[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6277674,"mediaKeyId","2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1","parentId",2647568,"title","Business Oregon seeks operating funds, larger EDMS ask at March 13 subcommittee meeting","audioSeconds",700,"startMs",120000,"endMs",820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1&start=120&end=820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1/thumbnail_120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277674/Oregon/Business-Oregon-seeks-operating-funds-larger-EDMS-ask-at-March-13-subcommittee-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277674-5a785ba82c6332b6470780eb1c241149/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500766&Signature=ko~KiHniKz9t1Jh8X1~EmnXejJRKMm3hitlO1tVhPGqOiXjLFhl6qqF4FrlEjQDWe~GlhdgOyX3myqhCmUQ0KWK95s8b99cJXTyY25HXi5c23s~mD77nmmmltMn1iYUBnlAUENZxslC8CADExX7QzM2OkVEt08p8xLfFr0C89Jk7tiG-ZpjCfJoNZ6p8lFX3TGMhBrBOIWTYVyByiABf-pnQSDRW3hw7lffxzZu-b3qWUhf6GN4FX2KaG1wrpzMKkxGbs9SKBWXHBIYLmrTEHK4vGE~CEykzxvA9C9Q5FZEalGB8xVn5aG1JaK6Vo6clpaymRvi0lyAXfpjK8D-nVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","Co-chair Gomberg opened the March 13 Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee meeting and invited Oregon Business Development Department Director Sapon Jeng to present the agency's budget overview and operations requests.

For the record, Sapon Jeng, director of the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon), said the governor's recommended budget totals $2.1 billion for the next biennium. Jeng described a set of operations requests that include funding for strategic-plan implementation, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work, and support for the agency's Economic Development Management System (EDMS).

Jeng said the agency is asking for roughly $350,000 to advance work tied to its three-year strategic plan and to implement its DEI commitments. \"One particular priority that is really important to us is leadership development in Oregon's economic development strategy,\" Jeng said. She added the $350,000 would support tactics, action steps and regular commission updates as the agency implements 25 strategies across seven priorities developed with stakeholder input.

Nut graf: The testimony laid out why Business Oregon argues for modest increases to operations to maintain and professionalize staff capacity while advancing a state-level economic development leadership role; it also flagged a larger request to finish and make public the agency's EDMS platform.

Most of the hearing concentrated on two operational themes. First, Jeng described the agency's effort to implement its strategic plan and DEI plan, saying funds would pay for assessments of regional-state efforts, staff training, vendor contracts and program tools. Second, she updated the panel on the EDMS: Business Oregon initially proposed a 17-month implementation in two release phases and told the panel the governor's recommended package included $4,650,000 for EDMS while the agency's internal request is larger to reflect added licensing, platform and staff-support costs.

Representative Watanabe asked whether the EDMS request would be a one-time ask or a recurring maintenance expense. Jeng replied that the development phase funding would be concentrated in the current and next biennium, but the agency expects to return with maintenance and licensing requests for ongoing operational costs after the system is delivered. \"We will come back and ask for the money, but not for the development of the project itself, but to maintain and hopefully by then we'll be able to run the project,\" she said, noting a target to reach a stage-gate milestone and work with Enterprise Information Services toward a 2027 finish.

Jeng also described seven operations positions the agency is requesting to convert or make permanent, including human resources and fiscal staff, and said the request is tied to managing roughly 200 employees. She noted some positions are currently limited-duration and the request aims to retain institutional knowledge post-pandemic.

The director emphasized that the EDMS implementation will be delivered in phased releases: an internal release focused on core functionality and a later public-facing portal to give external users access to project information and applications. Jeng said the agency has worked closely with DAS' Enterprise Information Services and DAS CFO staff on staffing and technical plans.

Ending: The committee took no formal action during this information meeting; Jeng invited subject-matter presenters to continue the agenda and the committee planned to reconvene on March 17 to continue review of Business Oregon's budget packages.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development 03/13/2025 3:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Co-chair Gomberg opened the March 13 Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee meeting and invited Oregon Business Development Department Director Sapon Jeng to present the agency's budget overview and operations requests.","taxTitle","Transportation and Economic Development, Ways and Means, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",20197,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277669,"Business Oregon presents $1.5 billion infrastructure package, details on loans, grants and port funding",781,956000,1737000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1&start=956&end=1737","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1/thumbnail_956000.jpg","/articles/6277669/Oregon/Business-Oregon-presents-15-billion-infrastructure-package-details-on-loans-grants-and-port-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277669-e77b3b7828395f489de256825cfd08e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500766&Signature=ot6JhJoqQHPROeew406HONUozL-wpYyFQACRzDGNNZksWCI6A2p0hp4MPWQ7E12g9LAqJpG70Jz~-gb3aY2UDx0PhLpu~5SP58kXoIjGh9oBEi1Tawx~mpx1abc8xtW9LutE4emkmpurDMeQpkaovpOKU3EiH007rfYVO62IA9A0s8MsnCyTagaO4gL4V6oMXU0mQfGg1pILtVwMgyCvWYPPy0uHJij56pr~mLJ~v3kjBoBuQdtK6vFDyWtfP9odhD8iGlo2J5e4F0P1xNuHUBi2V7favA8U-aVoV7T7xJC7sbrXsQOCJO0sfnfL-pIBmCbPDO7siHdzAHVISCZlHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ed Taber, infrastructure and program services director at Business Oregon, told the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee the governor's recommended infrastructure package totals $1.5 billion and makes up roughly 74% of the agency's $2.1 billion request.

Taber described 13 key funding programs administered through the Infrastructure Finance Authority (IFA), an independent nine‑member board that provides oversight for IFA capital programs. He said IFA programs provide loans, grants, project management and technical assistance for water and wastewater systems, ports, brownfields remediation and other projects that support economic development.

Nut graf: The briefing included requests to recapitalize several revolving funds and one‑time bond requests to address high demand across the state — particularly in rural communities — and to provide local match for federal dredging and flood‑control projects.

Taber outlined multiple policy option packages and funding requests the department is presenting to the subcommittee:

- Special Public Works Fund (SPWF): The department requested $50,000,000 in one‑time lottery bonds plus lottery funds for debt service and cost of issuance to recapitalize a revolving loan fund that provides flexible financing for public infrastructure projects. Taber said a majority of awards are loans and that repayments average $12 million–$15 million per year, which is insufficient to sustain current pipeline demand.

- Levee (levy) Grant Fund: The department requested one‑time lottery bond funding to support levee repair, accreditation and maintenance for flood risk reduction. Taber said the program makes grants (no repayments) and that demand exceeds available cash balances.

- Brownfields programs: The department requested $10,000,000 (Brownfields Redevelopment Fund) and $5,000,000 (Brownfields Property Revitalization Fund) in one‑time lottery bonds; Taber said brownfields awards target both urban and rural projects and that the funds support loans, forgivable loans and grants to clean and repurpose contaminated properties.

- Ports and marine navigation: Taber described requests tied to dredging and port capital. The department asked for $15,000,000 in lottery bonds to support the Marine Navigation Improvement Fund (to help Port of Portland and other ports with dredging material placement and restoration), and requested $20,000,000 in lottery bonds to establish a Port Capital Improvement Fund (HB 3050) to assist ports that provide active container service. Taber and Deputy Director Chris Cummings clarified the Port of Portland funding commitments and related earlier governor commitments.

- Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Fund: The department requested $150,000,000 in Article XI general obligation bonds to retrofit K‑12 schools, community colleges and emergency services buildings; Taber said nearly every county has received at least one award historically and demand continues to exceed available funds.

Taber gave examples of recent awards: Sherwood received $12,000,000 to open industrial lands; Sweet Home received $2,000,000 for water main, laterals and hydrants; the Port of Toledo was cited as an SPWF beneficiary. He also said SPWF awards disproportionately benefit rural communities (90% of prior biennium awards by count were rural).

Committee members asked several questions about cash flow for lottery bond sales, repayment timing for revolving funds, local match requirements for federal programs, and how the department prioritizes projects across regions. Taber said projects are often reimbursed on a draw schedule, loan terms can be long (30 years for SPWF loans), and the department uses forecasting to manage cash flow.

Ending: Taber concluded his presentation and turned broadband questions to the Oregon Broadband Office director; the subcommittee did not take votes during the hearing.

","Ed Taber, infrastructure and program services director at Business Oregon, told the subcommittee the governor's recommended infrastructure package totals $1.5 billion, about 74% of the agency's $2.1 billion request.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277660,"Business Oregon outlines incentives, recruitment and export support; strategic reserve fund remains limited",740,3908000,4648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1&start=3908&end=4648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1/thumbnail_3908000.jpg","/articles/6277660/Oregon/Business-Oregon-outlines-incentives-recruitment-and-export-support-strategic-reserve-fund-remains-limited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277660-b0d95145ac01fa3b143e476d5836f5f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500766&Signature=VrkoRysKrldrfR4oShYAWSmeHRekXIunRxox-ix7YLH3OXJqimvwwUF4UHa7ROxiwJbLwOq2eCDtxXm4boyrzFoAdi8TYqNOzQzQ2972WWjj68AXTyp5awTdUAnFLOkB2KPiFyr2fB8s4MknW2JWueESRS8Vo676hAcuurTBbp1djSTg19PvKYMBoDG3Nl8KKDvmtmOnGnPpW-sG9Pt1vkF5FxoU8LMvWhZnoKTcQYPKuEPYNuzj24cnS8XR-Dy2qyh97N~ixLb9ivAkCWM~E4VATfoKbvbM~zZlLao0FRWaR1BwTfCLucs8msPv9tBh-qe0z8z5~B14zvS7lNICiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Director Chris Cummings presented the Business Innovation and Trade (BIT) section budget and described programs that support incentives, recruitment, global trade and regional development.

Cummings said the BIT section represents about 14% of the agency's overall budget (excluding large federal CHIPS Act dollars awarded last session). He described the division's work in incentives and recruitment, noting two recruitment officers and three global trade specialists who support export and foreign direct investment activities, often in partnership with regional development officers located across the state.

Nut graf: Cummings emphasized that Business Oregon focuses limited incentive resources on targeted industries that show regional supply‑chain fit and potential for traded‑sector job growth; the department uses a small Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) to support some retention and recruitment efforts and plans to pilot a Small Business Sustainability Fund.

Cummings said the Strategic Reserve Fund is used selectively for retention, recruitment and expansions and that the program currently represents about $8 million for the biennium. He described the Business Expansion Program, which ties assistance to income‑tax generation under statute, and a Business Retention Services program that helps companies with operational improvements. Cummings said the department launched a Small Business Sustainability pilot funded from SRF to help small, key employers in rural communities with equipment or capital needs; the agency will seek $1 million to codify and expand the program.

On international trade and recruitment, the agency noted Mexico, Japan and Canada among top markets and said Oregon's export profile has shifted, with Mexico cited as the top export market in 2024. Cummings and colleagues said they rely on overseas consultants rather than maintaining large permanent trade offices in many locations and indicated a request for additional funding to support in‑country consultants in markets such as Canada and Asia.

Ending: Cummings closed by saying the division leverages regional staff and local partners for recruitment and trade work; the committee paused the meeting and planned to resume other topics on Monday, March 17.","Deputy Director Chris Cummings outlined Business Oregon's Business Innovation and Trade programs, focused on incentives, export assistance, recruitment and a small strategic reserve fund.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277665,"Oregon Broadband Office outlines major federal awards, tight BEAD timeline and spending limitations",192,3450000,3642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1&start=3450&end=3642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2647568-1de6b53d37deb03b4109ca25aa18c9b1/thumbnail_3450000.jpg","/articles/6277665/Oregon/Oregon-Broadband-Office-outlines-major-federal-awards-tight-BEAD-timeline-and-spending-limitations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277665-9901235d47fee634b5185b100e1adbf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500766&Signature=dfQ3~GyOZsSZULH88a8TH2SIbfnDJ06ak9ZMmD12EYeXcxbGFLvl4kC-MiTzGH0PyqMNq27n9HgjLCGz73RE5~Ew~uXlGplBdja9VCFU3twoZG5P1S9Z3gg388J~9PmMDYOFucLISNxwoTCcztlrb98~vv2-~RbdbI4XbJR4651NEyG-2PnZZL2oszwwepjKuX28gO1Vm406EMpvr~K4YclgoB3xQjTrsmZ9HyaJDJw5wlc3g0EZjs51VZf1NcDW2tszHVCaIJByoBsatPmQX2phswWUWu1cBnPIkCMfOHQBfqYBZr5F9QEMhNwcBBmIfyH1m0kD-5yW~YtwamUiTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nick Batts, director of the Oregon Broadband Office at Business Oregon, told the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee the office administers statewide broadband programs and is funded by lottery, other state funds and federal grants.

Batts said Oregon received $157,000,000 from the U.S. Treasury's ARPA Capital Projects Fund and has made awards to reach roughly 13,413 locations in 17 counties for the Broadband Deployment Program. He cautioned that ARPA Capital Projects Fund work has a fast federal deadline — all funds must be obligated and infrastructure operational by Dec. 31, 2026 — and said the program team is pushing to meet that timeline.

Nut graf: The Broadband Office presented three large federal funding streams and asked the subcommittee for spending‑limitation authority for next biennium to run multi‑project grant programs that will be front‑loaded and reimbursable.

On the larger federal program, Batts said the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD) — the federal BEAD program established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — allocates roughly $688.9 million to Oregon. He described a compressed schedule: prequalification closed February 12–March 14 with dozens of applicants; subgrantee selection is expected to begin April 15; and a final proposal that assigns projects to subgrantees is due to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by June 10. Batts said Oregon will ask NTIA for an extension because the final proposal timeline is short.

Batts said BEAD subgrantees will have four years from contract assignment to build and activate broadband infrastructure. He also described the Digital Equity State Capacity Grant program, noting an expected initial 2024 allocation of about $9.9 million for Oregon to implement its state digital equity plan and to support covered populations.

The Broadband Office's spending‑limitation requests included an estimated $278.1 million in federal fund expenditure limitation to run the BEAD program in the next biennium and about $9.4 million in federal spending limitation for the digital equity program. Batts said the department will seek to front‑load the BEAD work across roughly 200 discrete project areas, many aligned by school districts, and that the BEAD grants will operate on a reimbursable basis.

Ending: Batts concluded by saying the office is expediting contracting and coordination work and that the subcommittee will see formal spending‑limitation requests as part of the budget package. The committee did not take action during this information meeting.","Nick Batts, director of the Oregon Broadband Office at Business Oregon, briefed the committee on multiple federal broadband programs: ARPA Capital Projects Fund awards, the BEAD allocation for Oregon, the Digital Equity State Capacity Grant and related biennial spending‑limitation requests and deadlines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Business Oregon seeks operating funds, larger EDMS ask at March 13 subcommittee meeting

Business Oregon presents $1.5 billion infrastructure package, details on loans, grants and port funding

Business Oregon outlines incentives, recruitment and export support; strategic reserve fund remains limited

Oregon Broadband Office outlines major federal awards, tight BEAD timeline and spending limitations