Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: iSector
At the Oregon iSector, we bring together leaders from the private, public, and civic sectors to tackle Oregon’s most complex challenges. Through partnerships and innovative systems, we aim to build thriving communities statewide. Highlighting this mission, we are proud to present two initiatives focused on building the capacity of rural jurisdictions to drive progress and unlock potential.
Housing Innovation Partnership (HIP)
REGIONAL HOUSING COORDINATORS
THE CHALLENGE
Oregon’s housing shortage, particularly for workforce housing, limits economic growth and community vitality. Employers struggle to attract workers due to a lack of affordable housing, while developers face barriers to financing projects. Rural areas are especially impacted, with few resources to address these challenges.
The iSector’s Housing Innovation Partnership (HIP), a partnership of 35+ with a shared goal to increase housing production in Oregon has become aware of both existing successful and promising potential efforts to bring employers together with developers in building housing. The missing link is the need for someone to play the catalyst role in bringing the needed partners together at the community level.
THE SOLUTION
The HIP proposes creating five Regional Housing Coordinators across the state. These coordinators will work across sectors to:
Inform local businesses, school districts, hospitals and other employers about opportunities to co-invest in housing.
Provide support for developers and builders by connecting them with investment partners, available land, and housing resources. The coordinators would work to help create a network of support at the community level.
Work with cities and counties to inform them of housing opportunities and how they can contribute to co-investment efforts through financial incentives and identifying available lands for development.
Assist partners in developing agreements and strategies as well as removing barriers to co-investment in housing.
NW Rural Investment Strategy (NWRIS)
RURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
THE CHALLENGE
Rural Communities often lack the staff capacity to plan, access and manage resources that come in the form of State and Federal funding; philanthropic investments; and partnerships with the private sector. At the same time, unprecedented resources are available from the federal government to support rural cities and counties; state resources are being allocated for targeted needs; and the philanthropic community increasingly is looking for new ways to help these underserved communities. Even in this resource rich environment, rural communities are not in a position to seize these opportunities. Rural communities are a critical component to Oregon’s economic future and deserve the foundational basic support they need to do so.
THE SOLUTION
Local Capacity
The Oregon iSector has worked with legislators, local officials, and others to develop a Rural Community Resource Center that will provide resources for building the capacity of and providing technical assistance to rural communities, helping to break this cycle of disinvestment. It will serve as a one-stop hub for rural leaders, housing: project managers; grant writers; professional staff expertise in public works; engineering; community development; land use planning; transportation; public administration and finance. This staff resource would be available to rural communities throughout the state to fill the gaps that exist today and position communities to prosper and seize opportunities that they could not, given the lack of access to this expertise.
Community Leverage Fund
To accelerate on the ground action and leverage public, private and civic resources, the Centers budget would include a leverage fund. The fund would allow communities and regions to offer incentives for collaborative multi-sector work and serve communities with the most significant concentrations of poverty. The fund would be deployed on a regional basis to ensure equitable distribution.
Building a Thriving Future
Both initiatives reflect Oregon iSector’s mission to empower communities through partnerships and innovation. By addressing housing shortages and capacity gaps, these programs pave the way for economic growth and resilience in rural Oregon. At iSector, we are committed to creating sustainable systems and opportunities for every corner of the state. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your community’s growth and success.
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: CIS
Local government leaders are invited to attend the 23rd CIS Annual Conference to deepen their understanding of risk management and enhance their ability to lead resilient communities. The CIS Annual Conference focuses on equipping top leaders with practical strategies to mitigate risks and prevent costly incidents before they happen.
The conference features sessions tailored to address pressing challenges faced by Oregon’s cities and counties. Sessions such as 2025 Case Law/Legal Updates, Navigating Ordinances and Risks: A Practical Guide for Homeless Community Services, and Continuity of Operations Planning and Tabletop Exercises for Disaster Preparedness provide essential updates on emerging legal risks and strategies for responding to emergencies effectively. These sessions will help local leaders understand their liability exposure and legal responsibilities, ensuring better preparation for unforeseen events.
Additionally, the session Do’s and Don’ts of Cyber Incident Response emphasizes the growing importance of cybersecurity for public entities, offering actionable advice on preventing cyberattacks, which have become an increasing threat to local governments.
“Proactive risk management can make all the difference in protecting the public interest,” said CIS’ Executive Director Patrick Priest. “Our conference is designed to provide leaders with the knowledge and resources to build safer, stronger communities.”
Key Conference Highlights
Networking Opportunities — Connect with peers and experts across Oregon to share ideas, solutions, and best practices for tackling local challenges.
Flexible Attendance Options — The conference offers hybrid attendance, allowing participants to join in person or virtually through CIS’ Attendee Hub. With affordable registration fees and on-demand access to recorded sessions, attendees can engage in the event in a way that works best for them.
Continuing Education Credits — Attendees can earn up to 8 MCLE, 4 SHRM, and 16 DPSST continuing education credits. Additionally, participants can earn risk management certification credits across multiple categories, including emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, and legal compliance, ensuring they stay current on essential risk management practices.
Join fellow local leaders in learning how to build risk-aware organizations and foster stronger communities. For more information, contact CIS at conference@cisoregon.org.
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program is one of many federal funding opportunities created under the Inflation Reduction Act and run through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As one of the outputs of this grant program, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Energy is developing a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for the state. A central pillar of the CCAP is forecasting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions projected to occur under Oregon’s existing policies and incentive programs—including the impact of Inflation Reduction Act funds.
This effort will also evaluate new actions that could be implemented across Oregon’s economy to meet the state’s GHG reduction goals, while continuing to grow Oregon’s workforce and improve the quality of life for those who live work and play in Oregon. To inform this work, we are requesting feedback on what your local jurisdiction is already doing or intends to do to implement climate-related policies, programs and investing federal funds to reduce GHG emissions.
This information will enable the state to better understand Oregon’s climate progress and identify policy and funding gaps across all economic sectors. We understand similar requests may have been made and that there are many ongoing efforts in Oregon to address climate action. The intent with this plan to acknowledge and consolidate these efforts, opportunities, and gaps. This report may be used to prioritize climate efforts and seek funding sources. Feedback Surveys are due by February 20th, 2025. The survey is intended to be filled out once per local jurisdiction in collaboration across programs.
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Avangrid
Avangrid, a leading sustainability company and member of the Iberdrola Group, recently became a new partner of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC). The company and its staff are thrilled to engage with AOC members on a variety of topics, especially those related to renewable energy and climate change.
Avangrid operates in 24 states, and its Renewables business is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Oregon is vital to Avangrid’s success and future growth as a company.
In the Columbia River Gorge, Avangrid was one of the first clean energy developers to build utility-scale wind power. The Company’s oldest project in Oregon, Klondike I, reached commercial operations in 2001. Its newest project in Oregon, Pachwáywit Fields, a solar project in Sherman County, finished construction in 2023. Avangrid maintains a build, own, operate philosophy and now operates wind, solar, and gas facilities in Sherman, Gillam, Crook, and Klamath Counties totaling over 2.2 GW of installed capacity, with a pipeline of projects that will continue to support Oregon in meeting its climate goals.
In addition to maintaining a world class fleet of operating energy projects, Avangrid is actively developing a 1.3 GW pipeline of new renewable energy projects in Oregon that will support the state’s climate goals. Most proposed new assets are in Morrow, Sherman, and Gilliam Counties near existing assets already in operation. Avangrid values the strong relationships it built within these communities and looks forward to maintaining them for years to come.
The Company’s Portland office and clean energy projects support nearly 400 jobs in Oregon. Additionally, Avangrid’s Oregon projects have paid over $140 million in property taxes, which mostly support local school districts. These tax revenues are on top of the lease payments Avangrid makes to participating landowners, representing additional investment in the communities in which it operates.
“Avangrid is one of the reasons my job is a whole lot easier,” said Sherman County Judge Joe Dabulskis, during a grand opening celebration for Avangrid’s National Training Center this summer. “Prior to the renewable energy industry coming to Sherman County, Sherman County was the second poorest county in the state. I hear nightmare stories of what happened back in those days around budget time. I don’t have that problem.”
Because Avangrid has long-term plans in the region, it strives to be a good community partner in the counties it is located in and continues to find ways to support Oregon.
For example, this year the Company launched the largest solar grazing operation in the Pacific Northwest. In recognizing community concerns related to fire risk, it partnered with local rancher, Cameron Krebs, to graze thousands of sheep underneath and around solar panels at its Pachwáywit Fields solar farm, the largest operating solar farm in the state. The sheep help manage the grass and weeds to reduce the summertime fire risks at the site, while replacing gas-powered mowers and contributing to a more natural use of the land.
In partnering with local ranchers, like Krebs, Avangrid is deepening its ties with the community and supporting a circular economy within Oregon. The solar grazing operation helps to generate electricity while supporting the production of food and wool fiber. Krebs is a wool supplier to Pendleton Woolen Mills, a beloved Oregon-based company with over 100 years of history.
Also, Avangrid recently welcomed the first cohort of newly hired wind technicians to its National Training Center. The center was built in the heart of Sherman County, near several of the Company’s operating wind farms, showing the region that Avangrid is committed to it long-term. Hundreds of wind and solar technicians from all over the country will come through Sherman County, spending money on food and services along the way.
Avangrid is happy to be a part of the AOC community and looks forward to working with fellow members going forward.
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Aetna
Employers are striving to make health coverage affordable and accessible while keeping costs under control. That’s why many are focusing on enhancing primary care benefits. By offering preventive services like cancer and heart disease screenings, and treating common illnesses early, businesses can help their staff avoid costly, more complex medical needs down the line. Regular visits with primary care physicians (PCPs) also ensure better care coordination, keeping everyone involved in patient care on the same page. This proactive approach supports efficient health care delivery and lowers expenses.
In Oregon, Aetna®, a CVS Health® Company, offers flexible health plans designed to make primary care easily accessible. Convenient, high-quality care is the foundation for healthier employees and smarter cost management.
Employers can champion primary care adoption, health improvement
Employer-sponsored health insurance is the largest source of coverage for working-age Americans. This puts workplaces in a unique position to promote and encourage primary care because despite its importance, people don’t use it often enough. So, by investing in easier, higher-quality primary care for their teams—like plans that include virtual visits and simple-to-access preventive and routine services — everyone wins.
Employees stay healthier and more productive. Businesses experience less absenteeism and better workplace well-being. And all of this impacts an organization’s bottom line, particularly by lowering health care expenses.
Innovative primary care from Aetna
From industry-wide challenges with primary care to the everyday pressures on your business, Aetna is delivering simplicity. Our flexible plan designs put affordable primary care and high-touch engagement within reach while offering your business better cost management.
What’s more is that with an Aetna plan, you get access to an extensive suite of resources and solutions from our parent company, CVS Health, too.
For instance, “anytime” and “any place” care isn’t just in demand. It also saves employees time and money. And through CVS Health Virtual Primary Care™,employees can select a PCP and see the same provider each time they need care. It’s cost effective and much more than just telemedicine because it creates trusting relationships between our members and their providers. Similarly, CVS Health Virtual Care®gives your team 24/7 treatment for episodic illnesses and injuries from the comfort of their own home (or anywhere else) with no drive time or waiting room.
Together, we’re improving health and controlling costs
At Aetna, our commitment to enhancing health doesn’t end with virtual care solutions. Our robust statewide and national network of high-quality PCPs and flexible plan options work together with other innovative products and services to help your employees bring their best selves to work. All the while, you can rest assured their care is affordable with one of many plan options that include $0 out-of-pocket primary care services.
Our consultative support and innovative strategies for Oregon businesses and their teams go beyond benefit plan design because it takes more than just insurance coverage to achieve better health. We’re working with you toward it all—employee well-being, access to care and cost management. It’s how healthier happens together®.
To take your health plan to the next level, contact your Aetna® representative or visit Aetna.com.
Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). Aetna is part of the CVS Health® family of companies.
CVS Health Virtual Primary Care™ and CVS Health Virtual Care™ services are only available in the U.S. Limitations may apply based on service, location or health plan. Members enrolled in qualified high-deductible health plans must meet their deductible before receiving covered non-preventive services at no cost-share.
This material is for informational purposes only. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. Refer to Aetna.com for more information about Aetna plans. Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Nine Peaks Solutions
Nine Peaks Solutions has been making waves by helping organizations streamline their operations and embrace the digital age. The firm’s expertise in implementing Laserfiche’s cutting-edge solutions has enabled numerous government organizations to automate workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance data security.
In Oregon and across the country, Nine Peaks assists organizations to:
Integrate cloud and on-premise electronic content and documents so they are easily searchable and reportable. We use the Laserfiche application to unlock the value of legacy systems, synchronize data, and improve operational workflows.
Automate forms and workflow processes, support compliance, document approval processes, streamline invoice processes, track and disseminate information requests; and
Create an office environment where Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Information Technology, Social Services, and Vendors/Suppliers speak the same language.
Revolutionary Tools & The Skill to Use Them
Clearly, scanning your paper documents is not enough. By tracing those files back to their source, identifying those that are most current and relevant, and making them available instantly and seamlessly, you’ve improved your organization’s efficiency. Being able to have a working backup copy of the current paper-based documents is also an invaluable asset for disaster recovery and operational continuity.
Here are a few of the benefits of using Laserfiche:
Streamlining Processes
Reducing Manual Tasks
Data Protection
Improving Collaboration
Eliminating Paper Filing
Sole Focus
At Nine Peaks Solutions our sole focus is helping organizations achieve peak performance through technology integration and optimization. If you’re ready to have all your departments, and the software they use, communicate seamlessly using an affordable, scalable single-source document management system, we’re here to help. We’ll start by taking a complete look at your organization’s processes, digital and paper assets, then present you with a clear plan, a firm budget, and an achievable schedule to swiftly boost productivity, efficiency, regulatory compliance with vastly improved employee, vendor and customer experiences.
We hope you stopped by the Nine Peaks’ booth at the recent AOC conference, and we had an opportunity to talk. If not, please contact us to learn more by visiting our website: NinePeaksSolutions.com/AOC
