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To support and promote our local commerce through communication, advocacy and partnerships

 Business Retention & Expansion

 



Leadership Development Convening Highlights and Handouts


BR&E 2010 Award Winners

Business Champion - Susan Goracke, Daily Courier, retired

Business Liaison - Steve Dahl, City of Grants Pass

Lean Manufacturing - Alan Tipton, Master Brand Cabinets

Lou Tagliere Business Education - Lisa Woodruff, Logan Design

 

BR&E  2009 Award Winners

Heritage Award - The Daily Courier - Dennis Mack

Business Champion - RCC Business Development Center - John Lopez

Business Growth - Taprock Northwest Grill - Dave Thomason


BR & E  Newsletter     Oct 2010


  Please see bottom for updated Job Council information to help your business!


An Award-Winning Program

In 1999 BR&E was recognized by Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and presented with the coveted "Sustainable Oregon" award as the first of its kind program in the state to provide a unique sustainable approach to local economic health. In 2001 BR&E was the only U.S. program to win the "Outstanding Community BR&E Program" award from BREI (www.brei.org), an international organization. More information on this award can be found here.

Ribbon-cutting of Fire Mountain Way in Grants PassWhy is BR&E Important?

Most new jobs and investment in a community are created by existing companies. As an economic development strategy, the return on the investment of human and financial resources on local businesses is greater then when invested on prospective new businesses. Plus, new business recruitment is made easier when there is a happy and healthy local business climate and existing firms become ambassadors for the community.

What do we do?

Every three years we conduct surveys of local businesses, then develop strategies to aid them based on the data that we gather. We also host an annual dinner event to present awards to outstanding business leaders. From time to time, we coordinate or help to coordinate special events and projects based on the needs of the business community. The Committee meets monthly, and meetings are open to the public.

Getting Involved

While there are many ways to get involved with this amazing community program, the best way is through the BR&E Committee. The BR&E Committee Chair is Steve Roe, Roe Motors GM.  Regular BR&E Committee meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. for one hour. Meetings are held at the Rogue Community College Small Business Development Center. The RCC SBDC is located in the Historic City Hall building at 4th & H streets in downtown Grants Pass.

Contact the Chamber for more information on becoming a member of the Committee or feel free to show up at a future monthly meeting.
 


The Chamber's Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Committee began in 1998. The purpose of BR&E is to help existing local businesses grow, expand and overcome obstacles. Formal face-to-face business surveys are conducted every three years to gather vital information to better provide assistance to local firms. BR&E holds an annual dinner each fall to provide awards to outstanding local business leaders and to provide education and inspiration.

 

 Business News for Immediate Release:

The Job Council is pleased to announce that funding designated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is now available.
 
Your Stimulus money is here!!!!  A variety of opportunities are available to help your business.
Click below or call one of the Job Council representatives to assist you.  See options listed below:
 
On-the-Job Training (OJT)  
Reimbursement of half of your new employee’s
wages during training. 
 
Work Experience (WE)                                Paid wages for an agreed upon training period.
 
Jobs Plus                                                        Eligible individuals may work at your business for
6 months at little cost to you.
 
Volunteer Work Experience (VWE)          Eligible individuals may work at your business at
zero cost to you.
 
Summer Work Experience                           Offer an in school youth the opportunity to gain work experience at your business.                 
 
Interships                                                       Offer workers age 16 to 24 a work experience
opportunity. Get those jobs you’ve been setting aside completed.
 
PowerUp Academy                                       Receive training scholarships to up-grade current employeesskills.
 
Representatives are available now to discuss these opportunities and your questions. You can call or e-mail the representative from your area. Stimulus dollars are limited, so please contact us right away at:
 
The Job Council Representatives:
 
 Josephine County:   Linda Draper, Business Services Representative 244-3203
lindad@jobcouncil.org
 
Jackson County:  Pam Farquhar, Business Services Representative 842-2570
pamf@jobcouncil.org
 
Checkout our website:
www.jobcouncil.org   under Business for FAQ’s
nd learn more about The Job Council.
 
2009 Grants Pass & Josephine County BR & E Committee Rosterdownloads: 763 | type: doc | size: 219 kB
BR&E December 2009 Newsletterdownloads: 493 | type: doc | size: 71 kB
January 2010 Newsletterdownloads: 495 | type: pdf | size: 68 kB
February 2010 Newsletterdownloads: 433 | type: pdf | size: 76 kB
April 2010 Newsletterdownloads: 410 | type: pdf | size: 104 kB
May 2010 Newsletterdownloads: 361 | type: pdf | size: 124 kB
July 2010 Newsletterdownloads: 349 | type: pdf | size: 98 kB
August 2010 Newsletterdownloads: 322 | type: pdf | size: 93 kB