Economic Development

In the context of the region’s rapid yet uneven growth and development, Central Oregon’s communities are experiencing an increasing need for strategic Economic Development planning and collaboration.

The overarching purpose of COIC’s Economic Development program is to strengthen Central Oregon communities through the creation and retention of family-wage jobs in industries that support local quality of life, as defined by each community. COIC’s Economic Development programs are aimed at benefiting the entire Central Oregon region, with a specific emphasis on increasing the capacity of communities to provide economic development services and manage economic development needs over the long-term.

The core functions of COIC’s Economic Development services are:

• to explore and document regional economic development planning and inter-jurisdictional collaboration opportunities;
  
• to provide finance and industry development support to Central Oregon businesses and entrepreneurs;
  
• to assist local jurisdictions in developing the information, infrastructure, public improvements and other necessary conditions that ready communities to accommodate the startup, retention, expansion, and recruitment of business; and
  
• to serve those communities that do not have professional economic development expertise or capacity.