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The Top 50 Programs in the 2007 Innovations in American Government Awards competition were announced April 2, 2007, by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Oregon Solutions was named in the top five percent in this nation-wide competition.

Oregon Solutions is a project of the National Policy Consensus Center at Portland State University’s Hatfield School of Government. Oregon Solutions projects bring public and private institutions and the civic sector together to develop agreements that solve problems with innovation and accountability. Communities across the country face complex issues and problems that involve multiple segments of society. Each Oregon Solutions project benefits a broad range of citizens throughout the state by helping communities connect with government to leverage resources.

The Innovations in American Government Awards Program identifies and promotes best practices and exemplary initiatives that can be replicated in other settings, providing public officials and senior executives with models for innovation at all levels and policy areas of American government. Nearly $20 million in awards have been presented to over 400 programs.

Governor Kulongoski has been a strong supporter of Oregon Solutions and plays a significant role in the designation of Oregon Solutions projects and appointment of local conveners.

“I believe that to meet the challenges we face today it is essential to engage businesses, government, non-profit organizations and citizens in collective action. Oregon Solutions creates the place to come together and provides the means to reach community agreements that connect Oregonians in solving these challenges, in communities across the state,” says Kulongoski, chair of the Oregon Solutions Network

In the last two years, Oregon Solutions has conducted 33 urban and rural projects throughout the state and has gained significant attention from leaders. The White House awarded Oregon Solutions the Cooperative Conservation Award for its Coordinated Resource Offering Protocol (CROP) project, which resulted in a regional wood supply by developing stewardship contracts with the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management and by fostering markets to utilize biomass material from forest treatments. In the Fort Clatsop Trail-to-the-Sea project, the Secretary of the Interior praised Oregon Solutions’ work in 2005 and recommended that the project be used as a model by the National Parks Service.

“We are excited that the Oregon Solutions Community Governance System is being recognized as one of the Top 50 programs in this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition. This validates the success we’ve seen in our 33 projects in Oregon,” Greg Wolf, director of Oregon Solutions.

Leaders throughout the country view Oregon Solutions as a model for community governance. Virginia and California have successfully initiated "Solutions" programs to replicate Oregon Solutions. New Mexico, Maine, Massachusetts, and Colorado are developing or exploring programs based on the Oregon Solutions model.

For more information on Oregon Solutions contact Greg Wolf or Kim Travis at 503-725-9092 or visit www.ORsolutions.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kim Travis, Oregon Solutions: 503-725-9092