>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Up to six Oregon communities will receive grants of $12,500 to explore and initiate a new approach to supporting entrepreneurship.

Orbis Group, a business and economic development consulting firm based in Baker City, has issued a statewide request for proposals for communities to consider Enterprise Facilitation as an approach to community-based job creation by working with existing entrepreneurs in Oregon.

Enterprise Facilitation was developed and established by Dr. Ernesto Sirolli of the Sirolli Institute.

The approach facilitated the establishment of 300 Enterprise Facilitation programs worldwide since 1985.

Brian Cole, president of Orbis Group, has received funding from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department to conduct a four-day Enterprise Facilitation Observatory session in Baker City.

The Sirolli Institute offers the Observatory sessions worldwide at a cost of $20,000 per community.

Oregon communities will have a limited opportunity to offset their cost with the $12,500 grant offered by Orbis Group through funding provided by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

The event will take place at the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City on Aug. 1-4.

As many as six communities may attend the four-day session.

The Observatory is designed to accommodate between three and six community leaders from each attending community.

There are currently two Enterprise Facilitation programs operating in the state. The first program was established in Baker County in June 2000. The program has assisted in the creation of 58 businesses supporting 141 jobs.

The second such program was established in January 2001 serving Wallowa County. That program has assisted the start up or expansion of 46 businesses supporting 103 jobs.

"Through years of understanding the motivations of entrepreneurs, Dr. Sirolli has established a community-based program that really works," said Cole. "I hope that we can increase the number of such programs from two to as many as eight."

By the end of the session, these community leaders will understand the principals, practices and benefits of Enterprise Facilitation, and then work within their respective communities to establish such programs.

Ernesto Sirolli of the Sirolli Institute and Ruth Townsend of the Baker County Enterprise Growth Initiative will deliver the four-day training session. Orbis Group will coordinate the event.

"The state has wisely determined that it is an effective use of their funds to inspire the establishment of Enterprise Facilitation programs," said Cole. "For a relatively small investment, communities can have lasting results for many years."

Oakridge has already made a commitment to be the third Enterprise Facilitation program in Oregon.

"We are excited to have this program coming to Oakridge," said Oakridge Mayor Sue Bond. "It is an invaluable tool in the fight for the growth and revitalization of every community facing a crisis in economic development."

More information on Enterprise Facilitation, the request for proposals, and the opportunity for grant funding can be found by visiting www.sirolli.com/oregon or by contacting Cole at (541) 523-0400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

— Bill Rautenstrauch