HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Grant Request - CA LutheranEconomic Development Fund
Discretionary Grant Program
Organization: California Lutheran University Center for Economic Research and
Forecasting (CERF)
Organization Description: CERF uses advanced statistical and modeling procedures to
forecast economic activity. Currently, forecasts are developed for the United States,
California, Oregon, Central Oregon and Ventura County. CERF also offers economic
consulting services to private and public organizations.
Project Name: Central Oregon Economic Forecast
Project Description: This grant funds will be used to purchase local data, hire speakers,
and rent a venue for the annual Central Oregon Forecast Presentation in January 2010.
CERF will provide Deschutes County with 12 tickets to the presentation, invitations to
the speaker dinner before the event and quarterly updates to the Central Oregon Forecast.
Project Period: Last week of January 2011
Amount of Request: $3,000
Previous Grants:
• November 2009: $1,500 ($1,000 Baney; $500 Unger)
In 2008, a grant for $1,000 ($1,000 Baney) was given to the UC -Santa Barbara
Economic Forecast Project. Bill Watkins, the executive director of the California
Lutheran University CERF, left UC -Santa Barbara where he headed up the Economic
Forecast Project in 2009 to go to California Lutheran University.
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Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Bend, OR97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org
DESCHUTES COUNTY DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION
Direct Application to:
Commissioner Tammy Baney
Commissioner Dennis R. Luke
Date:
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Project Name:
Commissioner Alan Unger
All Three Commissioners
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Project Beginning Date: [ t'E
Amount of Request:
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Applicant/Organization:
Project End Date: 1 Z_
Date Funds Needed:
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Address: G (��, ,� �I c Kean �'S.001 City & Zip:
Contact Narne(s):
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'Telephone:
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On a separate sheet, please briefly answer the following questions:
1, Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and activities,
2. Describe the proposed project or activity.
3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity.
4. ,Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic: health,
5. Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit
6. Itemize anticipated expenditures*. Describe how grant funds will he used and include the
source and amounts of snatching funds or in-kind contributions, if any. If the grant will
support an ongoing activity, explain how it will be funded in the future.
Attach:
Proof of the applicant organisation's non-profit status.
*Applicant inay be conla4:ted during the review process and asked to ploy Mc a complete line item budget.
Tammy Batley:
Dennis Luke:
Alan Unger;
Amount:
Amount:
Amount:
Sigllalure:
Signature:
Signal4iru:
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Deschutes County Economic Development Fund
1) Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and
activities.
The Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF) is a self funded research
center located at California Lutheran University. CERF uses advanced statistical and
modeling procedures to forecast economic activity. Currently, CERF forecasts the
following economies:
a) United States
b) California
c) Oregon
d) Central Oregon
e) Ventura County
Plans are in the works to expand CERF's Oregon forecast to other areas of the state. In
particular, CERF is in the process of adding forecasts for the Portland and Eugene
markets. CERF also provides economic consulting services to private and public
organizations.
CERF employs three economists: Bill Watkins, Dan Hamilton, and Kirk Lesh. Bill Watkins
serves as the Executive Director.
2) Describe the proposed project or activity.
CERF presents an annual Central Oregon Forecast. The forecast consists of
presentations from CERF members or other highly regarded speakers. The
presentations provide invaluable information regarding the economies of Oregon,
California, Central Oregon, and the United States. The data and presentations are
provided to all guests for future reference.
3) Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity.
CERF will present its annual Central Oregon Forecast during the last week of January
2011.
4) Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic
health.
CERF's forecast provides relevant, timely, and accurate data. As an example, CERF's
forecast of Central Oregon's unemployment rate was dismal but extremely accurate.
Businesses use the data to shape their short run strategic plans. The data provides
guidance as to emerging opportunities and area of weakness. Policy makers use the
data to shape future economic policy. Economic policies regarding taxes and land use
can be evaluated using CERF data.
5) Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit.
CERF's Central Oregon Forecast includes Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties.
Public and private organizations operating in these counties benefit from the forecast
and accompanying data. The City of Bend and the City of Redmond used CERF data
during their budgeting process for the current fiscal year.
6) Itemize anticipated expenditures. Describe how grant funds will be used and include
the source and amounts of matching funds or in-kind contributions, if any. If the grant
will support ongoing activity, explain how it will be funded in the future.
Grant funds will be used for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to,
purchasing local data, hiring speakers, or renting the venue. CERF has estimated that it
will cost $30,000 to prepare and present its 2011 Central Oregon Forecast.
As the Central Oregon Forecast is an ongoing activity, CERF solicits financial sponsorship
from local businesses and governments. The level of sponsorship varies from year to
year but generally remains very strong. Most of the sponsors for the Central Oregon
Forecast have remained loyal to CERF despite difficult economic times.
Sponsorship can be monetary or in-kind. Typically, in-kind sponsorship comes from local
media. CERF recognizes them as sponsors in return for free advertising. Monetary
sponsors are usually local businesses and governments that benefit from the forecast
and data provided by CERF.
Bill Watkins will meet with Deschutes County representatives, when in Bend, and
provide economic updates. The staff at CERF will be available to Deschutes County
representatives to answer questions regarding local economic conditions. Bill Watkins
will prepare a workshop specifically for Deschutes County representatives. The
workshop will be held in late January.