Instead of her usual monthly column, OBI Chair Karen Vineyard sat down with Angela Wilhelms, OBI’s president & CEO as of tomorrow, Sept. 1. Karen asks Angela about her vision for the organization, her background, and so much more.
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Hundreds Attend Virtual Briefing on Delta Variant |
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On Friday, Aug. 20, about 250 OBI members and partners tuned in for a briefing from officials at Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems on the state of the Delta variant in Oregon.
Since then, more than 600 individuals have watched the highly informative 45-minute briefing through the link on the OBI website. If you missed it, you can watch the webinar here.
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Speakers provided a sobering update on the situation in Oregon hospitals, which were described as “in crisis” and in danger of collapse if trends in COVID outbreaks continue. Hospitalizations – including patients on ventilators – are the highest they have been throughout the pandemic, and the vast majority of hospitalized COVID patients are unvaccinated.
On Aug. 13, Gov. Brown instituted a statewide indoor mask mandate in an effort to stop the rapid spread of the Delta variant, and on Aug. 27, the mask mandate will be expanded to include outdoor settings where social distancing is not possible. Speakers at the OBI webinar said it is too early to see if hoped for results of that order are being realized, although trends should become clearer in the next week or so.
Since then, the governor has also mandated vaccinations for teachers and school staff, healthcare workers, and executive branch employees, as well as implemented a statewide outdoor mask mandate. Learn more on OBI’s website.
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OBI Hosting Q&A with Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood |
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Join OBI and OSHA Administrator Michael Wood this Thursday, Sept. 2, 10-11 a.m. for an overview of new OSHA rules, particularly those related to wildfire smoke and excessive heat, and updates about reinstated mask requirements due to the spread of COVID-19. This will also be an opportunity to ask questions about OSHA expectations from employers.
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OBI Responds to Record-Breaking Sept. 2021 Economic Forecast |
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State economists presented the latest economic forecast to a joint meeting of the House and Senate revenue committees on Aug. 25, once again predicting record-breaking state revenue growth in the new biennium.
The gross general fund revenue now forecasted for the 2021-23 biennium (which began on July 1) is expected to be $23.4 billion, up from the $23.3 billion forecasted in June. The latest forecast notes higher-than-expected tax collections in every area, including personal, corporate, partnership, capital gains and corporate activity tax returns. The economists also point out that the biggest threats to future economic performance and projections are, not surprisingly, COVID-19 and its variants, inflation, supply-chain bottlenecks and tight labor markets.
OBI released the attached statement immediately after the forecast was presented, calling on state leaders to utilize these resources to help business owners struggling to recover from shutdowns and stay-at-home orders from the past year.
This forecast also effectively closes out the 2019-21 biennium, which ended June 30 with an ending balance of $3.69 billion, and reserve funds of approximately $1.38 billion, for a total of $5.07 billion in total effective reserves. That is almost $1 billion more than the $4.2 billion ending balance predicted just three months ago.
Importantly, the state economists also projected “kicker” tax rebates of approximately $1.9 billion (which would be certified in October and paid/credited to personal income taxpayers in 2022). The corporate kicker is now expected to be an additional $847 million, and all of that will go into the state’s Education Stability Fund.
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Speaker Series Starting Back Up Next Week |
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After a brief summer break, we are back with our popular Speaker Series webinars in September. Join the conversation now and register for the “Jobs & the Justice System” event next week.
Join OBI on Sept. 8 from 10-11 a.m. to learn more about often overlooked opportunities to connect with skilled workers – youth and adults – who are navigating Oregon’s justice system as incarcerated individuals or youth looking for a second chance. We’ll hear from a panel of visionary leaders from the Department of Corrections and the Oregon Youth Authority about how employers can take advantage of this untapped talent and why investing in these important programs will benefit the economy – and your business – now and in the future.
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Manufacturing Day Legislative Panel Announced; Join Us Oct. 1 |
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Join OBI for our annual celebration of Oregon’s thriving manufacturing sector and the critical role these businesses play in our state economy and our way of life. On Oct. 1, organizations and businesses across the country will mark the occasion with events and acknowledgements in coordination with our partners at the National Association of Manufacturers. |
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With the success of last year’s Zoom event, we’re continuing with the online format and will be taking attendees on a virtual tour of different manufacturers throughout the state. In addition to a conversation with manufacturing businesses, we’ll be joined by Sen. Lee Beyer (D-Springfield), Sen. Lynn Findley (R-Vale), Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) and Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) for a panel focused on policy solutions to the challenges faced by manufacturers in Oregon. |
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Thanks to our generous sponsors |
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OBI Names Oregon Visionary Award Honorees |
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We are thrilled to announce the selection of three honorees to receive the first-ever Oregon Visionary Award – OBI’s highest honor – at our inaugural Vision Oregon Dinner, taking place at the Portland Art Museum on Oct. 27, 2021.
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“These tremendous honorees represent our state’s unlimited potential,” said OBI Board Chair Karen Vineyard. “Each of them – through their professional work as well as community service – have shown their dedication to shared prosperity and opportunity for all Oregonians. They have set aside individual interests and traditional political allegiances to bring Oregonians from all walks of life together around a common set of values. We are grateful to honor these true Oregon visionaries at OBI’s biggest event of the year.”
A nominating committee from the OBI board of directors evaluated the many nominations from OBI members and community leaders. While the committee received several qualified and deserving nominees, they ultimately selected three honorees 2021.
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Alando Simpson
Portland, OR
Alando is a leading community activist focused on equity and inclusion in Oregon and a major voice for the need to encourage the growth and vitality of Black-owned businesses throughout the state. A second-generation owner of City of Roses Disposal & Recycling, he also is demonstrating a business-based approach to environmental stewardship. City of Roses does large-scale recycling at construction sites, and they are converting their vehicle fleet to all electric.
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Bill & Karla Chambers
Corvallis, OR
Bill and Karla Chambers, owners of Stahlbush Island Farms in Corvallis, are leaders in the development of large, commercial organic farming in Oregon, and they are active advocates for the agriculture industry in our state. Stahlbush Island Farms began in 1985, and today it cultivates 5,000 acres in Oregon and offers the freshest individually quick frozen fruits, vegetables, grains & legumes. They are also very engaged in Oregon’s civic life, with Karla recently joining the State Board of Forestry.
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Rogue Food Unites
Southern Oregon
This extraordinary effort in Southern Oregon brought together farmers, restaurants and others in the food industry, all challenged by COVID, to feed Oregonians displaced by the Alameda/Glendower wildfires. This kept restaurant and farm workers employed during the height of the pandemic and provided much-needed assistance to community residents. The effort was spearheaded by local businesspeople looking out for their communities.
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Thank you to our Vision Oregon Dinner sponsors! |
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Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Talent in Oregon: OBI and Partners in Diversity Announce Free Two-Part Webinar |
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At OBI, we know that Oregon employers are constantly working to ensure their workplaces are more inclusive and welcoming of Oregonians from all backgrounds. That is why OBI and Partners in Diversity will host a practical, two-part discussion on how employers can improve their workforce diversity. The first webinar will focus on recruitment, and the second will focus on retention.
The team at Partners in Diversity will not only answer your questions, but will dive deep into a three-year research project that uncovered pathways for people of color to earn living wages and identified employer strategies to better recruit from communities of color, and another comprehensive research project that found solutions on how to retain professionals of color, tailored to the workforce in Oregon and SW Washington.
These free webinars will take place one month apart, Oct. 14, 10-11:30 a.m. and Nov. 18, 10-11:30 a.m. Please register for each webinar individually.
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New Membership Benefits Now Being Offered |
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Have you had a chance to update your organization’s contact information and check out our brand-new member benefits?
We know business is constantly evolving and we want to keep up with the changes in your organization. We want to be sure that you are maximizing your membership with us.
Please take a few moments to review your information and make any necessary updates by accessing the online Member Information Center. Login at http://obior.memberzone.com/login.
New membership benefits include:
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Member Directory - help other members find you with a listing in our Member Directory.
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Job Postings - submit your own job openings to our jobs list.
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Member-Member Offers (coming soon) - offer coupons and special deals to fellow OBI members.
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Member Events Calendar - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to your calendar, or email to others.
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Benefit Spotlight: OBI Members Save Big on Office Supplies |
As a member of Oregon Business & Industry, you are eligible to receive exclusive discounts at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® in-store and online.
Save In-Store:
Access your Store Purchasing Card (SPC) and show the card to the cashier at checkout and see your savings! You can access the card in several ways:
- Download the Office Depot Business App (after online account is setup)
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Text OBISPC to 833-602-8404
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Visit http://bit.ly/OregonBISPC.
Save Online:
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OBI Members Making Headlines this Month
Here are a few recent headlines from OBI members.
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Welcome to Oregon Business & Industry! |
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OBI is thrilled to welcome seven new members that joined in July!
Congratulations and thank you to the following businesses for joining OBI; we are a stronger organization because of you.
Watch our new member video to learn more about these great companies and where they do business.
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Are you taking full advantage of your OBI membership?
Check out all of our benefit programs and start saving today!
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Oregon Business & Industry
1149 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
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