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Top state firms form new group By David Preszler Some of Oregon�s best-known companies, including Medford�s Bear Creek Corp., have formed a new statewide business group. The Oregon Business Association, formally launched June 1, will seek to ensure the state�s economic health by providing non-partisan business leadership, organizers say. In addition to Bear Creek, the roster of founding members includes Portland-area retailers Norm Thompson Outfitters and Powell�s Books, power companies PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric, and Stoel Rives of Portland, the state�s largest law firm. The group has roughly 65 members, though Bear Creek is the only one based in the Rogue Valley. The new association joins a host of statewide business groups, including the Oregon Business Council, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum and the Associated Oregon Industries. What does this group hope to add? "There was no business association with a dedicated presence in the Legislature or at the state level looking at really long-term issues," says Oregon Business Association spokesman Nik Blosser. While AOI has been active in Salem, Blosser says the Oregon Business Association will focus on different issues, taking a longer view of how they will affect Oregon. The group�s stated principles include pursuing economic growth without compromising the environment and quality of life, supporting a world-class education system, investing wisely in basic infrastructure and seeking creative, non-partisan solutions to public policy issues. Bear Creek belongs to a number of statewide business groups. Spokesman Bill Ihle says the Medford company decided to join this one as well as because of its emphasis on education and the environment. "This one certainly seems to be one that will be beneficial for us and one where we can contribute to other members as well as Oregon," he says. Linda Rankin, a senior vice president and general counsel for Bear Creek, sits on the group�s board. The association grew out of a survey of more than 1,000 Oregon businesses conducted last fall. "The creation of this group marks a fundamental shift from �politics as usual� to a more constructive, non-partisan approach to solving Oregon�s most difficult problems," says Tom Kelly, chief executive of Portland remodeling and design company Neil Kelly Inc. and chairman of the group�s board. The group plans to hire a president in the next two months and begin setting its agenda for the November elections and the 2001 legislative session. The president, to be paid $60,000 to $85,000 a year, will act as the group�s chief spokesperson and guide its agenda. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA