Greetings – we’ve survived another week in these crazy times. I’ve heard numerous times this week that we need to retire, forever, the use of the word “unprecedented” – that’s something I can get behind!
I think the hardest part of this week was Tuesday evening’s fireside chat with Senator Roblan – when Commissioner Jacobson came onto the program after just spending the afternoon surveying the fire damage – her description of what she saw was heartbreaking.
While it’s unthinkable that we have to deal with local wildfires in the middle of a pandemic, these last two weeks also showcased the best of us – professional, caring firefighters and local law enforcement encircling the local fire and switching to “mopping up” mode – the amazing generosity of our local population with donations for those displaced by the fire (so much so that they had to say “no more for now!” and stop taking donations) – and the fact that our COVID numbers are dropping in a major way, perhaps shining a little light at the end of the tunnel.
Tough times, but tougher, wonderful people here – I’m in awe.
Here’s our update for this week –
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Suzan’s week:
(Susan was back for two days this week, but off yesterday for her birthday)
* Daily/ weekly routine tasks
* Staff meeting with Paul
* Deposit checks – post QuickBooks
* Complete printer ink order
* Contact Restore re: desks to pick-up
* Process membership payment
* Process membership invoices
* Cut checks
* Update calendar
* Contact bank re: forms for viewing statements, pick up at bank
* Look for check & forms signer
* Minutes
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Paul’s week:
Talking Economic Development – I had a rare in-person meeting at the Newport City Hall with Mayor Sawyer, City Manager Spencer Nebel and Community Development Director Derrick Tokos – we had a great conversation and they seem thrilled with our direction (and the fact that we reached out to them!). I’m currently working with Spencer to get on the City Council agenda to introduce myself to the council.
We also had a meeting mid-week at the Newport Chamber with Dick Anderson (wearing his candidate hat), Mayor Sawyer, Chamber Director Kuhl and myself – we discussed regional economic development and how it can be enhanced or streamlined through state government channels.
Newport Car Dealerships (not to be made public yet) – I had a followup call this week with the team that is looking to purchase all the Power dealerships in Newport. Their initial offer was rejected but they did issue a followup offer and are working with the Power legal team to make it happen – I’ll let you know the results. Fingers crossed on this because it will mean a sizable investment in Newport, additional jobs and also the side benefit of a future new restaurant in Lincoln City as part of their growth strategy (one of the partners’ wives is an experienced restaurateur from California).
Potential Local Resource – Wiley Thompson and I had a call with Scott Kozlak – he’s an active-duty Air Force officer who pursuing a PhD in entrepreneurship from OSU (after which he’ll teach in the Air Force academy). We explored some potential avenues of research for him that could also lead to some good work being done here locally (and hopefully in sync with our strategic objectives).
Professional Development – A couple of updates on the professional development front (aka “Paul learning stuff to help the EDALC kick butt”):
I completed the ten week OregonRAIN digital marketing accelerator this week (I was a participant and a business mentor) – and have the tools to really amp up our digital marketing efforts with intentionality. As a fun aside, our final project was to write and produce a one minute “elevator pitch” video – mine was to encourage remote workers to learn more about relocating to Lincoln County. The RAIN team selected 12 finalists from the close to 80 submissions, and I made the cut! We were broken into three “pitch cohorts” to do a live pitch during the graduation ceremony (via Zoom) – and I managed to take home the prize for our group (the 130 attendees voted on the live pitches), and we won $500 for digital marketing through Google Ads. We can sure use that!
I attended a workshop put together by the state to educate attendees on the best way to interface, communicate and inform Oregon state legislators – the session was lead by Representatives Owens, Helm and Power as well as State Senator Findley. Super useful information.
I participated in the second of a four part series of webinars from BusinessOregon on state incentive programs – this one was on long-term rural exemptions (a different animal than standard EZ exemptions) in rural Enterprise Zones.
I was also invited to participate in a coast-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training program (sponsored by Travel Oregon). The program facilitator will be Michele Leedom with Clinton Street Consulting. That kicks off in late October.
Finally, the 2020-21 Leadership Lincoln kickoff has been postponed due to the wildfires – that program will start on the last Wednesday of this month.
Marketing – One of the cool “takeaways” from the digital marketing accelerator is that all “graduating companies” (folks who attended the sessions, mentor sessions and did the homework) get a digital marketing package from Anvil Media in Portland (about a $5,000 value) that will get us set up with our digital marketing pipeline well beyond what our budget would allow. Funding for this comes from CARES act money going through BusinessOregon that OregonRAIN was awarded.
Website Project – So that we can maximize the Anvil Media consulting package, I’ve set aside three days next week for “deep work” (have any of you read the book of the same title from Cal Newport?) to pound through the punch list on our website so that I can get it ready for review ASAP and ready for action when we build our online marketing funnel.
Enterprise Zone – I completed the review of active EZ exemptions for our zone and got that off to the state. I’ve also made some headway in understanding the process to re-up our Zone in 2021, and should have a solid understanding of that process and have our steps (and timeline) mapped out in the next month or so.
Zoom Ninja – I did some research this week on how to utilize the poll function in Zoom – specifically, how we can utilize that tool real-time to develop a poll during a Zoom meeting with input from participants. Per Commissioner Hunt’s suggestion, we’re looking to see if that tool can be used as a virtual version of “voting with colored dot stickers” for future online priority setting sessions with stakeholders.
BusinessOregon Quarterly Commission Meeting – I attended the quarterly commission meeting today. It was the meeting in which the Commission formally voted on the GP Strategic Investment Program (SIP) application. Art Fish of Business Oregon presented the application, with supporting commentary by CJ Drake, Wayne Belmont and Rod Cross. After the commentary, the motion was made the the SIP passed with unanimous support of the commission.
EDA Grant – I heard from Caroline Cummings at OregonRAIN this morning that their collaborative EDA grant (a partnership between OSU/Hatfield and RAIN) was awarded. A brief description: This partnership between Oregon State University (OSU)’s Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) and Oregon RAIN will develop blue economy (BE) tools and technologies to promote a sustainable future contributing to ecological health, thriving communities, and economic growth in the developing Oregon Coast Blue Economy (OCBE) sector. You can see the announcement here: https://www.eda.gov/oie/buildtoscale/industry/2020/OR-State-University.htm. Way to go Bob and crew! Let me know how I can help.
As a cool aside, my wife Susan started a course to earn her Level 2 WSET wine certification from Linnville University in McMinnville recently. The course is global with small regional “cohorts” run through colleges with wine programs. There are about six folks doing it through Linnville this Fall – and yesterday they had their first virtual tasting – so cool to listen and be a mouse in the corner (who happened to sip some of the wine too!).
Have a the best weekend possible – Susan and I are heading out to Local Ocean tonight – we need a little wine, seafood and levity after two very tough weeks. Thanks for all that you are doing out there! Please reach out to me if you need anything at all.
Cheers,
-Paul 🙂