Marketplace: Hope still held for new jobs

Bart Phillips (Troy Wayrynen/The Columbian)

Bart Phillips’ expectations a year ago were that his organization — the Columbia River Economic Development Council — would land a couple of big job-producers in 2008. Things changed. Markets melted, investors pulled back and the development council saw three large Clark County projects put on hold. The weakened economy doesn’t change Phillips’ strategy for bringing more jobs here, he said last week, but it does alter the timing of the results.

Phillips delivered the development council’s annual report during a luncheon at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on Thursday.

The report showed the development council, this year, having its slowest year of the past eight years with only five successful recruits resulting in 181 new jobs and $4.3 million worth in annual wages.

Opportunities remain in the renewable energy sector, diversified manufacturing and in professional and financial services business, he said. In addition, several businesses already operating here are considering expansion projects. As well growth is expected to continue at Washington State University Vancouver with construction of two technology-related buildings on campus.

“In addition, we expect to be in Olympia to work on some policy initiatives intended to enhance our ability to develop solar businesses here,” Phillips told his audience.

A year ago, the development council launched a drive to raise $5 million to support its long-range job-development efforts. To date, the council has signed up 137 new “investors” and received $4.54 million in public and private pledges toward that five-year goal.

Not bad in a deteriorating economy, Phillips said.

There’s at least one bright spot in the struggling economy — lower oil-heating bills.

According to the Pacific Northwest Oil Heat Council in Seattle, the cost of heating a home with oil this winter could decrease by 30 percent or more because of the lower price of oil. The statewide average price per gallon for home heating oil has dropped from $4.80 in May to $3.15. Despite the decline elderly and low-income households are still struggling to pay their heating bills. The Heat Council encourages those folks to contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For information visit www.liheapwa.org or call toll-free 866-674-6327.

Casie Bowers has been named field operations manager for Southwest Washington and Oregon for the reorganized Safeco Insurance Co., now part of Liberty Mutual Agency Markets enterprise. The changes follow the buyout of Seattle-based Safeco by Liberty Mutual earlier this year. Bowers reports to Rebecca Fann, Safeco Northwest regional manager, Seattle.

Julia Anderson is The Columbian’s business editor. Reach her at 360-735-4509 or julia.anderson@columbian.com.