dd Oregon to the list of states hoping to pry companies loose from California. A six-month ad blitz that began in January 2005 targets Golden State companies. That builds on efforts by Gov. Ted Kulongoski who mailed letters to 250 California businesses asking them to take a look at his state.
      Even before the ad campaign, Oregon enticed California-based organic foods manufacturer Amy's Kitchen

Wachovia placed its first West Coast call center in Salem, Ore., after looking at more than 100 sites.

to build a new facility in Medford. The expansion became a tug of war between Kulongoski and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, with both governors making personal appeals to the family-owned company.
      Growing at an annual clip of 25 percent, Amy's needed more space. It will build a production plant and distribution center that will initially create about 200 jobs. The firm seems to fit nicely in a state with an abundance of organic farmers.
      Amy's will maintain its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Santa Rosa, Calif. Company officials say Amy's will save about US$1 million annually through lower workers' compensation costs and lower taxes.