Facilitated Panel Discussions

Forest Products Technical Assistance Providers and Facilitators Forum
May 16-17, 2002
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

State Economic Development Panel

Panelists -
Darren Fleener - Oregon Department of Economic & Community Development, Salem, OR
Ken Kilborn - USDA Forest Service, Sitka, AK
Bruce Goines - USDA Forest Service, Vallejo, CA
Ray Isaacson - State of Washington, Office of Trade & Economic Development, Olympia, WA
Tim Reader - Colorado State Forest Service, Durango, CO

Darrin Fleener
Oregon Economic & Community Development Department
Regional Coordinator
503-986-0070
Darrin.J.Fleener@state.or.us

Mission:

Create opportunities for economic development in Oregon
Primary and secondary wood processing are included in 13 key industries identified in OR
OECDD activities are project oriented
Also includes an International Trade in Forest Products Division
OECDD is funding by legislature, strategic reserve fund
OECDD is used as a worker recruitment tool

Activities:

Healthy forest/ Healthy Communities Program, includes
- Warm Springs Indian Essential Oils
- Commercialization of Western Juniper
- Private landowner certification
Offer grants to further an industries marketing and training development
Distribute publication, A Guide to Doing Business in Oregon

Ray Isaacson
State of Washington Office of Trade & Economic Development
Account Manager
360-725-5071
rayi@cted.wa.gov

Mission:

Economic Development in Washington
FP industry 3rd largest in WA behind aerospace and hi-tech
By statute, in WA grants are not available to for profit companies
OTED is financed by gap financing and Federal money from old-growth diversification funds.

Activities:

Assisted Omak Indian Tribe with take over of a forest products business
Assisted new ownership of Willapaw Hardwoods

Ken Kilborn
USDA Forest Service, Sitka Wood Utilization Center
Team Leader
907-747-4308
kakilborn@fs.fed.us

Mission:

Identify viable forest industry sectors in Alaska
Strategy is to identify successful programs and technology and apply them to the Alaska context
Currently a five person staff
The USDA wood utilization center works closely with other agencies including USFS, Dept. of Commerce, NRCS, AK science & technology foundation, and the University of AK co-op extension service

Activities:

Double Diffusion treating process

Bruce Goines
USDA Forest Service
State & Private Forestry, RCA Program Manager
707-562-8910
bgoines@fs.fed.us

Mission:

Diversify natural resource based communities

Activities:

Grants and loans to rural resource based communities and companies
$4.7 million in grants and loans in 2001
30,000 acres of tree plantations in Hawaii
Study of Hardwood Utilization in CA

Tim Reader
Colorado State Forest Service
Utilization & Marketing Forester
970-247-5250
treader@lamar.colostate.edu

Mission:

Economic Development in AZ, NM, CO, & UT
Only recently has there been an emphasis in developing forest products business

Activities:

Utilize rural community assistance grants
Assistance in business and marketing plan creation
9 loans total $.5 million dollars in April of 2002.

Technical Assistance and Research Panel

Panelists -
Mark Biederbeck - Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Beaverton, OR
John Shelly - USDA Forest Service, Sitka, AK
Scott Leavengood - Oregon State University Extension Service, Beaverton, OR
Ray Issacson - State of Washington Office of Trade & Economic Development, Olympia, WA
Mark Knaebe - US Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI
Tim Reader - Colorado State Forest Service, Durango, CO

Mark Biederbeck
Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)
Manufacturing Consultant
503-725-2665
mbiederb@pcc.edu

Organization of Assistance:

Manufacturing Extension Partnership's (MEP) function similar to a franchise system
One MEP in each state
Services are fee based
Not specific to forest products companies