Gresham to be home of Oregon's first thin film solar manufacturing plant - 07/20/10
GRESHAM, Ore – Mayor Shane T. Bemis announced today that Solexant, a company that specializes in ultra thin film solar cells, will locate the largest nanotechnology manufacturing facility in the world in Gresham. The plant will be Oregon's first thin film solar manufacturing plant. The announcement was made alongside Solexant's President and Chief Executive Officer Damoder Reddy and Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski.

"Solextant's decision to come to Gresham proves that our city is well positioned and competitive, even in this challenging economy," said Mayor Shane Bemis. "By building a close relationship with the company throughout the process, we have been able to show them the advantages of bringing major investment and jobs to Gresham."

Solexant's first phase will produce solar panels which can generate 100 MW of energy per year. This plant valued at over $37 million and will employ approximately 170 people. The company plans future expansions that may ultimately see an estimated 1,000 employees at the Gresham plant.

"Solexant greatly appreciates its partnerships with the State of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Energy and the City of Gresham to facilitate the construction of the world's largest nanotechnology manufacturing facility in this beautiful state," said Damoder Reddy, CEO of Solexant. "As Oregon's first thin film solar manufacturing plant, the Gresham facility will prove the commercial application of our nanocrystal ultrathin-film solar cell technology in a very capital-efficient way and solidify Solexant's place as a leader in the solar industry."

Factors that contributed to Solexant's selection of Gresham as its location include the innovative incentive package the City and the State were able to offer. The project is also being funded by a Business Energy Tax Credit and significant private equity. A portion of the incentive package was approved by a vote of the Gresham City Council following the announcement at their regularly scheduled Council Meeting.

"We are pleased to welcome Solexant to Oregon, North America's leading solar manufacturing center," said Governor Kulongoski. "This investment will mean jobs immediately for Oregonians with the promise of more in the future. In addition, this company brings a new technological facet to Oregon's already booming solar manufacturing base and will help us continue to be a global leader in solar manufacturing."

Announcement of new solar manufacturer in Gresham - 07/20/10
GRESHAM, Ore – Today Mayor Shane T. Bemis will welcome Governor Ted Kulongoski and company representatives for an announcement regarding a new solar manufacturing facility being located in Gresham.

WHAT:
Announcement of new solar manufacturer in Gresham

WHO:
Mayor Shane T. Bemis, Governor Ted Kulongoski, and company representatives

WHEN:
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
2:15 p.m.

WHERE:
Gresham City Hall
At main entrance (will move inside in the event of rain)
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham

VISUAL:
Solar module

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Summer events encourage park support and family fun - Plight of Gresham parks spotlighted with Community Picnic, Photo Day - 07/13/10
Gresham, Ore. - Join friends and neighbors for two fun City-sponsored summer events highlighting the importance of Parks and Recreation Services:

Picture Your Parks Day on Aug. 1. Grab your camera and help us document a day in the life of Gresham Parks. It's your chance to show us Gresham's playgrounds, natural areas and trails the way you see and experience them -- the kids, the wildlife, even maintenance issues like tall grass or graffiti. Prizes will be awarded for the top photos, which will be evaluated by professional photographers and park experts. Photos will also be enlarged and displayed on the Gresham Center for the Arts Plaza and at other community gathering spots, thanks to generous sponsorship from The Gresham Outlook. Save the date now – to qualify all photos must be taken on Aug. 1. More entry-and-submission information will follow soon at GreshamOregon.gov.

The Parks Picnic on the Plaza on Aug. 21. Grab a basket from home or a take-out box from one of Historic Downtown Gresham's restaurants, or the Gresham Farmers' Market, and join us for an old-fashioned community Picnic on Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event, held in partnership with the Center for the Arts Foundation, the Historic Downtown Gresham Business Association and the Gresham Downtown Development Association, will feature lively music, field games and prizes on the beautiful Center for the Arts Plaza at 401 N.E. Second St. The top images from the Picture Your Parks photo project will be on display. The Center for the Arts Foundation is providing the venue as Plaza Sponsor.

Both events are being held to raise awareness about the critical challenges facing Gresham Parks and Recreation Services, and to get residents involved in Our Parks, Our Future, a community-led effort to promote a healthy, sustainable Gresham Parks and Recreation system.

For information about sponsorship opportunities for these events, contact Robin Franzen Parker at 503-618-2150.

Section of Gresham Butte Saddle Trail closing for construction July 6 - New water line on Gresham Butte will be relocated under the trail - 07/01/10
GRESHAM, Ore. – This summer, the City is replacing an aging water line on Gresham Butte. For public safety, a portion of the Gresham Butte Saddle Trail and SW Blaine Avenue on Gresham Butte will be closed from July 6 to Sept. 30 during construction.

The new water line will be relocated under a portion of the Gresham Butte Saddle Trail and SW Blaine Avenue for better maintenance access and long-term operation.

Signage has been installed at the trailheads to alert hikers of the closure and timeframe.
The Saddle Trail will be closed from the west end on Southwest 19th Drive up to the intersection with Southwest Blaine Avenue, approximately 1/4 mile east. Southwest Blaine Avenue will be closed from the north gate near the top of Walter's Hill to the north side of Gabbert Hill, approx. 1/3 mile south.

The eastern leg of the Saddle Trail and the south end of Southwest Blaine Avenue on Gabbert Hill will be open during construction. Hikers may be able to access the Gabbert Hill area from Southwest 33rd Street, Southeast Meadow Court, or Southwest Gabbert Road.

The trail sections impacted by construction will be resurfaced. Native trees and shrubs will be replanted as part of a restoration project conducted by the Department of Environmental Services Watershed Management Division.

Historically, the original water line was laid in advance of construction of the proposed Mount Hood Freeway, over Gresham Butte, to connect to U.S. Highway 26. The freeway was never built and the funds redirected to build MAX light rail.
No development will result from the new water line; the property is preserved open space for the City.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30.
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