New Oregon Business Plan Initiatives

Since its inception in 2002, a number of ideas for initiatives have surfaced for the Oregon Business Plan.  In 2004 the Steering Committee adopted a new initiative on healthcare.  In 2007, Business Leaders presented four new proposals at the Leadership Summit aimed at making Oregon a leader in sustainable development.

The Steering Committee is now accepting initiative proposals for the 7th Annual Leadership Summit and the 2009 iteration of the Oregon Business Plan.    

We encourage business, community, and elected leaders to submit policy papers with suggestions for new Oregon Business Plan initiatives.  Each paper should include:

• Demonstrated importance to the Business Plan Strategy.  Describe the intent of the proposed initiative and how it will support the framework of the Oregon Business Plan -- in particular how the initiative will reinforce the four Ps in a way that promotes the growth and health of Oregon's traded-sector industry clusters.
• A clear plan to address the topic.  1) Explain the dimensions of the problem and its history, in particular, attempts made in the past to address the issue.  2) Propose what actions need to be taken over the coming months and years, including what changes in public policy, spending, or organization are required. 3) Describe outcomes to indicate success and how they will be measured.
• A willing business leader to take responsibility for championing the initiative and soliciting broad support.  In addition to this leader, please describe the people and organizations that would be involved in carrying out the initiative recommendations.

Email your policy paper to info@OregonBusinessPlan.org by June 30, 2008.  The sooner your paper comes in, the sooner the Steering Committee will be able to spend time reviewing it, following up, asking for clarification and/or revisions and determining how to proceed.  

Below we have listed some of the issues that have surfaced over the last three years during the Oregon Business Plan effort.  If you are interested in any of these initiatives or have proposals for new ones, please submit a policy paper. We will bring ideas before the Steering Committee for development and potential adoption. Whether these ultimately become Oregon Business Plan initiatives or not, we encourage policy makers to be attentive to these concerns. 

• Water Policy. There have always been competing uses for water, and in many parts of the state that trend has accelerated, with important ramifications for the economy. An initiative proposal on water allocation among competing needs would be welcome.
• Energy. Electric energy has long been a competitive advantage for Oregon, but that advantage has diminished in recent years. An initiative to assure long-term, reliable, low cost supply would be welcome. An incorporated or separate initiative on alternative and renewable energy resources would also be welcome.
• Telecommunications. Telecommunications infrastructure is vital to Oregon’s economic future in urban and rural areas.   While Oregon enjoys a quality infrastructure in most parts of the state, there may be opportunities for improvement. 

Email your policy paper to info@OregonBusinessPlan.org by June 30, 2008.

View The Oregon Business Plan