Hewlett Packard has been in Corvallis Oregon for approximately thirty years. Hewlett Packard and Corvallis have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship over this period of time. In the 1970's there was concern from the city fathers in Corvallis of how the addition of Hewlett Packard would affect the community. In 2008 the concern is the same about the affect on the city of Corvallis. Only now the concern is financial. Over the past four years Hewlett Packard has reduced staffing significantly, equating to more than 700 positions. The latest tremors from Hewlett Packard have another 300-400 more layoffs-buyouts scheduled shortly. These layoffs will have a financial impact on Corvallis and Benton County. The City of Corvallis is working on plans to assist the displaced Hewlett Packard Employees. Corvallistidbits has had conversations with some of the Hewlett Packard employees who accepted buyouts and have started other businesses. Most that have been successful in their new ventures have used networking as a method for success. How many employees will be retained and what Hewlett Packard will do with the unused buildings on their Corvallis Campus is a question that has yet to be answered.
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