About OMI

Who we are
The Oregon Metals Initiative, Inc. (OMI) is a consortium of metals industry companies and research institutions that pursues research to improve the long term competitiveness of the metals industry and the research infrastructure in Oregon. Oregon’s metals industry is a vital part of the state’s economy providing over 55,000 jobs in 1,700 companies with an average annual salary of $35,000. Metals industry firms are involved in a diverse range of activities including primary metal production, manufacturing of fabricated components, designing and building a wide range of specialized machinery and transportation products including trucks, railcars, ships, and aircraft components. In addition to the direct economic impact provided by payrolls, metals firms play an important role in providing demand for products and services produced by other Oregon businesses such as intra-industry sales of metals industry products, business services, energy, and transportation.

What we do
OMI was established in 1990 as a mechanism to both support and enhance the competitive position and economic contribution of the metals industry to Oregon’s economy and, more generally, to the national economy. The organization is managed by a ten-member board of directors which includes both industry and research (university) representatives. Mark Nelson, Public Affairs Counsel, currently serves as OMI’s Executive Director. The following are the objectives of OMI:
* develop new technologies and new applications of existing technologies
* increase metals research capacity, accessibility and infrastructure
* encourage collaboration on research between the metals industry and Oregon’s scientific research institutions
* improve the competitive position of Oregon’s metals industry

The objectives are met through joint industry-academic research projects. Interested companies work with one of the research institutions, currently Portland State University and Oregon State University, to develop a project proposal. In July of every year, the OMI Board meets for their annual meeting. At this meeting, the Board reviews the proposals to ensure they meet the criteria established in the bylaws. The Board then determines which projects will be funded up to the level of available matching funds. The Oregon University System provides the matching funds to the industry funds on a 1:1 basis. It is the availability of the matching dollars that rendered OMI feasible. With the matching support, industry has been able to undertake research that would not have been pursued at all or at this time and research institutions have benefited from the invaluable experience of conducting this research and working with industry.

At this time, the metals industry contributes a $500,000 annual match 1:1 with state funds. All funds go to the research institution, with none being earmarked for administrative costs. The Oregon State Board of Higher Education states “Since 1990, the Oregon Metals Initiative has exemplified the concept of successful private-public partnerships…OMI is the model the Chancellor’s Office hopes other industries will emulate in the next biennium.” (OSBHE Docket 4/17/98)