The Columbia Economic Team (CET) has announced an initiative called the “Business Community Connection Project.”
The project is “a robust, multi-disciplined information-gathering initiative” that will utilize direct business interviews, research, and collaboration between dozens of stakeholders to develop an “informed, shared vision for future economic development in Columbia County.”
According to a media release from CET, the project is based on a proven model used nationally. It is also backed by a diverse coalition of local partners organized into a skilled task force.
The Taskforce Team includes CET, the Columbia County SBDC, Keep it Local Columbia County, GRO Greater St. Helens, the Clatskanie, Rainier, and South Columbia County Chambers of Commerce, St. Helens Main Street Alliance, ColPac EDD, each of the county’s cities, county commissioners, energy utilities, local credit unions, and a number of other stakeholder organizations and individuals from throughout the county, the release said.
“This initiative is unlike any other in Columbia County, and it draws upon the strength of a proven, university-developed methodology and local talent,” said Columbia Economic Team Executive Director Paul Vogel.
The project will gather national, regional, and local data, including direct interviews with business owners, to inform recommendations and strategic planning to stimulate economic growth and sustainability.
A diverse range of 100 businesses across the county and business sectors will be interviewed between May 1 and June 15, 2024. Businesses of all types and sizes – “from garage-based start-ups to farmers, storefront retail, and our largest manufacturers” – will be included, according to CET.
“Together, we’ll gain a greater understanding of individual business needs and an overall picture of Columbia County’s economic landscape, including economic challenges and opportunities for growth and development.” Vogel added.
All interviews will be confidential, with coded results integrated into the overall economic profile. Actionable items will then be assigned to a “Response Team,” a team dedicated to coordinating resources and solutions for identified challenges and opportunities for individual businesses and sectors.
“At the heart of this project, this is about community leaders getting to know, listening to, and learning from our business community,” Lead Coordinator on the project Sierra Trass said.” Our collaborating partners want to serve Columbia County’s business community in the best way possible and what better way than to literally ask the businesses themselves?” Trass added.
“We’re all looking forward to engaging with businesses of all sizes and sectors to ensure that their voices are heard, needs are addressed wherever possible, and business owners’ input becomes the foundation for future economic development in the county,” Trass continued.
About the Columbia County Business Community Connection Project
The Columbia County Business Community Connection Project is a collaborative initiative aimed at shaping the future of business development in Columbia County. Through direct interviews, data analysis, and collaboration, the project seeks to create an informed and shared vision for economic prosperity in the county.
“We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our partners in this endeavor, and we’re all going to come out of this work smarter, more capable, and more strategic at shaping and navigating our economic future,” Vogel said.
This project is funded in part with Oregon State Lottery funds administered by Business Oregon, and implemented by Columbia Economic Team in partnership with many organizations.
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