HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Fund Request0
Department of Administrative Services
Dave Kanner, County Administrator
1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202
www.co.deschutes.orus
December 14, 2010
TO: Board of Commissioners
FROM: Dave Kanner
RE: Application for economic development funds
For your consideration at the work session of December 20, 2011, is approval of an
application from G.L. Solutions for $50,000 from the County's Economic Development
Fund. G.L. Solutions is a software developer specializing in applications for regulatory
agencies. They are proposing to use the funds to offset relocation expenses to a larger
facility, as part of a plan to more than double the size of the company's staff. EDCO
recommends approval of this request.
Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost -Effective Manner
DESCHUTES COUNTY
Business Development Forgivable Loan Fund
- APPLICATION -
The Business Development Forgivable Loan Fund disburses Deschutes County moneys for the purpose
of increasing employment and capital investment in the country. The Fund has been established to offset
the costs of business relocation to and within Deschutes County, including moving of equipment,
purchase or construction of facilities, and site improvements such as the extension of public service and
utilities. EDCO has been designated by Deschutes County as the administrator of this fund. The
magnitude of funding is dependent on job creation (typically $1,000-$2000 per job).
Key Requirements Are:
• Grantees much create at least 5 new primary, permanent family wage jobs and shall have
retained those jobs for at least one year.
• Optional: Grantee must document the investment of at least $5 of new, taxable investments for
each $1 allocated from the Business Development Forgivable Loan Fund.
G.L. Solutions
Number of Employees: 34
Company Request: $50,000
EDCO Recommendation: $50,000 (39 jobs)
Proposed Job Creation by end of Q4 2011: 39 new employees
Average for New Employees (all positions, excluding commissions): $65,724
Capital Pay Investment: $550,000
Industry: Software
Website: http://www.glsolutions.com/
Section I — General Information
Company Name: GL Solutions
Location (city/County): Bend, Deschutes
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Business Type: High Technology
Industry Type: Software
No. of Employees: GL Solutions currently employs 34 full-time employees.
HQ Address: GL Solutions, 960 SW Disk Drive, Suite 101, Bend, OR 97701
State & Federal Taxpayer ID: Oregon Registry: #724776-81, Federal Tax ID: #43-1797439
Company Contact: Eric Staley
Title: Vice President
Phone: 541-312-3662 x103
Email: Email Address: staley@glsolutions.com
Parent Company: None
Website: http://www.glsolutions.com
Section II — Company Profile
1. Please provide a brief overview of your business:
GL Solutions serves more than 45 clients in 18 states with GL SuiteTM, commercial off-the-shelf
software tailored for regulatory agencies. GL Suite is a comprehensive, web -based database
solution successfully implemented in regulatory environments ranging from medical licensing
boards, inspections for compliance with accessibility laws, to the licensure of public accountants.
GL Suite's ease-of-use, coupled with GL Solutions' passion for improving productivity, ensures
the success of each agency.
Section III — Project Activities
1. Please outline the proposed activities for these funds. How will access to the Business Development
Forgivable Loan Fund support your strategic objectives, while increasing your employment and
investment in the Central Oregon region?
GL Solutions' access to the Business Development Forgivable Loan Fund would induce direct
investment into the state of Oregon by furthering job retention opportunities. We are
experiencing growth within our company that will require us to add 39 new positions over the
course of the next year. We feel that this growth of our company will provide an investment in
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the Central Oregon region by providing jobs and this investment will in turn help GL Solutions
to purchase new equipment and provide training for these new employees. GL Solutions requests
$2,000 per job up to the maximum available loan of $50,000 to facilitate job creation and offset
office relocation expenses to a larger facility. Furthermore, the revenue generated by this growth
is earned and received at a slower rate than is typical for GL Solutions' client -base. This requires
GL Solutions to make significant investments for growth and relocation prior to invoicing
contract deliverables. The Business Development Forgivable Loan Fund will bridge the gap.
Section IV — Grant Terms and Conditions
1. Total Employment
Grantees must create at least 5 new primary, family wage jobs (at $35,090 per year) and shall have
retained those jobs for at least one year. Please provide a quarterly projection of expected job creation,
including titles and/or descriptions. Also indicate expected wages.
GL Solutions is a software development company based in Central Oregon, serving government
agencies and private firms across the United States. GL Solutions grew from a start-up to one of
the largest software companies in the region. GL Solutions' success comes from a family of
naturally talented individuals that share common vision and values.
GL Solutions hiring processes identify people with core values comparable to that of the
company. Every employee contributes to GL Solutions' direction and success. The company
values each person's perspective on problems, solutions and long-term goals. GL Solutions shares
performance and management information company -wide.
GL Solutions has identified the following thirty-nine new primary, family wage jobs that we are
expecting to fill within the next six months:
Management Analyst:
The Management Analyst gathers and analyzes internal data and workflow to 1) identify
bottlenecks, 2) improve the efficiency and productivity of GL Solutions' production systems
and processes and 3) make recommendations for the most effective use of resources.
Management Analysts have strong analytical skills and the desire to learn about software;
related prior experience is preferred.
Four (4) Project Coordinators:
The Project Coordinator is responsible for coordination of project planning details from
project initiation through three months of warranty. Project Coordinators work with clients
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to develop new installations through a project approach to achieve a profitable, high-quality
installation that establishes a long-term symbiotic relationship between GL Solutions and the
client. The Project Coordinators provide client project management oversight throughout the
GL Solutions implementation process.
Eight (8) Quality Assurance Specialists:
The Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) works with every team at various stages of
installations and development to test the work and progress of the client application. The
QAS works closely with internal employees throughout the entire span of a project.
Responsibilities include identifying, reporting, documenting, and routing application issues
for eventual handling and resolution. The QAS tests each client application at specified
phases of development prior to client/user testing and acceptance.
Seven (7) Software Developers:
The software developer position involves creating reports, writing business rules, and
maintaining a mature off-the-shelf software product. Applicants must have experience or
training in report tools like Crystal Reports and languages including XML, XSLT and SQL.
Experience with Visual Basic and web page development in Visual Studio preferred.
Three (3) Business Analysts:
The business analyst position conducts organizational studies and evaluations, designs
software systems and procedures, and prepares operations and procedures manuals to assist
clients in operating more efficiently and effectively. The Business Analysts identify and
document how our clients use software to help them o perate more efficiently. They possess
strong listening, interviewing, logical thinking and problem -solving skills, and they have the
ability to understand complex office procedures.
Configuration Specialist Manager:
The Configuration Specialist Manager coaches and builds an engaged team of employees
while ensuring that company goals are achieved. The team configures business rules in the
software using XPATH and light SQL, and consists of talented, dedicated professionals.
Nine (9) Configuration Specialists:
The Configuration Specialist configures business rules in the software using XPATH and
light SQL.
Two (2) Sales Associates:
The Sales Associate is responsible for contacting prospective clients and encouraging their
interest in GL Solutions' products and services. The position executes a defined solution -
sales process that includes the prospecting and qualifying steps.
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Technical Writer:
The Technical Writer will be responsible to write and edit a variety of technical materials,
such as requests for proposals, training guides and how-to documents, sales and marketing
collateral, and, as needed, website content. This position will work with the different GL
Suite Departments to support key activities within the organization such as Knowledge
Management, Systems Improvement, People and Sales and Marketing.
Agency Specialist Manager:
Supervise a team of Agency Specialists. The ASM has primary responsibility for building a
team of engaged, productive employees who discover and act on client needs, build client
relationships, and resolve client issues. Experience managing employees in a business
environment preferred.
Agency Partner:
Agency Partners serve as the primary goal contact between GL Solutions and clients. The
primary responsibility is to ensure that our partnership results in satisfied clients through
thoughtful execution of the plan established by the Agency Strategist and the client. Agency
Partners begin the relationship building process by conducting sales activities with
prospective customers. An Agency Partner works within a well-defined system for managing
day-to-day client requests and interacting with other GL Solutions teams.
Trainer/HR Specialist:
Assist the Human Resources Manager in executing personnel -related functions. The HR
Specialist supports all key activities related to employee recruitment, selection, training, and
retention and personnel information systems. The HR Specialist interfaces with all GL
Solutions' departments to support and facilitate employee needs. Experience supporting
human resource functions within a business environment is preferred.
2. Capital Investment — Optional
Although not required, capital investment plans are a helpful indicator of future plans.
Grantees must document the investment of at least $5 of new, taxable investments for each $1
allocated from the Business Development Forgivable Loan Fund. Please provide a quarterly
capital investment projection.
GL Solutions projects the following costs associated with hiring, training and relocation in
the next quarter:
Relocation expenses
$5,000 — Fiber/L.A.N. relocation
$58,500 — relocation expense per staff ($1,500 x 39)
$63,500 total relocation expenses
Training expenses
$ 10,000 — Video production of training modules
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$ 36,000 — Trainer salary (3 mos @ $12,000/mo)
$ 444,600 — New hire salary in training ($3,800/mo X 3 mos X 39 new hires in Q1)
$490,600 total training expenses (salary expenses include wages and benefits)
$554,100 Total training and relocation expenses
3. Primary Employer Test
Grantees must be private firms in manufacturing, high-technology, or technology-based
businesses which have more than 75% of customers outside Deschutes County. What
percentage of your customer base exists outside Deschutes County?
GL Solutions is a private firm that provides high technology based software to a customer
base that is 100% outside of Deschutes County.
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