February/March 1983 RAIN Page 31 Pacific Northwest Bioregion Report Migration Out of Oregon For the first time in its 125-150 year history, there are more people leaving Oregon than entering it. Revised figures from the Center for ’opulation Research and Census indicate that rather than the projected annual in-migration gain of 30,000-40,000, Oregon will have instead 10,000 more people leaving the state than entering it. Projections are that net migration is entering a period of zero-gain. Most of the people leaving are headed for California (36.3%), while only 3.3% are moving to Texas (the New California of the eighties). The statistics also indicate the out-migration is creating more of a drain on professional classes: forty seven percent of those leaving are in professional, technical, managerial, service, sales, and clerical occupations. Energy Loan Program—Oregon The Small Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP) now has $2 million available to finance residential and commercial solar heating and the solar heating components of new home or business construction. Loans can provide 20 year financing at low rates of interest. Given normal security conditions, 80 percent of construction funds may be available in advance to pay construction costs as they are incurred. The other 20 percent of the loan costs is held until completion notice filing. Financing can cover closing costs as well as construction costs. Most loans under $25,0(X) are approved in three weeks or less. Funds can be available within one month after a complete loan application is filed. Eligible applicants include homeowners and businesses of Oregon. For further information contact the SELP office at 102 Labor and Industries Building, Salem, OR 97310 or call 373-1033 or toll free at 1-800-452-7813 X 3-1033. The Aprovecho institute The Aprovecho Institute, an appropriate technology research center, in Eugene, has secured land for operating its Rural Center. With two small grants, they have completed two experimental houses, one using bamboo and concrete domes, poles cut from the land and woven bamboo walls; and the other, a house designed to maximize a small (even tiny, 300 sq. feet) space. They have established two propagation beds for bamboo, which will be offered for sale, and used in experimental plantings mixed with native forest plants and trees, and will be offered for sale. In September they sponsored a workshop, attended by people from as far as Ecuador and France, on the development and use of a wide range of metal, lorena, concrete and ceramic stoves. Working now with some foundation money, including a $50,000 grant from the Tides Foundation, the Institute is still seeking to become financially self-sufficient by 1985 by increasing the revenues from educational programs, sales of nursery items and other products. The Institute continues to publish Cookstove News, the world's only, or at least most comprehensive periodical on cookstoves in Third World countries. For more information, write to: The Aprovecho Institute, 442 Monroe, Eugene, OR 97402.
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