KCEDA Press Release: Cyber Security Enterprise Zone Legislation

Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris and KCEDA assist in introduction of Cyber Security Enterprise Zone legislation

Klamath Falls, Oregon (January 24, 2017) – House District Representatives Mike McLane (R-District 55-Powell Butte) and E. Werner Reschke (R- District 56 – Klamath Falls) recently introduced House Bill 3206 to create a tax credit for taxpayers located in qualifying county who purchase software or hardware for electronic commerce and those who hire graduates of Klamath County’s local community college (Klamath Community College) and the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT). The legislation was spurred by Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris and Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA) director Greg O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan and the KCEDA leadership were instrumental in helping to create this new legislation for Commissioner Minty Morris which, in turn, was presented to HD Representatives McLane and Reschke. The legislation seeks to further the employment of local graduates of the local community college and OIT by local businesses and to provide tax credits to these employers. Tax credits would also be extended to taxpayers in qualifying counties who: purchase software or hardware for electronic commerce; establishes and implements employee training programs in collaboration with a local community college; rehabilitates vacant buildings for commercial use; increases the amount of qualified research expenses; and, increases the amount of alternative qualified research expenses.

“KCEDA is proud to work with Commissioner Minty-Morris and the bill sponsors to create a way to champion a stronger linkage between education, business, commerce and economic development,” said Greg O’Sullivan, KCEDA director. “When Commissioner Minty-Morris challenged KCEDA to find a way to incentivize business expansion in rural Klamath Falls, we brought together our economic development partners to craft policy to support innovation.”

O’Sullivan continued, “At the same time, we recognized that one of our biggest economic engines is the Kingsley Field Air National Guard base. It is our hope that this legislation HR3206 will be the catalyst of the Klamath County Cyber Security Enterprise Zone.”

About the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA)

Since 1975, KCEDA has reflected the best of private enterprise, responsibility and dedication. Its mission is to provide tailored recruitment and retention/expansion programs, new opportunities for jobs, and a diversified, value-added industrial base/expanded economic development climate in southern Oregon. Learn more at www.ChooseKlamath.com.

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