended changes to the 2007 and 2009 Legislatures.  Passage of this legislative was initiated by Lane Shetterly, director, Department of Land Conservation and Development, and was actively supported during the 2005 Legislature by the Oregon Business Council.  The effort was slowed in 2007 when the legislature did not provide funds for the Task Force to finish its work but funds were directed at the effort during the short 2008 session.  Learn more about the "Big Look" at www.biglookoregon.org.
• Project Ready Sites Increase. Efforts continued to identify and certify a twofold increase in the project-ready industrial sites located throughout Oregon. At present 37 sites have been certified statewide, and increase from 26 in May 2004. Efforts continue to add to the list of project ready sites.  (According to Sarah Garrison and Ron Fox at OECDD)
• Land Ties to Economic Strategies. A coalition of business organizations through the Portland Metropolitan area, including Clark County, Washington, has developed a regional economic strategy that will be introduced in January 2006. Along with the three other initiatives, the regional economic strategy emphasizes land use programs and policies that will support and sustain the regional economy for the next 20 years. Recommendations are expected to call for land use policies and programs that: are responsive to market factors; promote a healthy economy; accelerate land use decision-making and allow for greater flexibility; identify funding to allow Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion areas to be put in to productive use; and ensure adequate infrastructure to serve employments land throughout the region.
• Citizen Partnership. Efforts have been undertaken to open communication with Oregon citizens, community leaders and representatives of advocacy groups to achieve greater understanding of mutual needs and initiate and preserve partnerships that provide for both livable communities and greater industrial, traded sector land use.

Click here for current agenda items and more info on this initiative.

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Regulation and Permitting Accomplishments

• Regulatory Process Scrutiny. As mandated under HB 2011 (2003 Legislative Session), the Governor's Economic Revitalization Team has established an Advisory Committee on Regulatory Permitting to streamline the permitting process and increase economic opportunity in the state. The Committee released a report in November 2004 with recommendations to streamline project permit processes, water-related permits, transportation infrastructure regulation, and the public appeals process.  An additional Advisory Committee (on Agency Rule Streamlining), created by HB 3120 (2003 Session) looked broadly at streamlining, with an emphasis on administrative rules.
• Streamlining Projects. Since its creation in 2003, the Office of Regulatory Streamlining has reported that state agencies have engaged in over 300 streamlining projects, ranging from elimination of redundant business examinations to increased online payment options – all making it easier to conduct business in the state.
• Online Database. The Office has also created an online "one-stop" database for licenses and permits at www.oregon.gov/lic.
• Federal Funds for Internet Streamlining:  In 2005, Oregon secured federal to expand Oregon’s building permits program for plumbers, electricians, and mechanical contractors.  Oregon is the first state in the nation to take such a plan statewide.
• Support for the Governor’s Regulatory Streamlining Legislative Package.  In 2005, the Oregon Business plan recommended full support for the Governor’s package to simplify regulation and permitting.  We are proud to say that the legislature passed 29 of the 35 bills included in this package, making it easier to do business for companies across the state. Click here for a full list of these bills and what they do.  

Click here for current agenda items and more info on this initiative.

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Make Oregon a Center for Sustainability Learning and Training Accomplishments

• Launched Summer Sustainability Series in 2008 with a track titled "sustainability in the urban built environment."  

  From June 21-24 2008, 35 professionals and top graduate students from around the globe gathered for a unique summit focused on sustainability in the urban built environment.

  The 2008 program offered four intensive days that included:

  Site visits, such as green buildings, new development projects, urban natural resources, energy and infrastructure facilities, the urban growth boundary, and organizations involved in related programs. The program includes outings every day, to multiple destinations, with at least 50% of the time spent in the field.

  Guest speakers, including experts from leading companies, policy leaders, sustainability experts, and leaders of successful sustainability projects.

  Classroom time covering new methods in sustainability, and enabling a dynamic exchange between the participants and leaders.

  Workshops and projects, providing an opportunity for participants to work with program leaders and each other to get hands-on experience working with real world challenges.

  Initial reviews from participants were extremely positive.  Plans are underway to continue a program on the built environment in 2009 as well as to add a track on sustainable food and agriculture systems.   Mark Edlen (Gerding/Edlen Development) and Susan Bragdon (Tonkin Torp, LLP; Oregon University System) are the leaders of this initiative.  Tim Miller Dorothy Payton are project consultants.  

  For more information please visit www.summersustainabilityseries.org.

Create an Ecosystem Services Marketplace Accomplishments

Formation of Ecosystem Services Council.  In late 2007, an alliance of business, environmental and government leaders in Oregon joined forces to form the Ecosystem Services Council.  These organizations represent the nation’s first not-for-profit efforts to establish an ecosystem services marketplace—with the goal of organizing market-based efforts that promote clean air, clean water, land protection and habitat restoration.  The council has a website:  www.ecosystemservicescouncil.org.  The website contains a presentation that explains how ecosystem an ecosystem credit registry works.

Go to the Initiative Tracker to view current action items.