ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE
Oregon City’s Economic Development Department fosters a resilient local economy that supports businesses, empowers entrepreneurs, and expands employment opportunities. The department has laid the groundwork for sustainable growth through targeted programs addressing small business needs, workforce development, local industry retention, and business attraction. The Debt Relief Initiative , launched in response to the pandemic, provided essential support to small businesses. The Re-Imagine Opportunity Fund helped tourism-focused businesses and nonprofits adapt to challenges by offering forgivable loans of up to $60,000. Funded by a $275,000 Oregon State Tourism grant, the program enabled businesses to implement new technologies and processes, strengthening Oregon City’s visitor economy. During this time, the Talent Ready Oregon City program united nonprofit workforce development agencies, human resource organizations, and local businesses to collaborate in helping companies identify employment opportunities for residents while also supporting individuals in overcoming barriers to employment. Efforts to attract and retain businesses have brought new organizations like Advantis Credit Union into the community, creating over two hundred jobs (with benefits) and paying approximately $300,000 annually in local property taxes. Programs such as The Biz Pod and the Entrepreneurial Opportunity Loan Program offered financial and educational resources to emerging entrepreneurs, cultivating a culture of innovation and economic self-sufficiency. Oregon City’s balanced approach combines immediate recovery efforts with strategies for long-term growth, supporting a stable and prosperous future for the community.
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