Notes from Colleen’s Desk: You’ve Got Something to Say!

We all love to be in the know and we all love to have our say, right? You know it’s true.

So here is an opportunity for you to do both! You can be in the know about our current efforts to update our Comprehensive Economic Develop Strategy (CEDS) and have your say. It’s a two-for-one.

SOREDI is wildly serious about business development – enough to have incorporated those very words in our tag line just one year ago. If you are a member of SOREDI – and we are wildly grateful – you may have received a letter on this topic by email and by snail mail already. But here is yet another prompt – third time is a charm!

As you know – or perhaps just learned – we have hired Austin-based TIP Strategies, Inc. to create a robust “strategic doing” plan that takes a more comprehensive approach to economic development strategies and initiatives in our region than has been done in well over 2 decades.

In keeping with my office trail name, “Spur”,  I am spurring you on to tell us what you think and unabashedly share the link below with your associates, your neighbors, and even your in-laws – that is if they are lucky enough to be located right here in beautiful Southern Oregon with you. You have the opportunity to individually contribute your insights about Southern Oregon’s business development future in a brief survey, accessible through our website here: https://soredi.org/regional-strategy/ for two weeks, beginning August 9, 2019.

You can also read a variety of endorsements for this effort from influential business and community leaders like Roy Vinyard, Asante Health System; Steve Lightman, Harry & David; Steve Roe, Roe Motors; Dr. Linda Schott, Southern Oregon University; Steve Vincent, Avista Utilities; Chris DuBose, First Interstate Bank and Sid DeBoer, Lithia Motors.

You can also see who is serving on our Steering Committee and view updates on this timely and pertinent effort. We’ve also listed the public and private investors who are committed to this work.

We know it is time to become more cohesive as a region. It is clear that the work of multiple agencies, chambers, industries, and others will be more efficient when it is rooted in one consistent game plan for the region. We certainly want to put our best foot forward as we collectively seek to create a sustainable regional strategy that is vibrant, focused on balanced growth, and compatible with all 15 jurisdictions.

To date, we have coordinated over 30 focus groups, nearly 15 one-one-one interviews with key business and community leaders, 3 steering committee meetings, and visits to all 15 jurisdictions with our consultants. As the discovery phase of this process wraps up with another TIP Strategy visit later this month, we want to be sure every citizen also has the opportunity to provide input in their short survey. So, it is back to you. Please have your say!

Roy Vinyard, former CEO for Asante Health System states: “It is critically important that we undertake a strategic look and develop a plan for what we envision our community to be in the coming decades.  This process, including input from the community, is a vital part of developing an economic growth strategy and plan for the future.”

While it seems cliché to say that we are stronger together, it is nonetheless a valuable truth! This is Southern Oregon’s plan … this is your plan. We trust you will participate.

Watch for updates and more details on the roll-out of the final updated CEDS in November. And, thinking ahead to 16^thannual Southern Oregon Business Conference, where we plan to share additional highlights and specific actionable steps, please save the date – Thursday, January 30, 2020.

Thank you!

Colleen Padilla, Executive Director
“Spur”