The Colombian Economic Team (CET) announced an initiative called the “Business Community Connectivity Project.”
The project is a “powerful, multidisciplinary intelligence gathering initiative” that uses direct business interviews, surveys, and collaboration among dozens of stakeholders to “inform Columbia County's future economic development.” We will formulate a shared vision based on
According to a CET media release, the project is based on a proven model used nationally. It is also supported by a diverse coalition of local partners organized into a skilled task force.
The task force team includes CET, Columbia County SBDC, Keep it Local Columbia County, GRO Greater St. Helens, Clatskani, Rainier, and South Columbia County Chambers of Commerce, St. Helens Main Street Alliance, ColPac EDD, and each county chamber of commerce. included. The release states that organizations and individuals from the city, county commissioners, energy utility companies, local credit unions and many other stakeholders in the county participated.
“This initiative is unlike any other in Columbia County, leveraging proven university-developed methodologies and the power of local talent,” said Paul Vogel, executive director of the Columbia Economic Team.
This project will collect national, regional, and local data, including direct interviews with business owners, to provide recommendations and strategic plans to stimulate economic growth and sustainability.
A diverse group of 100 companies from across the county and business sector will be interviewed from May 1 to June 15, 2024. Businesses of all types and sizes are eligible, “from garage-based startups to farmers, brick-and-mortar retailers, and the nation's largest manufacturers.” – According to CET, will be included.
“Together, we will be able to better understand the needs of individual businesses and understand the full picture of Columbia County's economic landscape, including economic challenges and opportunities for growth and development,” Vogel added. .
All interviews will be confidential and coded results will be integrated into an overall economic profile. Actionable items are then assigned to “response teams.” This team is dedicated to aligning resources and solutions to identified challenges and opportunities for individual businesses and departments.
“The heart of this project is for community leaders to get to know, listen and learn from our business community,” said Sierra Truss, lead coordinator for the project. Our collaborative 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? ” Truss added.
“We all look forward to engaging with businesses of all sizes and sectors, ensuring their voices are heard, their needs are met wherever possible, and that the voices of business owners are fundamental to the county’s future economic development.” ” continued Truss.
About the Columbia County Business Community Connectivity Project
The Columbia County Business Community Connectivity Project is a collaborative initiative aimed at shaping the future of business development in Columbia County. Through in-person interviews, data analysis, and collaboration, this project seeks to create an informed, shared vision for the county's economic prosperity.
“We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our partners in this effort and hope that we will all emerge from this work smarter, more capable and more strategic in shaping and steering our economic future. “It will be,” Vogel said.
This project is funded in part by Oregon Lottery funds administered by Business Oregon and implemented by the Columbia Economic Team in collaboration with a number of organizations.