2023 Keynote Presentations are Posted on NEBC’s YouTube Page.
A Discussion of Oregon’s Infrastructure and What Lies Ahead
A Discussion of Oregon’s Infrastructure and What Lies Ahead
Biden-Harris Administration: Investing in Rural Oregon
2:00 – 5:00 pm: Navigating State & Federal Programs
Attendees will learn about the various funding opportunities available from several state and federal resources. Programs will explain who they are, what they fund, and how to “mix and match” funding to effectively maximize benefits, to help communities know how to leverage funding, and early conversations and planning can minimize the burden of infrastructure projects.
Presenters include:
Nicole Bailey, Program & Policy Coordinator, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Mary Camarata, Western Region ERT Representative, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Ryan J. Gross, P.E., Regional Coordinator for Infrastructure Technical Assistance, EPA Region 10
Holly Halligan, Team Lead, Community Programs Loan Specialist, USDA Rural Development
Catie Jones, Infrastructure Funding Specialist, EPA Region 10
Alli Miller, Program Analyst, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oscar Orejel, Senior Loan Specialist, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
2:00 – 5:00 pm: Capacity, Technical Assistance & Asset Management
We continue to hear about the needs for capacity, technical assistance, and asset management, but the identified needs vary greatly, and the funding mechanism seems somewhat of a black hole. Are capacity needs for project management, accounting/bookkeeping assistance, grant writing, staffing, or something completely different? Are technical assistance and asset management related to the work itself or understanding what the needs even are? We want your input on various needs to possible funding opportunities. Join us in this conversational workshop to identify some funding mechanisms and tools currently available, brainstorm on other funding possibilities, and drill down further into the needs throughout Oregon related to capacity building, technical assistance, and asset management.
Moderators:
Feather Sams Huesties, Regional Development Officer, Business Oregon
Gail Nelson, Regional Project Manager, Business Oregon
Speakers:
Wes Cochran, Economic Development Representative, U.S. Economic Development Administration
Phebe Howe, Coordinator, Oregon Health Authority
Rachael Maddock-Hughes, Principal and Founder, Rural Prosperity Partners
Sabrina Straus, Rural Development Specialist, Rural Development Specialist, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Anne Whittington, Economic Resiliency Planner, Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments
2:00 – 5:00 pm: Pitfalls of Infill Pre-Development
This session will lay the framework for redevelopment on infill sites in Oregon, discuss pitfalls unique to infill that may be identified in pre-development work, and share experiences navigating these pitfalls through completion of a project. Infill redevelopment projects present unique opportunities and challenges to revitalizing obsolete improvements, achieving environmental suitability, and enhancing neighboring uses. Site acquisition, environmental processes, development planning, land use permitting, and project financing considerations taken during pre-development are critical to project success. Experienced and new practitioners can learn from infill developers, regulators, funders, and local stakeholders presenting and attending this session.
Do’s and Don’ts as a Prospective Land/Building Purchaser
Moderator: Kirsten Ray, Senior Management Analyst, U.S. Housing and Urban Development
Panel: Stacy Frost, P.E., Principal Engineer, Maul Foster & Alongi; Mary Camarata, Western Region ERT Representative, Oregon DEQ; Toni Strutz, Field Environmental Officer, U.S. Housing and Urban Development; David Rabbino, Attorney, Jordan Ramis; and Karen Homolac, Brownfield Specialist, Business Oregon
Case Studies in Infill Pre-development
Moderator: Kirsten Ray, Senior Management Analyst, U.S. Housing and Urban Development
Case Studies: Jayne Downing, Executive Director, Salem Center for Hope and Safety and Amy Saberiyan, Ph.D., P.E., and Owner/Developer, AVA Roasteria
Infill Scenarios and Examples
Moderator: Kirsten Ray, Senior Management Analyst, U.S. Housing and Urban Development
Scenarios and Examples: Natalie Janney, P.E. and Vice President, Multi/Tech Engineering and Brian Vanneman, Principal, Forum Placemaking
Join this session as we learn more about technical assistance and why it matters. You’ll hear from Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality, and the City of Eugene as they share technical assistance success stories ranging from broadband to water systems.
Speakers:
Alli Miller, Program Analyst, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Sabrina Straus, Small Utility Consultant, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
In response to the Governor’s priorities of addressing housing concerns in Oregon, this session will discuss the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities that communities may face as they prepare their infrastructure for new housing development. This session will seek to address important infrastructure concerns, including capacity concerns and future uncertainty, addressing the stress on existing infrastructure with growing population and development, and insight into preparation for a variety of housing opportunities to address all levels of community needs.
Moderator:
Mark Gharst, Policy & Government Affairs Manager, Business Oregon
Speakers:
Eric Klann, Founder and Lead Engineer of Divergent Engineering
Bill Reid, Finance Director, City of North Plains
Derrick Tokos Community Development Director City of Newport
During this session we will look at how projects have been identified, then evaluated for the most beneficial way to move them forward. We will discuss the benefits and obstacles of moving large projects forward as well as how to identify ways of phasing projects.
Moderator:
Fumi Schaadt, Program Policy Coordinator, Business Oregon
Speakers:
Tom Archer, Principal, PBS Engineering and Environmental
Rob Marinai, President, RestorCap
Part 1: Oregon Broadband Office
The Oregon Broadband Office is charged with developing grant programs that promote, support, and facilitate the future construction and deployment of high-speed internet in Oregon. Join the Broadband Office and Oregon State University in a discussion about the state’s GIS map that will be utilized throughout Oregon to fund these broadband deployment efforts.
Moderators:
Seth Thompson, Broadband Project Coordinator, Oregon Broadband Office
Speakers:
Michael DeHart, Broadband Program Coordinator, Oregon Broadband Office
Marc G Rempel, Oregon Explorer Technical Program Manager, Oregon State University
Part 2: Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment
The Oregon Renewable Energy Siting Assessment (ORESA) project collected data and information through assessments to develop a report and mapping tool that provides an understanding of the opportunities and constraints of Oregon’s renewable energy and transmission development. The resulting mapping project is a valuable resource for anyone looking for information on various natural resources, economic and planning data, demographics, and more. Join the Oregon Department of Energy and the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University to discuss the project and to see a live demonstration of this amazing mapping and reporting tool.
Moderators:
Jennifer Casler, Senior Associate Geologist, Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
Speakers:
Wally Adams, Operations and Policy Analysis, Oregon Department of Energy
Marc G Rempel, Oregon Explorer Technical Program Manager, Oregon State University
Janine Salwasser, Oregon Explorer Program Lead, Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University
This session will focus on site readiness needs across the state, and the challenges and best practices to address concerns surrounding industrial lands, including green and brownfields, funding, and recruitment. You will hear both public and private perspectives of these obstacles and opportunities in a panel of speakers who will discuss their knowledge and experience on the topic.
Moderator:
Jason Harris, Industrial Lands Specialist, Business Oregon
Speakers:
Erik Andersson, President, SEDCOR
Chuck Arnold, Economic Development Manager, City of Redmond
Brad Biard, Senior Engineer, Anderson Perry
Melissa Murphy, Business Recruitment Officer, Business Oregon
Andy Varner, City Manager, City of North Plains
Session Synopsis: The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal offers a once-in-a generation opportunity providing an influx of money to bolster Oregon state funding for communities. Join us as we explore a wide array of state funding resources to support the development, improvement, and expansion of renewable energy and utility infrastructure to meet community sustainability and resiliency goals. Business Oregon and the Oregon Department of Energy will be sharing their funding programs, along with real-world examples of how these funds are used by two Oregon communities.
Moderator:
Jen Casler, Senior Associate Geologist, Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
Speakers:
Nicole Bailey, Program & Policy Coordinator, Business Oregon
Bob Patterson, Public Works Director, City of Pendleton
Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Deschutes County
Sarah Moehrke, Community Navigator, Oregon Department of Energy
Attendees will learn about regional and statewide pre-disaster planning projects for infrastructure related to a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Projects include updates to the regional emergency transportation routes, planning for emergency drinking water, and statewide emergency response island determination.
Moderator:
David Rabbino, Shareholder, Jordan Ramis
Vincent Aarts Deputy, Preparedness Oregon Dept. of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management
Laura Hanson, Project Manager, Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
Kent Yu Principal SEFT Consulting Group
Over the past year the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE) at the University of Oregon has partnered with Business Oregon to complete an economic impact and needs assessment study for Oregon’s network of 23 public ports. This applied research project assessed the individual and collective economic impact of Oregon’s port system, as well as the major needs ports face in maintaining and growing their economic impact in the state. In this session, IPRE will share the results of this work, which included in-depth economic analysis, document review, a survey of port managers and interviews with port stakeholders.
Michele Bradley, General Manager, Port of Tillamook Bay
Kim Thompson, Economic Development Analyst, Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, University of Oregon
Join the Broadband Office’s program coordinators as they discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing grant programs to fund deployment of broadband infrastructure in Oregon. The Broadband Office looks forward to opening several grant programs for application in 2023 and beginning the planning and development phase of the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment Program (BEAD) and Digital Equity (DE) programs.
Moderator:
Nicole Early, Broadband Communications Coordinator, Oregon Broadband Office
Speakers:
Krystal Stone, BEAD Program Coordinator, Oregon Broadband Office
Leina Gonzalez Baird, DE Program Coordinator, Oregon Broadband Office
Michael DeHart, Broadband Program Coordinator, Oregon Broadband Office
Director
Business Oregon
Sophorn Cheang currently serves as Director of Business Oregon. Prior to that, Sophorn served as the Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Governor Kate Brown. In this role she oversaw the development of state business policies to eliminate bias and barriers and provided economic opportunities for all Oregon businesses through equity practices in state procurement and community economic development. Cheang also co-coordinated the Governor’s Racial Justice Council.
Oregon State Director
Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture
Margi Hoffmann’s professional career began working in natural resources management on federal lands. In 2012 and 2015, Oregon Governors John Kitzhaber and Kate Brown, respectively, appointed Hoffmann to serve as Energy Policy Advisor. In this position, Hoffmann developed the first-ever 10-Year Energy Action Plan for the State of Oregon and served as the Governor’s office liaison to the Oregon Public Utility Commission and Oregon Department of Energy. In addition, she served as liaison to the Pacific Coast Collaborative, a partnership between the States of California, Oregon, and Washington, and the Province of British Columbia.
After leaving the Governor’s office, Hoffmann served as a senior management team member for the Farmers Conservation Alliance, a non-profit focused on modernizing irrigation infrastructure in the Western United States to benefit agricultural security and the environment. During Hoffmann’s tenure, the Alliance’s irrigation modernization program grew from the pilot stage to implementation across five western states and created a $1B pipeline of shovel ready irrigation modernization projects.
In January 2022, Hoffmann received a Presidential appointment to continue public service as a state director for USDA Rural Development, serving the State of Oregon.
Deb Flagan is an advocate for workforce and housing affordability throughout the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. For more than 20 years, she has led community engagement, philanthropic giving and marketing initiatives for Hayden Homes, the largest private home builder in the Pacific Northwest. She is focused on public-private partnerships and community relationships that support Hayden Homes’ “Give As You Go™” philosophy to promote strong communities.
Damon Runberg is the State Economist at Business Oregon. He supports the statewide economic development goals by tracking and analyzing economic indicators critical to Oregon’s workers and businesses. He also evaluates the effectiveness of Oregon’s economic development strategies and incentives. Prior to working with Business Oregon Damon was the Regional Economist with the Oregon Employment Department for the East Cascades of Oregon for nearly 12 years.
Lorelei Juntunen has devoted her career to improving policy outcomes at the intersection of public investment, equitable community and economic development, and housing affordability. In communities large and small across the American West, Lorelei works with clients to develop economic revitalization strategies, affordable housing plans, and policies for investing in infrastructure and service provision. In 2023, she led the team that drove the largest reform of Oregon’s land use planning system in its 50 years of existence. This reform began with the development of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis, a new methodology for understanding housing needs in Oregon.
Nick is the President of Catalyst Public Policy Advisors, LLC, an advisory firm for rural agencies and investors centered on public-private developments. Before founding Catalyst, Nick was the city manager of John Day, Oregon, from 2016-2022, where he raised over $30 million in public investment capital for housing and community development projects, including over $10 million to finance a new water reclamation facility and brownfield redevelopment project in John Day called the John Day Innovation Gateway. Nick’s work on this project has won multiple awards, including the Western Planner President’s Award (2021) for planning innovation.