Costa Pacific Communities announced that its latest community, Villebois located in Wilsonville, Ore., received the Gold Award for the highest honorary award, Community of the Year, at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) NationalsSM Awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Jan. 19, 2010.
Villebois is a New Urbanist, pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented community featuring a mix of housing types and a Village Center located adjacent to the Westside Express Service (WES) rail line in Wilsonville.
This is not the first "Community of the Year" award for the master planner and developer. In 1999, Costa Pacific received the prestigious award for Orenco Station in Hillsboro, Ore. Costa Pacific has been recognized both nationally and internationally for the communities it creates, and is proud to have become the most awarded builder/developer in the Northwest.
"It was thrilling to be selected from such prestigious company," said Rudy Kadlub, Costa Pacific Communities CEO. "I'm overjoyed that we won this top honor. Villebois is a unique community, unlike any other in the world and I'm proud it's already being recognized for its progressive vision."
Costa Pacific did not stop at the Gold Award for Community of the Year. It brought home three more Gold awards for Best Logo, Best Website for a Community and Best Product Design of an Attached Home Plan.
"The judges were so impressed by the story of Villebois…how thoughtfully the team crafted a “new” sense of place and community, said Peter Mayer, NAHB judging chairman. “From the product chosen to the way it was brought to market...They were spot on."
Villebois offers area homebuyers a broad assortment of home styles and amenities from which to choose. Based on the intimacy and character of traditional European villages, the Villebois Village Center features everything from condominiums and row homes to apartments and mixed use buildings with ground level retail, residential or office space above. The Piazza Villebois, a dedicated community space and plaza, will serve as the heart of the Villebois Village Center and will be the future site of community events and other activities.
For more information about Villebois, please visit: www.ChangeHowYouLive.com or contact Sales and Marketing Manager Andy Green at 503.855.4661 or andy@costapacific.com.
About Costa Pacific Communities
Since 1990, Costa Pacific Communities has been building communities throughout the West Coast that enrich the lives of residents. Costa Pacific has been recognized nationally for excellence in design, master planning and marketing. Most notably, Costa Pacific received the Gold Award for Community of the Year in 2010 from the National Association of Home Builders for Villebois in Wilsonville, Ore. along with a Gold Nugget Award for Best on the Boards Site Plan at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in 2005. The master planner’s Orenco Station community in Hillsboro, Ore. received the prestigious Master Planned Community of the Year Award in 1999 from the National Association of Home Builders. Additionally, Costa Pacific has been named Developer of the Year by Oregon’s environmental watchdog group, 1000 Friends of Oregon, and twice been named Oregon’s Builder of the Year by the Oregon Building Industry Association. For more information about Costa Pacific Communities, please visit www.CostaPacific.com.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
President's Column
by: Ray Phelps
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time this holiday season. I am looking forward to exciting times as Chamber president for 2010.
More than ever your Wilsonville Chamber membership is bringing the best return on the investment you made. The Board’s goal is to continually increase value and ensure the focus is always on members in keeping with the Chamber’s Vision: create and promote the economic vitality for business in the south metro region.
The momentum the Chamber has built over the past several years advocating the interests of Wilsonville’s businesses will continue. The Chamber’s Mission, “Business is the Priority,” requires that economic development in the south metro area, including transportation and transit infrastructure, be at the top of the Chamber’s 2010 agenda.
The Chamber is working proactively with Wilsonville’s public officials, the county’s Economic Development Commission and Metro to advance the economic vitality of our members. There are several pending actions exemplifying the need for Chamber involvement: Metro will complete by the end of 2009 its update of the Regional Transportation Plan directing all new transportation projects in our community; the Aurora Airport is now in process of updating its Master Plan to possibly expand the operation of this transportation facility; land in North Wilsonville between Day and Ridder Roads, referred to as Coffee Creek I, will be promoted by the Chamber for economic development; a decision by spring of 2010 to designate land for inclusion inside the region’s Urban Growth Boundary during the next 50-years.
The current economic situation has motivated the Chamber’s Board of Directors to help members receive more value from their membership, build a stronger network of business associates and clients, and increase their knowledge of developing a successful business. The Chamber hired Brandi Hereford as Membership and Events Director. Brandi will spend most of her time coordinating member services with Steve Gilmore, the Chamber’s CEO.
The Board of Directors has added new events to the Chamber’s membership portfolio. You will receive details later regarding these events. Several of these events result from comments the Chamber’s Board of Directors received from members: a new monthly after work networking event – The Last Call; a one-hour monthly brown bag luncheon seminar – Small Business University - featuring members educating members on topics such as tax laws, best way to spend your advertising budget, the basics of a good website, and more; for members without a storefront or located outside the city, there will be two Small Business Showcases in May and November.
The Board will continue building productive alliances with other chambers in the south metro area to provide a clearer and stronger business advocacy voice to city, county, regional, state and federal public officials. An example of the benefit of having a collective approach by south metro chambers on an issue that promotes the economic vitality of our members is the current improvements of I-5.
Thank you for the honor of being your president in 2010.
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time this holiday season. I am looking forward to exciting times as Chamber president for 2010.
More than ever your Wilsonville Chamber membership is bringing the best return on the investment you made. The Board’s goal is to continually increase value and ensure the focus is always on members in keeping with the Chamber’s Vision: create and promote the economic vitality for business in the south metro region.
The momentum the Chamber has built over the past several years advocating the interests of Wilsonville’s businesses will continue. The Chamber’s Mission, “Business is the Priority,” requires that economic development in the south metro area, including transportation and transit infrastructure, be at the top of the Chamber’s 2010 agenda.
The Chamber is working proactively with Wilsonville’s public officials, the county’s Economic Development Commission and Metro to advance the economic vitality of our members. There are several pending actions exemplifying the need for Chamber involvement: Metro will complete by the end of 2009 its update of the Regional Transportation Plan directing all new transportation projects in our community; the Aurora Airport is now in process of updating its Master Plan to possibly expand the operation of this transportation facility; land in North Wilsonville between Day and Ridder Roads, referred to as Coffee Creek I, will be promoted by the Chamber for economic development; a decision by spring of 2010 to designate land for inclusion inside the region’s Urban Growth Boundary during the next 50-years.
The current economic situation has motivated the Chamber’s Board of Directors to help members receive more value from their membership, build a stronger network of business associates and clients, and increase their knowledge of developing a successful business. The Chamber hired Brandi Hereford as Membership and Events Director. Brandi will spend most of her time coordinating member services with Steve Gilmore, the Chamber’s CEO.
The Board of Directors has added new events to the Chamber’s membership portfolio. You will receive details later regarding these events. Several of these events result from comments the Chamber’s Board of Directors received from members: a new monthly after work networking event – The Last Call; a one-hour monthly brown bag luncheon seminar – Small Business University - featuring members educating members on topics such as tax laws, best way to spend your advertising budget, the basics of a good website, and more; for members without a storefront or located outside the city, there will be two Small Business Showcases in May and November.
The Board will continue building productive alliances with other chambers in the south metro area to provide a clearer and stronger business advocacy voice to city, county, regional, state and federal public officials. An example of the benefit of having a collective approach by south metro chambers on an issue that promotes the economic vitality of our members is the current improvements of I-5.
Thank you for the honor of being your president in 2010.
Chamber Asks Your Opinion!
In order to continuously gain feedback from our membership, the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce has begun a monthly survey program. We have had an amazing response from our first two surveys and look forward to increasing the response rate monthly. Each survey has 3-6 questions and only takes a couple minutes of your time to fill out. Each month, in the Chamber Catalyst, we will provide a short summary of the results of the previous month’s survey along with how the Chamber will be using the results to increase our benefits package, improve our events, and learn how to better serve you! So the next time you see an email asking you to complete one of our quick surveys - please do so!
NOVEMBER’S SURVEY RESULTS
1. How many Wilsonville Chamber events have you attended in 2009?
37% - 1-3 events
24% - 7-10 events
21% - 4-6 events
17% - 11 or more events
2. What events have been the most beneficial for members to attend (ranked from most beneficial to least)?
AM Eye-Openers
Holiday Party & Auction
Fall Food Fest
Small Business Showcase
Chamber 101
Wilsonville Open Golf Tournament
3. What percentage of survey respondents are interested in attending the following events:
67% - Business After Hours
64% - Small Business University
60% - Annual Awards Gala
53% - Speed Networking
4. What is your preferred method of receiving information about Chamber events?
93% - Weekly Email Update
34% - The Catalyst monthly newsletter
14% - Announcements at other Chamber events
11% - www.WilsonvilleChamber.com
2% - other methods
CHAMBER’S RESPONSE
In response to the November survey, as well as comments received from members throughout the past year, the Chamber will be adding a number of new elements in 2010. First, “The Last Call” Business After Hours will become a monthly event (on the 4th Tuesday of each month), providing valuable networking in a fun and relaxing after work atmosphere. Please join us at Parker Johnstone’s Wilsonville Honda on Tuesday, January 26th for the first Business After Hours of the Year.
The Chamber will also be adding a free brown bag luncheon series, titled Small Business University, and brought to you by Sterling Savings Bank. This educational opportunity will showcase local Chamber members, who are experts in their fields, and allow members to learn from each other. Small Business University classes will be from Noon – 1:00 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Chamber’s Conference Room, with the first being January 20th and featuring Bill Lovato of OMAC Advertising.
Since the Chamber Weekly Email Update is the #1 method that members are using learn about our upcoming events, we have updated the design and content of this weekly correspondence. The new format will be easier to read and more interactive with our online event calendar and sponsors websites. To submit items for the weekly email, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or 503-682-0411.
December Survey Results
1. How well do you read the Catalyst Chamber Newsletter?
36% - I read it pretty thoroughly every month
34% - Read as much of it as I can
30% - I only scan the headlines
2. How many people in your business/organization is the Catalyst read by?
64% - only the person it is sent to
30% - 2-3 people
5% - 7+ people
2% - 4-6 people
3. What sections do you feel are most important to include in the monthly newsletter (ranked from most important to least).
Chamber Calendar of Events
Information about Chamber Sponsored Activities
Community Calendar of Events
Member News
New Member Spotlights
Chamber Contact Information
Committee Updates
Government Affairs
President/CEO Column
Business Education Articles
Chamber’s Response
The Chamber will encourage member businesses and organizations to forward the newsletter and weekly email updates on to fellow employees so that more readerships happen. We will also focus on updating our monthly newsletter with new sections and articles, as well as with a more appealing appearance. Watch for the new format in early spring!
NOVEMBER’S SURVEY RESULTS
1. How many Wilsonville Chamber events have you attended in 2009?
37% - 1-3 events
24% - 7-10 events
21% - 4-6 events
17% - 11 or more events
2. What events have been the most beneficial for members to attend (ranked from most beneficial to least)?
AM Eye-Openers
Holiday Party & Auction
Fall Food Fest
Small Business Showcase
Chamber 101
Wilsonville Open Golf Tournament
3. What percentage of survey respondents are interested in attending the following events:
67% - Business After Hours
64% - Small Business University
60% - Annual Awards Gala
53% - Speed Networking
4. What is your preferred method of receiving information about Chamber events?
93% - Weekly Email Update
34% - The Catalyst monthly newsletter
14% - Announcements at other Chamber events
11% - www.WilsonvilleChamber.com
2% - other methods
CHAMBER’S RESPONSE
In response to the November survey, as well as comments received from members throughout the past year, the Chamber will be adding a number of new elements in 2010. First, “The Last Call” Business After Hours will become a monthly event (on the 4th Tuesday of each month), providing valuable networking in a fun and relaxing after work atmosphere. Please join us at Parker Johnstone’s Wilsonville Honda on Tuesday, January 26th for the first Business After Hours of the Year.
The Chamber will also be adding a free brown bag luncheon series, titled Small Business University, and brought to you by Sterling Savings Bank. This educational opportunity will showcase local Chamber members, who are experts in their fields, and allow members to learn from each other. Small Business University classes will be from Noon – 1:00 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Chamber’s Conference Room, with the first being January 20th and featuring Bill Lovato of OMAC Advertising.
Since the Chamber Weekly Email Update is the #1 method that members are using learn about our upcoming events, we have updated the design and content of this weekly correspondence. The new format will be easier to read and more interactive with our online event calendar and sponsors websites. To submit items for the weekly email, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or 503-682-0411.
December Survey Results
1. How well do you read the Catalyst Chamber Newsletter?
36% - I read it pretty thoroughly every month
34% - Read as much of it as I can
30% - I only scan the headlines
2. How many people in your business/organization is the Catalyst read by?
64% - only the person it is sent to
30% - 2-3 people
5% - 7+ people
2% - 4-6 people
3. What sections do you feel are most important to include in the monthly newsletter (ranked from most important to least).
Chamber Calendar of Events
Information about Chamber Sponsored Activities
Community Calendar of Events
Member News
New Member Spotlights
Chamber Contact Information
Committee Updates
Government Affairs
President/CEO Column
Business Education Articles
Chamber’s Response
The Chamber will encourage member businesses and organizations to forward the newsletter and weekly email updates on to fellow employees so that more readerships happen. We will also focus on updating our monthly newsletter with new sections and articles, as well as with a more appealing appearance. Watch for the new format in early spring!
Economic Impact of Substance Abuse in Oregon
By Mimi Bushman, Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative
Oregon leads the nation in virtually every measure of substance abuse. The rate of marijuana use by adult Oregonians is 50% higher than that of the nation, and Oregon is one of the top seven marijuana-producing states. Oregon ranked seventh in the nation for methamphetamine abuse and fourth nationally in prescription drug abuse in 2007. Oregon adults have higher rates of alcohol abuse, and alcohol use by Oregon 8th graders is 76% higher than the national rate. Eighth and eleventh graders in Oregon are more likely to smoke marijuana than cigarettes.
The cost of substance abuse to the Oregon economy was a staggering $6 billion in 2006, the equivalent of the entire K-12 education budget. This included $4.15 billion in lost productivity, which directly affects business competitiveness, and $1.5 billion in other costs, such as health care, crime, and social welfare programs. For example, 62% of children placed in foster care in Oregon were removed from their home because of parent drug abuse, and 70-80% of inmates have substance abuse problems ranging from moderate to severe addiction.
Every company in Oregon – large or small – faces its own set of cost implications. Employees who use drugs cost their employers twice as much in medical claims and are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. They have higher instances of theft, turnover, absenteeism and workplace violence, and are a high safety risk in hazardous occupations. Employees who use drugs are routinely less productive at work and the quality of their performance, as well as the volume of work they are able to accomplish, suffers measurably.
In addition, businesses in five of nine Oregon Business Plan bus tour stops reported drug use was a key obstacle to hiring otherwise qualified workers. In Oregon, the drug test failure rate is 6%, but in some locales, smaller businesses report a 60-80% pre-hire failure rate. All but 80 of 300 applicants failed the drug test at a large retailer opening on Oregon’s coast last fall.
National studies have shown, however, that Drug-Free Workplace programs help employers create safe and healthy workplaces. The Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative (OEDI) was launched in January, 2006 as an Oregon Business Plan Initiative to significantly increase the percentage of employers with drug-free workplace programs.
Statewide surveys conducted by Oregon Employment Department for OEDI in 2006 and 2008 showed that only 12% of Oregon businesses have such programs in place. The primary benefit reported was a safer and more productive workplace. Barriers identified included denial of any workplace drug problem, concern over the program’s cost, and the fear of losing hard-to-replace employees.
To assist businesses in overcoming these barriers, OEDI offers education and training by Oregon’s top drug-free workplace experts through a network of 14 local partners, including now the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like to learn more about participating on the Chamber’s Drug Free Workplace Committee, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director, at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or by calling 503-682-0411.
Oregon leads the nation in virtually every measure of substance abuse. The rate of marijuana use by adult Oregonians is 50% higher than that of the nation, and Oregon is one of the top seven marijuana-producing states. Oregon ranked seventh in the nation for methamphetamine abuse and fourth nationally in prescription drug abuse in 2007. Oregon adults have higher rates of alcohol abuse, and alcohol use by Oregon 8th graders is 76% higher than the national rate. Eighth and eleventh graders in Oregon are more likely to smoke marijuana than cigarettes.
The cost of substance abuse to the Oregon economy was a staggering $6 billion in 2006, the equivalent of the entire K-12 education budget. This included $4.15 billion in lost productivity, which directly affects business competitiveness, and $1.5 billion in other costs, such as health care, crime, and social welfare programs. For example, 62% of children placed in foster care in Oregon were removed from their home because of parent drug abuse, and 70-80% of inmates have substance abuse problems ranging from moderate to severe addiction.
Every company in Oregon – large or small – faces its own set of cost implications. Employees who use drugs cost their employers twice as much in medical claims and are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. They have higher instances of theft, turnover, absenteeism and workplace violence, and are a high safety risk in hazardous occupations. Employees who use drugs are routinely less productive at work and the quality of their performance, as well as the volume of work they are able to accomplish, suffers measurably.
In addition, businesses in five of nine Oregon Business Plan bus tour stops reported drug use was a key obstacle to hiring otherwise qualified workers. In Oregon, the drug test failure rate is 6%, but in some locales, smaller businesses report a 60-80% pre-hire failure rate. All but 80 of 300 applicants failed the drug test at a large retailer opening on Oregon’s coast last fall.
National studies have shown, however, that Drug-Free Workplace programs help employers create safe and healthy workplaces. The Oregon Employer Drug-Free Initiative (OEDI) was launched in January, 2006 as an Oregon Business Plan Initiative to significantly increase the percentage of employers with drug-free workplace programs.
Statewide surveys conducted by Oregon Employment Department for OEDI in 2006 and 2008 showed that only 12% of Oregon businesses have such programs in place. The primary benefit reported was a safer and more productive workplace. Barriers identified included denial of any workplace drug problem, concern over the program’s cost, and the fear of losing hard-to-replace employees.
To assist businesses in overcoming these barriers, OEDI offers education and training by Oregon’s top drug-free workplace experts through a network of 14 local partners, including now the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like to learn more about participating on the Chamber’s Drug Free Workplace Committee, please contact Brandi Hereford, Membership & Events Director, at Brandi@WilsonvilleChamber.com or by calling 503-682-0411.
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