SALEM, OREGON (BNO NEWS) – Business Oregon, the state’s economic development department, launched a new, web-based business development tool that will find and connect Oregon businesses with potential partners and customers, Governor Ted Kulongoski announced on Friday.

The development tool, named the Northwest Connectory, provides companies with a free online service to share their products, services and unique technical skills. The system is proven to be effective in generating new sales leads and identifying potential business partners. So far 577 Oregon businesses have already registered in the web site.

“This exciting new, business-to-business tool is going to help Oregon companies find new customers and help grow their bottom lines. This is just the latest innovative tool employed by the state to help Oregon businesses grow their companies and retain and create jobs,” said Governor Kulongoski.

This new tool will help businesses in two ways. First, it will link them to regional opportunities based on the detailed and verified profiles of the Oregon companies via a robust, online database of suppliers and buyers. Second, it provides free access to the only business to business tool that has been successfully used in Southern California.

Already, tow companies has established contact through the new state tool. A buyer for Lake Oswego-Based Timbercon, Inc. was looking for a local Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designer for an upcoming project, and was having a hard time finding a firm with the requisite capabilities. A search of the database quickly identified Beaverton-based Cipher Systems. While Cipher and Timbercon haven’t signed any contracts yet, a business relationship between the two firms is in the works.

In order to be listed in the Northwest Connectory database, businesses must fill out and submit and online intake form in the toll’s website. No fee is necessary.