N.E. OREGON ECONOMIC GROWTH GETS BOOST FROM CORE PROGRAM

- Bill Rautenstrauch

- The Observer

Money that came through recently for regional economic development is trickling up, not down.

That's how Tirza Wibel, spokeswoman for Connecting Oregon for Rural Entrepreneurship, says the funds from a $2 million statewide grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation are being spent.

"Trickle-down logic has it that money invested ‘top down' will eventually create wealth at the local level," said Wibel. "However, CORE is taking the opposite approach and funding local-level business."

CORE, a program operated by the private, non-profit Rural Development Initiatives Inc., was one of six Kellogg grant recipients this year. Five Oregon regions, including Northeast Oregon, comprise CORE.

Of the $2 million the organization received, about $150,000 went to the Northeast Economic Development District, a CORE member that works to foster economic growth in Wallowa, Union, and Baker Counties.

Last February, the five CORE regions formed local advisory boards to determine needs of local entrepreneurs and to develop plans for activities.

The NEOEDD launched its CORE-connected efforts with workshops on youth entrepreneurship.

The sessions were offered throughout NEOEDD's three-county coverage area. They spawned interest among local school districts, especially in Wallowa County, said Lisa Dawson, director of NEOEDD.

Dawson noted that some progress has been made toward that goal.

With funding help from CORE, the Wallowa School District is offering youth entrepreneurship classes now.

The Joseph and Enterprise school districts hope to follow suit next year. They have applied for funding for text books.

Also in Wallowa County, the NEOEDD helped organize an after-school 4-H program for youths interested in business.

The program featured a business plan competition. Joseph High School student Shaylyn Massey won with her plan to develop and distribute an ad-supported brochure featuring "fun facts" about Wallowa County.

"It's a pretty good idea and her plan shows it's going to be a profitable venture," said Dawson.

Another youth entrepreneurship initiative was an awareness workshop for adults and community leaders. Dawson said 26 people attended sessions in the three counties.

In May, CORE offered workshops for entrepreneurs by Enterprise marketing consultant Stacy Green. The sessions were well-attended and got good reviews, said Dawson.

About 60 entrepreneurs took part in the three counties. One-on-one marketing services were provided for five of them.

Still other initiatives from CORE included a food innovation workshop in La Grande in September, and a program in Wallowa County to assist artists with marketing and product development.

Through the NEOEDD, the CORE project is researching markets for local businesses, said Dawson. Two firms in La Grande to benefit are Foley Station and Intermountain Mobile Service.

The project provided Foley Station, a restaurant on Adams Avenue, with up-to-date information on restaurant trends.

Intermountain Mobile Service came away with data on the market for employee drug testing, and business-to-business contacts.

So far, about $60,000 has been spent on CORE programs. Dawson said the remainder will fund activities next year.

Plans are being made for "Business Plan Boot Camps" in all three counties. Programs designed to help entrepreneurs increase access capital and manage finances are also in the works.

In addition, Dawson said CORE will continue to build a network of investors and mentors who can help the entrepreneurial effort.

"We're hoping to make connection with local people who have the ability to invest with business," she said.

Wibel said local connections are a vital part of CORE's efforts.

"The results speak for themselves," she said. "The program is building a new crop of sustainable businesses that are creating a better economy for Oregon as a whole."

For more information about CORE, contact Dawson at 541-426-3598 or Wibel at 503-873-6413.