Sweet Home Economic Development Group reported Monday that the Oregon Jamboree netted $305,000 in proceeds for the 2008 festival.
The total is down approximately $45,000 from the record-setting 2007 festival.
“We had a great year, but expenses are going up,” said Ron Moore, SHEDG Board president. That can be seen in this year’s budget as well.
“Last year was very successful,” Moore said. The show has run successfully year in and year out for some six years, showing profit every time even in these economic times, an impressive feat for a nonprofit, volunteer-driven event.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “We hope that we can put on a good show and keep people coming to the community.”
Even now, the outlook is positive for the 2009 event with the talent and ticket sales, he said. The economic hardships might even help.
“People aren’t going to stop going out and entertaining themselves,” he said, but they may be more careful. Instead of going to Disneyland, they may stay home and enjoy a local country music festival.
Jamboree proceeds fund the majority of SHEDG ventures, which include grants and donations to local projects, marketing Sweet Home, the newly purchased property at 1435 Main St. and the creation of the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort, a subcommittee of SHEDG.
The Main Street property is adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce and the site of a proposed new facility, which will house a visitor’s center, the Chamber of Commerce and SHEDG offices as well as additional downtown parking.
SHEDG and the chamber will work cooperatively to combine these properties to create this new facility, Moore said.
The 2009 approved SHEDG budget forecasts approximately $1.8 million in revenue with possible expenditures of up to $1.7 million, he said. Included in the budget are contributions to a contingency fund, which also includes ensuring the future viability of the Oregon Jamboree.
It is a high priority for SHEDG to manage financial risks by setting aside funds for future use, he said.
Looking ahead, SHEDG’s 2009 goals include producing the Oregon Jamboree, the Arts and Crafts Festival and Sweet Home Rodeo; a Sweet Home Community Foundation donation; some $70,000 to support SHARE activities; including partial funding of an economic development director; Research and design for building the chamber-SHEDG facility and downtown revitalization efforts.
Since 2001, SHEDG has given $286,000 back to Sweet Home through several projects, including more than $101,000 donated to the Sweet Home Community Foundation for charitable grants; $77,350 to School District 55 for tennis court renovation; and more than $107,850 in downtown revitalization efforts.
In addition, affiliate organizations have earned more than $350,000 in revenue generated by their activities during the Oregon Jamboree.
The total is more than $636,000 flowing directly back into the community, Moore said.
SHEDG would like to extend thanks and appreciation for the generous support of the Oregon Jamboree volunteers, Sweet Home public schools, the city of Sweet Home, Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, local businesses, sponsors and Jamboree patrons, Moore said.