Document text
Email Story to a Friend May 19, 2006 New SOREDI chief lists state's pluses Ron G. Fox takes over from Gordon Safley on June 1 By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Economic development veteran Ron G. Fox has been named to succeed Gordon Safley as executive director of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. Fox, 60, Business and Trade Development Division manager for the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, assumes his new duties June 1. "In my six years working in economic development for the state, I've had a lot of opportunity looking at the competitive advantages Oregon has in relationship to other states," Fox said. "Understanding those competitive advantages is important." SOREDI has a five-person staff and operates a $6 million revolving loan fund for new and expanding businesses. It has made more than 150 loans in Jackson and Josephine counties since 1996. SOREDI also manages the Jackson-Josephine Regional & Rural Investment Fund grant program, helps communities with strategic planning and manages the region's enterprise zones. Prior to joining the OECDD, Fox worked at Pacific Power for 29 years as district manager in Astoria, Madras, Portland and Seaside; director of wholesale energy marketing and economic development; and director of property management. Advertisement "Ron has done a lot of hands-on economic development work similar to what is done at SOREDI," said SOREDI board President Monte Mendenhall. "His first love is to be on the ground, start to finish, on those projects. Fox was one of 13 applicants for the opening created when Safley, 64, announced his retirement in February. Fox graduated from Grants Pass High School and earned a business administration degree from Oregon State University. "During my years with Pacific Power I was involved in community and economic development in seven Western states," Fox said. "I wanted to apply my skills and experience at the regional economic development level — closer to where the transactions happen. At the end of the day, projects like Amy's Kitchen happen in Medford not at the state level." SOREDI has played a role in bringing a variety of existing companies to the Rogue Valley in the past two decades, including Amy's Kitchen, a California organic food processor that decided to locate a significant expansion in White City. Fox said the region can continue to grow economically by taking advantage of its presence on Interstate 5, its proximity to California — the world's sixth largest economy — and the state's corporate tax structure. "With California companies wanting to come to Oregon and East Coast manufacturers looking for a West Coast presence," Mendenhall said, "he's the prefect match for the programs we have here." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisements Advertisement