The Business Review April 2021

A monthly online digital publication, The Business Review targets business leaders from the Rogue Valley and beyond. This means that your published articles and advertising message are being seen, read and remembered by those who are seeking your products or services in and around Jackson County and within more than 55 Oregon communities.

THE CHAMBER OF MEDFORD & JACKSON COUNTY THE BUSINESS REVIEW

APRIL 2021

The Future of Sports

CONTENTS APRIL 2021 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 4

4 LEADERSHIP MATTERS A Letter from the Editor 6 OREGON UPDATES ‘Let Them Play’ Jackson County COVID-19 Updates The Medford Rogues are Proud to Release Their 2021 Schedule Pilot Community Vaccination Center to Open in Jackson County on April 21 12 CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY Oregon School Activities Association - Updated FAQs The Current and Future Impact of COVID-19 on the Sports Industry Bentz Calls Out Biden Administration’s Failure to Protect Rural Communities and Northern Spotted Owl from Wildfire 31 Counties to Receive More Than $39 Million in Secure Rural School Funding Wyden, Merkley Announce Oregon Fisheries To Receive $13 Million In Disaster Assistance 26 PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY Collaborative Theatre Project Reopens with Adventure, Excitement, Romance and Wonder Grown Rogue Acquires Strategic Assets from Acreage Holdings Inc. 2021 Oregon Fringe Festival Includes International Artists! Hanley Farm: Heritage Plant Sale How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Impact Businesses 34 MEMBER NEWS April Spotlight Exhibits Kevin Simrin Named 2021 Rismedia Newsmaker Update on COVID-19 Pandemic in Oregon at the April Chamber Forum 40 RENEWING & NEW MEMBERS 42 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

The Business Review | April 2021

Promote. Promoting the community. Create. Creating a strong local economy. Connect. Providing networking opportunities. Represent. Representing business issues. Our Strategic Objectives

Meet the Editorial Staff

Brad Hicks, CCE, IOM President & CEO brad@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8514

Lydia Salvey Editor in Chief/Vice President of Communications & Programs lydia@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8520

Kira Zavala Director of Sales

& Membership Development kira@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8522

Cathy Watt Office Administrator cathy@medfordchamber.com 541-608-8515

The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County 101 E 8th St, Medford, OR 97501 (541) 779-4847 • medfordchamber.com

medfordchamber.com

April 2021 | The Business Review

LEADERSHIP MATTERS A LETTER FROM LYDIA SALVEY, EDITOR IN CHIEF

Hello and Happy Spring Everyone, I’m feeling hopeful as I write this letter, with the sun currently shining and the birds chirping outside greeting the flowers to awaken from their winter slumber. It has been one year of COVID-19 lockdown in the State of Oregon and the time has finally come now for individuals ages 16–44 to have access to the COVID-19 vaccination here. Although we are a bit behind many other states in our country, if you are in that age range and want to get vaccinated, now you can. You’ll find on the next few pages a press release from the Jackson County Public Health Division on updated vaccination eligibility, followed shortly by a separate press release from FEMA on a Pilot Community Vaccination Center which will “accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations to Oregon’s historically underserved communities at high risk of infection.” Beginning April 19th, the vaccinations will be made available for the aforementioned age group, and on April 21st is when the pilot vaccination site will open. Whether or not getting vaccinated is on your to-do list, the accessibility to the vaccine likely means that more re- openings will take place in Oregon and specifically in Jackson County. For updates on this information, please be sure to subscribe to our email communications where we forward along this information every week in our weekly newsletter, The Weekly. In this month’s issue of The Business Review we are discussing The Future of Sports. Sports, like so many other things, have been a difficult sector to navigate during the pandemic, but the future of sports is looking brighter. In this issue you’ll find updates from the Medford Rogues , a letter from the Medford School Board to Governor Brown asking her to “Let them Play,” as well as current guidelines from OSAA for school sports, grades K-12. While we certainly aren’t where any of us would like to be when it comes to sports, either for ourselves, our children, or for collegiate or professional athletes, we are moving forward again. And as a huge sports fan myself, this is the type of news I look forward to hearing more about! In next month’s issue of The Business Review we’re discussing National Tourism Month. Travel Medford is the sponsor of Forum next month, and you won’t want to miss a very special presentation from renowned economist Dr. Chris Thornberg. Dr. Thornberg will be discussing the future of tourism in the Rogue Valley as well as the trajectory of the local and national economy. This event is free for Chamber Members and you can register for the program on our website at www.medfordchamber.com/forum. Until next time readers. Thanks for stopping by!

Lydia Salvey Editor in Chief/Vice President of Communications and Programs The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County

The Business Review | April 2021

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OREGON UPDATES

‘Let Them Play’ Medford, OR | February 5, 2021 | Posted By: Jamie Parfitt

W ith in-person learning now back on the table, the Medford School Board is lobbying Governor Brown, state health officials, and the OSAA for a return to school sports and other activities. After voting to approve the action at a February 4 meeting, the Medford School District Board of Education released a letter urging officials to allow for athletics and other extracurricular activities to resume. The board members wrote that Oregon stands nearly alone in avoiding high school sports this late into the 2020-21 school year, citing the National Federation of State High School Associations in saying that Oregon is among only three states that have yet to play at all this year.

Inset photos: 2021 seasons for local high school sports teams lie in the balance with a decision from Governor Brown.

The Business Review | April 2021

“We have received dozens of letters with heartfelt pleas from families who are deeply worried for the mental health and wellbeing of their children without these opportunities,” the School Board wrote. “We appreciate our state’s continued dedication to ‘follow the science”’and keep our communities safe. We believe following science should now lead to lifting some of the restrictions on athletics and activities, following in the footsteps of our neighbors in Washington State.” The Board asserted that Medford has demonstrated it can be effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in schools, due to ongoing limited in-person instruction. “Our families have expressed their willingness to sign liability waivers, if that were necessary, to get their children back on the playing field, on the court, and on stage,” the Board concluded. “Please continue to follow the science and look to other states who are successfully allowing students to play and perform (with safety measures in place) for our students have lost too much already. It’s time to let them play and perform!” Medford’s plan to gradually reintegrate in-person learning is set to begin late this month, though high school does not begin until the end of March. n

April 2021 | The Business Review

OREGON UPDATES

Jackson County COVID-19 Updates Jackson County, OR | April 13, 2021 | Press Release

B eginning April 19, all individuals 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It is best not to wait on a particular brand of vaccine. Instead, people should aim to get vaccinated as soon as they can with the vaccine that is readily available to them. Currently, individuals in Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Groups 1-7 are eligible. Phase 1B, Group 7 include: • Frontline workers as defined by the CDC and the family members they live with. • People who live in multi-generational households. • Adults ages 16 to 44 with underlying health conditions with increased risk. Oregon has adopted the CDC guidance for underlying health conditions. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is FDA approved for individuals16 years and older, and Moderna and the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are FDA approved for individuals 18 years and older. The Pilot Community Vaccination Center (CVC) will have the Pfizer vaccine. The official opening of the CVC will open on April 21, 2021. The Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, Walgreens, and Walmart have the Pfizer vaccine. The Jackson County Public Health COVID-19 vaccination site located at the Jackson County Expo will be part of the Jackson County Pilot CVC. This is a joint effort with FEMA, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Jackson County Health and Human Services, and Jackson County Emergency Management, with additional support from Providence Health & Services. The Jackson County Public Health vaccination site located at the Jackson County Expo has appointments available throughout this week; to schedule an appointment at this location, visit http://jcorcovid19. org/VaccineAppointments or call 2-1-1 information. Services are available in English and Spanish. Daily COVID-19 Case Data As of 12:01 am on 4/13/2021, Jackson County Public Health reports 53 new COVID-19 cases. Additionally, one

previously reported case was removed from the overall case total. This brings the total COVID-19 cases in Jackson County to 9,709. COVID-19 Two-Week Case Data For weeks 13 & 14 (3/28/2021 –4/10/2021), there were a total of 496 new COVID-19 cases. This is a case rate of 224.1 cases per 100,000 population. Masking Statewide, masks are required to be worn by all individuals at all times unless the individual: • Is at their own residence. • Is in their own personal vehicle, except when going through a drive-thru or if interacting with an individual outside the vehicle, such as at a gas station. • Is under five (5) years of age; or is under two (2) years of age and using public transportation or in • Is engaged in an activity that makes wearing a mask, face-covering or face shield not feasible, such as when taking a shower. • Is sleeping. • Is in a private, individual workspace. • Must remove the mask, face coverings or face shield briefly because the individual’s identity needs to be confirmed by visual comparisons, such as at a bank or if interacting with law enforcement. If possible, individuals should limit speaking while the mask, face- covering, or face shield is off as speaking generates aerosols and droplets that can contain viruses. • Is fully vaccinated, or is at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease and is with others who are fully transportation hubs. • Is eating or drinking.

The Business Review | April 2021

vaccinated, in accordance with the following: • In private indoor or outdoor settings, individuals who are fully vaccinated and individuals who are not vaccinated but are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease, may visit without masks and without physical distancing. Your best protection from COVID-19 will be a combination of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds in poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often. No one tool alone is going to stop the pandemic.

To protect yourself and others, follow these recommendations:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth • Stay at least 6 feet away from others • Avoid crowds • Avoid poorly ventilated spaces • Wash your hands often • Get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is your turn

For more information: • The public can call 211-information with general questions

The Medford Rogues are Proud to Release Their 2021 Schedule Medford, OR | March 2, 2021 - T he Rogues will play 44 games this year (36 home games and 8 road games). The Rogues will play a mix of teams from the Golden State Collegiate League, the West Coast League and • OHA Emerging Respiratory Disease page: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus • CDC COVID-19 page: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html • OHA COVID-19 Vaccine: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-vaccine • CDC COVID-19 Vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html • Jackson County HHS Vaccine: https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/COVID-19- News/covid-19-vaccine • CDC Travel within the U.S.: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-inthe-us.html • Jackson County Health and Human Services: http://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19 • Oregon COVID-19 Testing Location Finder: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19- testing • Review the Statewide Mask, Face Covering, Face Shield Guidance for detailed information.

several independent teams including the Bend Bucks, Bend Elks, California Bees, Cascade Collegiate League Showcase Team, Corvallis Knights, Fresno Athletics, Gresham GreyWolves. Lincoln Potters, Northwest Star Academy, Palo Alto Oaks, Reno Rams, Sacramento Heat. San Francisco Seagulls, South Bay Storm and the Willamette Wild Bills. The Rogues will kick of the 2021 season at home with a three-game home stand against the Fresno Athletics starting on June 10th. Stay tuned as we announce our promotions for the 2021 season. Single game tickets will be released at a later date. Due to Covid-19 we will have a limited number of seats in 2021. Click here to view complete schedule.

April 2021 | The Business Review

OREGON UPDATES

Pilot Community Vaccination Center to Open in Jackson County on April 21 FEMA, State and County Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccinations Bothell, WA | April 2021 | News Release A Pilot Community Vaccination Center (CVC) will open in Jackson County, Oregon, on April 21 to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations to Oregon’s historically

underserved communities at high risk of infection. This joint effort from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Jackson County Health and Human Services, and Jackson County Emergency Management includes a fixed site with drive-thru and walk- up options as well as mobile vaccination delivery. Through this partnership, vaccination capacity at this location will expand by 1,000 vaccine doses per day. The additional vaccine doses will be provided directly by the federal government and will not be taken from the state or county’s regular allotments. The Jackson County Pilot CVC expands upon current county-wide efforts to include vaccination services to rural and agricultural communities, unsheltered populations, and individuals displaced by wildfires. “We are committed to making sure everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard for communities in and around Jackson County who also suffered from historic wildfires,” said FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich. “We are excited to partner to provide equitable access to the vaccine.” “I am so pleased Jackson County was chosen for a FEMA community vaccination center. The site will bolster our current efforts to deliver vaccines quickly and equitably, and to meet communities where they are,” said Governor Kate Brown. “As the state recovers from last year’s historic wildfires and continues to manage through the pandemic, my goal is to elevate the needs of the communities hardest hit, especially those that have been historically underserved, and to rebuild those communities stronger and more resilient. The CVC in Jackson County will help us achieve that goal.” “This convenient community vaccination center will give more people in southern Oregon a chance to get a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your loved ones and yourself, so we can all get back to seeing the people we miss, doing the things we love and living free from restrictions the pandemic has

forced on us. We welcome the additional vaccines the federal government is providing to protect people in southern Oregon communities and FEMA’s partnership in organizing this pilot vaccination clinic,” said Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen. “Receiving the Pilot Community Vaccination Center and this level of support from our federal and state partners is a welcome relief and help to our community,” said John Vial, Director, Jackson County Emergency Operations Center. “The impact of dealing with this pandemic while simultaneously responding to our county’s largest wildfire disaster has taken a toll on our community and its resources. We are tired and grateful for the help.” The Jackson County Pilot CVC will be located at the Expo, 1 Penninger Rd, Central Point. Registration is possible on site. However, individuals are strongly encouraged to register for an appointment by scheduling online at jcorcovid19. org/VaccineAppointments or call 2-1-1 for information in English or Spanish. Additional details on opening date and registration process are forthcoming, as FEMA works with the OHA and OEM, Jackson County Health and Human Services and Jackson County Emergency Management in support of expanding the county’s vaccination efforts. In alignment with President Biden’s plan to respond to COVID-19, FEMA continues to work with our state, local, and tribal partners to expedite vaccinations across Region 10 in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner. When considering options, the best vaccine is the one that is available to you. n

The Business Review | April 2021

April 2021 | The Business Review

CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY

Oregon School Activities Association - Updated FAQs March 8, 2021 T he following FAQ’s are provided to help guide schools as they return to school sports and activities. This document will be updated frequently county risk level. In this example, if a county moved from high risk to extreme risk a school in that county would have to cease all indoor sports activity starting that Friday as indoor sports activities are prohibited in extreme risk counties – “County Risk Level Information”.

and is subject to change as additional guidance is released from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Governor’s Office and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Note that these FAQs are subject to change based upon changes to national, state or local guidelines/directives. Guidelines for K-12 School Sports

Q: Are all sports and activities able to take place if a school opens since the reopening metrics set forth by the Governor are now advisory? A: No, even though a school may reopen, K-12 school sports are still under the OHA’s “Sector Guidance – Indoor Recreation and Indoor Fitness Establishments,” “Sector Guidance – Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Fitness Establishments,” and “Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart.”

are now based on a county’s COVID-19 risk level (lower,

moderate, high, extreme). Guidelines for K-12 School Sports are no longer tied to a school’s instructional model. Refer to ODE guidance for reopening to in- person instruction for additional information on school operations.

Q: If our school sends a team out of state for a com- petition, do they need to quarantine upon returning? A: No, participation in K-12 school sports is considered “essential travel” per the state guidance. Visit “Statewide Guidance for Travel” for more information. Q: If a student goes out of state for non-essential travel, should they quarantine upon returning? A: It’s important to communicate to all students and their families that departure from the state for any amount of time may compromise their ability to participate upon their return for the following 7-14 days. Visit “Statewide Guidance for Travel” for more information. Q. Must masks be worn at all times, indoor and outdoor, even during exercise / competition? A. Yes. Q. Can a student wear a face shield instead of a face covering while participating in training, practice & com- petition? A. No, a face shield cannot be worn as a face covering by itself. Participants must wear a cloth, polypropylene, paper, or other face covering that covers the nose and mouth and that rests snugly above the nose, below the mouth, and on the sides of the face, “Statewide Reopening Guidance – Masks, Face Coverings, Face Shields.”

County Risk Level Guidance Q. When does the “Sector Risk Level Guidance” take effect? A. The Sector Risk Level Guidance began on Dec. 3, 2020. Q. Are recreational sports and K-12 sports separated in the guidance? A. No, recreational sports and K-12 sports are now under the same indoor recreation or outdoor recreation guidance provided by OHA. Q. What is the timeline for a school to implement changes when a county’s risk level status moves (i.e. from high risk to extreme risk)? A. Every Tuesday the OHA releases data from the previous two weeks regarding each county’s risk level. The weeks alternate between “Warning Weeks” and “Movement Weeks.” During a “Warning Week,” the OHA provides schools and other entities linked to county risk level metrics a warning so they can plan for a potential move in status the following week. During a “Movement Week,” if the information released on Tuesday moves a county from one risk level to another (i.e. from high risk to extreme risk), the school has until that Friday to implement the necessary protocols related to that new

The Business Review | April 2021

Q. Does 7-on-7 football fall in the same category as Flag Football? A. Yes, provided there is no contact and no protective equipment is used. Q. If volleyball is conducted outside (grass or sand), is that permissible at any county risk level? A. Yes. Q. Does the OSAA have any stance on middle school activities? A. The Governor’s and OHA’s “Sector Guidance – Indoor Recreation and Indoor Fitness Establishments,” “Sector Guidance – Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Fitness Establishments,” and “Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart” applies to all levels of activities. Q. How do cohort groups apply to sport teams / sport transportation? A. According to ODE, athletics are separated from the daytime and transportation cohorts. Q. Have full-contact sports been removed off the pro- hibited list? A. Outdoor full-contact sports, such as Football, are allowed in lower and moderate risk counties and only in high and extreme counties with a submitted plan. See, Sector Guidance – Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Fitness Establishments. Indoor full-contact sports, such

as Basketball, Wrestling, contact Dance, and contact Cheerleading remain prohibited by the Governor and OHA.

Q. Can the OSAA Executive Director or OSAA Executive Board modify, waive or provide exceptions to the Gover- nor’s or OHA Guidance? A. No. The OSAA and its member schools are bound by the guidance and are unable to modify, waive or provide exceptions. Sector Guidance – Indoor Recreation Q. What are the gathering limits for indoor recreation activities? A. A county’s risk level dictates the maximum capacity levels for a venue. Venue restrictions are: - Extreme: If a school’s facility is larger than 500 sq ft, they can have a maximum of six (6) people total (not including coaches). The people are required to maintain a minimum 25 ft of physical distancing. Limit capacity to four (4) separate groups, up to six (6) people in each group (not counting coaches). Each group must participate in a separate location within the establishment, which means an enclosed area within the establishment (i.e. main gym, weight room, batting cages, and wrestling room, etc.) Ensure athletes do not use areas at the same time, including but not limited to restrooms and locker rooms. If a school’s facility is smaller than 500 sq. ft. than a maximum

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April 2021 | The Business Review

gym, weight room, batting cages, and wrestling room, etc.) Ensure athletes do not use areas at the same time, including but not limited to restrooms and locker rooms. If a school’s facility is smaller than 500 sq. ft. than a maximum of one (1) person and a maximum of one (1) coach is allowed. Sector Guidance – Outdoor Recreation Q. What are the gathering limits for outdoor recreation activities? A. A county’s risk level dictates the maximum capacity levels for a venue. Venue restrictions are: - Extreme: Maximum 50 people - High: Maximum 75 people - Moderate: Maximum 150 people - Lower: Maximum 300 people Q. Do coaches, participants, and event management apply when calculating the maximum? A. Yes, all individuals in a facility count towards the capacity maximum. Q. What defines “outdoor”? A. “Outdoor” as defined by OHA means any open-air space including any space which may have a temporary or fixed cover (e.g. awning or roof) and at least fifty percent of the square footage of its sides open for airflow such that open sides are not adjacent to each other. For a complete list of FAQs please visit: https://www.osaa. org/docs/osaainfo/OSAAFAQsApril3.pdf

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of one (1) person and a maximum of one (1) coach is allowed. Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart - High: Maximum 25% occupancy or 50 people total, whichever is smaller - Moderate: Maximum of 50% occupancy or 100 people total, whichever is smaller. - Lower: Maximum of 50% occupancy Q. How long can an athlete participate in an indoor workout if my county is in the Extreme Risk Level? A. Students are limited to a maximum of 45 minutes for participating in indoor recreation and/or fitness activities per day. Coaches do not have a daily limit. Q. Do coaches, participants, and event management apply when calculating the maximum? A. Yes, all individuals in a facility count towards the capacity maximum. Q. Can I participate in indoor recreation activities if my county is in the Extreme Risk Level? A. Yes, if a school’s facility is larger than 500 sq ft, they can have a maximum of six (6) people total (not including coaches). The people are required to maintain a minimum 25 sq. ft of physical distancing. Limit capacity to four (4) separate groups, up to six (6) people in each group (not counting coaches). Each group must participate in a separate location within the establishment, which means an enclosed area within the establishment (i.e. main

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April 2021 | The Business Review

CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY

The Current and Future Impact of COVID-19 on the Sports Industry The Future of Sports: How the Roles of Athletes, Fans and Industry Businesses Will Change After COVID-19

The Business Review | April 2021

Many live sporting events are now played in front of empty stadiums. Here are three ways the sports industry is being changed by the coronavirus

T he world of sports has been in flux since the upcoming seasons, but the overall industry has had to make sweeping changes that will impact how sports are enjoyed and played for years to come — not only on the professional level, but within communities, too. To learn about and understand these changes, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently dedicated an event in their Fast Forward series to the future of sports. We assembled a group of experts to talk about how the coronavirus has impacted sports in the short and long term. Here are three takeaways from our event. COVID-19 pandemic hit. Not only have leagues had to assess how they’ll play out their current and Sports and Coronavirus: Fans Now Have a More Interactive Experience Than Ever Before The coronavirus has been a catalyst for a new type of sports fan experience. Companies have created virtual environments for fans to watch and interact with their favorite leagues and athletes. Virtual watch parties, for example, have allowed fans to show their support while interacting with other fans, and in some cases athletes themselves.

“We want to help our fans be there, and this kind of helps really connect them to the event itself, even beyond just COVID,” Hoyman said. “When we think about these events can happen anywhere worldwide, we want to help create this environment where fans are there, but also they’re connected to the athletes in a way that they’ve never been able to.” COVID-19 Has Forced Organizations to Create Multiple Backup Plans for the Future of Sports

A demonstrator wearing a face mask holds a sign to protest against the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games near the National Stadium in Tokyo in July.

The world was shocked when the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed an entire year due to the pandemic. With the now-2021 games rapidly approaching, the Olympic committee has had to plan for how they would deal with the virus despite all of its uncertainties. While much of the existing infrastructure and planning had already been done, The Olympics and other sports leagues now have to place coronavirus regulations. Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi and his team have had to plan out not one, but multiple scenarios for how the games will proceed amidst the continued pandemic to ensure the event organizers and athletes are prepared for anything. “What we do is plan according to four different scenarios,” Dubi told CO—. “We have a baseline, we have a better scenario and we have two scenarios where the situation is worse than it is today.”

FloSports is the innovator in live event streaming, giving you access to over 200,000 sports competitions live or on demand, with exclusive, behind-the-scenes coverage and original programming for over 25 different sports.

Justin Hoyman, product director, apps at FloSports, says the sports streaming service has been prioritizing ways to help fans stay connected, both to their teams and each other.

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Professional Athletes Are Expected to Use Their Star Power for Social Good With so much societal unrest in the past year, professional athletes have no longer been able to sit on the sidelines about important social issues. Now more than ever, these sports stars will be expected to use their celebrity status for social good to talk about issues that are both important to them and relevant to their fans. For example, NBA player Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers has long been an advocate for mental health, and has spoken publicly about his struggles with depression and anxiety. His outreach is nearly universally praised, showing that anyone can struggle with these battles. He’s expressed his gratitude that the NBA has supported his efforts and helped give him an audience. “We have our social footprint,” Love said. “If we wanted to do a PSA surrounding mental health, [the NBA presses] one button, and that’s going to tens of millions of kids [and] hundreds and millions of people.” n

Kevin Love, basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers and advocate for social change on mental health.

The Business Review | April 2021

April 2021 | The Business Review

REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES

NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL

Bentz Calls Out Biden Administration’s Failure to Protect Rural Communities and Northern Spotted Owl from Wildfire Washington, D.C. | April 8, 2021 | Press Release T oday, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) led on a congressional letter, signed by 9 House Republicans, urging the U.S. Department of Interior to

“The 2021 designation aligns critical habitat for the NSO with a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision and with federal environmental law. It represents an opportunity to move past antiquated, ineffective habitat policies that have stymied critical federal forest restoration activities by focusing on the real threats to this species and its habitat, while supporting American jobs and rural communities across three Western states. Science and the law have changed since the NSO was listed 30 years ago, and [the Department of the Interior] needs to adapt to this as well,” the Members wrote in the letter. “I thank my fellow Members of Congress who have joined me in fighting for rural communities and the health of our forests,” said Bentz. “The immediate implementation of this rule means we can sustainably manage a significant

immediately implement a federal rule previously published on January 15, 2021, revising the designation of the critical habitat of the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO). The rule was delayed by the Biden Administration on March 1, preventing it from going into effect on March 16, 2021. If implemented, the 2021 rule would better allow federal agencies to implement the NSO Recovery Plan. The plan calls for the use of active forest management tools to mitigate the risks of wildfire on 1.1 million acres of federal lands in the Pacific Northwest that were illegally designated as “critical habitat” by the Obama Administration (Weyerhaeuser v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al.).

The Business Review | April 2021

portion of our forests in a way that supports jobs in the Pacific Northwest and protects not just rural communities from wildfire but also the Northern Spotted Owl from a staggering level of habitat loss due to wildfire.” “It is imperative that Secretary Haaland resume the revision of the critical habitat designation of the Northern Spotted Owl, originally implemented by the Trump Administration, for the sake of the species and the neighboring wildlife. By redesignating the habitat, the Federal Government will be authorized to responsibly manage the surrounding 1.1 million acres of land that is currently overstocked and unnaturally dense, decreasing the likelihood of out-of-control wildfires during the summer months. I urge Secretary Haaland to implement the critical habitat designation rule change immediately,” said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.). “Instead of locking up our land, we should empower locally-led conservation efforts for species like the Northern Spotted Owl and continue to make commonsense improvements like updating critical habitat designations. Representative Bentz is already proving to be a strong leader on species and land management – two major priorities for the Pacific Northwest. I am proud to support this effort to ensure we can effectively care for our lands and our wildlife,” said Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). “The Northern Spotted Owl was listed as an Endangered Species more than 30 years ago. On the federal government’s watch, the population has severely declined, timber mills have gone out of business, and we have seen increased catastrophic wildfires that have burned up the owl’s habitat and harmed Western communities. Extremist environmentalists opposing active forest management don’t have the owl or the American people’s best interests at heart. In 2020, Colorado had the three largest fires in state history, one of which was in my district. We need to do more to prevent dangerous wildfires before they get started, not less. I applaud Congressman Bentz for his leadership on this important issue. The January 2021 rule should be issued without further delay,” said Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO). The full list of cosigners on the letter include Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.). n

The Chamber is collaboration. The Chamber understands the importance of collaborating and building coalitions. By working together, we can build a better tomorrow. Local leaders and influencers work together at www.medfordchamber.com

Catalyst. Convener. Champion.

April 2021 | The Business Review

REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES

Oregon Delegation: 31 Counties in State Receive More Than $39 Million in Secure Rural School Funding Federal SRS resources will help local communities cover costs for schools, roads and law enforcement Washington, D.C. | April 05, 2021 U .S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader said today that 31 to pass the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act, which would provide a long-term permanent solution to replace the need to reauthorize SRS every two years for rural counties in Oregon and nationwide.

Oregon counties will receive about $39.3 million in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for schools, roads, law enforcement and other essential services. These payments to Oregon counties are the last ones under the SRS program’s current authorization. Wyden, Merkley and Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) are making a bipartisan push to reauthorize the SRS program through September 2022 while also working

“For the better part of two decades, SRS payments have maintained an economic lifeline for rural Oregonians counting on quality schools, dependable infrastructure and more in their communities,” said Wyden, who co- authored the original SRS law in 2000 and in the March 2021 American Rescue Plan got a new $1 billion-per-year payments program for Tribes and for rural counties with

The Business Review | April 2021

large tracts of federal lands. “The ongoing challenge of dealing with COVID-19 and its economic impact makes these current payments more important than ever now, while work continues both on a short-term SRS reauthorization and on a longer-term SRS endowment that gets rural counties once and for all off this roller coaster of uncertainty.” “Every Oregonian—regardless of what they look like, where they live, or how much money they make—deserves to live in a community that has access to critical services like great schools and road maintenance,” said Merkley. “The Secure Rural Schools program has played a key role in helping us turn that vision into a reality in rural communities throughout Oregon and across America. I’m gratified that this funding is headed to our state to help build on the past success of SRS, and I will continue to fight for a long-term reauthorization of this program to ensure that our families can rely on it throughout our recovery from this pandemic and in the years to come.” “With the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, SRS payments are more vital to Oregon’s rural counties than ever before,” said Rep. DeFazio. “These payments not only fund our roads, schools, and law enforcement—they support our first responders, public health professionals, and other county services critical to fighting the pandemic. It’s imperative that we reauthorize the SRS program to support the health, safety, and well-being of our rural communities.” “Our rural communities need support to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and build back better, and the millions of dollars in SRS payments for Oregon’s counties will make a meaningful difference,” Bonamici said. “This funding will help pay for essential services and support the schools, roads, and public services that are so important to rural Oregon. I will continue advocating for more resources to help all of our communities thrive.” “SRS payments play a crucial role in funding essential services in Oregon’s rural counties and thousands of schools located across the nation,” Schrader said. “I have repeatedly supported extending SRS funding and increasing accountability to ensure the program is benefiting the communities it is designed to help. I am also committed to working with my colleagues to enact a more permanent solution, which must include returning rural Oregon to a model of sustainable timber harvesting, so communities may support themselves, their families and create healthier forests for future generations.” Since Wyden co-wrote the original SRS program in 2000 with then-Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, 2000, SRS has brought about $3.4 billion to Oregon counties. A breakdown of the $39.3 million for Oregon counties is here. n

April 2021 | The Business Review

REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES

Wyden, Merkley Announce Oregon Fisheries To Receive $13 Million In Disaster Assistance Washington, D.C. | March 31, 2021

U .S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “Oregon’s fishing industry up and down the coast has been cast adrift by the pandemic’s economic riptide, ”Wyden said. “West Coast seafood is prized internationally, and Oregonians in this signature state industry must be able to earn a family wage. These resources will provide a much- needed lifeline so that Oregon’s job-creating fishing and seafood processors can weather this economic storm.” “Oregon’s fisheries are the lifeblood of our coastal announced today that Oregon fisheries will receive more than $13 million in fisheries assistance from

assistance funding is coming to our state, and will continue to do all that I can to support our fishermen and seafood processors during, and beyond, this difficult time.” The allocation of an additional $255 million in fisheries assistance from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 will support activities previously authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The resources will be allocated to states and territories with coastal and marine fishery hurt by COVID-19. The funding will address direct and indirect COVID-19 impacts to eligible fishery participants, including commercial fishermen, charter businesses, qualified aquaculture operations, subsistence, cultural, and ceremonial users, food processors, and other fishery-related businesses. Congress also designated $30 million for all federally recognized Tribes in coastal states. Eligible fishery participants should work with their state or territory’s marine fisheries management agencies to understand the process for applying for these funds. n “Oregon’s fisheries are the lifeblood of our coastal economies...” – Senator Ron Wyden

economies—supporting jobs that countless families rely on, and supplying communities across our state and around the world with exceptional products,” said Merkley, who led an April 2020 letter to Senate leadership advocating for $3.5 billion in support for the seafood and fishing

industries. “As we set out to recover from the health

and economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, we must ensure that this crucial industry receives the support it needs to survive and bounce back stronger than before. I’m gratified that this fishery

The Business Review | April 2021

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April 2021 | The Business Review

PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY

Collaborative Theatre Project Reopens with Adventure, Excitement, Romance and Wonder Medford, OR | Press Release C ollaborative Theatre Project is excited to announce that it will resume productions and begin 2021 with an exciting, tour-de-farce – Around The World in 80 Days . Directed by Michael Jenkinson, this 6 actor, adventure-packed show is the perfect way to celebrate live theatre. CTP’s limited

seating restrictions have been in place during 2020. The Theatre closed November 2020 and those same restrictions that guided us through the height of the pandemic are in place for this show as well. All patrons must be masked for the duration of the show and social distancing protocols will be enforced. Tickets will be general admission, $25 per person and can be purchased by calling our Box Office at 541 779- 1055. No online ticketing is available for this production. Around the World in 80 Days is a reworking of Jules Verne’s 1872 adventure novel. The play begins in London, on Wednesday, October 2, 1872. Phileas Fogg (Tim Fullerton) is a rich British gentleman living a mysterious and solitary life. His days are carried out with mathematical precision and any deviation is viewed as a major catastrophe. Fogg dismisses his valet, James Forster (Mia Gaskin) for bringing him shaving water two degrees cooler than normal and engages Frenchman Jean Passepartout (Steven Dominguez) as the replacement. Adapted by Mark Brown, this version premiered in 2001. Since then, it has been performed in New York, Canada, England, South Africa and Bangladesh. A wager at the Reform Club, of which Fogg is a member, leads to his declaration that it is now possible to travel around the world in 80 days. A large bet is placed – Twenty thousand pounds (in today’s value approximately 2.3 million pounds) if Fogg can, indeed, complete the journey in 80 days. With Passepartout accompanying him, Fogg departs from London by train at 8:45 pm on October 2. In order to win the wager, he must return to the club by this exact time on December 21, 80 days later. Detective Fix (Renee Hewitt) notices the unusual activity of Fogg and Passepartout and decides, without any real evidence, that Fogg fits the description of a bank robber Fix is searching for. Fix decides to secretively follow Fogg and boards the steamer on the way to Bombay, India. The hilarity grows along the planned route and we visit Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco and

New York City before we return to London. This world-wide adventure is the perfect antidote to the winter lock-down blues. Elliot Anderson and Trevor Pekas make up the remainder of the cast and play a few dozen roles between them. The scenic design is by Krista Hepford. Costumes by Susan Aversa; lighting and projection design by Mike Kunkel and sound design by Stephanie Malone. The Jules Verne novel has inspired a great many real-life imitators, including an 1889 attempt by journalist Nellie Bly who actually accomplished the trip in 72 days, meeting Verne in Amiens. In 1928 a 15-year-old Danish Boy Scout, Palle Huld, traveled around the world by train and ship in the opposite direction to the one in the book. It was made on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Jules Verne. Monty Python member Michael Palin took up the challenge in 1988 and completed the journey in 79 days and 7 hours. CTP plans to run the production weekends from March 19 through April 4. The Friday/Saturday shows will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. Sunday matinees are at 1:30 pm. The theatre will be restricted to 25 attendees per performance (maximum). Additional sanitizing has been and will continue to be done prior to each performance. In addition to live performances, CTP is planning on filming the play and streaming it after the show is open. It will be a video on demand performance and additional details will be announced shortly. Rick Robinson will film the production and the platform will be set up through ShowTix4U. Filming will begin on March 12, prior to opening. The streaming dates and information will be posted on our Facebook page and our website. Upcoming events include a Radio Days Presentation of The African Queen, based on the C.S. Forester novel – the classic film version starred Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Jeff Ripley and Kate Sullivan are the featured actors in the CTP

The Business Review | April 2021

adaptation and that production will open mid-April. Radio Days is a program under the direction of Daniel Sessions Stephens, assisted by Pam Ward. Radio Days features live sound effects created from found objects that orchestrate the soundscape for the actors. Further details will be available soon.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the live performances, please call us at 541 779-1055. We look forward to seeing you at CTP! n

April 2021 | The Business Review

PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY

Grown Rogue Acquires Strategic Assets from Acreage Holdings Inc. Medford, OR | February 8, 2021 | Press Release G rown Rogue International Inc. (“Grown Rogue” or the “Company”) (CSE: GRIN) (OTC: GRUSF), a multi-state cannabis company with operations

Transaction Highlights: • Added 30,000 Sq Ft state-of-the-art indoor facility + Portland retail dispensary • Total annual revenue capacity increased to $20M USD • F urther reduces one of the industry’s lowest cash cost of production of $0.80 USD/gram with improved economies of scale “This strategic asset acquisition further solidifies our commitment to the Oregon cannabis market, which saw a record $1.1B USD in sales in 2020 according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission” said Obie Strickler, Chief Executive Officer of Grown Rogue. “The new indoor facility will more than double our Oregon capacity and yearly production volume and, more importantly, Grown Rogue

and assets in Oregon and Michigan, announced today that its subsidiary, Grown Rogue Distribution, LLC, has signed a Definitive Agreement (“Agreement”) and Management Services Agreement (“MSA”) with HSCP, LLC, (“HSCP”) a subsidiary of Acreage Holdings Inc. (CSE:ACRG.A.U, ACRG.B.U) (OTC: ACRHF, ACRDF) effective February 5, 2021 for a previously operational, state-of-the-art 30,000 Sq Ft indoor facility located in Medford, Oregon, and a fully operational retail dispensary in Portland, Oregon. The acquisition brings Grown Rogue’s total indoor capacity to 127,000 Sq Ft.

The Business Review | April 2021

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