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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Grace to assume school governance Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove On Track moms embark on food and garden project Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove Man charged with trying to lure children Two houses burning in east Medford Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Evon "Bud" Pennington Charles H. Hackett Death Notices Robert Harvey Miller Leo Allen Zupan Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Surging Cavs rip Wizards Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Local swimmers land spots in state finals North second entering SWC semifinals North slides by Sheldon Varsity 541 College Sports Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Weisner keys OSU win over Colorado Utah hands OSU first home loss Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Raiders to face No. 16 Knights, No. 11 Cavs Pro Sports Surging Cavs rip Wizards Trail Blazers stymied by Jazz's defense Goosen takes rare lead into the weekend Westbrook leads Thunder past Mavs Singler goes to Thunder in deadline deal Community Sports Business Latest Stories Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Learn about Oregon's local crowdfunding options Blog: Random Acts of Kindness Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: Crime, intrigue and politics in Pennsylvania Voter bill secures a fundamental right Feb. 20: Letters to the editor 'Big' government is not so big after all Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Editorials Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Columns 'Big' government is not so big after all Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional Anniversary: Hofer Trail to Charismatic Conifers The Rocks Speak: Earth's old wrinkles Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Theater 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... COUNTY PARTNERSHIP Josephine County to approve Southern Oregon business recruiting contract Josephine commissioners will join Jackson County on contract to lure companies Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News Josephine and Jackson counties are on the brink of sharing a third party charged with hustling up some business for Southern Oregon. The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve an agreement on Wednesday that calls for targeting "companies that are the right size and demographic for Josephine County and encourage them to relocate to Josephine County or Jackson County." The agreement is a personal services contract with former SOREDI president Mark VonHolle for $50,000 per year. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a similar agreement with VonHolle in October. The Josephine County contract will expire on Feb. 29, 2016. It can be renewed for additional one-year terms if both parties agree in writing. It can also be terminated by either party with 30 days written notice. VonHolle will be paid $4,166 per month, with a maximum of $50,000 for the year. Terms of the agreement include contacting 200 companies "that are the right size and demographic for Josephine County" and encouraging them to relocate to either Josephine County or Jackson County. VonHolle is also required to actually visit 40 companies with the right demographics with the goal of relocating, and get 20 of them to visit Josephine County or Jackson County in return. Finally, VonHolle is tasked with actually "facilitating" the relocation of four companies to either Josephine County or Jackson County, with documentation demonstrating his involvement with the relocation. VonHolle helped found Sustainable Valley Technology Group in 2010 in Medford. That organization is described as a nonprofit "business accelerator" group. He also is a past president of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, SOREDI, which is also used by both Josephine and Jackson counties to promote economic development. "We've always talked about Jackson County also when talking about economic development," Heck said. The contract is between Josephine County and VonHolle for personal services and does not involve Sustainable Valley Technology Group. Heck said Josephine County will monitor Von Holle's progress, and that VonHolle will provide the Board of Commissioners with quarterly reports. "We don't want to get into the position of dictating to him how to contact people, but we want to stay on top of it," Heck said. The contract is not without its detractors, among them former county commission candidate Toni Webb, who previously made a pitch to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to provide economic development. In an email to the Daily Courier, Webb criticized the contract as soft, saying VonHolle "doesn't have to actually bring any companies here to Josephine County, he just has to 'facilitate' the relocation of four companies to 'Josephine or Jackson County' within three years." Heck acknowledged there are no guarantees. "It is a relationship built on trust," he said, while also pointing out that the county can end the agreement by giving 30 days notice. Another term of the agreement calls for "the relocation to or creation of 200 jobs" in either Josephine County or Jackson County that pay a minimum of 150 percent of the current median wage within three years, with the same documentation requirement. "Sure, it would be better if we got the jobs here," Heck said, but he added that an influx of jobs within commuting distance could aid Josephine County residents as well. "We have hundreds of people here in Josephine County who travel down to Jackson County to work." Webb also alleged political machinations on the part of the Heck and commission colleague Simon Hare, who comprise two-thirds of the board. Webb ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign against Hare in 2014, and she lost to Heck in the general election in 2012. She also expressed concern that the contract doesn't say the new business has to be "traded-sector" job — a term of art that consists largely of manufacturing — and that therefore a fast-food restaurant would qualify. Webb did offer an alternative to the proposed contract. "I have an idea. The BCC puts an ad in the paper, inviting anyone who would like to bring a traded-sector company here to pick up a 'how-to' packet at the BCC office. I can write it for them," Webb wrote. "People could keep notes of whom they contact. Once someone lands a 'whale' and brings it on land, they would get a $20,000 finders fee. I think we would see some action." The meeting Wednesday begins at 9 a.m. at Anne Basker Auditorium, 604 N.W. Sixth St. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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