Chief Financial Officer, Salem Health, Hospitals & Clinics
Craig Pope
County Commissioner, Polk County
Ryan Rasmussen
CPA - Dir, General Manager, Manufacturing, Willscot
Mark Raum
VP, Commercial Banking Officer, Umpqua Bank
David Rheinholdt
Board President, Latino Business Alliance
Samantha Ridderbusch
Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Comcast
Scott Salazar
Regional Business Manager, Pacific Power
Liz Schaecher
Program Coordinator, Oregon Aglink
Zachary Sielicky Government Affairs, NW Natural
Matt Sturzen
Attorney, Sherman Sherman Johnnie & Hoyt, LLP
Renata Wakeley
Special Projects Director, City of Woodburn
Cyrus Ward
Audit Manager - CPA, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors
626 High Street NE, Suite 200 • Salem, OR 97301
503-588-6225 • info@sedcor.com • www.sedcor.com
Erik Andersson
President
503-837-1800
eandersson@sedcor.com
Jenni Kistler
Director of Operations 541-918-1588
jkistler@sedcor.com
Naureen Khan Communications and Marketing Manager
503-837-1802
naureen@sedcor.com
Abisha Stone
Economic Development Manager – Yamhill County
503-837-2131
astone@sedcor.com
Alex Paraskevas
Economic Development Manager – Polk County
Rural Innovation Catalyst 503-931-3148
alexp@sedcor.com
Kip Morris
Economic Development Manager -– Marion County 503-837-1804
kip@sedcor.com
The Many Faces of Innovation
What springs to mind when you hear the word "innovation"? Scientists in white lab coats peering into microscopes? Twenty-somethings in hoodies bouncing ideas off each other in a renovated Bay Area loft? I’ll admit—I used to default to both of those images, too. But now I’m the first to say that innovation happens in every industry. I proudly spotlight the amazing advancements in our traditional sectors like wood products and agriculture, right alongside the exciting work being done by tech companies here in the Willamette Valley.
Earlier this year, I had the good fortune to travel to Memphis for the AgLaunch365 Portfolio Showcase and Demo Night. The event features companies in the AgLaunch365 Accelerator as they perfect their pitches in hopes of attracting investment from the organization’s Farmer Network. The range of startups was staggering. One company is developing autonomous "nano-tractors" to combat herbicide-resistant weeds and handle other on-farm tasks. Another is adapting wastewater monitoring technology—originally developed during the pandemic—to help poultry and dairy farmers detect avian flu in their animals. A third is engineering an allergen-free peanut plant through genome editing. These are just three of the eight entrepreneurs featured, each bringing remarkable expertise and passion to their ventures. Even as a layperson, I could quickly see the potential impact of their innovations.
It was especially exciting to see four Willamette Valley members of the Farmer Network make the trip to Memphis. One of them told me this is his favorite event of the year—and I can see why. I left the event inspired, motivated, and recharged after connecting with colleagues from across the country.
Back here in Oregon, innovation is thriving as well. McMinnville’s Solid Carbon has been selected as one of eight startups to receive an Innovation Grant from the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE). Solid Carbon—winner of SEDCOR’s Innovative Product of the Year award in 2022—continues its mission to revolutionize the concrete industry. This new funding will help the company explore how to upcycle organic forest waste into carbon-storing concrete for use in construction.
Oregon’s strength in forest products innovation was also on display at the recent International Mass Timber Conference, which drew more than 3,000 attendees from 29 countries to Portland. I was thrilled to see several of those visitors make their way to the Mid-Valley to tour Freres Wood Products' impressive new facility. Located in the Santiam Canyon, their 60,000-square-foot warehouse—built using Mass Plywood Panels—is among the most innovative in the country. I toured it recently with Rob and Kyle Freres and saw firsthand how the entire structure was assembled in just three weeks. It’s also, without a doubt, the most beautiful warehouse I’ve ever seen—worthy of the
Erik Andersson
SEDCOR President
Recap of SEDCOR Events
Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp
The Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp in January was a resounding success, bringing together entrepreneurs from across the region to gain critical insights, mentorship, and hands-on experience in refining their business ideas. The Bootcamp provided valuable sessions on business fundamentals, funding strategies, and investor pitching, culminating in a high-energy pitch practice session. As part of the Launch Mid-Valley Innovation Hub Initiative, this program reflects SEDCOR’s commitment to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem with support from Business Oregon. With momentum building toward the Oregon Startup Conference (June 20th) and future events, we’re excited to continue supporting local entrepreneurs as they turn bold ideas into thriving businesses.
Ag Breakfast
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s SEDCOR Ag Breakfast in February. This event brought together farmers, producers, service providers, and industry leaders from across the Mid-Willamette Valley for insightful discussions on the future of agriculture.
We were honored to hear from Valentin Celaya of AgWest Farm Credit, who provided an economic outlook for 2025, highlighting key trends and financial insights impacting the ag industry. Spencer Stensrude of AgVentures Alliance shared how farmers are leading the way in innovation and investment, while Alex Paraskevas from SEDCOR provided updates on regional ag initiatives, including our partnership with AgLaunch.
A special thank you to our title sponsor, Sherman Sherman Johnnie & Hoyt, for their generous support in making this event possible. And congratulations to those who took home a bottle of custom-label wine during our giveaway!
In Memory of Fred VanNatta (1938–2025)
Fred VanNatta, a founding member and past board chair of SEDCOR, leaves behind a lasting legacy of leadership and advocacy that helped shape the Mid-Willamette Valley’s economic landscape. A visionary in public relations and political strategy, he played a key role in Ronald Reagan’s 1968 presidential campaign before dedicating decades to advancing economic growth in Oregon. His work with SEDCOR and other organizations fostered collaboration and legislative progress, including contributions to Oregon’s land-use planning laws. Honored with the SEDCOR Community Service Award in 2021, Fred’s commitment to economic development, Salem, and beyond earned him widespread recognition. His legacy of service, leadership, and passion for community will continue to inspire future generations.
SEDCOR is proud to support the people and businesses that make agriculture a cornerstone of our regional economy, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations. Stay connected with us for future events and opportunities!
Spring Industry Tour
In March, SEDCOR members had the exclusive opportunity to tour MAK Metals, a leader in precision sheet metal manufacturing for the high-tech and electronics industries. Attendees got a firsthand look at the company’s advanced fabrication processes, high-quality production standards, and commitment to customer collaboration—from initial design to final product.
It was an incredible experience to see innovation in action and learn how MAK Metals supports the region’s manufacturing ecosystem. A huge thank you to the MAK Metals' Kal Anderson for opening their doors and sharing their expertise!
Ferrero Rocher, alongside Business Oregon, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, and industry partners for a conversation about Oregon’s world-class hazelnuts. Ferrero emphasized its commitment to sourcing the highest-quality hazelnuts, noting that every Ferrero Rocher candy features an Oregon hazelnut at its core.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Hazelnut Growers of Oregon facility in Donald, which Northwest Hazelnut recently acquired with support from SEDCOR, Business Oregon, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and other key partners. With 99% of the nation’s hazelnuts grown in the Willamette Valley, we are excited to see continued investment in the industry and look forward to
Northwest Hazelnut visited by Ferrero
Northwest Hazelnut Company was honored to host Ferrero in March, the global family-owned company behind Nutella and
Fred VanNatta
working with Ferrero and local growers to drive sustainable growth for Oregon’s hazelnut sector.
Cara Turano, OEN, receives a PBJ Woman of Influence Award
Cara Turano of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network has been recognized as a Portland Business Journal Woman of Influence for her outstanding leadership and contributions to Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her dedication to empowering startups, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth has made a lasting impact across the state.
SEDCOR members named in Oregon Business’s 100 Best Companies
Congratulations to the SEDCOR members who have been recognized in Oregon Business magazine's 2025 list of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon"
- Rich Duncan Construction, Perlo Construction, Green Acres Landscape, Huggins Insurances in partnership with Bliss Sequoia, P&C Construction and Express Employment Professionals. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights your dedication to fostering outstanding workplace environments and creating positive experiences for employees. Your commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and company culture is truly commendable, and we are proud to celebrate your achievements.
South Town Glass Celebrates 45 Years in Business
South Town Glass marks 45 years of service in Oregon, growing from a small operation in 1980 to a trusted name in glass and glazing. This milestone honors the skilled tradespeople, loyal clients, and supportive community that have been part of the company’s journey. With a legacy built on integrity and craftsmanship, South Town Glass looks forward to continuing its work for decades to come.
SVN Commercial Advisors Hosts 15th Annual Economic Forum
SVN® | Commercial Advisors held its 15th annual Economic Forum on February 25, 2025, drawing a record-breaking 400 attendees to the Salem Convention Center.
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy opened the event, with Salem Chamber CEO Tom Hoffert serving as Master of Ceremonies. Industry leaders covered key sectors, including agriculture, industrial, residential development, and commercial real estate, providing insights into market trends and economic growth. SVN looks forward to continuing this annual tradition, fostering informed discussions that strengthen the Mid-Valley business community.
Solid Carbon Secures Funding for Carbon-Negative Innovation
McMinnville-based Solid Carbon has been selected as one of eight startups to receive funding from the ASU-led Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine. This support will advance their groundbreaking work in carbon-negative building materials, transforming biomass waste into durable, eco-friendly alternatives to concrete. Solid Carbon’s innovative approach is helping reduce emissions while strengthening infrastructure, positioning them as a leader in sustainable construction.
Freres Engineered Wood Wins Industrial Development of the Year
Freres Engineered Wood has been honored with the Industrial Development of the Year award for its groundbreaking Mass Plywood Warehouse, a first-of-itskind industrial facility built entirely from mass timber. This project showcases the
potential of engineered wood to replace traditional steel and concrete in warehouse construction—offering cost savings, faster build times, and significant environmental benefits. By utilizing Mass Ply Panels, Freres continues its century-long commitment to innovation and sustainability, demonstrating how renewable resources can drive the future of industrial and commercial construction.
Good Neighbor Award
At the January Independence City Council meeting, SEDCOR President Erik Andersson and Economic Development Manager Alex Paraskevas were recognized with the "Good Neighbor Award." This well-deserved honor highlights their dedication to fostering strong community connections and advancing impactful economic development in the region. Congratulations to Erik and Alex on this remarkable achievement!
A-dec, George Fox, and Northwest Christian Church Partner on Newberg Childcare Center
A-dec Inc. has announced plans to build a 25,000-square-foot childcare facility in Newberg, set to open in fall 2026. Located at Northwest Christian Church, the center will serve 200 children from six weeks to five years old, addressing a critical shortage of childcare in Yamhill County. The project began during the COVID-19 pandemic when A-dec and George Fox University identified the urgent need for childcare options. Supported by the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners, Business Oregon, and the City of Newberg, the initiative aims to improve childcare accessibility and affordability. Construction is scheduled to begin in June.
ARG Industrial is proud to expand its reach to Salem, Oregon, in late Spring of 2025, bringing over 40 years of trusted experience with industrial and hydraulic hose, rigging, and safety solutions to the heart of the Willamette Valley. Founded in Anchorage in 1980, ARG has grown into an employee-owned powerhouse with 14 locations across Alaska and the PNW, serving industries like construction, agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Known for unmatched service and tailored solutions—from custom hose assemblies and precision rigging to 24/7 emergency support and Vendor Managed Inventory services—we’re more than a supplier, we’re your partner. Our team is deeply committed to the communities we serve, and every employee-owner takes pride in delivering reliable, responsive service with a personal touch. Salem, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work—because at ARG, we’re not just here to do business, we’re here to be part of yours.
Free Agents, LLC is a certified Veteran owned company specializing in business development services.
Our mission is to help build a sustainable economy for our community. We utilize our many strategic relationships with industry associations, economic development groups, government, and education to elevate both small business and bigger complex enterprises. We believe that collaboration and inclusion is the key to a prosperous future.
WORK HARD, Have Fun, FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, and always live life to the fullest!
Johanson Transportation Service (JTS) is a trusted third-party logistics (3PL) provider with over 54 years of experience in freight transportation. We specialize in LTL, FTL, Rail, and International shipping. With nationwide coverage, cutting-edge technology, and a team of logistics experts, JTS delivers seamless, cost-effective freight management, allowing you to focus on growing your business. Whether you need to move dry goods or temperature-controlled freight, we have the expertise and resources to get the job done right. For questions, quotes/bids, challenges, or issues, you can reach out to Jon Schaub at jschaub@johansontrans.com / 503-586-6317.
Nature's Kick Corp., founded by inventor Glenn Peters, has been delighting consumers with Honeystix since 1982. These convenient honey sticks are crafted with pure, high-quality honey and offer a fun, easy way to enjoy honey on the go. Whether you're looking for a quick snack, a sugar alternative for your tea, or a treat for children, Honeystix provide a portable and delicious option. With a variety of flavors, including traditional, floral, sour, and agave, the company continues to expand, bringing natural sweetness to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Nature's Kick Corp. continues to innovate and expand their offerings with retail and bulk packaging, variety boxes, and customized options for both individual customers and businesses. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes them a standout in the honey product industry. Nature’s Kick is based in Salem, and ships products worldwide. For those who love honey, Honeystix offers a unique and delightful way to indulge in this natural wonder.
Salem Insurance Agency was founded in 1970 by Gordon Brouse, Sr. As an independent insurance agency offering both personal and commercial insurance services, Salem Insurance prides itself on providing hands-on service to its clients and using years of experience to advise clients on managing their risk exposures.
Experienced in the construction ecosystem, Salem Insurance offers insurance products for general and specialty contractors, builder's risk policies, surety, performance & payment, public works, and other types of bonds, commercial property insurance, fleet insurance, and much more.
Solid Carbon, Inc. is a clean tech startup company focused on advancing biogenic carbon sequestration solutions in concrete. The company specializes in the development and deployment of innovative technologies designed to prevent carbon dioxide emissions from the decomposition or combustion of waste biomass. Solid Carbon’s approach utilizes biogenic carbon converted to biochar which Solid Carbon processes into valuable products, such as admixtures, aggregate replacements and cement substitutes.
Based in McMinnville, Oregon, Solid Carbon, Inc. has been providing carbon negative concrete ingredients since 2022.
Q: How do I choose which nonprofit to give to ?
Good question. There are a lot of great nonprofits out there that would benefit from your generosity. But finding one, or many, that match your goals and have a good track record can be daunting. For over fifty years we've simplified this process through strong relationships with nonprofits and by making grants on behalf of donors like you. We help you, help others. It's what we do. Let’s get started.
Mid-Valley Economic Indicators Salem MSA, February Data
The Salem MSA’s unadjusted unemployment rate was 5.0% in February, down from its revised rate of 5.1% in January. Oregon’s statewide unadjusted unemployment rate in February was 5.2%, down from its revised January rate of 5.3%. Employment gains were (4,800 jobs, +2.6%) over the year to February.
Job gains were concentrated in private education and health services (3,100 jobs, +8.8%) and professional and business services (1,200 jobs, +6.6%). Sectors with the largest declines were financial activities (300 fewer jobs, -4.9%) and trade, transportation, and utilities (100 fewer jobs, -0.3%). Employment is up 8.2% or 14,300 jobs above the pre -pandemic employment level in February 2020.
INFLATION ADJUSTED AVERAGE WAGES This month’s graph examines average monthly income trends for workers in education and health services. Wages in both public and private sectors fell by 6% during the pandemic (2019–2020) but rebounded with annual increases of 6% to 7% in 2021 and 2022. By 2023, however, wage growth slowed to just 2%. When adjusted for inflation, real incomes show a more concerning picture: they declined by 7% during the pandemic and rose only 2% between 2020 and 2021. Since 2021, inflation -adjusted wages have fallen by 1% to 2% annually. These trends underline the need for proactive measures to align wage growth with inflation, ensuring financial stability for workers in this sector.
Unemployment Rate Over-the-Year Comparison
Source: Oregon Employment Department (OED)
2024 Job Vacancy Survey Report
Source: Oregon Employment Department
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Mid-Valley Economic Indicators
Yamhill County, February Data
Yamhill County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2% in February, edging up from its revised rate of 4.1% in January. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in February was 4.5%, up from its revised January rate of 4.4%. From the previous year, total nonfarm employment grew by 290 jobs (+0.8%).
Industries adding the most jobs over the previous year were private education and health services (+4.1%, 380 jobs), financia l activities (+12.7%, 160 jobs), and manufacturing (+2.0%, 130 jobs). Job losses were concentrated in professional and business services (-5.4%, 130 fewer jobs) and information (-25.6%, 100 fewer jobs). Employment is 1,520 jobs (+4.3%) above the prepandemic level in February 2020.
INFLATION ADJUSTED AVERAGE WAGE This month’s graph outlines income trends for workers in education and health services. Wages rose by 2% during the pandemic (2019–2020) and rebounded with annual growth of 8% in 2021. However, this upward trend slowed significantly, with wages increasing by just 4% in 2022 and 1% in 2023. Inflation -adjusted figures reveal a more concerning pattern: wages showed no real increase during the pandemic, gained only 3% in 2021, and declined by 4% and 3% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. These trends underline the need for proactive measures to align wage growth with inflation, ensuring financial stability for workers in this sector.
Unemployment Rate Over-the-Year Comparison
Source: Oregon Employment Department (OED)
2024 Job Vacancy Survey Report
Source: Oregon Employment Department (OED), Portland State University Population Research Center
For more information and/or to be added to the monthly e -mail distribution list, contact:
Source: Oregon Employment Department (OED), Unadjusted Current Employment Statistics
Average Monthly Earnings in the Education and Health Services Industry between 2019 to 2023
Source: Oregon Employment Department, U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Workforce Indicator
Join the conversation and stay informed. Qualityinfo.org/mid-valley
Contact us for online presentations and speaking engagements.
Igniting Innovation: How Launch Mid-Valley is Transforming Entrepreneurship in the Region
By Mike White, Venture Catalyst, Launch Mid-Valley
A Vision for Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of economic growth, and in the Mid-Willamette Valley, we’re building an ecosystem that fuels innovation, investment, and opportunity. Launch Mid-Valley began as the Launch Mid-Valley Initiative (LMVI), a collaborative effort among organizations wanting to support local economic development —including SEDCOR, the Small Business Development Center, McMinnville Economic Development Partnership, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, and local governments from Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties. The goal? To cultivate a thriving startup community by adopting the Venture Catalyst model and providing critical support to entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
Connecting Startups to Success
At Launch Mid-Valley, we bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and the resources they need to scale. From connecting startups with capital to one-on-one coaching, we offer mentorship, networking opportunities, and funding access to turn ideas into thriving enterprises.
While we focus on scalable, traded-sector businesses, we support all entrepreneurs looking for guidance. Whether it's a high-tech startup or a main street small business, our mission is to equip founders with tools to succeed.
A Region Built for Innovation
What makes the Mid-Willamette Valley an ideal environment for startups? It’s the leadership, collaboration, and shared belief in entrepreneurship among organizations like SEDCOR, MEDP, OEN, and the Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator. These groups provide mentorship, resources, and funding to emerging businesses.
Additionally, local governments—including the City of Independence, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties—play a crucial role in fostering an innovation-friendly environment. Through policy support, infrastructure investment, and initiatives like the Indy Idea Hub, these communities lay the groundwork for longterm growth.
Programs & Resources
To build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, Launch Mid-Valley offers:
• 15 Coffee Clubs for Startups—Networking gatherings across the region.
• PubTalks—Events that connect business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs.
• Startup Bootcamps—Training for both tech and non-tech founders.
• Pitch Willamette—A platform for startups to pitch to investors.
• Oregon Startup Conference—An event linking entrepreneurs and experts.
• One-on-One Mentorship and Technical Assistance—Guidance to help businesses scale.
Success Stories: Real Impact
The results of our work are evident in the success of local startups:
• Revino secured investment from the Mid-Valley Angel Group, leading to a federal match.
• HelloCare used strategic advising to grow to over 100 employees.
• GameBox received advisement that facilitated a $5 million exit.
• Startup Bootcamp graduates connected with the Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator.
Since its start, Launch Mid-Valley has helped create over 100 jobs, facilitated access to $20M+ in capital, and connected over 1,000 entrepreneurs to resources.
Addressing Challenges & Seizing Opportunities
Despite momentum, startups still face hurdles—mainly finding resources and securing capital. We’re addressing this by strengthening connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and support organizations.
One trend shaping the future? Artificial Intelligence. Entrepreneurs are exploring how to integrate AI, and we’re here to help them navigate it.
The Future of Launch Mid-Valley
Our vision is clear:
• Expand access to entrepreneurial resources.
• Increase employment opportunities.
• Boost capital access.
• Strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
For those eager to be part of this movement, join a Coffee Club, attend a PubTalk, or reach out to SEDCOR. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or business leader, your involvement helps shape the future of innovation in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Building a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Success hinges on community support. Investors, policymakers, and business leaders fuel innovation by ensuring capital flows into high-impact projects. With the right resources and commitment, the Mid-Willamette Valley is poised to become a hub for entrepreneurial excellence.
Innovation starts with an idea—but it thrives with support. At Launch Mid-Valley, we’re here to make sure great ideas don’t just start; they scale and succeed. Want to get involved and learn more? Visit launchmidvalley.org .
AgLaunch Demo Night
The AgLaunch Demo Night and Portfolio Showcase was held February 27 at Crosstown Complex in Memphis, Teen. It was a day of startup pitches, agtech showcases, meetings with investors and founders, as well as food, music, and the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the creative transformation shaping the future of agriculture.
SEDCOR and AgLaunch have been working together since 2019 to promote the farm-centric innovation model for agtech to the Willamette Valley. AgLaunch holds three active contracts with the Small Business Administration to build Regional Innovation Clusters that support regional, entrepreneurial ecosystems for agtech companies to thrive, and SEDCOR serves as the boots-onthe-ground contractor in the Northwest. AgLaunch also runs a business accelerator program for agtech startups (AgLaunch365) where farmers pick the startups that get invited into the program and rather than a 12-week class the startups receive support for up to three years. During that time the same farmers selecting startups host early-stage commercial field trials on their farms, receiving support from AgLaunch’s agronomy team, and the farmers also wind up serving as technical advisors as the startups scale. In exchange the startups have given up a sliver of equity to the farmers who all are part of joint venture together. There are about 45 farms across 11 states participating that are a part of the Farmer Network, with 40 companies in their portfolio.
The day served as a celebration for the latest cohort of agtech startups that have finished the classroom portion of the AgLaunch365 Accelerator and are moving onto the two years of field trials. Soon they will be working alongside AgLaunch agronomists and field staff, and the AgLaunch Farmer trials hosts who are both equity holders in the companies but also mentors to the founders, as they lay out their early-stage commercial field trials on farm.
The event also highlighted many of the other AgLaunch portfolio companies, allowing farmers, investors, and partners to hear updates on their progress, hear what they have learned through on-farm field trials, and hear about their next steps as startups.
One of the notable demonstrations this year was from portfolio company Grain Weevil, whose robot is used for grain bin management, making it unnecessary for a farmer to enter the bin.
In attendance were all the Oregon AgLaunch farmers (pictured). In addition to demo night they attended farm tours in the Mississippi Delta around Memphis. AgLaunch staff and farmers are still in the planning stages of field trials in Oregon 2025 but stay tuned to learn more!
The startups from this year’s AgLaunch365 cohort:
1. Barn Owl Precision Agriculture which deploys the Autonomous Nano Tractor (ANT) as a service to support small farmers in securing our food supply, combating climate change, and rekindling a passion for farming. Designed for precision weeding in row crop environments, the system offers operational support throughout the farming cycle— from planting to harvest.
2. Barnwell Bio is an animal health data platform powered by wastewater analysis. By offering early identification of health
trends, we help minimize livestock mortality and maximize productivity, removing guesswork from animal health management.
3. BugBiome harnesses nature’s own defenses to protect crops from pests safely and sustainably. By leveraging plant microbiomes and innovative hardware to study insect behavior, the team discovers bioprotectants that pose no harm to people or pollinators.
4. IngateyGen specializes in developing innovative peanut varieties using CRISPR genome editing technology. Our traits improve safety and nutritional value, delivering enhanced health and wellness benefits for consumers.
5. Kalix gives farmers real-time control over animal health with rapid disease testing results delivered in just one hour— compared to the typical 5–7 days required for external lab testing.
6. MicroMGx delivers nature’s solutions for global agriculture. Proprietary technology identifies novel chemicals from microbes 100 times more efficiently than traditional methods. Our lead product is a naturally produced herbicide with a groundbreaking mechanism of action—the first in 35 years.
7. Mycologics offers a biofungicide manufacturing platform derived from microbial natural products, providing sustainable solutions for crop protection.
8. Rogue.ai develops the most advanced spraying drones on the market, powered by a hybrid-electric powertrain. Our technology significantly reduces operational costs while enhancing on-field productivity.
INCENTIVES—RESULTS
Key Questions Every Business Owner Must Answer:
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Driving Innovation in Keizer: A Q&A with Mayor Cathy Clark
From small businesses to emerging startups, Keizer is fostering an environment where ideas can thrive. In this Q&A, Mayor Cathy Clark shares insights on how the city is supporting local entrepreneurs, encouraging innovation, and preparing for the future.
How does the city support innovation and entrepreneurship as part of its economic development strategy?
Keizer works to be responsive to the needs of businesses. From streamlining zoning to a responsive planning department, we are part of the team for a new or expanding business to prepare their location. In addition, we support our economic development partners at SEDCOR and the Keizer Chamber of Commerce as well as the city’s own enterprises so that they can make it easy for businesses to operate in Keizer and get the support they need. Are there any recent success stories of businesses or startups in Keizer that exemplify innovation?
The River Cherry Overlay District which streamlines zoning was created before the state started mandating scenario planning. Keizer saw the opportunity for housing and a variety of commercial uses to coexist. So, all the commercial properties in our core are all zoned simply as mixed use. Several properties in those corridors are now in various stages of planning and construction and we hope to see more.
What infrastructure improvements or investments are being made to attract and support innovative businesses?
Ziply Fiber has signed a franchise agreement with the city and is in the process of installing fiber throughout Keizer. This will provide data-heavy businesses the speed and capacity they need for their services. A slow battery energy storage facility is being planned as well to provide more power capacity to our region.
What resources are available for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the area? For business startups, Chemeketa Community College, Latino Business Alliance, the chambers of commerce, SEDCOR, and the CCBI center offer tremendous resources for the business owner as well as for employees looking to advance their skills or move into managerial roles. Chambers of Commerce and SBDC offer classes, networking and access to financial tools for business owners.
What challenges do startups face in this region, and how is the city working to address them?
The city of Keizer knows that business success is all about partnerships.
Marketing to the world outside the mid-Willamette Valley is an ongoing challenge. We continue to have to be very active to achieve the level of attention we deserve for the quality and quantity of businesses we have here.
Transportation for manufactured goods, particularly agricultural products, is challenging due to bottlenecks, particularly in the Portland region. Keizer actively advocates for funding of infrastructure to improve our transportation system in the valley. We have many local lending institutions that work well with the locally based business in mind. The State of Oregon has streamlined the way businesses can access public contracting opportunities; getting connected through Oregon Buys is a huge plus.
Finally, workforce is an ongoing challenge; the city does not control our education system but this is where Salem Keizer School District and Chemeketa Community College along with Corban University and Willamette University have found success in Career Technical Education and increasingly smooth transitions between K-12 and college; a workforce that is trained here tends to stay here and that is only good for businesses that need those skilled workers.
Cathy Clark, Mayor of Keizer
How can local entrepreneurs engage with the city to better understand opportunities and resources?
The city works with the Keizer Chamber, SEDCOR and other business development partners to be present for networking events, government affairs meetings, and other regional gatherings. We seek to engage early when we learn of interest in bringing a business to Keizer. In addition, if a local entrepreneur has an idea, our city staff will be more than happy to meet with them to find options that could lead to ‘yes.’
What role do public-private partnerships play in fostering innovation in Keizer?
The city of Keizer owns lands in the Keizer Station area that will provide tremendous business opportunities as they are sold and are fully developed. We keep costs as low as practicable for taxes and fees but prioritize keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair to ensure reliability for our community members.
What is your vision for the Keizer's business ecosystem in the next 5-10 years?
Our vision is for a full build out of the Keizer side of the Chemawa interchange area, a new solution for increasing profitable land utilization near the Willowlake water treatment facility area, increased density with an emphasis on home ownership through redevelopment that make activity areas more walkable and bikeable. Industries may include small data center, business park and back office, energy storage and resilience, medical and educational facilities, and sports and entertainment facilities (i.e. 19 park system that includes our new synthetic turf fields, our popular amphitheater and much more).
How can community members and business leaders contribute to making the area a more innovation-friendly environment? Remember to consider Keizer when you start looking at options. Keizer strongly supports our businesses and is open to ideas that will retain our community character while providing opportunities for businesses to come to town or expand.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Keizer? #1 is quality. Good work pays off in a town as small as Keizer. Show up and ask. We love getting to know you and figuring out how we can work together.
Digitized Zoning Platform in Yamhill County Goes Live
by Missing Middle Housing Fund
An innovative approach to advance housing production in Oregon is now accessible to all 11 jurisdictions in Yamhill County. A first of its kind partnership between privatepublic-and non-profit organizations has worked to digitize 41,500 parcels of land to streamline access to zoning codes.
The effort represents a groundbreaking initiative to address housing needs in Yamhill County between SEDCOR; the Missing Middle Housing Fund (MMHF), a workforce housing innovation non-profit; UrbanForm, an Oregon-based technology company that has developed an online zoning navigation platform; and the leadership of Yamhill County’s 11 municipalities. The initiative will empower the County’s cities – like Newberg, Dayton, and Lafayette – with an easyto-use tool that streamlines access to jurisdictional zoning codes, improves permit application quality, and saves time for applicants and reviewers. The work is anticipated to add capacity to municipal staff and reduce the time to develop critically needed housing in the region.
The project was partially funded by an investment from the Workforce Housing Investment Fund (WHIF), established by SEDCOR and managed by the MMHF, to invest in innovations that address the workforce housing needs of Newberg, OR employers. The fund was created with a $3M grant from the State of Oregon, awarded to support the efforts of the region’s Newberg Workforce Housing Consortium (NWHC) in 2022 at the request of Oregon State Representative, Anna Scharf. The NWHC includes Providence Healthcare, Friendsview Retirement, A-dec, Newberg-Dundee Public Schools, George Fox University, with support from the City of Newberg.
The partnership was recently honored with the Regional Cooperative Project Award by the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments (MWVCOG) in March, which recognizes a partnership of local governments in the region for a project or initiative that enhances intergovernmental cooperation. SEDCOR’s Abisha Stone, Economic Development Manager for Yamhill County, accepted the award on the
group’s behalf and thanked city and county leaders for their collaboration.
“Solving our housing crisis means pulling many levers,” said Nathan Wildfire, Co-Founder and CEO of MMHF. “One of those key levers is streamlining the zoning and permitting process, which is laborious, time-consuming, and prone to errors. We are excited about how UrbanForm’s web application will help to make this process easier, more user-friendly, and ultimately reduce the time to create housing.”
One website serves as a unified portal to access zoning information for all 11 jurisdictions in Yamhill County. This website application, developed by UrbanForm, presents key zoning regulations for any given parcel, streamlines access to jurisdictional sources, and summarizes everything in an easy-to-use report. Team members from the jurisdictions have provided valuable input during a quality assurance process over the past two months to ensure that the platform is optimized for their needs.
Yamhill County’s 41,500 digitized parcels can now be accessed and evaluated more easily by developers and architects to identify potential home building sites more quickly and submit proposals for permits with greater accuracy. This in turn will improve the speed in which sites may be selected and applications prepared for permits. Since its inception in 2020, UrbanForm has digitized nearly 2 million parcels of land in major metropolitan areas such as Seattle, Los Angeles, and Austin.
“We believe that UrbanForm’s technology will change the way people think about the build process,” said Quang Truong, UrbanForm’s CEO. “Knowledge and access is power. By digitizing the zoning code and regulations across the thousands of parcels in Yamhill County we can greatly reduce the time it takes to get housing projects designed, permitted, and under construction.”
The Yamhill County site is free for all to access and can be found at https://yam.urbanform.us.
Q&A with New Yamhill County Commissioner, Bubba King
How does the county support innovation and entrepreneurship as part of its economic development strategy?
Yamhill County invests in a small business grant and loan program funded by Oregon state lottery dollars. We employ an economic development manager who supports business growth and innovation by sourcing outside grant funding and connecting industries across the county. Unfortunately, our contract with SEDCOR ended a couple of years ago, but we continue to see the benefits of those relationships in our cities. I hope to see Yamhill County reestablish its contract with SEDCOR to drive innovation and economic development more strategically.
Are there any recent success stories of businesses or startups in the county that exemplify innovation?
Revino, a Newberg-based wine bottle recycling company, adapted a European concept and developed its own bottle company, now supplying local wineries. Their innovation has positively impacted the wine industry across the valley and the state.
What infrastructure improvements or investments are being made to attract and support innovative businesses?
Infrastructure improvements have primarily been led by city governments in collaboration with state and federal officials. Recently, alongside Representative Elmer, a small group of elected officials convened to address shared infrastructure needs in small, rural communities. Our goal is to elevate these concerns and work together to leverage state and federal resources. Given reduced government funding, private investment will be necessary to address infrastructure challenges. The county must play a more active role in understanding industry needs and leading cross-county infrastructure projects.
What resources are available for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the county?
Each city takes a unique approach to supporting small businesses. Organizations like downtown associations, the McMinnville and Chehalem Valley Chambers of Commerce, and DMOs offer valuable resources and networking opportunities. At the county level, our economic development manager connects businesses across communities and helps leverage grant opportunities, including our small business grant and loan program.
What challenges do startups face in this region, and how is the county working to address them?
Most startups in Yamhill County face challenges in three areas: workforce training and recruitment, supplier/ distribution hurdles, and service development charges (SDCs) for zoning or change of use. I was involved in revising Newberg’s SDC schedule to exempt daycare facilities from fees, making expansion easier. SDCs were also made more
transparent and reasonable for local businesses. I hope to see similar reviews across the county to reduce barriers for startups.
What role do public-private partnerships play in fostering innovation in the county?
Yamhill County benefits from strong businesses committed to its future. The county’s ARPA process demonstrated the value of public-private partnerships in addressing community needs. Projects like Stratus Village in McMinnville—collaborations between the Grand Ronde, the City of McMinnville, and the county—show how partnerships can solve housing challenges. Additionally, daycare expansions involving DCI, WESD, GFU, NW Christian Church, and A-dec, as well as addiction service expansions with nonprofits, highlight how county-led initiatives can drive meaningful progress. I aim to continue fostering such collaborations to support business growth and bring state and federal tax dollars back to the county.
What is your vision for the county’s business ecosystem in the next 5-10 years?
I hope to see the county establish an economic development advisory board to create a long-term strategy for supporting infrastructure and workforce needs. The wine industry, a key part of our economy, deserves a greater role in county planning—not just through tourism committees but also in broader economic development efforts. We need to make strategic investments in our leading industries: wine, manufacturing, and agriculture, ensuring their long-term success.
How can community members and business leaders contribute to making the county a more innovationfriendly environment?
Collaboration across cities, led by the county, is essential to advancing economic development goals. A unified approach will help attract business investment and maximize state and federal funding opportunities. Employers are generous with their time and resources but need a stronger voice in county planning. By regularly engaging business leaders and community members, the county can better align infrastructure investments with industry needs.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business in this county?
Find a mentor in your industry or a related field. Learning from experienced professionals can provide valuable insights and guidance. And always, hustle if you want to make it.
Bubba King, Yamhill County Commissioner
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Polk County
by Commissioner Craig Pope, Polk County
Innovation and entrepreneurship are basic fundamentals of business and economic vitality. No business starts or operates without some measure of these fundamentals, and no business can thrive or persist without an evolution of these fundamentals.
Polk County businesses are no exception to these principles. Since the first settlers’ broke ground in the early 1800’s establishing ranches and farms or harvesting timber to produce lumber for the region to the technologically advanced successors of those business ventures that we are proud to embrace today. People that have demonstrated courage to invest sweat and financial equity into their dreams of independence, built Polk County.
When I am asked what Polk County (government) does to support or enhance economic development, my first response is always youth and workforce development. The principles of investment for my Board of Commissioners are how to invest in the most effective career training and immersion experience available to us. We support innovative approaches that have risen around the mid-valley such as C-TEC in Salem, Willamette Career Academy in Salem, Barbara Roberts CTEC school in Sheridan and the many incredible training opportunities offered through campuses of Chemeketa Community College.
The Polk County Commissioners have been committed to helping strengthen economic vitality by having an understanding of how hard it is to run any business…anywhere. We understand the challenges of start up and access to capital. We understand the substantial complexities of hiring qualified staff and keeping them, along with the burden of increasing regulation and taxes for the privilege of hiring people. We are absolutely sensitive to the tax burdens on our business community and fight where we can to shine light on unreasonable legislation that will impact all of our employers that will potentially lead to their dislocation from our community.
When it comes to innovation, though county governments don’t do a lot to promote it, we do try to enhance systems and infrastructure to help when we can. For example, it is clear that our ag industry
is constantly growing through innovation by tech advances. These tech tools generally require robust tele-communication systems that has been a big challenge for Polk County prior to Covid. With that in mind, my office was able to lead conversations with Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) prior to Covid that gave us a better understanding of where the actual internet services existed outside cities, who could or would provide more and how the county could help…with no money.
I knew that the ag and timber businesses needed more “band-width” in order for the technology that was being presented to them to work properly. Then Covid happened and it was clear that not only was our business community in dire need for ISP infrastructure but thousands of households did as well. These households were not only students needing help as they were closed out of classrooms but an incredible number of dislocated workers that were sent home to perform their daily duties but had no dependable internet infrastructure to make it work.
Polk County received Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars first and went to work right away to negotiate with a strong fixed wireless provider in the region to get a few tower sites established and operating. Then we received America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money that allowed us to expand the contract for additional fixed wireless facilities but also a significant fiber project in three areas of Polk County that will improve the capacity of internet to nearly a thousand homes and businesses with a solid local company.
The bottom line to this story is that we can perform supportive functions to help our entrepreneurs, businesses and residents through innovation if we are willing to be curious enough to explore support systems we don’t normally engage in.
DCI is a multigenerational family-run company based in Newberg, Oregon. We believe in managing every aspect of the business around one simple goal: making our customer’s life easier.
Backed by our passion for serving dental practitioners and producing equipment that’s built to last, DCI has paved an innovative, quality-focused path in the world of dental parts and equipment.
dcionline.com | dciedge.com
Craig Pope, Polk County Commissioner
Oregon’s Innovation Index
Damon Runberg, Economist at Business Oregon
Last summer Business Oregon released the Innovation Index. This is an ongoing report that was first published back in 2004, this is the 7th update to the Index. The goal of this report is to capture the entrepreneurial and innovative activity within all states and the District of Columbia. Eighteen different metrics were tracked that measured a diversity of economic activity that is largely tied to innovative economies.
Oregon ranked 7th in the 2024 Innovation Index among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The top performing states in the Innovation Index were our neighbors to the north, Washington, followed by Colorado, New Hampshire, California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. The overall ranking in the Innovation Index was determined by looking at how each state performed in these 18 metrics. Performance for each metric was measured in two ways. The first was each states relative performance in each metric compared to the national average. The second was the rate of change for each metric over the past five years. Oregon’s ranking for each metric and measure can be seen in the table below. These two measures attempted to ask 1) How good is your state at each of these metrics? And 2) Is your state getting better or worse at these metrics?
When looking how Oregon ranked among each of the 18 metrics in the index, a few broad trends emerge. First, although Oregon’s overall rank in the Innovation Index was 7th, the state was rarely a leader in any of these metrics.
If Oregon was not exceptional in more than a handful of metrics, then how did it rank so highly overall? The answer is that Oregon was roughly in the top 1/3rd of states for 14 of the 18 metrics. Not too dissimilar from the adage, “jack of all trades, master of none.”
Another observation was the five-year change rank was routinely lower than the relative performance rank. Oregon ranked in the bottom 1/3rd for 8 of the 17 metrics where fiveyear change was available. This is a notable threat where Oregon’s competitive advantage may be slipping. Even if Oregon’s
performance is ranked highly in a metric, a low five-year change rank can reflect the state losing market share in that metric.
What do we do with this information? The goal of this Innovation Index is to help identify areas of strength that we don’t want to jeopardize, areas of weakness that we need to lift, and areas where our competitive advantage is eroding and thus necessitating greater investment. Each metric is categorized into either a strength, weakness, or threat below.
The most notable strengths included university-licensed technologies, patents, university start-ups, and exports. Other metrics classified as strengths but not ranked as high, include university-licensed technology income, STEM workforce, and average wage. We do higher education well and our university partners help maintain Oregon’s innovative ecosystem by educating highly skilled workers, developing new technologies, and spinning off new businesses.
Most of the remaining metrics were classified as threats. Areas of competitive advantage, but that advantage is eroding. These metrics include high-tech employment, manufacturing GDP, business growth, knowledge workers, educational attainment, research and development investments, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. That is a long list of areas where Oregon’s competitive advantage is eroding, and the state is not keeping pace. Threats are the most urgent to address as they point to a clear problem. We are good at this, but we are losing influence, market share, or competitive advantage. It is easy to ignore these threats since they are areas of strong relative performance. However, it is critical to continue to invest time and resources into these metrics to ensure that they do not become a weakness.
Overall, Oregon is an innovative state with distinct wellrounded strengths. A jack of all trades. However, this iteration of the Innovation Index points to a significant number of areas where Oregon’s strengths are being threatened and not keeping pace with peer states. The results from this index should open our eyes to the need for greater investment in commercialization and continued efforts to improve the quality of the business environment for our industries to stay competitive..
Large Commercial to Small Residential Projects
Photos: Local Oregon Legacy
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Invest in yourself by pursuing the education and training you need for a successful future. Chemeketa Community College offers a wide range of programs designed to help you achieve your goals and build the life you deserve.
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Your future begins at Chemeketa. Enroll now and make your success story the best part of your New Year. Visit go.chemeketa.edu/pathways for more information.
