A Few Words from Jim – February 2023

Jim Teece Head Shot

Where did January go? How is it already February? Lots going on. 1. We now have two paper choices in Jackson County filling the void left by the closure of the Medford Mail Tribune. Read more on Page 38. 2. SOU and Asante are seeing record breaking philanthropy. Embedding a culture in your business of…

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Travel Oregon Bolsters Tourism Efforts in Local Communities Across the State Through $1.4 Million in Capacity and Small Project Grants

45 organizations awarded grants for projects ranging from internal capacity building, increasing accessibility for travelers with disabilities to expanding diversity, equity and inclusion The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, has awarded more than $1.4 million through its Capacity and Small Project Grant Program to help destination marketing/management organizations and federally-recognized tribes with capacity building and…

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Two Papers seek to fill void left by Medford Mail Tribune Closing

Last month I shared my dismay about Medford losing it’s local newspaper after Rosebud Media quickly shut down all services shortly after moving to an online only format.  Local News is important. It wasn’t good news. A lot of people reached out to me to see if I would solve this problem.  I kindly replied,…

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Olsrud family donates $12 million to support the new women’s and children’s hospital at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center

Largest gift in Asante’s history benefits children and families in Southern Oregon Wanda and Sherm Olsrud, Southern Oregon business owners and philanthropists, made a historic gift for families who receive care at Asante. The Olsruds’ $12 million in support to Asante Foundation – the largest donation in Asante’s history – will name the women’s and children’s…

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Panda Cares Foundation donates $500,000 to Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital project

Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group, has pledged $500,000 to support the new Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Panda Express managers from Medford and Grants Pass joined Asante leaders on a hard-hat tour of the new pavilion, where the gift will be recognized in the…

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Going Digital

The flies were most annoying. Each of us had our own swarm… “For the shade”, we teased. Aside from a cup of water, a bit of shade where the heat would climb above 110 degrees was the second most precious thing. The Australian Outback in the Nullarbor Plain of South Australia can be treacherously hot. …

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SBDC – Keeping It Balanced

Have you ever experienced the feeling that you really love owning and running a business, regardless of what it does? I hope so, and this is one of the important aspects of business ownership that I wish remains top of mind with you in your daily work. If it has faded over time, stop and…

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Philanthropic giving increasing significantly at SOU

Philanthropic support of SOU has soared over the past five years, the result of an intensive effort to transition the university toward a future of sustainable financial operations and improved student access. New gifts and pledges grew nearly 125% over that period, according to Janet Fratella, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the SOU Foundation.…

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Business Ownership by Gender in Oregon

The U.S. Census Bureau recently started the Annual Business Survey to supplement its once-every-five-years Economic Census survey of business owners. The results of both efforts provide insightful information about business ownership by gender, race, and ethnicity not available through any other source. Majority of Firms Are Male-Owned In 2020, the Annual Business Survey captured information…

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PBCO Financial Corporation Reports Q4 and 2022 Earnings

PBCO Financial Corporation (OTC PINK: PBCO), the holding company (Company) of People’s Bank of Commerce (Bank), announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022 and for year-end 2022. Highlights The Company reported net income of $2.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to net income…

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People’s Bank Announces The Retirement Of Ken Trautman, Chief Executive Officer And Co-Founder

PBCO Financial Corporation (OTC: PBCO), the holding company (“Company”) of People’s Bank of Commerce (“Bank”), today announced the upcoming retirement of Ken Trautman, CEO and Co-Founder, effective July 1, 2023. Mr. Trautman will remain on the Board of Directors for the Company and the Bank. Mr. Trautman started the Bank with Co-Founder Mike Sickels in…

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Computer Systems Design Industry in Oregon

The private-sector computer systems design industry lost 500 jobs (-3%) during the pandemic recession. Although that is a significant loss of jobs, it pales in comparison to job losses during the high-tech recession of 2001 when Oregon’s computer system design industry shed 3,500 jobs from 2000 to 2003, 30% of its workforce. On the good…

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