Swiss Company coming to Portland

Swiss battery-maker ReVolt Technology announced on Thursday that it had received a $5 million federal stimulus grant which the company will use to move forward on its plans for a Portland manufacturing operations and research center. Meaning jobs for our locals.

ReVolt Technology announced last September that it had chosen Portland, Oregon for its United States Headquarters, where it would eventually employ approximately 250 people in a research and manufacturing operation to develop zinc-air batteries that can be used in electric vehicles and other applications. 

James P. McDougall, CEO of ReVolt Technology, said the company had set up an initial Portland office and had began looking for a larger site.  Now, with this Recovery Act stimulus award, they are in the planning stages for their facilities for the manufacturing and research operations.  The initial planning will continue for the next few months and McDougall is confident that he will have the U.S. operational team in place in Oregon by October 2010.

Participate & Shape The Next Portland Budget

My friends to the south, just across the Columbia, recently re-posted their needs for additional Community Budget Advisory Board members.  At the present time there are 3 openings for residents to participate in shaping the new City of Portland budget.  The Advisory Board also participates in City Council budget deliberations, advises Council regarding proposed amendments to the budget, and assists the Council in reviewing budget plans against the results, to date.  The Advisory Board includes five (5) community members with staggered terms who are eligible for
reappointment.  This is a great opportunity to get involved in the all-important budgetary aspects of your city government.
*Applications:
*Applications are accepted at any time and are kept on file.  Complete and submit the standard ‘City Boards and Commissions’ application form by email or postal mail to ONI, for forwarding to the Mayor’s Office.
NOTE:  The following items must be supplied along with the applications:
*Cover Letter:
*Along with the standard application form, applicants must submit some other supplemental materials including a Cover Letter which describes in detail the applicants interest in working with the Citizen Budget Advisory Board.
*Supplemental Questions:
1.    *List your experience and working knowledge of budgeting for large institutions, either public or private, and,
2.    *List your experience working with performance measures and identifying efficiencies in a large organization.
*References:
*Need at least 2 people as references:
Names, Addresses, relationship to applicant, daytime phone numbers.  The
references must be familiar with the applicants qualifications and interests.
*Ideal Qualifications:
*Ideal applicants will have a working knowledge of budgeting for either public or private institutions; an understanding of performance measures and finding efficiencies, and a basic understanding of the services offered by the City of Portland.  The Council is seeking a group that reflects Portland ’s diversity and encourages women and minorities to apply.
*Partial Duties:
*Training and orientation is conducted following confirmation of appointments.  During the budget development period (end of January through mid-April), applicants need to be able to commit approximately 10-20 hours a week, and be available for meetings during the day, evenings and weekends during that time, for budget deliberations.  Additional quarterly meetings for budget monitoring are held throughout the year.
***For additional Information:  Contact Laurel Butman, at:  503-823-6806, or go to the website: http://www.portlandonline.com/communitybudget

(All information updated February 2010)

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