The Business Review October 2020

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 IN THIS ISSUE: Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecas t Page 10 ALSO: Holiday Surveys Find Shoppers Will Spend More Online, Earlier Page 6 RRSNF to Decrease Fire Danger and Lift Public Use Restrictions Page 21

OCTOBER 2020

What the Future of Work-From-Home Could Look Like After COVID-19 Page 22

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 10

4 LEADERSHIP MATTERS A Letter from the Editor

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

6 OREGON UPDATES Holiday Surveys Find Shoppers Will Spend More Online, Earlier Additional COVID-19 Emergency Business Grants Available Now 10 CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast 14 REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.7 Million for Wildfire Resiliency, Conservation Efforts Walden: How Much More Has to Burn Before Congress Fixes Forest Management? Grants Will Create Jobs, Upgrade Essential Facilities, And Improve Quality Of Life 20 PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY Two Toy Drives Join Forces to Bring Christmas to More Families RRSNF to Decrease Fire Danger and Lift Public Use Restrictions 22 CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS What the Future of Work- From-Home Could Look Like After COVID-19 Boise Cascade Matching Gift Raises More Than $267,000 27 PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES A Virtual Forum with Tom Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber 29 RENEWING & NEW MEMBERS 30 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

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

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

LEADERSHIP MATTERS A LETTER FROM LYDIA SALVEY, EDITOR IN CHIEF

Let’s keep it going and stay #SouthernOregonStrong!

I n this month’s issue of The Business Review we are covering the economy. A publication on the topic of economy, during a pandemic, is a tough topic to address because there is still so much that is unknown. The global economy, the economy of our nation, of our state and of our county are all sitting in circumstances no one could have predicted. Consumerism, wages, jobs, housing, assistance, food, and general cost of living as we know it are all different now than what a lot of us feel we have ever perceived or dealt with before. In the following pages you will find articles on the prediction of this year’s Black Friday, an update on our local fire level, how Jackson County’s two largest toy drives are coming together to prepare families for the holidays, as well as the most recent economic forecast for the State of Oregon. I would encourage all who are seeking information on our current financial state of affairs to take a look through the executive summary published here and then through the full report available on the Office of Economic Analysis website. Also in this issue of The Business Review, we discuss this month’s Forum, a virtual program sponsored by Rogue Credit Union, featuring Tom Donohue, Chief Executive Officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Donohue presented a national update on what’s going on in the nation’s capital, informed attendees on what to expect for the upcoming election, and how the business community should come together for an economic recovery. If you missed this month’s program, be sure to have a read through this article for his insights, and be sure to catch next month’s program where we discuss the future of energy. If you would like access to the upcoming Forum programs, please check out our website for the dates and details on how to participate. We look forward to continuing to bring presenters to speak on matters that are important to our business community during our 101st annual Forum season.

THE CHAMBER OF MEDFORD & JACKSON COUNTY IS A CATALYST • CONVENER • CHAMPION

Know of a compelling story that relates to business conducted in Southern Oregon? Email us at businessreview@medfordchamber.com

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

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

OREGON UPDATES

Holiday Surveys Find Shoppers Will Spend More Online, Earlier

October 7, 2020 | Halie LeSavage | Retail Brew • Francis Scialabba | Copy

T he customer mood board your team papier-mâchéd in 2011 is probably outdated. So I gathered the latest data on who’s actually shopping this holiday season and how. I think you’d like to meet them. Identity breakdown Who they are: Not Gen Z and millennials, to retailers’ disappointment. This holiday season, those covetable generations are duct taping their wallets shut. • In a Bloomberg/Harris Poll survey, more than 60% of both 18–34 year-olds and 35–44 year-olds said they have less to spend on the holidays this year. • The youngest among us are also the thriftiest: Teen spending hit an all-time low in H1 2020, declining 9% YoY per Piper Sandler’s annual teen survey. Gift bundles or tiered discounts may persuade young shoppers to spend anyway. In the Bloomberg/Harris Poll report, younger Americans were around three times as likely as their elders to view gift giving as important this

How they feel: Updates from the campaign trail are destroying 1) push notifications and 2) gifting habits of yore. Nearly seven in ten respondents surveyed by Bloomberg/ Harris Poll said they’re feeling uncertain about the economy in the election lead-up; of those potential shoppers, 50% said they’re spending conservatively (in the budgeting sense) as a result. Bottom line: Analysts had already predicted holiday growth would slow for retailers during their all-important quarter. Decreased enthusiasm from shoppers means brands should prepare for a slower holiday season—or work on their marketing skills. n

year, in spite of *gestures broadly*. When they’re shopping: Not when holiday calendar purists want them to, ShopperTrak reports. The ten biggest discount days will only make up 34.2% of all in-store holiday traffic, compared to 46.5% last year. Where they’re shopping: Anywhere there’s a wi-fi connection. Nearly 50% of Americans surveyed by Bloomberg/Harris Poll said they’ll purchase gifts mostly or entirely online.

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

Round 4 of funding comes with a new set of eligibility requirements which opens the door for more businesses to apply. It also allows some prior awardees to get additional funds. Small businesses will be eligible under the following conditions: • The business or 501c3 non-profit is in Jackson or Josephine County. • The business is actively registered with the Oregon • The business can demonstrate a one-month decline in sales of 25% or greater. (Any month between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 compared to same month in 2019) • The business has not received over $100,000 in federal funding (PPP, EIDL) Secretary of State, if required by Oregon law. • The business has 25 or fewer employees. First time applicants can apply now using the Round 3 application found online at www.soredi.org/covid/ covidgrants. Businesses who have already received an award, in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 will be contacted by a CCD staff member if they are eligible for additional grant funding. The application deadline is Wednesday, November 11. These funds are intended to be equally accessible to all businesses including the historically disadvantaged population groups

(Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Women- owned businesses). The application is available at www.soredi.org/covid/ matching or by contacting SOREDI (541) 773-8946 or by email at grants@soredi.org. The program was funded in part with State of Oregon General Funds and Lottery Funds administered by the Oregon Business Development Department. n

S outhern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) is pleased to announce that additional COVID-19 Emergency Business Grants are available now throughout Jackson and Josephine Counties. Time is limited for the deployment of an additional $250,000 in the region and businesses are urged to apply today. SOREDI will partner with its counterpart agency, CCD Business Development Corporation (CCD) which successfully received a fourth round of Emergency Business Assistance Grants from Business Oregon. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to small businesses adversely affected by economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The State of Oregon has allocated $17.5 million statewide in Round 4. To date, SOREDI has disbursed a total of $145,000 in round one funding to Jackson County, and assisted partner entities Talent, Ashland, Shady Cove, and Central Willamette Credit Union in the disbursement of $385,000 of awarded funds Jackson and Josephine Counties since June 2020. The $17.5 million in Round 4 is available now on a first come, first served basis. If businesses step up and apply, the two agencies could approve and disburse additional grants in the region. Round 4 is expected to be the last round of grant funding made available. Executive Director, Colleen Padilla, reports “this is an extraordinary collaboration of two economic development districts to quickly help businesses access much-needed resources. For our region that has also been impacted by fires, this additional infusion of grant funds to qualifying businesses is critical. We are extremely grateful to CCD for their partnership.” Additional COVID-19 Emergency Business Grants Available Now October 6, 2020 by Kim Young | Medford, Oregon

“Businesses need to act fast and apply now!” – Executive Directors Colleen Padilla, SOREDI and Theresa Haga, CCD

Because of the tight State disbursement timelines and delays in issuing checks due to immediate fire response priorities, funds from Rounds 1-3 are still available – in addition to Round 4 funds – in some areas. Jackson County still has about $115,000 in Round 3 funding. Additionally, the City of Medford will partner with SOREDI and CCD to deploy up to $140,000 of their remaining Round 1 and Round 3 funding. Qualified businesses will be funded first from earlier rounds until funds are depleted, then Round 4 funds will be accessed. First time applicants can apply now using the Round 3 application found online at www.soredi.org/covid/ matching. Businesses who have already received an award, in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 will be contacted by a CCD staff member if they are eligible for additional grant funding. Round 4 allows businesses who may have received previous funding to apply again for additional funds. Executive Directors Colleen Padilla, SOREDI and Theresa Haga, CCD, agree that “businesses need to act fast and apply now!” There is a very short window of time to disburse a large amount of money in the region. Both agencies urge the community to step up and help spread the word that new funds area available.

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY

represent downside risks to the outlook. On the other hand should telecommuting and remote work increase as a result of the pandemic and changing business practices, Oregon stands to take advantage. Previously when Oregon faced double-digit job losses and unemployment, the recovery took five years once underway. All told, our office expects this cycle to be faster given the stronger economy before the pandemic and the

somewhat limited amount of permanent damage to date. Expectations are Oregon’s labor market will return to health by mid-2023. Even so, growth is likely to slow in the months ahead as the easy economic gains related to the recalls play out, the loss of federal support weighs more on consumers, and concerns over the spread of the virus increases in the coming, colder months.

Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast September 2020 | Volume XL, No. 3 Oregon Office of Economic Analysis T he economy remains in a Great Recession-sized hole. However given the nature of the cycle to date, diverging trends have emerged. In particular, lower- income households have borne the brunt of the recession. The combination of higher-income households being less impacted to date, and the large federal support means consumer spending and tax collections have held up much better than expected. The strong economic growth in recent months is encouraging, as many workers on temporary layoffs are recalled. However, normally it takes a year or two for the recessionary shock to work its way through the economy. When the outlook darkens, firms usually don’t fire their workers immediately. Only over time, when the phone starts ringing less, do weak sales lead firms to cut back on parts and labor. These spending cuts in turn leads to lost income for suppliers and workers who reduce their downstream spending accordingly. This traditional recessionary dynamic is just getting under way, even though the labor market is improving due to thousands of temporarily unemployed workers returning to their jobs. Overall the current state of the economy is much better than feared at the time of the previous forecast. But the economic outlook in the years ahead is only improved modestly. It takes time, even under the best of circumstances to regain lost ground due to recessions. 2020 so far is anything but the best. In the near-term Oregon’s economy is impacted by COVID-19 and the wildfires that destroyed our communities. Over the long-term, Oregon’s ability to attract and retain skilled, working-age households is one of our comparative advantages. To the extent the pandemic, wildfires, drought, or protests and clashes of violence impact this advantage remains to be seen, but they all

continued on page 12

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

continued from page 11

larger industry bailouts for major corporations, have led to a surge in business tax liability. Ignoring the business income that flows through Personal Income Tax returns, federal business aid has increased traditional Corporate Tax collections by $200-$300 million. Another factor supporting strong tax

Despite the sharp reduction in economic activity, Oregon’s primary revenue instruments have continued to grow. Collections of Personal Income Taxes and Corporate

Taxes both set record highs over the post- shutdown (March-to-September) period

collections is the fact that high- income households have been

this year. Could it be the recession might not have a significant impact on state tax revenues? Of course not. However, the fact of the matter is that the economic pain has yet to be fully reflected in Oregon’s revenue data.

Could it be the recession might not have a significant impact on state tax revenues? Of course not.

relatively spared from economic losses to date. Given widening economic inequality, high- income households have an increasingly disproportionate impact on aggregate economic indicators like spending and income. This dynamic is even more pronounced for Oregon’s Personal Income Tax revenues

Timing is part of the reason. As is the unprecedented amount of federal aid. Although the recovery rebates are not taxable in Oregon, enhanced unemployment insurance benefits are. Around $170 million in personal income tax collections have already

given our relatively progressive rate structure. However, even though high- income households have fared relatively well

been withheld from unemployment insurance checks. However, to date, this is not far off of what was assumed in the June forecast. What was missing from the June forecast was the positive impact on tax collections associated with federal aid for businesses. Forgivable loans associated with the Payroll Protection Program, together with even

to date, the 5% net job losses we have already seen among high-wage industries are more than large enough to strain tax collections. Finally, unexpected spillovers from the 2019 tax season have also boosted revenues in the current biennium. As year-end tax payments came in, both Personal and Corporate tax collections surprised on the upside. Unlike the traditional April surprise, however, this surprise did not come until July due to the extended tax filing deadline. Tax returns processed so far do not reflect such strong liability growth in 2019. This suggests that the highest income filers, who often file extended returns in the fall, earned more than other filers last year. Due to the unexpectedly large flow of collections seen over the past year, the General Fund revenue outlook for the 2019-21 biennium is now no different than it was before the recession hit. Although the reduction in state revenues has been delayed, the pain will eventually be felt given the magnitude of the damage to Oregon’s labor market. With little change to the economic outlook, the September 2020 revenue forecast converges back close to the June 2020 forecast over time. If the September 2020 forecast proves accurate, not only is the General Fund is in very good shape for the current biennium, but there will be additional revenues available to apply to 2021-23. Following the June 2020 revenue forecast, the Oregon Legislature met in a special session and enacted measures that filled the expected budget hole for 2019-21. As a result, the additional revenues in the September 2020 forecast are not needed immediately. Instead, an expected General Fund ending balance of $1.7 billion will be available to apply to the 2021-23 budget period. n

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The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

REPRESENTING BUSINESS ISSUES

goal of this CFLRP proposal is to promote an all-lands, cross-boundary forest restoration strategy that spans public, private, state and tribal lands, including municipal watersheds. There has been significant work done on the private and tribal side of the line and this proposal will provide funding to allow similar successes on FS lands. I would also like to recognize the large number of diverse individuals who wrote and commented throughout the entire process to complete the application.” “This is an exciting opportunity to increase the pace and scale of restoration in our area as well as provide economic benefits to our local communities. I look forward to working with the Forest Service and using this funding to invest in our national forests by developing projects that are truly beneficial and that meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of both our forests and the communities that depend on them,” said Lindsay Warness, Forest Policy and Environmental Manger, Woodgrain. “Congratulations to the Northern Blues Forest Collaborative and a note of appreciation to Senators Merkley and Wyden for securing funding for the Northern Blues CFLRP project. This effort will conduct scientifically sound restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk to communities, protect old growth forests and wildlife habitat, support local jobs, and bring together public, private, and tribal partners to create healthier forests for years to come. Northeast Oregon is in desperate need of increased forest management and investment to deliver values and services that all Oregonians appreciate, and the Northern Blues Forest Collaborative is the right group to get the job done,” said Dylan Kruse, Director of Government Affairs & Strategy, Sustainable Northwest. “This award will be an enormous benefit to both the forest and the community that depends on it,” said Pam Hardy of the Western Environmental Law Center. WELC has been a member of the local public lands forest collaborative that helped advocate for this award since its founding. “It will help us improve conditions for old growth forests, and the native wildlife that depend on them, as well as enhance our ability to work collaboratively together to make sure the community continues to benefit from sustainable forest management.” The Northern Blues Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) will implement active treatment on 223,800 acres of National Forest land, along with an anticipated 300,000 acres of passive treatment in the form of controlled fire. Additional 297,000 acres of active treatments and 800,000 acres of passive treatments on private and tribal lands completed by project partners will bring the total number of treated acres to 900,000. n

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Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.7 Million for Wildfire Resiliency, Conservation Efforts in the Umatilla and Wallowa- Whitman National Forests

October 14, 2020 | Washington, D.C.

Merkley successfully led charge for five year extension of program administering these funds in 2018 Farm Bill Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $2.7 million in federal funding is headed to the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests to implement a cross-boundary restoration project that will improve forest resiliency, reduce long term costs of fire management, and improve watershed conditions. This investment in the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests will support the execution of a strategically located series of controlled fuel breaks and specialized efforts to protect cultural sites, municipal watersheds, and animals recognized by the Endangered Species Act. In 2018, Senator Merkley successfully led the charge—which Senator Wyden joined—for a five year extension of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is administering the funds. “This year’s unprecedented wildfire season is a stark reminder of how important resilient

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden

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“These resources earned by everybody working hard for a collaborative success in the Umatilla and Wallowa Whitman National Forests provides a big vote of confidence in the ‘Oregon Way’ -- coming together to find common ground on science-based wildfire resiliency and restoration of our treasured public lands,” Wyden said. “And today’s good news also provides a great

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“This award will be an enormous benefit to both the forest and the community that depends on it.” – Pam Hardy of the Western Environmental Law Center.

foundation for bills I’ve introduced to create a 21st Century Conservation Corps and to help prevent wildfires with pre-fire season controlled burns.” “I am very pleased the Northern Blues CFLRP has been selected for funding for multiple

forests are to protecting our communities,” said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA. “This investment in the Umatilla and

reasons: getting much needed fuels reduction implemented, creating strategic fuel breaks, as well as employing businesses across our region,” said Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes. “While the CFLRP implementation funds go only to Federal lands - the

Wallowa-Whitman National Forests will help restore forests in Eastern Oregon that have made invaluable contributions to the spirit and economy of our state. I’m going to keep doing everything I can to support similar win-win projects throughout each of Oregon’s forests.”

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The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

How much more has to burn before Congress fixes forest management?

Walden: How Much More Has to Burn Before Congress Fixes Forest Management? October 5, 2020 | Press Release Pens Op-ed in The Washington Examiner

October 5, 2020 | Washington Examiner By Rep. Greg Walden

There are no words to describe the devastation and loss I saw as I toured the towns of Phoenix and Talent, Oregon. Lives were shattered as deadly fires merged to incinerate thousands of homes and apartments. Elsewhere in the state, massive fires burning nearly three acres per second laid waste to forested communities. And for the towns that were lucky enough to avoid the fires themselves, residents choked on the toxic smoke these fires produced, as we endured the worst air quality in the world all across the Northwest. To put in perspective the vastness of the smoke, during my drive from near Baker City, Oregon, to Medford, Oregon, I navigated through smoke so dense you could only see 30-50 feet ahead at times. After seeing the disaster firsthand, I flew to Sacramento to meet up with President Trump and show him photos of the devastation in Phoenix and Talent. Trump committed to me that his administration would do all it could to help us recover and rebuild. He signed off on Gov. Kate Brown’s major disaster declaration request within a day. Additional resources are now on the way to the state of Oregon to help individuals affected by these fires. While I am glad the federal government is swiftly providing aid to millions of Americans affected by fires in the Pacific Northwest, with over a million acres burned in Oregon just this year, we must do more to prevent these fires from happening in the future. We shouldn’t be forced to choke on smoke and watch our homes, our towns, and our forests burn to the ground every summer. Wildfires are nothing new. They are a part of nature, but what Oregon and most of the Pacific Northwest is facing this summer is unprecedented. While climate change is a factor, decades of fire suppression and broken federal forest management policies have left our forests overgrown and waiting to burn. Forests are not static — they grow, die, and burn. In Oregon alone, the amount of timber in our national forests increases through growth by over 50% every year. The result is unnaturally dense forests that fuel increasingly catastrophic wildfires. We must do better.

In 2018, I helped lead Congress to pass into law some of the most extensive forest management policy reforms our nation had seen in more than a decade. We provided additional tools and funding to the Forest Service to more quickly implement critical forest management projects. The Trump administration is taking advantage of these tools, and progress is being made toward improving the management of our federal lands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has shown that since 2016, the Forest Service has increased the area treated to prevent wildfires by 20%. Despite this progress, the Forest Service estimates at least 63 million acres of our national forests, including 7 million acres in Oregon, are at high risk of wildfire and in need of active management. We must do more and fast. That’s why I’ve worked closely with my colleagues to write the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2019. This legislation provides thoughtful, science-based tools to forest managers and streamlines fire prevention projects so we can get our forests back in balance. When fire does strike, it would ensure we clean up the burned, dead trees where appropriate and while they still have value, and replant a new, healthy forest for future generations. It’s time to listen to science and pass policies that reduce the risk and size of forest fires. Even the United Nation’s climate panel said forest management should be part of our plan to address climate change by reducing emissions. We need to better manage our forests, update our infrastructure, and promote clean bio-mass energy. The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Forest Service found that active forest management could reduce the size and intensity of wildfires fires by 70%. We must do more to get our forests back into balance, reduce the risk of wildfire, help them recover quicker after fires, and help our forested communities thrive. Democrats in the House should stop blocking the bipartisan Resilient Federal Forests Act from getting a vote in the House. It’s time to get these commonsense policies into law. Let’s save our forests and our communities, improve public health, and reduce emissions. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the skies may have cleared for now, but if Congress doesn’t act soon, we will face another summer of fire and destruction in 2021 . n

R epresentative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) penned an op-ed in The Washington Examiner in response to the deadly fires in Oregon and the need for modernizing forest management policies. So far this year, fires have burned over one million acres in Oregon. Over the weekend, Walden brought Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Pete Gaynor to Jackson County to view the devastation from the fires and meet with local officials. An excerpt of Rep. Walden’s op-ed can be found on the following page. The full article may be viewed here. Greg Walden gestures with jar of ash to illustrate the impact of catastrophic wildfires in Oregon. Click here or on the image above to view Walden’s remarks during today’s hearing.

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

GRANT AWARDEES ARE AS FOLLOWS: • Oakridge High School —the town of Oakridge’s designated emergency shelter—in Lane County will receive $600,000 to purchase an emergency generator and convert unused athletic facility space into an 8,500-square-foot multi-purpose room that can serve as a shelter during emergencies, while also providing space to host community meetings, after-school activities, and other events throughout the year. The investment will benefit 4,418 Oregonians. • The City of Dayville in Grant County will receive two grants—$300,000 in Community Facility Disaster Grants and $172,000 in Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants—to renovate the community hall. The facility was built 100 years ago and has been deemed a historic site by the State Historic Preservation Office. • The Mapleton School District in Lane County will receive two grants—$200,190 in Community Facility Disaster Grants and $103,298 in Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants—to renovate and re-open the aquatic center serving the rural communities of Mapleton and Florence. This investment will benefit 1,599 Oregonians. • The City of Winston in Douglas County will receive $137,200 in Community Facilities Disaster Grants to update their police department facilities. The investment will benefit 5,379 Oregonians. • The Eagle Valley Rural Fire Protection District in Baker County will receive two awards—$44,000 in Economic Impact Initiative Grants and $36,000 in Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants— to build a new fire station. The investment will benefit 1,924 Oregonians. • Neighbors for Kids in Lincoln County will receive two Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants totaling $55,615 to improve the fire safety system at the nonprofit, and make critical kitchen and bathroom equipment upgrades and install a security gate at the nonprofit’s facility, which offers after-school and educational activities for children in Depoe Bay. The investment will benefit 1,398 Oregonians. • The City of Reedsport in Douglas County will receive $36,300 in Community Facilities Disaster Grants to purchase a police vehicle. The investment will benefit 4,154 Oregonians. • The City of Wheeler in Tillamook County will re- ceive $22,000 in Economic Impact Initiative Grants to improve cybersecurity, safety of equipment, and to improve security of remote parks and roads. The investment will benefit 414 Oregonians.

Grants Will Create Jobs, Upgrade Essential Facilities, And Improve Quality Of Life October 14, 2020 | Washington, D.C.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that eight rural communities throughout Oregon will be receiving $1.7 million in federal funding to create jobs, upgrade essential facilities, and improve quality of life. The funding, which is being administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program, will support essential services for 24,091 Oregonians in Tillamook, Lane, Lincoln, Grant, Baker, and Douglas counties. “Every Oregonian in every part of our state—regardless of their zip code or their income—should have the facilities and infrastructure necessary to build community and stay safe from risks like wildfires and cyberattacks,” said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA and rural development. “But major infrastructure investments, from firehouse upgrades to public pool maintenance, are especially expensive in our rural communities. These grants will help cover some of those steep upfront costs and put essential services within reach for nearly 25,000 Oregonians. Our state is strongest when families in every corner of Oregon can thrive, which is why I’ll keep fighting for critical investments like these.” “Equipping Oregonians with up-to-date facilities and essential resources they need to stay safe in the face of emergencies and disaster is a must,” Wyden said. “This welcome investment in our rural communities will mean

more security, more jobs and improved quality of life for Oregon families.” “Through unprecedented winter storms, our high school has provided the community with emergency shelter—but has had to make due with limited resources. With this grant, we’ll be able to provide our students and entire community with the safety and resources we need when we’re in an emergency, and a valuable activity space when we’re not. I thank Senators Merkley and Wyden for their support in securing this grant,” said Reta Doland, Superintendent of the Oakridge School District. “The community of Dayville is beyond thrilled that our beloved, 100-year-old community hall will be receiving the much-needed restoration and renovations that it so desperately stands in need of. This old building is the heart of our community and throughout its 100 years has provided the space for dances, movies, high school basketball games, a box factory during WWII, a skating rink, plays, bazaars, memorials, reunions, weddings, plus so much more. Currently, the kitchen is nonfunctioning and the restrooms are barely usable. The hall itself is beginning to show its age and without these renovations, we would be jeopardy of losing the entire building in the near future. We are so grateful to the funding agencies who are making the restoration of this grand building happen, and we can’t wait to fill our old building with 100 more years of memories,” said Ruth Moore, City Recorder of the City of Dayville. See list of grant awardees on next page:

The Business Review | October 2020

Month 202X | The Business Review

PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY

Two Toy Drives Join Forces to Bring Christmas to More Families

RRSNF to Decrease Fire Danger and Lift Public Use Restrictions October 14, 2020 | Southwest Oregon

Chamise Kramer, Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist W ith recent rains and temperatures generally cooling over southwest Oregon in the last week, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) will be reducing fire danger and fire restrictions. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 15, 2020, fire danger across the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will drop to Moderate. Additionally, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will also decrease to a Level 1 across the entirety of the RRSNF. All Public Use Restrictions are also lifted, meaning that campfires will be permitted across most of the Forest. Some fire restrictions on campfires remain in effect year-round: Campfires along the Illinois River Road are

permitted only in Forest Service-constructed fire rings, and camping or campfires are always prohibited in the Ashland Watershed. Visitors are reminded to always extinguish campfires completely, and only use campfires in areas free of flammable vegetation. Area closures remain in place in those areas near ongoing fire suppression efforts for the Slater and Devil Fires, and those closures can be seen on the RRSNF website. Visitors can stay current on RRSNF announcements by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

T he Salvation Army of Jackson County and Jackson County Toys for Tots are excited to jointly announce that their toy distribution programs will be joining forces this year. Donors wishing to provide Christmas to a child in need can go online to www.saangeltree.org to select a family or can visit over 200 locations across Jackson County to select tag of a child in need. Toys to be donated can be placed in any Salvation Army or Toys for Tots collection box. In lieu of a toy, funds can be donated to The Salvation Army or Jackson County Toys for Tots. All funds and toys collected will stay in Jackson County. Registration will open on October 12th online at www. saangeltree.org In person applications will be available for registration November 3rd- 6th at The Salvation Army, 304 Beatty St, Medford OR 97501. Bilingual volunteers will be available to assist. Due to the coronavirus and Almeda Fire devastation, families who might not normally apply to receive toys are highly encouraged to register. Jackson County Toys for Tots Coordinator, Kira Zavala says, “The Salvation Army is a wonderful organization. We have supported each other throughout the years and have talked about partnering for several years, this partnership will allow us to bring together all of our resources and support more children and families to ensure they have Christmas this year.”

The Salvation Army Jackson County Christmas Assistance Coordinator, Major Angelina Koenig, says, “In Light of the tragedies of CVOID_19, the Almeda/Obenchain fires, and social distancing, our community families and children need a special Christmas which makes our partnership with Toys for Tots much more vital in 2020.”

For more information, contact: Majors Jason and Angelina Koenig The Salvation Army Jackson County Angelina.Koenig@usw.salvationarmy.org Jason.Koenig@usw.salvationarmy.org (541) 773-6965 jacksoncounty.salvationarmy.org Kira Zavala Jackson County Toys for Tots Coordinator jackson.county.or@toysfortots.org 541-608-8697 (TOYS) jackson-county-or.toysfortots.org

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

What the Future of Work-From-Home Could Look Like After COVID-19 What the Future of Work- From-Home Could Look Like After COVID-19

Which portion of my workers will need to remain in-person vs. remote?

The data is crystal-clear when it comes to employee sentiment about the brave, new world of work-from-home (WFH). According to the New York Times and Morning Consult, “In a survey of 1,123 remote workers…86% said they were satisfied with the current arrangements — even when that sometimes meant working from their bedrooms or closets.” Furthermore, more than half of that number, 47% reported they were “very satisfied with the current arrangements.” This isn’t a surprise because of the obvious increases in freedom, flexibility, and productivity spikes which are all natural byprodcuts of WFH. However, many business owners are still asking themselves questions like, “How do I effectively manage my team? How do I keep our network secure with everyone working- from-home? Which portion of my workers will need to remain in-person vs. remote? How do we foster collaboration and strengthen the company culture?”

How do I effectively manage my team?

continued on page 24

September 2020 | Medford, OR | Press Release T ouchPoint Networks, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP) announced today that the company is preparing small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners on what to expect in the workplace, after the pandemic. With people working from home in droves, there is plenty of speculation as to where the modern business is headed in terms of remote staff, on-premise staff and hybrid staff. With some experts expecting the earliest vaccine to arrive sometime in 2021, most business owners are assessing their options and planning for their futures, now. As a trusted IT advisor, TouchPoint Networks is helping companies to map out solutions to address the new workplace reality.

Leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP), TouchPoint Networks, Educates SMBs on the Changes to Expect in the Workplace and Home Office, Post-Pandemic

How do I keep our network secure with everyone working from home?

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

These shifts don’t come without complexity, though. As WFH grows into the new standard, SMBs need to consider the rigorous demands that will place on IT. “Business owners need to understand that if you have 30 employees and one main office, you now need to to treat that situation like you have 31 distinct offices. Each one will require a dedicated internet network, firewall, access to private company network and of course, cybersecurity must be thoroughly considered, as well,” added Mr. Whiteley.

continued from page 23

By Nate Morgan, Banner Bank T ou ns pa yr e2c 0e 2d 0e nht ae sd bc eheanl l eanygeea wr oofu l d be an understatement. Ue vnel ni kt eoac cnuartsu ar anlddbi suassi tneers ws ehsear ne da n ct hoims my euanr iht iaess bt hr oeungsht ta rotntgoori ne bg u i l d , ub enecne rstcari na mt y.bBl iunsgi nt oe skseoe pw nt heerisr h a v e companies afloat, seek emergency fguuniddeinligneasndfomr oapkeersaetninsge. of shifting Ibf eyaomu oo nwgnt ha obsues ri ne eb susi ,l dy ionug ma na dy finding a new path for success. As a banker, I naturally view this from a financial perspective and ofofrfewratrhdesaendidseuacscteoedh:elp you move Surround yourself with experts you trust – From your accountant to yk on uo rwal et tdogrenaebyl, ey oa nu dr aads vpi sa os sr si osnhaot ue l adbboeu t yAonuer xcpoemr i pe an nc ey d’ s bs au nc ckee sr sc aa sn yhoeul pa ryeo. u et ov ai ml upa rt eo vyeo uc ar sfhi nfal onwc i.aTl sh, eayn’ dl l wo fof errk twi pist h you to determine the best financing sj uoml upt i-osnt asr, ti fynoeuerdbeuds, itnoehs se.l p s h o r e u p o r Assess your situation – Take stock of yy oo uu rr bp ur os fi int easns d. Ul opsdsast et ayt eo mu refni nt aanncdi a l s — balance sheet—if you haven’t already, ay en adr c’ so. mR epvaireewt hyeo unru dmebbet r, sa nt od lpa as tr t n e r with your banker to assess your need for financing, which may hinge on sbeuvsei nr ae ls fsaac nt odr sc .aDn ehbetl pi s yaonuor rcmo ma l ppaanryt o f gErvoawl u, aatsel oy on ug ra isnidt ’us si nt r by,ayl aonucre . competition and the market you serve.

While the answers to those questions are still moving targets, the pandemic is forcing companies to make these decisions before their lease renews. “Unfortunately, due to health concerns, the ‘open floorplan’ concept is no longer going to be an option for most companies,” stated Chuck Whiteley, Managing Partner of TouchPoint Networks. “As a result of this shift we’ll see two major movements. First, some

Rebuilding your business in a challenging year

Ca no dn sai bd iel ri t iheoswh ayvoeu cr hcauns gt oe md . eBr es ’ hnoeneedsst iwn eaasksne es ss si ne gs ya on ud rpcroomj e pc taendy e’ sasrtnriennggst. h s ,

Always be planning – Having a we coornkoi nmgi cg uh ii dg he sh ae nl pds l yoowus ,par ne pd aeraes fi ol yr change course. Given the lessons oe xf p2e0n2s0e, syaonudmbauyi ladi mr e st oe rcvuets . Yo u may want to expand or fine-tune ys oo luurt icoonms .pOa rn, yd’ es pr ee nmdoi nt eg- wo no rt kh e lmi f ae ys tl oa go ek oa ft ys ou uc cr ebsus isoi nneps lsa, ny no iun g . Isdt reaatlel yg, i ye os uf or rpvl aanr i owui lsl si nc ec nl uadrei o s , iAnsc yl uodui nr egbpuai lndd, ec mo ui nc st . o n y o u r hand-chosen advisors for guidance. Ed ex lpi ve ec rt ey xo cuerpf ti inoannacl i sa el rpvai rc ten—e rysotuo deserve it. In addition to being a source of financing, your banker sr ho uo ut ilndeul yn odfefresrt iadneda sy ot ou rh ne lepe sdtsr ea anmd l i n e the financial aspects of your business. Tmheamt bi necrlsu od fe ys ocuo rl l at ebaomr a at inndg swp iet chi aolti hs tesr amt at nh ae gbeamn ekni tn aanrde ai ns tseur cnha tai so nt rael at sr ua dr ye . Iyto’ su ar ps ua cr ct ne sesr sohni pt ht eh ar to sa hd oauhl de asdu. p p o r t

businesses will opt to downsize their office space and to reallocate their reduction in cost to strengthen their IT infrastructure as they go full bore into a remote workforce. For companies who double-down and reinvest in commercial real estate, their space demands will grow dramatically, because of the social distancing recommendations.”

While 45% of home networks are already infected with malware, like keyloggers, a type of malware which records your keystrokes and sends your passwords back to the hacker. Historically, IT departments have never tackled the home office before because of its inherent complexity and the multiple users that utilize

How do we foster collaboration and strengthen the company culture?”

the network. The network is only as secure as its weakest link, and if someone’s child is playing online video games and exposing the network to potential threats, there’s a question of where to draw the line. Does the IT department block your child from playing video games? Can your teenager download apps that will make their TikTok videos more likely to “go viral”, when it could affect your company network? TouchPoint Networks is leading the way and consulting with business to create a clear transition plan to whichever version of WFH suits them. “Fortunately, the technology that TouchPoint Networks deploys enables our customers’ employees to be just as productive at home. We work with our customers to customize solutions that support their WFH objectives,” commented Whiteley. ABOUT TouchPoint Networks Gary Gonzalez and his business partner’s Chuck Whiteley and Tamara Gonzalez, are owners of TouchPoint Networks, a member of the Technology Assurance Group (TAG). TouchPoint has built a team of professional voice and data specialists dedicated to the highest levels of customer support. TouchPoint’s pattern of steady growth reflects their commitment to keeping pace with the constantly evolving telecommunications technology arena, and the dramatic expansion of the Pacific Northwest’s business market. With offices located along the I-5 Corridor in Portland, Eugene, and Medford, TouchPoint Networks is uniquely positioned to respond quickly and effectively to a wide range of customer equipment and service requirements. For more information on TouchPoint Networks, please visit www. asktouchpoint.com.

Some workers will return to “50/50” offices, where they’re in- the-office for 3 days, but out for 2 days, or any variation thereof. Additionally, once employers learn how to take advantage of geological arbitrage, the cost savings that occur when a company budgets a San Francisco salary to hire someone with similar talent from the midwest, at a much more affordable rate, WFH could likely expand to 4-5 days per week for most workers.

Revisit your business plan and goals – You may have already as ud rj uvsi vt eeds oy omuer obfutshi en et os su gmhoeds et lt ti mo e s b y et ox pdae nl i dv ienr gy po rr ocduurcbtsi oi dne sppi ac ck eu, ps, hoi rf t i n g iynocurre ag os ianl gs , odnelti enrems ianl ee si .f Ay so uy ohua vuep dt ha et e resources to implement them. Rebuild your budget – Your income may have declined, while many of your expenses have remained fixed or even grown. Now that you’ve analyzed your financials and determined a di deesai roefdt hc oe uerxspee, ny os eus’ l ly wo ua nc at na cc ul etaars wyoeullravsistihoons.e necessary to pursue Set a timeline – Be realistic as you ph irri eo rmi t oi zree yeomupr l gooy ae less. , I af dy do ui nwv ea nn tt ot roy ot or de ox pi ta ni nd pl ohcaasteiso.nIsf yyoouu ’nl lelei kdetl oy np ea ey d da no dw dn od ietbatc, ct ao lrkd iwn igt ht oy po luarnc. r e d i t o r s Sponsored Financial Content

As a Banner Bank Commercial Banking Center Manager, Nate Morgan partners with Southern Oregon

businesses to support

their financial goals. Reach Nate at nate.morgan@bannerbank.com or 541-282-5107. Bannerbank.com

Member FDIC

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

PROVIDING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Tom Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber, Provides Updates on National Business Community in Chamber of Medford & Jackson County Forum

Boise Cascade Wood Products Matching Gift Raises More Than $267,000 to Support the Community

October 1, 2020 | Medford, OR | Press Release B oise Cascade Wood Products matching donation to ACCESS of $100,000 raises a total of $267,136 to support Jackson County during these unprecedented times. On September 22nd, Boise Cascade announced they would match all donations made to ACCESS up to $100,000 in support of its mission to provide food, housing, energy assistance, and basic needs to the Jackson County community. Within one week, their generous matching donation inspired more than 430 people and businesses to make donations totaling $167,136 in addition to Boise Cascade’s $100,000 gift. The campaign raised well over one- quarter of a million dollars to help our community recover from the devasting fires and the impacts of COVID. “We are grateful for Boise Cascade’s generosity and their ongoing commitment to supporting our community. We could not meet the overwhelming need without philanthropic, corporate leaders like Boise Cascade,” says Carlea Langston, Interim Co-Executive Director for ACCESS. “We were heartened and humbled by the outpouring of support we received. Boise Cascade’s matching donation was an inspiration to so many in our community to help their neighbors who have lost so much,” adds Kellie Battaglia, Development Director for ACCESS. Battaglia continues, “We are very proud and lucky to be a part of this giving community.” Since 1976, ACCESS has been Jackson County’s Community Action Agency and Regional Food Bank. In 2019, ACCESS served more than 52,000 people, which is 1 in every 4 residents. With the recent COVID crisis and devasting fires, ACCESS has seen the need for food and housing assistance increase by as much as 80% at times.

October 20, 2020 | By Rebecca Scott | RJS Writing Service T he Chamber of Medford & Jackson County kicked off a new Forum season with a virtual discussion featuring Tom Donohue, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The presentation was done in a Q&A style, with Brad Hicks, President and CEO of the Chamber of Medford & Jackson County, asking the questions. Donohue began by looking back 101 years ago when the country faced another pandemic — the Spanish flu. “That pandemic also forced businesses to adapt and change how they do things, which is what we have to do now.” However, Donohue noted that today, the United States is facing a confluence of events in addition to a global pandemic, including economic struggles, social unrest and wildfires. “Chambers of Commerce try to help each other recover during challenging times,” Donohue explained. “Overcoming these issues will take collaboration from a united business community. The partnerships we have across the country are why we will come out of this crisis even stronger than before.” Hicks said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents a broad swath of industries and asked Donohue to expand on what the state of the economy currently looks like. According to Donohue, the hope was to have a V-shaped recovery where things initially went down, but then shot up again. Instead, it has been more K-shaped, where one side goes up and the other goes down. “But more businesses are coming back and we’re hopeful for the future.” Hicks then stated a common misconception is that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce only represents large companies, and asked for more information on how they help small businesses. “There are millions and millions of small businesses,” said Donohue, noting these companies are often dependent on larger businesses for contract work. “We’ve done a lot of work on behalf of small and large businesses, including helping them navigate the Paycheck Protection Program when it arrived, and pressing Congress on what to do next.” Navigating away from business for a moment, Hicks said many people’s thoughts are also focused on the upcoming general election.

Tom Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Donohue said that after we go through the machinations, some people will be elected, and others re-elected. “As citizens, we need to do everything we can to support that process.” Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is investing money, time, resources and brain power into the Senate races in order to maintain a diverse political balance. Returning to the economic struggles caused by the pandemic, Hicks asked when things would return to normal for people and businesses. Donohue believed it may take longer than people hope, even when a vaccine becomes available. In the interim, he encouraged everyone to wear masks, practice social distancing and regular hand washing, because these techniques will make a dramatic impact. “We need to do everything we can to help each other and not cast blame.” In closing, Donohue explained that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to rallying businesses of all sizes to help their country and each other. “There are two things which make the U.S. Chamber of Commerce strong,” said Donohue. “We can do many things at one time, and we study and research. Because when things need to get done, we do it. We get dressed on the way to the prom if we have to.” n

These funds will help Jackson County residents recover from the recent devasting fires, economic and health impacts of COVID-19, and allow ACCESS to help those in need moving forward. To donate, go to www.accesshelps.org/donate or call 541-779-6691.

ABOUT ACCESS ACCESS provides food, warmth, shelter, and other essential services to Jackson County’s low- income children, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. As the Community Action Agency of Jackson County, Oregon, ACCESS has helped residents break the cycle of poverty since 1976. Last year, 52,497 people received assistance from ACCESS’s broad continuum of services, including obtaining safe, affordable housing, rental assistance, utility assistance, weatherization, free loaned durable medical equipment, and healthy food.

The Business Review | October 2020

October 2020 | The Business Review

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www.medfordchamber.com

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