OROVILLE -- Realizing that performance speaks volumes, the members of BayTEC Alliance have not wasted time. Deals are being done.

In April, the group's steering committee stood before a roomful of community and regional members, presenting an expansive vision they had to revitalize Oroville, providing jobs and income to the community.

Last week, the group revealed that there are projects already in the works that will mean educational opportunities, new businesses, jobs and programs for the future in what they're calling "green tech" jobs that intertwine sustainability, green technology and renewable natural resources.

And the group has raised $160,000 of its initial $200,000 target. Some of that money is coming from federal or state stimulus programs, but private contributions have been offered.

BayTEC Alliance member Bill Finley, executive director of the Private Industry Council of Butte County, who works with stimulus funding, lists the projects envisioned at the Oroville Airport Business Park.

The alliance has obtained the free use of a 42,000-square-foot building once occupied by Spectra Physics Lasers, which was shuttered by its parent company.

The building will be occupied by Living Elements, a business that will oversee some of the processes and services planned inside.

Those include:

A resource center and demonstration site for green-tech products and techniques, especially construction related. It's been called an "exploratorium of green technology." Public educational forums are also planned.

Research and training have key roles, and Chico State University, Butte College and Northwest Lineman College are involved. Solar and wind power will be among the alternative energy sources examined. Research concepts are expected to lead to business opportunities.

A training facility in conjunction with Butte College that would help businesses be "more green," win bids and train future employees. A regional center will offer weatherization training.

In addition to the airport properties, 170 acres north of town between Table Mountain Boulevard and the railroad tracks have been dedicated to a BayTEC use. Owned by Hignell Development Group, the property is being held up for a business and research park. Seventy of those acres are in the city and a sewer extension is pending. A permit from the Department of Water Resources has been obtained.

Hignell representative and BayTEC board member Weldon Larson said the site could be used for incubating businesses.

The name BayTEC developed out of the proposed Bay View Regional Innovation and Technology Center, proposed for the 170 acres overlooking the Themalito Forebay.

"This is going to make Oroville a different place," said BayTEC chair and local insurance agent Gary Ott, pointing out the community's complementing assets, including land, water, rail transportation and housing.

But the proposals have implications for the entire region, said Virginia Walker of the consulting Jamison Group. Walker and her brother, Glen Toney, grew up in Oroville, but found their careers in the Silicon Valley. They are working with BayTEC board members.

Walker said task forces will be formed soon, hopefully including community members, to look at what needs to be done with school curriculum, infrastructure, permit streamlining, planning and other areas that would help the proposals.

A community briefing to explain these and other actions is planned for 7 p.m. June 18 at the Oroville Southside Community Center.

Walker said BayTEC Alliance is interested in hearing from the community at the briefing about what's important for Oroville's future.

Staff writer Laura Urseny can be reached at 896-7756 or lurseny@chicoer.com.