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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR KATE BROWN

REGIONAL SOLUTIONS PROJECTS UPDATE

2019

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The Regional Solutions (RS) Program is within Governor Kate Brown’s Office. RS – consisting of advisory committees, coordinators, and state agency teams – provides a one-stop shop for communities throughout the state. Eleven RS Teams support community and economic development to help attract and expand businesses and industry, create good jobs, and improve the economy. They bring the right people to the table and coordinate state action to solve problems and streamline government.

RS helps to integrate and align permitting requirements, remove barriers to business retention and expansion, and quickly respond to issues to support community and economic development priorities in each region. This approach recognizes the unique needs of each Oregon region, and the importance of working locally to identify priorities, solve problems, and seize opportunities to get projects done.

For each region, Governor Brown has appointed an advisory committee to represent the private, public, and philanthropic sectors. The regional boundaries are aligned with the 11 federally designated Economic Development Districts. Over 100 local elected officials, business representatives, foundation representatives, and citizens serve on advisory committees. These 11 committees establish priorities unique to their respective region.

State agency staff are co-located in RS Centers around the state to support collaboration and alignment in support of regional priorities. Five core state agencies – the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Department of Land Conservation and Development, the Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Housing and Community Services, and Business Oregon – co-locate their regional staff in these centers to form RS Teams. Additional state agencies are invited to join the team as needed to address priorities. Coordination for the Teams is provided by the Governor’s Office.

The state’s investments of staff time, technical assistance, and grants/loans - when aligned with county, municipal, private, philanthropic, and other funds - contribute significantly to the vitality of our state.

Looking Ahead • After the successful launch of the Governor’s RS Housing Pilot Initiative, the Governor has

deployed RS on another workforce initiative that has statewide significance – increasing access to affordable childcare.

• With the newly established Governor’s Broadband Commission, RS will be strategically engaged in the connectivity buildout especially in rural Oregon.

• Effective responsiveness on wildfires, landslides, and floods mitigation and management will continue to be core to RS work.

• With multi-year projects on the horizon for several of Oregon’s water systems, basins, and dams, RS will be key in helping to navigate the complexity for local and region partners.

In this report, you will see many more examples of the accomplishments by RS and its partners. This is not a comprehensive list, so if you’d like additional information about a specific region, please reach out to the Governor’s Coordinator in that region.

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North Coast Jennifer Purcell

Mid-Willamette Valley Jody Christensen

South Willamette Valley/Mid-Coast Sarah Means

South Coast-Umpqua & Southern Oregon Alex Campbell

Metro Raihana Ansary

North Central Nate Stice

Central & South Central Annette Liebe

Greater Eastern & Northeast Courtney Warner Crowell

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This report highlights a few of the key projects tackled by each Regional Solutions (RS) Team in 2019 and some include substantive updates from early 2020 as well. RS Teams work collaboratively on projects to address regional priorities and maximize government efficiency, whether it’s a quick response to a new issue or sustained support to a long-term project of significance. This community-based strategy has been very well received by both local governments and the business community. Note the staff, committee, and Team rosters reflect status as of 2019 Q2.

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1 Regional Map ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Coordinators by Region.......................................................................................................................... 2 Frequently Used Acronyms .................................................................................................................... 4 2020 Update........................................................................................................................................... 5 North Coast Region ................................................................................................................................ 5 Mid-Valley Region ................................................................................................................................ 12 South Valley/Mid-Coast Region ........................................................................................................... 19 South Coast-Umpqua Region ............................................................................................................... 28 Southern Region ................................................................................................................................... 34 Metro Region ....................................................................................................................................... 40 North Central Region ........................................................................................................................... 47 Central Region ...................................................................................................................................... 52 South Central Region ........................................................................................................................... 56 Greater Eastern Region ........................................................................................................................ 62 Northeast Region ................................................................................................................................. 68

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DEQ Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

DLCD Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development

DSL Oregon Department of State Lands

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FEMA Federal Emergency Management

IOF Immediate Opportunity Fund

LEOF Local Economic Opportunity Fund

OBDD Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon)

ODFW Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

ODOE Oregon Department of Energy

ODOT Oregon Department of Transportation

OED Oregon Employment Department

ODF Oregon Department of Forestry

DOJ Department of Justice

OHCS Oregon Housing and Community Services Department

OPRD Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

RIF Regional Infrastructure Fund

RS Regional Solutions

RSAC Regional Solutions Advisory Committee

RSC Regional Solutions Center

RS Team Regional Solutions Team

SRF Strategic Reserve Fund

USACE US Army Corps of Engineers

WRD Oregon Water Resources Department

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While there was project related work completed by Regional Solutions (RS) Coordinators and Teams during 2020, most of the work done by the RS Coordinators supported COVID-19 and wildfire response and recovery. Regional Solutions work pivoted rapidly in response to the pandemic, wildfires, and equity in response and recovery efforts. The Governor deployed Regional Solutions as place-based communications assets and essential conduits for regional information sharing.

COVID-19 Response/Recovery • With the declaration of an emergency due to the Coronavirus in Oregon, the

Regional Solutions Coordinators served as the primary conduit between the Governor and city, county, business, non-profit, and economic development leaders throughout the state. At the onset of the pandemic, Governor Brown directed Regional Solutions Coordinators to convene COVID economic response and recovery teams for each of the state’s eleven economic development regions. In addition to the Regional Solutions Advisory Committees, these teams included tribes, chambers, city and county staff, agency staff from the Regional Solutions Teams, workforce development partners, higher education and community non-profit partners. Throughout the pandemic, Regional Solutions met with economic developers, chambers of commerce and downtown associations, destination management organizations, workforce partners, city and county staff, local elected leaders, tribes, ports, higher education, and community-based organizations to understand the challenges they were facing in response to business and community needs. Initially these teams met at least weekly to share information about impacts and needs, resources and supports, as well as closures, protocols and phased re-opening guidance. These teams continue to meet at a reduced frequency.

Regional Equity in Recovery Councils (RERCs) • 2020 also gave rise to the clarion call of racial justice. In addition to

historic and systemic racism, Oregonians who are black, indigenous, and people of color are being disproportionately affected by both the health and economic impacts of the COVID pandemic. Therefore, Governor Brown appointed Regional Equity in Recovery Councils for Eastern, North Central, North Coast, Central and South Central Oregon; these councils are convened and staffed by Regional solutions Coordinators. As a robust

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regional conduit for the Governor’s Equity in Recovery Framework, RERCs provide a critical feedback mechanism for Governor Brown’s Racial Justice Council and its subcommittees – Housing and Homelessness, Health Equity, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Equity, and Criminal Justice Reform. These councils include representatives from cities and counties, tribes, ports, community-based organizations, education, transportation, small business organizations, key regional industries, destination management, economic and workforce development. The councils’ goal is to center equity in recovery and economic opportunity, work to identify state policy areas that are barriers to inclusivity, improve diversity of representation in regional and state discussions, and advance equity in existing state programs. Councils were not appointed for those regions where Coordinators convened Wildfire Economic Recovery Councils.

Wildfire Economic Recovery Councils • In response to the Labor Day wildfires, Governor Brown directed Regional

Solutions Coordinators in the Southern, South Willamette Valley-Mid Coast, Mid-Willamette Valley and Portland Metro regions to convene Wildfire Economic Recovery Councils. These councils include legislators, city and county representatives, and business leaders. The councils disseminate information about state and federal assistance programs, assist with coordinating debris removal and engage with local leaders to focus on ongoing recovery/rebuilding needs.

Biennial Stakeholder Survey Results • In July 2020 Regional Solutions completed the biennial stakeholder

survey. There were over 250 respondents (compared to 188 in 2018). The large majority of respondents were the primary targets: i.e., local elected leaders, local government staff, and local/regional economic development practitioners. Other respondents included state and federal staff and a few private sector respondents; 85% described themselves as “knowledgeable” or “very knowledgeable” about RS. There were at least a dozen responses from each of the 11 regions.

• The key indicators (timeliness, accuracy, helpfulness, knowledge & expertise) all received high marks, in line with both historic performance and the target score of 90%. (Poor was 1% or less in all categories. The percent scoring the program excellent in these areas varied from 56% for information quality to 67% for helpfulness.)

• The survey asked respondents to compare/contrast their experience working with state agencies “normally” and through Regional Solutions.

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A few stated that they generally have good experiences either way, but much more common were comments such as:

• “The experience working with these agencies [BO, OHA, ODA, ODE, OHCS], while working with our Regional Solutions Coordinator, was much more positive than trying to interact with them in an individual basis. There seemed to be a mutual respect and [RS] set expectation that personnel from agencies respond accordingly.”

• “Regional Solutions helped increase accessibility to key contacts leading to important relationship development.”

• “RST brought the challenges in focus and assisted representative of the agency to get beyond black and white to work within [parameters] that still met the intent of their responsibilities.”

• “Having the right point of contact for each agency on an established team is so much more efficient than working through each agency hierarchy to find an answer.”

• “Interactions are more responsive, attentive, knowledgeable, and positive. I can't say enough good things. Thank you!”

• “When working with agencies through RST I find that the responsiveness is improved in timeliness, and quality/creativity of solution.”

• When asked about the strengths of Regional Solutions, many respondents were particularly appreciative of RS work in response to the COVID-19 crisis, in general, and the “Economic Recovery Teams,” in particular. Other common responses were the ability to convene/collaborate, build relationships, provide a direct connection to the Governor’s Office, share information and solve problems.

• All of the RS Coordinators received individual compliments from respondents, such as “rock star,” “my ‘go to’ person,” “superstar,” “invaluable,” “tireless advocate,” “fantastic collaborator,” “ball of

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Timeliness Accuracy Helpfulness Expertise Info Quality Overall

Customer Service ParametersPercent Rating RS Good or Excellent

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

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energy,” “amazing resource,” “great problem solver, great connector,“ “fantastic partner, trainer, and mentor,” “INVALUABLE,” “a gem,” and “a lifeline.”

• 94% of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to recommend Regional Solutions to a colleague (75% “very likely”).

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Clatsop, Columbia & Tillamook Counties

Convener Senator Betsy Johnson, Senate District 16 Philanthropic Representative Mary Jones, Nestucca Ridge Business Representative Paul Langner, Teevin Brothers LOC Representative Mayor Suzanne Weber, City of Tillamook AOC Representative Commissioner Margaret Magruder, Columbia County Committee Appointment Kurt Englund, Englund Marine Group

Center Address: Tillamook Bay Community College, 4301 3rd St, Tillamook, OR 97141

Governor’s Coordinator Jennifer Purcell

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Melanie Olson

Environmental Quality, Department of Vacant Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Lisa Phipps

Transportation, Department of Jae Pudewell

State Lands, Department of Chris Castelli

Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District Mary McArthur

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Team Mission

Promote and sustain healthy communities through retention, diversification and expansion of the economic base. Job creation is paramount with the goal of expanding the region’s economic base while being responsible stewards of the region’s natural resources.

Regional Priorities

• Sustain and grow NW Oregon businesses in areas such as aerospace, marine based industry, small manufacturing, tourism, forest products, and agriculture.

• Support innovation, business incubation, and the manufacturing of new product technologies. Assist business start-ups and entrepreneurs.

• Improve the readiness of industrial land by addressing wetlands, transportation access, infrastructure, and other impediments. Work to increase the number of sites that have building-ready status.

• Review, streamline, and address regulatory and permitting impediments to economic development.

• Support comprehensive solutions to barriers limiting business retention and expansion (e.g., housing, workforce development).

• Work with rural communities to plan, coordinate, fund, and install needed infrastructure and advance community development and resiliency initiatives.

• Bring regional support to ongoing Oregon Solutions projects

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North Tongue Point: Initiating a Premier Pacific NW Shipyard and Industrial Asset

This project will open up significant industrial opportunities and will be a vibrant maritime asset for Oregon’s North Coast and Pacific Northwest.

Associated NC Priorities: Sustain and grow NW Oregon businesses in areas such as aerospace, marine-based industry, small manufacturing, tourism, forest products, and agriculture; improve the readiness of industrial land by addressing wetlands, transportation access, infrastructure, and other impediments; work to increase the number of sites that have building-ready status; review, streamline, and address regulatory and permitting impediments to economic development.

Background – Located near the mouth of the Columbia River, North Tongue Point encompasses a 30 plus acre marine industrial park. The former WWII naval station includes five finger piers, two large seaplane hangars, a seaplane ramp and a large area of paved tarmac. The State of Oregon acquired the facilities from the Department of Navy in the 1960s. Since that time, the property moved into various private ownerships. Today, Tongue Point is home to a mix of private business, U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps Center, and Clatsop Community College’s Marine and Environmental Research and Training Station (MERTS) Campus.

In December 2017, the site was purchased by Hyak Maritime with the vision of developing a marine fabrication and repair facility for ocean-going vessels. Regional Solutions has been working closely with Hyak Maritime and its anchor tenants and partners, WCT Marine and Bergerson Construction, to position North Tongue Point as a premier shipyard facility for the region and the state. Hyak Maritime continues to forge partnerships and collaborate on investment opportunities at the industrial park to position it as a regional asset for the maritime industry.

Update – Investments in infrastructure (roads and sewer in particular) are needed to attract and retain companies, and collaboration with multiple partners and stakeholders is needed to solve longstanding and complex questions around Tongue Point road access and ownership. The US Government acquired the land and rights-of-way in the Tongue Point area of Astoria to construct a Naval Base in the 1940s. When the Navy left the Tongue Point site, the US Government continued use of the property as a US Coast Guard buoy tending facility, wildlife reserve, and location of the Job Corps Center, through the Department of Labor. Over the years, the US Government sold off portions of the property but retained the roadways as Federal property. Many of the properties sold included easements for use of portions of the roadways, but did not provide unlimited access to the private properties, use of the road by the general public, nor any consideration for maintenance of the roads.

The North Tongue Point area is identified as a major potential industrial site and is increasing in use with the current Hyak Maritime development and other planned developments. Private development of the Tongue Point properties is contingent

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upon legal access to the properties and continued maintenance of the roadways. The road is used by Tongue Point Job Corps, US Coast Guard, local property owners in the area, private businesses located at the Hyak property, and the general public. It is also used as an emergency alternate route for State Highway 30 traffic. As interest grows in the Hyak Maritime development and opportunities on adjoining properties, the issue of legal access and ongoing maintenance continues to bottleneck development plans.

Regional Solutions continues to support business recruitment, retention, and expansion at North Tongue Point, providing agency coordination, technical assistance, and resource alignment. In 2019, Business Oregon awarded a planning grant to the City of Astoria. The funds were used by the City to hire an attorney specializing in property rights to review documentation, provide a legal opinion, and define a path forward for Maritime Rd and Old Highway 30 ownership issues. The attorney is in the process of finalizing the report and recommendations and with that report, the Regional Solutions Team expects to re-engage with the interested parties to bring resolution to this longstanding issue.

Rainier Rail Corridor Safety Project: Safety Project Promotes Economic Development Opportunities

This project will dramatically increase rail, freight, auto, and bicycle/pedestrian safety for the Rainier community and facilitate positive economic development for the region.

Associated North Coast Priority: Support comprehensive solutions to barriers limiting business retention and expansion (e.g., housing, workforce development).

Background – The Rainier ‘A’ Street Rail Project is located in the heart of the City of Rainier where the Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) track bisects ‘A’ Street lengthwise from West 2nd Street through East 6th Street. This eight-block section of a busy city street coexists with an active rail line, where the railroad tracks are down the center of ‘A’ Street with asphalt covering all of the track surfaces other than the rails. Trains, trucks, automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians all share the same road surface, creating significant safety hazards for all travel modes: rail, freight, auto, and bicycle/pedestrian.

PNWR significantly slows rail operations through Rainier to help improve pedestrian and vehicle safety. Trains traversing Rainier can be unit trains upwards of a mile long and take over ten minutes to pass. Diagonally parked vehicles often pull out of parking spaces directly onto the tracks to try to beat on-coming trains. Similarly, pedestrians cross the street in front of on-coming trains to avoid being delayed on one side of the street. Economic development and increased business activity have intensified these hazards. This project will dramatically increase safety for the community and facilitate continued economic development for the region.

The primary objective of this project was to physically separate rail operations from street traffic. This was done by eliminating the asphalt road surface over the PNWR

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tracks, exposing the railroad ties and aggregate base (i.e., daylighting the track, and creating one-way roads on either side of the track with curb and gutter separating the track from the roadways). Three streets were closed to cross traffic and three sets of railroad crossing gates with warning lights are to be added, along with seven designated pedestrian crosswalks. The eastern-most cross street at East 6th Street will remain as an open crossing (signs only) to facilitate oversized freight into and out of a maritime manufacturing facility. This intersection also has the least amount of traffic in the project area. The PNWR railroad track was realigned slightly to simplify the crossing designs and facilitate oversized movement by widening the north-side roadway. The project also includes construction of ADA-compliant sidewalks and adds filtered stormwater collection for the roadway and railroad. In separate and concurrent projects, the City of Rainier upgraded and relocated the city’s utilities, added off-street parking, and improved freight movement to US30.

One of the biggest challenges for the project was finding sufficient funds. A total of $11M from Connect Oregon V, the Genesee-Wyoming Railroad, ODOT Rail Crossing Safety funds, ODOT Transportation Enhancement program, the North Coast Regional Solutions Team, and the City of Rainier has been pulled together to make the project happen. Additionally, prior to the project starting, and not included in the total project cost, the City of Rainier completed the $1.4M First Street Plaza, materially easing parking concerns during construction and offsetting the loss of on-street parking along ‘A’ Street.

Regional Solutions has been instrumental in providing convening capacity and project leadership, securing sufficient funding from a variety of sources, maintaining project visibility and priority over time, and coordinating agency engagement, aligning resources and technical assistance to ensure efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of the community and multiple project stakeholders. Specifically, the North Coast Regional Solutions Team:

• Assisted PNWR in preparing their Connect Oregon V application to help fund rebuilding the track and rail-bed;

• Drafted a successful application for ODOT Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds;

• Helped the City of Rainier secure TE matching funds;

• Worked with the City of Rainier to justify their investment in the First Street Plaza;

• Persuaded Rainier to add their utility work to the ODOT roadway project, reducing project complexity and reducing the city’s costs;

• Managed the requisite Cooperative Improvement Agreement with ODOT and the Clean Water SRF Loan Agreement with DEQ;

• Actively engaged in community outreach throughout the project’s life; and

• Took the lead on resolving access issues to two houses east of 6th St whose only access for 100 yrs. has been to use the railroad right of way.

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Update – The railroad contractor started the track work the last weekend in June 2019. While not without expected hiccups, such as waterlines in the ground not matching the maps, the project’s construction has been much smoother than the planning, funding, and design phases. All of the track work is complete, including daylighting and realigning the tracks, and replacing the base fill and ties; utility poles have been moved and the utilities relocated; water and sewer lines have been replaced; and a new driveway to three eastside houses has been completed. The roadway contractor started work in October 2019. The stormwater management system is substantially complete, as are new water and sewer lines. The contractor is currently working on curbs and sidewalks as best they can around the weather. Curb and sidewalk work will continue likely through March, followed by installation of new street illumination and completion of the roadway. After the roadway work is substantially completed, the rail contractor will install automated signal crossings and then final paving and striping will be completed. Contractors have worked to minimize major disruptions to the downtown, and businesses and the City have been quite tolerant of the necessary inconvenience. Construction is expected to be complete in May/June of 2020.

Highway 101/6 Tillamook: Addressing a Traffic Bottleneck and Downtown Connectivity

Following the successful highway improvements, the RS team focused on enhanced connectivity and safety in downtown Tillamook.

Associated NC Priority: Support comprehensive solutions to barriers limiting business retention and expansion (e.g., housing, workforce development).

Background – The intersection of US101 and OR6 in the heart of Tillamook has long been a bottleneck and source of frustration for both residents and travelers. Funded in part by $28.8M from the Jobs and Transportation Act passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2009, the project significantly improved traffic operations and performance, and increased safety on US101 and OR6 through downtown Tillamook and across Hoquarton Slough. The narrow streets that these highways use were not designed to safely carry the large volume of traffic, particularly truck traffic, moving through Tillamook. By all accounts, the project was a resounding success.

The project:

• Lengthened the US101 couplet to the Hoquarton Slough by extending Pacific Avenue beyond 1st Street;

• Replaced the existing two-lane Hoquarton Slough bridge with a new four-lane bridge;

• Widened the travel lanes on Main and Pacific Avenues from 1st to 4th Streets;

• Upgraded traffic signals and added turn lanes to improve traffic flow;

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• Improved the Hoquarton Interpretive Area and added gateway elements and downtown beautification; and

• Constructed new sidewalks and ADA compliant crosswalks.

Additionally, ODOT coordinated with the City of Tillamook to include:

• Construction of a new bike and pedestrian trail from Hoquarton Park to Goodspeed Park;

• A plaza area on 2nd Street between Main and Pacific Avenues for use as a community gathering place;

• A new plaza in front of the Tillamook Pioneer Museum;

• Installation of benches and bike racks on some downtown sidewalks; and

• Installation of directional signage and striped bike lanes to move bicyclists off of US101 and onto city streets in downtown.

Construction began in the Spring of 2016 and was complete in the Fall of 2018 for a total project cost of $38.8M. The North Coast Regional Solutions Team was materially involved with a number of issues peripheral to the project that while not project elements directly, were important to the community and the overall success of the project. These issues included concerns with the bike and pedestrian trail from Hoquarton Park to Goodspeed Park; the disposition of a number of undocumented heating oil tanks discovered during construction; the disposition of the former Shell station between Pacific and Main Streets at the north end of the US101 couplet; improvements to the downtown water quality features; and traffic flow improvements. Regional Solutions provided agency coordination; ensuring technical assistance and resources were prioritized, collaborative, and efficient in corresponding to the needs of the project and the community.

Update – While the primary project was complete, the North Coast Regional Solutions Team remained engaged with ODOT and the City to implement the following improvements:

• Address safety concerns around some of the downtown water quality features (pedestrian railings are being fabricated and installed by ODOT to address safety concerns);

• Address concerns about downtown truck turning movements (lane restriping has been approved for the 3rd Street corner to improve the turning radii, allowing trucks additional room to complete their turning movements); and

• Refine the traffic flow at US101 and OR6 (traffic analysis resulted in a lane change plan, to be implemented in 2020).

Finally, the Regional Solutions Team continues to facilitate final disposition of a former Shell gas station site. The property, located at the gateway to downtown, remains in ODOT ownership following the transportation project. The City has expressed an interest in having jurisdiction over the site and has rezoned the parcel as public space. ODOT and the City of Tillamook

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are in negotiations regarding next steps as the City considers its intentions for the site.

Childcare Initiatives: Increasing the Supply on the North Coast

These public/private collaborative initiatives are focused on affordable childcare options for working parents.

Associated NC Priority: Work with rural communities to plan, coordinate, fund, and install needed infrastructure and advance community development and resiliency initiatives.

The limited availability of childcare is significantly affecting communities and employers in NW Oregon. The NW Regional Educational Service District (ESD) received a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust to develop a roadmap to increasing preschool supply in the region. Regional Solutions has been working with the ESD to assess childcare supply in Tillamook, Clatsop, and Columbia counties, identifying barriers to increasing availability and supporting collaborative partnerships and innovative solutions. This year Regional Solutions:

• Supported Tillamook and Clatsop counties in establishing ECE taskforces – The Tillamook and Clatsop County taskforces are inclusive of a diversity of stakeholders, including educators, school superintendents, early learning professionals, childcare providers, community health partners, employers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, community colleges, economic and small business development partners, and community members. The taskforces are considering broad socio-economic implications, including impacts to the workforce and consequences to students, families and communities.

Tillamook County’s taskforce was convened in July 2019 by Commissioner Bill Baertlein and facilitated by Regional Solutions. The taskforce articulated the following problem statement – A lack of childcare in Tillamook County creates stress for communities, including families and employers. This limits education and economic development opportunities and negatively impacts quality of life. The Tillamook County Early Childcare and Education Task Force has been reviewing available data and exploring successful ECE models for the purposes of developing an action plan and recommendations to expand early childcare and education supply. The taskforce has developed a survey for distribution in February 2020 via the county’s major employers to better understand how access to childcare is affecting the workforce in Tillamook County. The taskforce will provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in June 2020.

Clatsop County’s taskforce was convened in September 2019 by Commissioner Lianne Thompson and facilitated by Regional Solutions. The taskforce articulated the following problem statement – Families within Clatsop County have limited access to early childhood education and

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care. This issue adversely impacts the economic development, educational and social-emotional potential of our community. The Clatsop County Early Care and Education Task Force evaluated parent and provider data, which clearly demonstrate a need for more extended care options. In 2020, the taskforce will be exploring partnerships and strategies to address parent, family, and employer needs for evening, overnight, and weekend care.

• Participated in the NW Regional ECE Sector Planning Committee – Regional Solutions joined Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook County K-12, ECE and community leaders, parents, health and human services, and family advocates in planning for ECE expansion in the region. The ECE Sector Planning Committee identified priority populations in the region, evaluating risk factors, geographic and economic accessibility, and gaps in service. Regional Solutions brings a unique economic and workforce development perspective to the conversation of childcare supply and early learning sector expansion. The committee’s recommendations will inform future ECE investments in the region.

Supported Early Care and Education business development – Regional Solutions convened NW Regional ESD, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Small Business Development (SBDC), Economic Development, and Workforce Development partners in Clatsop County to discuss operational challenges facing licensed childcare facilities. We identified a number of foundational training requirements that are perceived as barriers, clarified access to free resources, and began exploring workforce training scholarships that may be available. We discussed the challenges of a limited labor pool and barriers to growing the workforce, such as qualification requirements and pay equity. We recognized an opportunity for collaboration between SBDC and CCR&R to strengthen technical assistance resources relating to small business management and childcare operations. Next steps involve exploring these partnerships and workforce development opportunities further.

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Marion, Polk & Yamhill Counties

Convener Representative Ron Noble, District 24 Philanthropic Representative Lane Shetterly, Oregon Community Foundation Business Representative Sofia Torres-McKay, Cramoisi Vineyards LOC Representative Mayor John McArdle, City of Independence AOC Representative Commissioner Craig Pope, Polk County Committee Appointment Commissioner Rick Olson, Yamhill County Committee Appointment Commissioner Kevin Cameron, Marion County Committee Appointment Chris Mercier, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Committee Appointment Steve Powers, City of Salem Committee Appointment Erik Andersson, SEDCOR Committee Appointment Jessica Howard, Chemeketa Community College

Governor’s Coordinator Jody Christensen

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Dennie Houle

Business Oregon, Regional Project Manager Michelle Bilberry

Environmental Quality, Department of Mary Camarata

Housing and Community Services Kim Travis Land Conservation & Development, Department of Angela Carnahan

Transportation, Department of Jae Pudewell

Agriculture, Department of Gary Neuschwander

Employment Department, Oregon Patrick O’Connor & Thomas Erhardt Fish & Wildlife, Department of Brian Wolfer

Parks & Recreation Department Ryan Sparks

State Lands, Department of Chris Castelli

Water Resources Department Mike McCord

Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments Renata Wakeley

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Vision

The Mid-Valley will be a thriving center of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Manufacturing innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.

Priorities

To achieve the vision, Mid-Valley Regional Solutions will work to:

• Increase access to workforce housing, childcare supply, and talent pipelines

• Promote efficient, effective transportation and multi-model systems

• Stimulate improved broadband connectivity

• Identify resources to unlock underutilized sites and land

• Engage in local government infrastructure to support development

• Support opportunities for agriculture, farmhouse, and hospitality enterprises to highlight crops and value-added production

• Foster outdoor recreational opportunities by supporting access to lakes, rivers, parks, and natural amenities

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Governor’s Housing Initiative: Working Together to Address Workforce Housing Supply

This public/private project, at completion, will double the housing units in the City of Donald and help GK Machine, Inc. stay and grow in the community.

Associated M-V Priorities: Increase access to workforce housing, childcare supply, and talent pipelines; identify resources to unlock underutilized sites and land; engage in local government infrastructure to support development

Background – Under the Governor’s Workforce Housing Initiative, Regional Solutions agencies identified tools to support workforce housing with access to loans, grant, and technical assistance. With 31 proposals received, five (5) pilot projects were identified. In the Mid- Valley, GK Machines, a local agricultural equipment manufacturer, was looking innovative recruitment and retention workforce solutions. They partnered with the City of Donald. The first phase of the pilot will include upgrading the city’s wastewater and water treatment plants to support 75 new homes, with a full build out of 414 new homes.

This housing development is being designed as an agri-hood featuring a range of housing options built around a farmscape that covers about 77 acres. The project partners include the GK Machines, City of Donald, Kim Travis with the Housing and Community Service (OHCS), Michelle Bilberry with Business Oregon, Mary Camarata, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and several potential businesses and service providers. A special thank you to Angela Carnahan of Department of Lands and Conservation Development for her previous work helping the City review its planning ordinances, which helped to set the stage for this pilot.

GK Machine is a manufacturer of equipment, parts, and accessories for agriculture and industrial uses. The company experienced healthy grow over the last few years. However, owner Gary Grossen had a problem – he was turning away 70% of his business because he did not have the workforce to handle the work. Gary had to figure out a way to keep and attract more employees. He knew his employees could not find housing in the Donald area so they were commuting long distances and many eventually they didn’t want to do it anymore.

The Harvest Gardens concept featured an agricultural focus with shared space, a community garden, and

future market ease.

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He realized that he was losing people due to a lack of housing in the area. After many conversations, he developed an agri-hood housing strategy, which was created with an agricultural focus. In 2018, the City of Donald/GK Machine housing project become one of five pilots chosen for the Governor’s Housing Pilot.

Update – In 2019, the agrihood Harvest Gardens development began to take shape with a refined concept, which includes several types of housing from cottage to larger units, a shared green space, future community center, and access to a daycare facility. GK Machine has also made a commit to get their employees ready for the home ownership opportunity by hosting financial readiness assessments and training.

The City of Donald and GK Machine’s subsidiary Grosen Development have engaged in the local land use process and started to plan for expanded of services including a water system upgrade. The RS Team has been actively engaged on this pilot with facilitated meetings, technical support, and resource mining such as programs like the Special Public Works Fund, which has been reserved for $330,000 to assist the City.

Project Team – GK Machine, Grossen Development, City of Donald, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Business Oregon’s Infrastructure Finance Authority, Regional Solutions, Department of Land and Conservation Development, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, SEDCOR, and Marion County

Program Resources – Oregon Housing and Community Services; Special Public Works Fund, DLCD Technical Assistance

City of Falls City: Opening up Better, Safer Connectivity This project is a multi-action approach to creating economic and community development vibrancy in a small city.

Associated M-V Priorities: Identify resources to unlock underutilized sites and land; engage in local government infrastructure to support development; foster outdoor recreation opportunities by supporting access to natural amenities.

Background – The City of Falls City, (pop. 947), a former timber town, is nestled in a forested area just 9 miles from Dallas near the Valley of the Giants. The residents are energized by their recent work with RDI and are motivated to forge a new path for a thriving future.

Milestones

• Received a Business Oregon Local Emergency Opportunity Fund Grant (2017)

• Contracted with Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) to help the city create a vision and action plan (2018)

• Hired RARE Participant to begin in 2019; goal to implement five key actions

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• Developed a Greenway Plan for better connectivity between the City Park and the Falls City Falls, Downtown, and the school. (2019)

The Project – In 2019, Mid-Valley Regional Solutions (RS) convened meetings with the City of Falls City’s Mayor Jeremy Gordon, City Administrator Mac Corthell, and RARE (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) participant William Sullivan to take a deep dive into the City’s Greenways project. ODOT, Business Oregon, and the Oregon Park and Recreation Department provided technical assistance and program details. The project includes better, safer connectivity between the falls at City Park, downtown, and the school. Several concepts and possible funding scenarios were explored. The group also discussed a regional approach that could open up new recreational opportunities for the community and region.

In addition, Falls City Thrives has been established as a 501(c)3 organization made up of volunteers in Falls City. Their mission is to empower the Falls City community to live with dignity by working to address issues of housing, downtown revitalization, volunteerism, and personal health. Born out of a community visioning process carried out in 2019 by Rural Development Initiatives with support from Business Oregon and the (RARE) program, the group will provide public voice and volunteer capacity to projects that make Falls City a better place to live, work, and visit.

RS continues to work with the community to help with capacity, resource connections, and technical support.

Project Team – City of Falls City, Rural Development Initiatives (RDI), RARE, Business Oregon, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and Regional Solutions

Program Resources – Business Oregon’s Local Emergency Opportunity Fund Grant

City of Monmouth’s Ash Creek Station: Opening up Commercial, Health Care, and Daycare Opportunities

This project focused on convening agencies to work through the permitting process to meet the development’s critical timeline.

Associated M-V Priorities: Identify resources to unlock underutilized sites and land, engage in local government infrastructure to support development; increase access to workforce housing, childcare supply, and talent pipelines.

Background – Ash Creek Station is a $10M multi-tenant retail center on 14.5 acres in the City of Monmouth. This project is the largest Monmouth commercial

This photo of the Falls City Falls was taken in 1907. (City website)

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development in 50 years. The site plan includes a Roth’s Fresh Market, medical office, restaurants, and a proposed future 4500 sq. ft. daycare center on 1.29 acres with outdoor play area and space for 30-35 children.

Update – As part of the development, the team submitted a US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE)/Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) Joint Permit Application (JPA) for 404 and 401 permits due to wetlands on site. The process was taking longer than anticipated which elevated the risk of losing an anchor tenant and jeopardizing the project. In April, Regional Solutions was contacted and asked to facilitate coordination on the JPA. RS began to convene regular meetings and updates with DSL and USACE. By May, the DSL permit was deemed complete after a 30-day comment period. Several more meetings occurred with the development team and the USACE. RS continued to be engaged on this project until the final permit was issued in mid-October.

Thank you to RS Team member Chris Castelli (DSL) for his work on this matter.

Project team – Regional Solutions, Department of State Lands, Department of Environmental Quality, US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), City of Monmouth

Bernau Estate: A Biodynamic Wine & Agriculture Experience in Yamhill County

This Regional Infrastructure Fund project supports a designation wine experience in the Mid-Valley region.

Associated M-V Priority: Support opportunities for agriculture, farmhouse, and hospitality enterprises to highlight crops and value-added production The Project – The Bernau Estate Biodynamic Vineyard, Winery & Gardens, located south of Dundee on Hwy 99, will be the first experience of its kind to welcome the public to learn about biodynamic farming practices and the benefits to the environment and health through a working farm and production facility. The winery will be dedicated to producing méthode champenoise sparkling wines from the biodynamic fruit to make this category the next "pinot noir" for Oregon. The project received FY 2017-19 RIF to be used for the design and construction of the “public” biodynamic gardens portion of the Bernau Vineyard Estate.

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Update – In September 2019, Yamhill County received an Immediate Opportunity Award of $724,500 to help construct turning lanes on OR99W to improve the access safety for the new Bernau Estate Biodynamic Vineyard, Winery and Gardens. Construction is expected to be completed 2021.

Program Resources – FY 2017-19 Regional Infrastructure Fund; ODOT Immediate Opportunity Fund

Artist rendering of the future Bernau Vineyard Estates just south of Dundee on Hwy 99W

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Benton, Lane, Lincoln & Linn Counties

Convener Senator Lee Beyer, District 6 Philanthropic Representative Casey Woodward, Casey Woodward Consulting Business Representative Nick Fowler, Orion Ventures LOC Representative Mayor Biff Traber, City of Corvallis AOC Representative Commissioner William Tucker, Linn County Committee Appointment John Pascone, AMEDC Committee Appointment Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo, Benton County Committee Appointment Julie Manning, Samaritan Health Services Committee Appointment Mark Lieberman, Oregon State University Committee Appointment Commissioner Doug Hunt, Lincoln County Committee Appointment Greg Hamann, Linn-Benton Community College Committee Appointment Birgitte Ryslinge, Oregon Coast Community College Committee Appointment David Conover, University of Oregon Committee Appointment Commissioner Joe Berney, Lane County Committee Appointment Brenda Bremner, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Governor’s Coordinator Sarah Means

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Melissa Murphy

Environmental Quality, Department of Mary Camarata

Housing and Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Patrick Wingard Transportation, Department of Jae Pudewell

State Lands, Department of Kirk Jarvie

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Vision

The SVMC region is an area where all communities are livable, prosperous and provide opportunities for residents and businesses to thrive.

Mission

The SVMC Regional Solutions Advisory Committee will, through the work of the Regional Solutions Team, advance a diversified and inclusive economy where integrated infrastructure, sustainable natural resources, and family wage jobs intersect with an entrepreneurial culture and regional collaboration that engages innovative solutions addressing complex challenges particularly as they relate to climate resiliency.

Priorities

Entrepreneurial Culture – Encourage and support continued development innovation and entrepreneurship in SVMC.

• Engage and leverage current projects with the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and our community college partners in the entrepreneurial space so as to ensure a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship reaches all parts of the region and underrepresented populations.

• Continue engagement in defining and implementing strategies for a blue (maritime) economy in our communities proximate to water.

• Engage with key partners in the arts and culture economy throughout the region to ensure connection to appropriate resources.

• Engage with new and emerging agricultural markets in the region to understand needs and how RS can assist.

Infrastructure – Partner and assist in local and regional infrastructure projects in SVMC. • Work with local partners to find solutions and resources for priority

(and resilient) infrastructure projects including water, wastewater, traditional and multi-modal transportation, and broadband facilities.

• Engage with the Millersburg transload facility project team as the development of that site and adjacent properties continues to move

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forward. • Assist local partners in developing infrastructure that is consolidated

and in cooperation with other systems as appropriate.

Residential/Industrial Land Development – Partner with local and regional stakeholders to address the challenges to land development as it relates to the housing and industry sectors in SVMC communities. • Engage with local, regional and statewide partners to understand and

document the challenges to developing land with wetlands and work toward solutions that will benefit both the conservation of our environment and the development necessary for the residential and industrial sectors.

• Work with local partners on local wetland inventories, buildable lands inventories, housing needs analyses, economic opportunity analyses, and other documents needed for successful planning and execution of development in communities.

• Assist communities and local partners with re-development opportunities on brownfield sites, including but not limited to abandoned and foreclosed properties where engagement with multiple state agencies is required to achieve success. Existing opportunities in the region include multiple abandoned mill sites in Linn County.

• Assist communities with local ordinances for employment lands, vacation rentals, residential/ADU lands, and agritourism opportunities as both state and local requirements and needs evolve.

Community Capacity Building – Support SVMC communities with their re-vitalization projects that transition underused/served areas to innovative development areas.

• Engage with local partners on transformative priority projects for their communities to ensure access to appropriate resources and enhanced engagement with state agencies as needed. For example: rural fiber expansion, main street development, essential community facility development, childcare, business recruitment opportunities, BR&E capacity, workforce development and other workforce opportunities.

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King Salvage: Partners in a Multi-Year Clean-up This project is a complex clean up that will result in a significant opportunity for the region.

Associated SVMC Priority Area: Community capacity building

Background – King Salvage is a former auto salvage yard near Newport on HWY-20. The property is approximately 8.24 acres and was operated as a salvage yard for about 25 years. There is a large amount of solid waste onsite, including trucks, buses, light autos, recreational camper trailers, and motor homes; stockpiled appliances and refrigerators; approximately 24,000 automobile and truck tires, some of which contain metal rims; a burn barrel/tank; approximately 40 cubic yards of debris and waste piles; several old heating fuel above ground storage tanks; and 20 unlabeled 55-gallon drums as well as numerous 5-gallon, and smaller containers in various conditions. In 2007, DEQ enforcement actions against the previous owners did not result in any cleanup of the site. In May 2009, the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a Time Critical Removal of 500 tons of contaminated soil in front of the car crusher and on the road surface, and 50 drums of used oil.

The Project – Lincoln County obtained the property through tax foreclosure in September 2018. Over the past several years, the County has spent $225,000 to remove tires, RVs, trash, and the wooden building. ODOT has removed debris and RV associated with the wrecking yard along the entrance to the facility on ODOT’s right-of-way.

RS has identified the following funds to Lincoln County to assist in the responsible cleanup of the site:

• $80,000 – OBDD Brownfield Program (pending)

• $80,000 – DEQ Site Assessment (awarded)

• $300,000 – DEQ Solid Waste Orphan Account (pending)

Figure 1: King Salvage

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• EPA’s Lincoln County Coalition Grant Funding (amount TBD)

Given the magnitude and composition of waste and debris on the property, RS will continue to support the county’s site cleanup efforts into 2020 and beyond by assisting the County with the tools our team has to offer, including: convening stakeholder meetings, streamlining of planning practices, identifying grant and loan opportunities, providing guidance and coordination on state-administered programs and obtaining federal and state permits.

Regional Wetlands – Partial 404 Assumption This initiative is focused on creating an assumption process for wetlands.

Associated SVMC Priority Area: Residential/industrial land development, infrastructure, community capacity building

With the leadership of the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, communities in the Linn and Benton County region have been working on challenges related to industrial and housing development and wetlands for many years. The geography in the heart of the Willamette Valley equates to the presences of wetlands for almost all communities, which adds a layer of complexity to development. This resulted in the formation of the Regional Wetlands Consortium over 10 years ago. The Consortium’s goal is to work with local, state and federal partners to find solutions that both preserve or enhance the natural environment, but also allow communities to benefit from needed development.

Many years of work resulted in the proposal of HB 2436 in the 2019 legislative session. This bill reflected issues that were discussed and studied in the 2018 Interim

Figure 2: King Salvage

Above: City of Halsey

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Wetland Regulation Working Group, which was convened to address wetland regulatory challenges. Coming from that group, a high priority issue that emerged was state assumption of the federal 404 program (section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act). A number of topics within the 404 assumption conversation were discussed, and ultimately the working group recommended partial assumption where a process for applicants to obtain state and federal authorizations via a single permit issued by DSL.

The Wetlands Consortium has been active in all of these discussions participating in committee work and providing testimony where appropriate. Their advocacy contributed to the resolution found in HB 2436 and the consortium members will continue to be active as this legislation and other solutions advance. Regional Solutions representatives regularly attend consortium meetings to better understand the work and provide technical assistance when appropriate. Additionally, Regional Solutions is also looking at ways we can be of assistance with funding needed planning and construction of publically owned mitigation banks.

Oakridge Woodsmoke: Working to Clean Air-Quality This multi-year project is a collaborative phased approach to help the community

Associated SVMC Priority Area: Community capacity building; residential/industrial lane development

Background – Since 2009, EPA has designated Oakridge as a “nonattainment” area in regards to air quality standards for fine particulate matter due to wood stove smoke. In 2016, EPA posed to move Oakridge from nonattainment status to “serious” nonattainment status based on a 3-year average of air quality results. This “serious” designation would include sanctions that could dampen new economic growth and disqualify Oakridge from receiving federal funds. Regional Solutions regularly works with community partners, local and federal agencies to develop and now implement a mitigation plan. In 2017, with the Governor’s designation of this work as an Oregon Solutions project, the collaborative developed strategies and a guide to identify resources to fund specific mitigation project elements. Since the designation, the Oakridge Woodsmoke Mitigation project has expanded and evolved to a multifaceted strategy that implements projects with numerous local partners like Lane Electric Co-Op, Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative, US Forest Service, Good Company, Oakridge Police and Fire, Oakridge School District, Regional Solutions, Homes for Good, St. Vincent de Paul’s, Inbound

Above: City of Oakridge

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LLC, Lane County Public Health, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and more.

Update – In the Fall of 2019, the project was awarded $4.9M in EPA funding from the Targeted Airshed Grant to help improve air quality in Oakridge and reduce fine particulate pollution from wood smoke. The $4.9M from this grant will be spread over the next five years addressing multiple air pollution reduction strategies including affordable dry firewood program, woodstove upgrades and changeouts, home weatherization, and increased education in the community and schools.

Recently Regional Solutions connected the Oakridge Woodsmoke team with USDA-RD. While USDA has done a significant amount of work and investment in Oakridge, these two groups had not been connected in the past. As a result of this connection, it is possible that the work being funded through the EPA grant may leverage additional investment from the USDA-RD on related woodsmoke reduction strategies.

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Coos, Curry & Douglas Counties

Convener Commissioner Keith Tymchuk, Port of Umpqua Philanthropic Representative Marie Simonds Business Representative David Kronsteiner, West Coast Contractors LOC Representative Councilor Summer Matteson, City of Gold Beach AOC Representative Commissioner John Sweet, Coos County Committee Appointment Commissioner Chris Boice, Douglas County Committee Appointment Commissioner Sue Gold, Curry County

Governor’s Coordinator Alex Campbell

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Sean Stevens

Business Oregon, Regional Project Manager Tawni Bean

Environmental Quality, Department of Kate Jackson

Housing and Community Services Kim Travis Land Conservation & Development, Department of Josh LeBombard

Transportation, Department of Mark Usselman

Agriculture, Department of Vacant State Lands, Department of Kirk Jarvie

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Regional Priorities

• Access to Natural Resources, Support of Natural Resource

• Economy, and Active Forestry Management on O&C Timber Lands

• Business Retention, Expansion, and Creation

• Workforce training

• Regulatory streamlining, technical assistance

• Population retention

• Enhance Marine, Rail, and Telecommunication Infrastructure

• Build on Recreation Economy

• Alternative Energy Development

• Community Resilience

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Back Nine: Getting Ready for Redevelopment Opportunities

This project is focused on unlocking the potential of a former mill site.

Associated SC Priorities: Supporting rural economies and business retention, expansion, and creation

Background – The Back Nine site is approximately 130 acres, immediately north of Roseburg adjacent to I-5, and was formerly a Roseburg Forest Products site. Due to limitations of topography and wetlands, flat, developable industrial land is a very limited resource in the area and bringing this industrial park on line is a critical element to fulfilling Douglas County’s economic development potential. The Regional Solutions Team (RST) have been actively working to support redevelopment since 2016 when the two potential users for the site were identified. In 2017, as a result of RST involvement, Business Oregon provided a Special Public Works Fund (SPWF) grant to Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority to complete a conceptual plan for the needed wastewater collection system.

RST members have been involved in the project in multiple ways in recent years. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Business Oregon representatives assisted with an Immediate Opportunity Fund application to assist with road construction (this was ultimately not pursued due to timing issues and the additional costs associated with public funding). The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) member assisted with review of allowable uses for the site.

Update – In 2019, the first projects began construction. The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Roseburg is building a 40,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center with approximately 5,000 square feet of office space. (See picture below.) Construction is nearly complete as of January 2020.

Above: Lift Station for Sanitary Sewer Collection System. Photo credit: i.e. engineering.

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Regional Solutions involvement has also continued in 2019. Governor’s Office and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) representatives have assisted the Back Nine ownership group in negotiations with both Department of State Lands and US Army Corps of Engineers on a final adjudication of wetland credits. The ownership is seeking an appropriate accounting of credits that will allow the most efficient circulation design. This requires a new wetlands fill/removal permit and associated water quality certification from DEQ. RST members have assisted by reviewing the storm water management plan for the site, providing information on local development standards, coordinating face-to-face discussions with permit staff, and involving staff from Rep. DeFazio’s office.

Relevant adopted regional priorities: Business Retention, Expansion, and Creation; Regulatory streamlining, technical assistance

Port of Port Orford: Leveraging a Unique Location for Redevelopment The Port would upgrade key infrastructure to create a research and industrial park with “on-tap” seawater.

Associated SC Priorities: Access to natural resources, support of natural resource economy; supporting rural economies; supporting the marine economy; business retention, expansion, and creation

Background – Port Orford (located 15 miles north of Gold Beach in Curry County) has a very high concentration of poverty, even within the context of the south coast. The Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve, located just south of the town; the Port itself; an OSU marine research facility; and the local fishing fleet are some of the most important economic assets in the area. The Port and associated operations are the economic anchor for the community, directly supporting about 1 in 3 jobs in the community.

Above: Coca-Cola Distribution Center under construction

“Thank you for your involvement in the project. Regional Solutions support and identification of the Back Nine redevelopment as a priority industrial site has been very helpful when working with the various state and federal agencies involved.”

Greg Swenson PBS Environmental

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The Port has been planning for several years to replace a building that houses the primary buyer of the local fleet’s catch. In June of 2018, the roof of the decrepit building finally collapsed. Fortunately, the Port’s team, with support from Regional Solutions and other local partners, was well underway in developing a new vision for redevelopment.

The Port is very unusual, perched against a cliff with direct access to full-strength seawater. The redevelopment plan will leverage that asset by building the infrastructure to provide “on tap” seawater to attract research, seafood, and aquaculture operations. The project will also raise portions of the Port to reduce its susceptibility to high surf and maximize the future development footprint.

The Regional Solutions Team, particularly Business Oregon and the Governor’s Office members, has been working with the Port, convening possible funders, assisting with technical resources, negotiating state funding requirements, and helping develop overall project strategy. DEQ and DLCD team members have assisted with understanding regulations around salt-water collection and inundation zone rules. The project was awarded $500,000 in Regional Infrastructure Finance funding in 2018. Rep. David Brock Smith secured another $1.6M in a legislative appropriation in the 2019 session. The key remaining pieces of the financing picture would be a US Economic Development Administration grant and, potentially, a program-related investment from a regional foundation.

Above: Conceptual Site Plan Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning

Above: The Port of Port Orford awash in a 2014 storm. Photo credit: Melissa Campbell.

“…Given our geographic isolation, we cannot overstate the value of having been able to easily meet and consult with our local Regional Solutions staff, and the efficiency that resulted from the staff’s understanding of our project, our region, and regulatory processes…our experience shows [that] the Governor’s Regional Solutions Program and the Regional Infrastructure fund provide a uniquely effective mechanism to help our small communities overcome threshold hurdles to economic development and leverage other private and public investment.”

Steve Courtier Port Manager

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Coos Bay Village: Revitalizing Front Street This business development project supports a substantial commercial and office redevelopment just off US 101.

Associated SC Priorities: Supporting Rural Communities: Business Retention, Expansion, and Creation

Background – Coos Bay Village will be a commercial/office development off Highway 101 facing Coos Bay just north of the Coos Bay History Museum. The site had been out of use for 30 years and could be an important piece of the larger revitalization of Coos Bay’s Front Street area.

The site is roughly two acres and a very challenging brownfield. It was formerly a chip processing and shipping facility, with multiple concrete bunkers, contamination, and a decaying dock. Several low-lying areas, although paved, had become wetlands over the years of dis-use.

The Regional Solutions Team has been assisting with multiple facets of this very complex project for several years. DEQ members have assisted with multiple regulatory conversations, particularly securing the receipt of a No Further Action letter in regards to on-site contamination. The RST ODOT member has served as a single point-of-contact for the development team; access to the site is complicated by the proximity of both Highway 101 and the Port of Coos Bay rail line. Governor’s Office representative has assisted by convening the multiple agencies involved in wetlands regulation for an on-site, problem solving session; with resolving a historic ODOT easement issue; and facilitating dialogue with Port of Coos Bay regarding rail issues.

Above: Coos Bay Village Site Plan from Real Estate Flyer

Below: New sea wall and “over burden” placed on site. Photo credit: The World newspaper

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Site preparation began in early 2019, including placement of “overburden” and construction of a new seawall. The site plan includes dedication of 14’ of site frontage for the eventual completion of a Bayfront boardwalk. In support of the larger redevelopment of the Front Street area, the RST DLCD member reached out to City of Coos Bay and assisted them with a Transportation Growth Management (TGM) grant that will help address circulation and parking planning for the area.

“Getting everyone together on-site to see that it really was a brownfield—and that developing the site would actually improve the situation—was essential to moving the project forward. Regional Solutions has been there to help us every time we’ve run into a road block.”

Greg Drobot Coos Bay Village Developer

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Jackson & Josephine Counties

Convener Bill Thorndike, Medford Fabrication Philanthropic Representative Katherine Bryon, Gordon Elwood Foundation Business Representative Steve Roe, Roe Motors LOC Representative Councilor Criss Garcia, City of Jacksonville AOC Representative Commissioner Robert “Bob” Strosser, Jackson County Committee Appointment Commissioner Darin Fowler, Josephine County Committee Appointment John Roberts, Oregon Water Resources Commission Committee Appointment Dr. Linda Schott, Southern Oregon University

Center Address: 37 North Central Avenue, Medford, OR 97501

Governor’s Coordinator Alex Campbell

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Marta Tarantsey

Business Oregon, Regional Project Manager Tawni Bean

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Josh LeBombard

Transportation, Department of Art Anderson

Agriculture, Department of Amy Gilroy

Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Kate Jackson

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Regional Priorities

• Maintain and enhance forest industry infrastructure, active forestry management on O&C timber lands

• Business retention, expansion, creation, and recruitment

• Regulatory streamlining

• Water conservation and stream restoration

• Workforce training

• Downtown revitalization

• Agricultural economy

• Recreational economy

• Community infrastructure

• Community Resilience

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Increasing Childcare on the South Coast: Supporting the new Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon (CMSO)

This project supports the increased capacity for childcare options in the Medford area.

Associated SO Priorities: Downtown Revitalization; Community Infrastructure

Background – Kid Time was originally founded as a nonprofit, hands-on, children’s discovery museum, which began with mobile exhibits in 2004. Since 2011, the museum has been co-located with the Southern Oregon Historical Society in downtown Medford. It is open seven days a week, offering both open play and structured programs, and attracts over 7,000 visitors a month.

In 2013, the Museum opened The Learning Loft Preschool in 2013 with 12 students. The Learning Loft is now one of the largest Preschool Promise-funded early childhood education programs in the state with 68 children enrolled. The program is designed to support the students with a high-quality program (a 5-star rating from Oregon’s Quality Rating and Improvement System). It is also structured to support the student’s whole family, offering full day programs, five days a week. In addition, while offering top quality, the Learning Loft is available to families that cannot afford the full cost of such a program—80% of the enrollment is subsidized.

The Project – The current location limits the growth of programs. The Learning Loft has a three-year wait list. In addition, the outdoor play area is extremely limited and has no green space. In order to address these needs and expand the number of children they can serve, Kid Time has partnered with the City of Medford to move to a new location, which will be accompanied by a new name: The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon.

The City of Medford has leased the organization the Carnegie Building, a former library, located adjacent to Alba Park on West Main Street for $1 per year. The move will allow a major expansion of programs, adding another 20 slots to The Learning Loft pre-school. In addition, the expansion of the museum will attract more visitors and help revitalize downtown.

Regional Solutions, particularly Business Oregon and Governor’s Office staff, have been assisting by reviewing the business plan, helping with funding requests,

Above: Governor Brown, Sen. Jeff Golden, and Rep. Pam Marsh visiting a classroom at the Kid Time Learning Loft.

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providing technical assistance on prevailing wage issues, and raising the profile of the project. Governor Brown visited the current location in August 2019 to learn about the existing program and planned expansion. The new location will very likely be built out in multiple phases, but the initial relocation will take place in 2020.

Natural Asset: Stewardship & Opportunity for the City of Butte Falls

The City of Butte Falls is working to purchase and establish a community forest that includes the historic Butte Falls.

Associated SO Priorities: Workforce training; downtown revitalization; recreational economy; community infrastructure

Background – Butte Falls is a picturesque waterfall in the Cascade foothills, roughly 25 miles northeast of Medford. In the first decade of the 20th Century, a mill was built at the falls, a railroad was constructed connecting the area, and the City of Butte Falls was originally platted. Since 1962, when the railroad was closed, the town has struggled economically, particularly since the closure of the US Forest Service office in the 1980s and the decline in timber harvest on federal lands that began soon after.

“This is such an important project - particularly given the latest data that has come out about our region and what our children are faced with. Thank you … for being so helpful!”

Sunny Spicer Kid Time Executive Director

Above: The Carnegie Building, future home of the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon. Photo credit: KOBI-TV.

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Update – Today, the City of Butte Falls is a town with a population of under 500 with about 30% of the residents below the federal poverty level. The town is surrounded on all sides by private timber lands. Those private lands include Butte Falls itself on Big Butte Creek and the site of the former mill. Acquisition of the falls has been a long-held goal of the community.

The Regional Solutions team helped Butte Falls Mayor Linda Spencer approach the property owner, which opened up the possibility of sale of the land. Since then, the Mayor has been working with community members to develop a vision for a community forest. The community forest’s objectives are to:

• Adopt forest land management practices that will return the forests to a healthy, resilient state and make wildfire more manageable.

• Utilize harvest revenues to support forest restoration and maximize environmental benefits, including soil health, water quality, and habitat values.

• Support education and research for long-term stewardship. • Utilize collaborative decision making processes as a means to build

community identity and civic engagement. • Generate local economic activity through sustainable harvest, forest

restoration work, and collection of secondary forest products. • Improve community physical and behavioral health by expanding recreation

and volunteering opportunities through provision of trails and open space. • Improve attractiveness of the community to both potential residents and

visitors by adding recreation and visitation amenities, such as trails and improving the attractiveness of Butte Falls itself.

In addition to assisting the city in discussions with the corporate landowner, Regional Solutions team members have been heavily involved in the project. Governor’s Office and Business Oregon staff have assisted in developing acquisition strategy, securing support from regional stakeholders, writing grant proposals, and initiating an Oregon Solutions assessment. DLCD staff have conducted research on

Above: Butte Falls Saw Mill, ca. 1910. Photo credit: Southern Oregon Historical Society.

Above: Map of timber stands in acquisition area from draft community forest Land Management Plan.

“I so appreciate Regional Solutions’ excellent facilitation of the community meeting last night. It was amazing. Our community simply could not get this project done without the support of our key project partners, such as Regional Solutions and the Trust for Public Land.”

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land use issues and helped design and facilitate a community meeting that took place in November 2019.

At the request of Regional Solutions and Governor Brown, Oregon Solutions launched an assessment in late 2018 to determine the level of political will among potential project partners. In June 2019, Governor Brown officially designated an Oregon Solutions project to bring together multiple stakeholders to plan for the future management of the forest. Also in June of 2019, Trust for Public Land secured an option to purchase the land. The option runs through the end of 2021. The first major grant application to fund the purchase was submitted in January 2020.

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Clackamas, Multnomah & Washington Counties

Convener Catherine Ciarlo, City of Portland Philanthropic Representative Vacant Business Representative Matt Miller (interim), Greater Portland Inc. LOC Representative Vacant, City of Portland AOC Representative Commissioner Martha Schrader, Clackamas County Committee Appointment Commissioner Lori Stegmann, Multnomah County Committee Appointment Commission Chair Kathryn Harrington, Washington County Committee Appointment Councilor Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Metro Committee Appointment Carl Talton, Portland Family of Funds Committee Appointment Dave Robertson, PGE Committee Appointment Kristen Leonard, Port of Portland

Center Address: Portland State University, Market Center Building, 1600 SW Fourth Ave, Suite 109, Portland, OR 97201

Governor’s Coordinator Raihana Ansary

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Bryan Guiney

Environmental Quality, Department of Cheryl Grabham

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Jennifer Donnelly Anne Debbaut

Transportation, Department of Kimberly Dinwiddie

Agriculture, Department of Erick Garman

Building Codes Division Tom Phillips

Employment Department Christian Kaylor

Energy, Department of Roger Kainu

Fish & Wildlife, Department of Jeff Boechler

Parks & Recreation Department MG Devereux

State Lands, Department of Melinda Butterfield

Water Resources Department Mike McCord

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Vision

The Portland-Metro region (Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties) is livable and prosperous for all residents, including historically marginalized communities.

Mission

Advance inclusive community and economic development priorities for the metro region by solving complex problems, developing innovative solutions and leveraging resources.

Priorities

Inclusive Economic Development – Grow and retain businesses and quality jobs to help ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential and thrive. • Support growth and expansion of middle-income and traded-sector

jobs and industries including established and emerging clusters. • Prioritize projects that are exemplary of inclusive economic

development and incorporate anti-displacement measures. • Prioritize projects (rural and urban) that address inequity in the region

(i.e. include Minority, Women, Emerging Small Business (MWESB) contractors, benefit underserved populations, etc.)

• Evaluate loans and grants to ensure financial resources address disparities.

Workforce Development – Bolster efforts to train and employ individuals for current and emerging markets. • Encourage local hiring and the procurement of minority-owned,

women-owned and emerging small businesses in projects. • Look for job skill training and career pathway opportunities associated

with projects.

Housing – Promote affordable and workforce housing development. • Provide regulatory certainty and streamline state permitting processes

for affordable and workforce housing development. • Provide technical assistance and resources to help increase the supply

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of affordable and workforce housing.

Infrastructure – Modernize the region’s key transportation and infrastructure systems. • Provide technical assistance and resources to promote a strong

multimodal transportation network for the safe and efficient movement of goods and people.

• Provide technical assistance and resources for infrastructure systems including sewer and clean air and water.

Brownfield Redevelopment – Expedite the cleanup and reuse of brownfields to promote the growth and development of housing and industrial land. • Provide regulatory certainty and streamline permitting processes for

employment and industrial land redevelopment. • Pursue “shovel readiness” for the region’s priority employment and

industrial lands (i.e. adequate water and sewer lines and road access). Clean Energy and Climate Resiliency – Support clean energy initiatives and greenhouse gas reduction efforts. • Prioritize the efficient use of energy and natural resources. • Promote cost-effective renewable energy production.

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Breaking New Ground: Genentech Business Expansion With an estimated 152 jobs, this project supports the regions goals for high quality career opportunities.

Associated Metro Region Priority: Bolster efforts to train and employ individuals for current and emerging markets.

Genentech Business Expansion – Genentech is a biotechnology company, now a member of the Roche Group, dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. Genentech was evaluating whether to expand their existing Hillsboro campus with a manufacturing facility for personalized cancer vaccines or to locate this facility in comparative markets in the U.S. With the coordinated help of the Governor’s Office, Metro Regional Solutions, Business Oregon and the Port of Portland, Genentech chose to expand locally. The expansion of Genentech is a tremendous economic opportunity for the greater Portland-metro region and the state of Oregon with the infusion of 152 new quality jobs and the development of a state of the art personalized cancer vaccine facility.

Update – Metro RS helped to ensure seamless coordination between the state, region, county, and city around relevant permits and transportation needs. For example, Metro RS helped Genentech efficiently navigate the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to foster better understanding and clarity around the company’s manufacturing process and DEQ’s Cleaner Air Oregon (CAO) permit program to avoid any confusion and delays. As a result, Genentech successfully obtained a CAO permit for their company expansion in Hillsboro. "Working on

Figure (above) attendees from Left to Right: Joaquín Castañeda, Sr. Manager, Local Government Affairs, Genentech

Sandra Pizarro, Sr. Director, State and Local Government Affairs West Region, Genentech Keith Leavitt, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Portland

Jerry Willey, Commissioner, Washington County Board of Commissioners Pamela Treece, Commissioner, Washington County Board of Commissioners

Raihana Ansary, Regional Solutions Coordinator – Metro Region, Office of Governor Kate Brown BioNTech Executive (unidentified)

Sven Hauptmann, Head of Drug Product Manufacturing, Genentech Kathryn Harrington, Chairwoman, Washington County Board of Commissioners

Steve Callaway, Mayor, City of Hillsboro Tim Sirichoke, Head of Hillsboro Individualize Therapies (HIT)

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behalf of Governor Brown, the Metro Regional Solutions Team led by Raihana Ansary have been close partners with Genentech-Hillsboro. Their expertise, relationships with various state agencies and mission driven commitment to economic development played a critical role to ensure a successful and on time project," Tim Layton, State Government Affairs, Genentech.

Metro RS participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Genentech Hillsboro. The ceremony was well attended among partners, including Mayor Steve Callaway of Hillsboro and Washington County Commissioners Kathryn Harrington (Chair), Jerry Wiley and Pam Treece. Business Oregon Director Chris Harder was also in attendance along with Kristen Leonard (Chief Public Affairs Officer) and Keith Leavitt (Chief Commercial Officer) from the Port of Portland.

Levee Ready Columbia (LRC): Ensuring a Safe System This project goal is to support comprehensive collaboration to secure the Columbia’s levee system.

Associated Metro Priority: Modernize the region’s key transportation and infrastructure systems.

Levee Ready Columbia (LRC) – Multijurisdictional effort convened by Oregon Solutions and including Metro Regional Solutions (RS), five drainage districts, Metro, Multnomah County, the cities of Portland, Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, the Port of Portland, business groups, neighborhood associations, environmental groups and non-profit organizations to ensure that the levee system along the Columbia River, from Sauvie Island to the Sandy River, meets FEMA accreditation standards and continues to reduce the risk of flooding for important regional assets in the area. The levees reduce the risk of flooding for the Portland International Airport, tens of thousands of jobs and residences, thousands of acres of local farmland and hundreds of acres of parks and natural areas.

Update – Metro RS is working with the LRC project team and the Governor’s Executive Appointments and Natural Resources Teams to identify potential members to the interim board of the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District that was created by Senate Bill 431 in the 2019 legislative session. The District can acquire, purchase, construct, improve, operate and maintain LRC infrastructure. It will initially be headed by a 17-member board, 12 of whom are appointed by jurisdictions in the new district (5 cities, 4 drainage districts, Metro, Multnomah County and the Port of Portland) and five of whom will be appointed by the Governor. The Governor will appoint a private sector business within the district, neighborhood resident in the district, environmental conservation representative, and representatives from an environmental justice organization and a public non-profit unspecified. The Levee Ready Columbia Project team would like to have the interim board established by spring 2020. Metro RS will work to help meet this targeted timeline.

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Willamette Falls Legacy: A Plan to Repurpose a Mill Site This project provided multi-agency coordination for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s purchase of the former Blue Heron site.

Associated Metro Region Priority: Supports the Metro Region strategy to provide technical assistance in redevelopment projects.

Background – Oregon City’s Willamette Falls - the largest waterfall in the Pacific Northwest - is a horseshoe-shaped basalt cascade that divides the upper and lower reaches of the Willamette River. Public partners, including Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro, and the State of Oregon (Metro RS and Oregon State Parks & Recreation) have been working together to develop a vision and master plan to repurpose the site, including the construction of a publicly accessible river walk. The state has allocated $12.5M toward the project with expenditures limited primarily to construction.

Update – Metro RS continues to provide guidance on the project as a public partner. In June 2019 Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR) announced a purchase agreement for a 23-acre site in Oregon City (former Blue Heron Mill) and approached DEQ about entering into a Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA). A PPA is a legally binding agreement between DEQ and a prospective purchaser that limits the purchaser’s liability for environmental cleanup at the property, in exchange for the purchaser providing a “substantial public benefit” (e.g., cleanup, funding for cleanup, redevelopment of a vacant or underused property, or any other important public purpose). This is the first PPA that DEQ has entered with a tribe, and there was a high level of public interest. The PPA schedule was extremely tight because the real estate transaction needed to be completed by mid-August 2019. DEQ and Metro RS representatives coordinated closely with the CTGR to:

• Develop the draft PPA and post it for public comment;

• Schedule a public meeting in order to present the draft PPA and solicit public feedback;

• Respond to public comments; and

• Finalize the PPA that includes liability protection to the CTGR for legacy contamination resulting from settlement activities dating back to the 1860s through date of acquisition by the CTGR. The PPA also ensures ongoing protection of public health and environmental quality as the property is cleaned up and repurposed over the coming years.

Above: The sun peaking over clouds near the Willamette Falls waterfall site

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During this tight schedule, the CTGR Tribal Council passed Resolution 159-19 to provide a limited waiver of the tribe’s sovereign immunity to enable them to enter an enforceable PPA Consent Order with DEQ.

The Metro RS also helped coordinate with the Willamette Falls Legacy Project (Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro and other state agencies) to ensure that provisions of the PPA did not preclude ongoing discussions about the public partners’ easement for a high priority Riverwalk Project that extends through a portion of the 23-acre site.

Willamette Falls Locks Commission (WFLC): Working to Secure the Locks

This initiative supports the collaborative effort to identify a possible new owner of the USACE’s Willamette Falls Locks.

Associated Metro Region Objective: Engage with Oregon Solutions project.

Background – Senate Bill 256, approved during the 2017 Legislative session, established the Willamette Falls Locks Commission (WFLC), which serves as an advisory body for issues relating to the repair, reopening, operation, maintenance and future transfer of ownership of the Willamette Falls navigation canal and locks. The WFLC’s charge is to recommend a framework for the ownership, operations and management of the Locks, since the USACE has expressed the intent to dispose of the Locks. They are, however, willing to repair and transfer ownership of the Locks to a new entity, either private, public or a combination of both, for future operations including commercial transportation and recreational uses.

Update – Metro RS worked with Oregon Solutions (the project administrator/facilitator) and the Governor’s Executive Appointments team to set up the Locks Commission in 2018. Metro RS is tracking the work of the WFLC and serves as a liaison to the Governor’s Office for the project management team. The Commission is also following up on a $14M lottery bond budget note in HB 5024 from the 2019 legislative session for the capital repair and modernization of the locks. Above: A view from inside the Willamette Falls Locks.

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Hood River, Sherman & Wasco Counties

Convener Maui Meyer, Copper West Philanthropic Representative Celeste Hill-Thomas, Mid-Columbia Health Foundation Business Representative Nicole Bassett, The Renewal Workshop LOC Representative Mayor Kate McBride, City of Hood River AOC Representative Commissioner Scott Hege, Wasco County Committee Appointment Judge Joe Dabulskis, Sherman County Committee Appointment Commissioner Rich McBride, Hood River County Committee Appointment Rita Wilson, City of Grass Valley Committee Appointment Carol Von Borstel, Business Representative Committee Appointment Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, Columbia Gorge Community College Committee Appointment Amanda Hoey, MCEDD Committee Appointment Andrea Klaas, Port of The Dalles Committee Appointment Ken Bailey, Orchard View Farms Committee Appointment Keith Mobley, Attorney

Columbia Gorge Community College, 400 East Scenic Dr., Suite 307, The Dalles, OR 97058

Governor’s Coordinator Nate Stice

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Michael Held

Business Oregon, Regional Project Manager Matt Mattia

Environmental Quality, Department of Greg Svelund

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Scott Edelman

Transportation, Department of Brad DeHart

Agriculture, Oregon Department of Erick Garman

State Lands, Department of Nancy Pustis

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• Waste water

• Water

• Broadband

• Public transportation, access, freight

Providing Support for target sectors

• High tech: Unmanned Systems

• Manufacturing

• Value-added agriculture, fermentation science

• Healthcare

• Renewable energy

• Forest/wood products

• Arts/Culture/Tourism

Workforce training

• Increase skill levels (focus on target sectors)

• Develop more internships, including paid, opportunities

• Enhance regional participation in workforce investment boards

Regulatory integration/streamlining

• Develop Regulatory Road Map

• Facilitate industrial site readiness

• Work with the Columbia River Gorge Commission to obtain clarity about urban area expansion and promote the implementation of the economic prosperity section of the National Scenic Act

Infrastructure

Attainable Housing

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Attainable Housing: putting units on the board! This housing program is designed to spur on private investment for attainable workforce housing developments North Central Oregon.

Associated NC Priority: Attainable housing

Background – The lack of attainable/workforce housing remains one of the top barriers to economic development in the Gorge. The North Central RS Team has deployed a two-prong strategy to promote attainable housing in the region that is starting to produce results. 1) provide capital/incentives for attainable housing development; 2) provide communities help in clearing barriers to housing.

The North Central region used its 2013 legislative allocation to seed a $2M revolving loan fund to provide slightly below market gap financing for attainable housing in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties. The fund became available in late 2015 and has now been approved for use on projects in all three counties. Two projects are under construction and one already has units available:

• New Project – Local Real Estate Broker Charlie Foote and Ed DeVlaemick, the owner of a local construction and plumbing company, recently started collaborating in flipping single and multifamily homes in The Dalles. They recent purchased a burned out and abandoned multi-family property near the core of downtown and are using $323,000 from the loan fund to rehabilitate six units. Charlie and Ed plan to continue to collaborate in updating failing housing stock.

• The Federal Street Lofts opened in the The Honald Building with nine workforce housing rental units in the heart of downtown The Dalles. The final project was completed in December of 2019 and consists of three studios, five one-bedroom, and one two-bedroom apartments. $250,000 from the loan fund leveraged $1.5M in private investment.

• All 36 units of the Stella Lane project are completed. The developers worked with a local bank to help pre-approve teachers, firefighters, nurses, electricians, and others. The loan fund helped them to move up the timeline for construction, allowing production of 6 units at a time rather than 4. $600,000 from the loan fund leveraged $1.5M in private investment.

“My business partner and I are working to flip single and multifamily projects in The Dalles to create livable workforce housing. The loan fund has help us take on more projects.”

Charlie Foote Project Developer

Below: Unit in Federal Streets Lofts

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Upper Kingsley Reservoir Expansion Project: Moving Projects Forward

This project improves water quality and quantity for the district’s irrigation customers.

Associated NC Priority: Infrastructure Farmers Irrigation District (FID) has been working for several years to increase storage capacity of Upper Kingsley Reservoir, located in the Hood River basin. The project would raise the height of the dam 11 feet, which would increase the reservoir’s storage capacity from 715 acre-feet to 1,342 acre-feet. The project has water quality and quantity benefits while also addressing water shortages for the district’s irrigation customers. The project involved many state and federal agencies with various authorizations and permits related to water rights, wetlands and state and federal water quality certifications, among other areas. Regional Solutions brought the regulatory agencies together to coordinate permitting and funding, a process that required an accelerated timeline due to funding timelines and construction windows. These agencies include United States Army Corp of Engineers, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon DEQ, Oregon Department of State Lands and NOAA Fisheries, with several other agencies involved in consultation and authorization roles.

The final and most important challenge was obtaining a 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the accompanying state certification from DEQ, both required under the Clean Water Act. These approvals can be lengthy and complicated, and Regional Solutions involvement ensured that the district obtained the approvals in time to start construction of the project in Spring 2020.

Hood River Regional Wastewater Planning and Coordination: Looking Ahead The initiative supports long-term planning for wastewater and land application for the Hood River area.

Associated NC Priority: Infrastructure

The region faces challenges with infrastructure needs around wastewater treatment and the land application of biosolids, a challenge not unique to Hood River County. As a whole, the region has a single disposal site for both municipal biosolids and septage at the Hood River wastewater treatment plant. While not yet a crisis, the

Above: local stakeholders view project site.

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current arrangement can make it more difficult for haulers who service residential septic systems and places the disposal burden solely on the City of Hood River. While resiliency is a problem, the region also struggles to find available land for land application of biosolids as land is lost to growth, land use changes and other factors. This means the city of Hood River is looking to land in adjacent counties, which increases the cost of disposal for all parties.

Regional Solutions conducted stakeholder interviews and convened a group of stakeholders in 2019 to discuss regional wastewater challenges and opportunities. The group included communities, sanitary districts and septage haulers in and around Hood River County, with the goal being to discuss the region’s approach to treating and disposing of wastewater and biosolids.

Following that meeting, Regional Solutions and Oregon DEQ analyzed data to get a better grasp of wastewater treatment and disposal across the region, looking closely at wastewater flows into and out of the treatment system. This analysis will better inform the next stakeholder group discussion in Spring 2020, as partners consider challenges around funding and long term regional planning around wastewater. The analysis will also inform considerations around a regional septage receiving station and the longer-term vision for disposal of biosolids, which could include composting as available land for land application diminishes in the years ahead.

Broadband: Lighting up Frontier Oregon These projects are bringing the internet to some of most rural parts of Oregon.

Associated NC Priority: Infrastructure

Background – In partnership with the counties, the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, and internet service producer, and area legislators, the team has worked to expand high-speed internet access in the region’s smaller communities. This year saw the final complete of two efforts detailed below. In 2020, the team will work with MCEDD to identify the next targets for buildout.

Above: Mass Balance – 2016 Annual Report

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Sherman County Cities Fiber Project – Regional Solutions partnered with Sherman County and its cities to provide fiber to every home and business in each of the county’s incorporated cities and Biggs Junction. This is thanks to a partnership between local internet service providers, the County, the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, and Regional Solutions. The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District led efforts to assess needs through surveys, community forums, and planning meetings, and ultimately launched a competitive Request for Proposal to choose a private internet service provider to deliver the project. $200,000 in an RIF investment ultimately leveraged $103,000 from the cities and county and $333,000 in private investment. By next Fall, Gigabit service will be available throughout the county.

Maupin Fiber: Buildout Complete The RS-funded fiber build to provide gigabit service to every home and business in Maupin was completed in March 2019. The project, funded at $410,000 during the 2015 RIF cycle, originally envisioned a middle mile build out to Maupin. However, the flexibility of the RIF funding allowed the City and Q-Life, the municipal fiber company that served as the project lead, to pivot and partner with a private company to create a municipally-owned fiber network.

The project experienced numerous delays and struggled with high construction costs. An additional $500,000 secured by Senator Cliff Bentz and Representative Daniel Bonham allowed the project to move forward as a municipally-owned network open to multiple providers, rather than a privately-owned network. The RS Team helped to build the capital stack for the project, using $28,000 in Special Public Works Funding to develop engineering. The project included $302,000 from local government partners and $885,000 of private investment.

“The communities in Sherman County identified broadband as critical infrastructure, but did not have a clear funding source to address their lack of service. The RIF’s flexibility to address regional priorities made it possible to bring scalable broadband infrastructure to Sherman County.”

Carrie Pipinich MCEDD Project Lead

Above: Workers attaching fiber optic to Maupin Bridge

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Crook, Deschutes & Jefferson Counties

Convener Michael Hollern, Brooks Resources Philanthropic Representative Anne George, Oregon Community Foundation Business Representative Amy Tykeson, Bend Broadband LOC Representative Mayor George Endicott, City of Prineville AOC Representative Commissioner Mae Huston, Jefferson County Committee Appointment Judge Seth Crawford, Crook County Committee Appointment Commissioner Tony DeBone, Deschutes County Committee Appointment Mayor Steve Uffelman, City of Prineville Committee Appointment Mayor Dan Richer, City of La Pine Committee Appointment Mayor Richard Ladebey, City of Madras Committee Appointment Councilor Bruce Abernethy, City of Bend Committee Appointment Councilor Michael Preedin, City of Sisters Committee Appointment TBD, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Committee Appointment Dr. Becky Johnson, OSU Cascades Committee Appointment Roger Lee, EDCO Committee Appointment Benny Benson, Energyneering Solutions Committee Appointment Melanie Widmer, Madras Sanitary Committee Appointment Tammy Baney, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council Committee Appointment Wally Corwin, Jeld Wen, Inc. Committee Appointment John Gilbert, Pacific Crest Affordable Housing Committee Appointment Matt Abrams, Seven Peaks Ventures Committee Appointment Jay Head, Black Butte Ranch Committee Appointment George Neilson, Bean Foundation Committee Appointment Betty Roope, Citizen

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1011 SW Emkay Dr., Suite 108, Bend, OR 97702

Governor’s Coordinator Annette Liebe

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Carolyn Meece

Business Oregon, Business Finance Officer Tom Schnell

Business Oregon, Regional Project Manager Matt Mattia

Business Oregon, Brownfields Specialist Karen Homolac

Environmental Quality, Department of Greg Svelund

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Scott Edelman & Jon Jinings Transportation, Department of Theresa Conley

Employment Department, Oregon Damon Runberg

Energy, Department of Rob Del Mar

Fish & Wildlife, Department of Michael Harrington

Historic Preservation Office, State Ian Johnson

Parks and Recreation, Department of (Main Street) Sheri Stuart State Lands, Department of Nancy Pustis

Water Resources Department Kyle Gorman

Department of Agriculture Theresa Yoshioka

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Adopted April 2019

High Focus Priorities For high focus priorities, the Committee, coordinator, and Team will actively engage in seeking solutions and projects that contribute to successful outcomes for the priority.

• Grow OSU Cascades

• Increase workforce Housing

• Ensure the region has land and infrastructure available to retain and attract employers

• Encourage water conservation and restoration; improve water availability

• Vibrant Downtown Cores

• Emergency preparedness/response

• Childcare availability

Support Priorities For support priorities, the Committee, coordinator, and Team will monitor, engage, and support as needed and requested. The coordinator and Team will continue working with communities opportunistically to address these priorities and to serve as a catalyst for their successful accomplishment.

• Integrate workforce training opportunities

• Enhance Transit

• Support the regional creative economy

• Outdoor Recreation

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OSU Cascades: Site Evaluation and Preparation This project supports the growth of the Oregon State University Cascades Bend campus serving Central Oregon.

Associated Central Priority: Grow OSU Cascades

Background – Growing OSU Cascades remains a high priority for the Central Oregon RSAC. The RS Team continues to be a partner in supporting OSU’s success.

Update – One area of significant state agency involvement has been the clean-up and redevelopment of the former county landfill site. Specifically, the DEQ worked closely with OSU Cascades to develop and implement a re-development plan that utilizes former landfill materials as fill at the pumice mine and negotiated a Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PCA) with OSU Cascades for the former county landfill site. OBDD and the DEQ worked to secure $25,000 brownfields integrated planning grant from the EPA towards development of a Redevelopment Economic Feasibility and Financial Strategies Plan. RS wrote letters of support for federal grant applications.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs - Infrastructure Assistance

This initiative is focused on program and grant training for large infrastructure facilities for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Associated Central Priorities: Ensure the region has land and infrastructure available to retain and attract employers; encourage water conservation and restoration; improve water availability

“RS has been very effective in collaboratively identifying regional priorities, and actively looking for ways to support those priorities through the work of the various state agencies on the Team”

Dr. Rebecca Johnson Vice President, OSU Cascades

Below: Arial view of the former landfill site preparation prior to construction of second OSU Cascades Academic Building.

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The Initiative – The RST co-convened two infrastructure funding summits in Warm Springs to identify federal and state funding opportunities to address five priorities: 1) tribal capacity, 2) water system repairs and improvements, 3) landfill capacity constraints, 4) wastewater system improvements, and 5) housing. RS also facilitated a Strategic Planning meeting for tribal Department Directors. The RST is actively working with the tribe on project management for various state funding programs as well as the $7.8M appropriated by the legislature in 2019 for water and wastewater infrastructure. The Warm Springs Housing Authority was selected to participate in the first technical assistance cohort for the state’s new permanent supportive housing program.

1000+ Housing Units: State Owned Lands + Planning = Opportunity

Several housing projects are opening up new land and state owned land for public/private housing developments in Central Oregon.

Associated Central Priority: Increase workforce housing; ensure the region has land and infrastructure available to retain and attract employers

Several projects and planning efforts focused on workforce housing are underway:

• The RS Team met with the cities of Redmond, Bend, and Madras to discuss state owned properties, including ODOT surplus property, planning and infrastructure funding, and state housing programs. On December 10, 2019, the State Land Board authorized the marketing and sale of 382 acres of property in Bend owned by the Department of State Lands. This property is planned to be the site for more than 1000 housing units.

• Bend was selected for the HB 4079 pilot project, which creates an accelerated UGB expansion opportunity for affordable housing in one city over 25,000 in population. During 2019 the legislature passed HB 2336, allowing Redmond to also participate in the affordable housing pilot project.

• The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) funded housing needs analyses in Redmond, Sisters and Prineville and the Regional Housing Needs analysis managed by Central Oregon Intergovernmental

Above: Water pipe replacement

Above: Location of the Stevens Road Tract

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Council. • The RS Team met with the Warm Springs Tribe, the City of La Pine and

Neighbor Impact to discuss housing rehabilitation. In December 2019, the City of Prineville, in partnership with Neighbor Impact, was awarded $400,000 to provide grants to eligible homeowners in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties. The focus of these grant funds is to provide needed health and safety repairs to eligible homeowners living in eligible areas.

Increasing the Employment Prospects in Central Oregon Several employment lands projects are in queue from state owned large industrial lots to opportunity funds.

Associated Central Priority: Ensure the region has land and infrastructure available to retain and attract employers

• DSL Owned Millican Rd. Parcel – Local leaders focused on aligning the state process to sell the property with economic development needs and the mandate to maximize the return for the Common School Fund. The due diligence process was started by the Land Board Oct. 2017; appraisal and method of sale recommended April 2018. The agency secured a broker for the property August 2019; offer pending December 2019.

• Redmond Large Lot – The RS Team has been working for many years with Economic Development for Central Oregon and additional Central Oregon partners to establish the Large Lot Industrial program. The DLCD established rules; Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council administers the program. This 935-acre state owned site (DSL owned) has been accepted as the first large lot (over 250 acres) site under the program. State agencies worked closely with the City and the county on the annexation UGB amendment; annexation into the City of Redmond was completed August 2019. Partition to create a 20-acre parcel for the Oregon Military Department Readiness Center and adjust lot lines to accommodate the 140-acre County Fairgrounds expansion submitted August 2019. The state will fund critical infrastructure to the site as authorized by the state land board. The Redmond SE interceptor in Redmond was funded by a DEQ loan and serves this part of the City.

• Redmond Immediate Opportunity Fund – The RS Team collaborated on a $162,500 Type B IOF award to the City of Redmond for design and construction costs of improvements on SW 6th Street (Nosler) in March 2019. Project opened additional industrially zoned land for development and job creation.

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2019 Regional Solutions Initiative: Childcare Supply In 2019, Regional Solutions convened an interagency workgroup to understand the opportunities and regulatory requirements for childcare providers and facilities in Oregon. A summary of those discussions can be found on the Regional Solutions website. RS provided technical assistance to the Sunriver Preschool to secure its operating license in time for the scheduled July 1,2019 opening day and has worked to resolve delays in teacher certification.

Central Oregon Childcare Accelerator: Expanding More Spaces

This collaborative effort is mobilizing multiple agencies and organizations to bring on 1,000 more childcare spaces.

Associated Central Priority: Childcare

RS participates in the consortium of regional businesses and non-profits, early learning and health organizations, local and state government agencies who are working together to tackle Central Oregon’s shortage of childcare. In November 2019, the Bend Chamber hired a Childcare Accelerator position to begin work on creating more options for those looking for quality, affordable childcare options. The Accelerator will spearhead efforts to pilot new collaborative childcare programming and operations between Oregon State University-Cascades and Central Oregon Community College that can be built and replicated throughout the region. To address the funding challenges of developing and expanding childcare facilities, the Childcare Accelerator will work with employers, public sector organizations and private investors willing to help offset costs and will lead an effort to help broker collaborative projects that create additional quality and affordable childcare.

Deschutes Basin Efficiency: Improving Water Systems These projects are improving the water delivery systems in Central Oregon.

Associated Central Priority: Encourage water conservation and restoration

The Projects – The irrigation districts and their partners of Central Oregon are implementing broad, large-scale piping projects, which will improve delivery efficiencies yielding water for three general basin goals: improving reliability for junior priority date irrigation districts, improve instream flows in reaches of streams historically affected by diversions and create safe and reliable water for municipalities. This effort is supported by both state and Above: Turnalo Irrigation District main canal pipeline 2019.

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federal funding. The Regional Solutions team have provided valuable input and review on many of the documents related to this effort and the development of the Habitat and Conservation Plan (HCP) that will incorporate the efficiency projects as a means to reach the stream flow goals as outlined in the HCP.

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Klamath & Lake Counties

Convener Jane O’Keeffe, O’Keeffe Family Ranch Philanthropic Representativ Charles Massie, Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Business Representative Tricia Hill, Gold Dust Farms LOC Representative Mayor Carol Westfall, City of Klamath Falls AOC Representative Commissioner Bradley Winters, Lake County Committee Appointment Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris, Klamath County Committee Appointment Michele Parry, Town of Lakeview Committee Appointment Chairman Don Gentry, The Klamath Tribes Committee Appointment Betty Riley, South Central Oregon Economic Development District Committee Appointment Jim Walls, Lake County Resources Initiatives Committee Appointment Peter West, Energy Trust of Oregon Committee Appointment Barry Imler, Fremont-Winema National Forest Committee Appointment Todd Andres, Pacific Power Committee Appointment Sandra Fox, Oregon Institute of Technology Committee Appointment Randy Cox, Klamath County Econ Dev Association Committee Appointment Jessica Bogardus, Lake County Chamber

Governor’s Coordinator Annette Liebe

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Larry Holzgang

Environmental Quality, Department of Greg Svelund

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Fish & Wildlife, Department of Trevor Watson Land Conservation & Development, Department of Jon Jinings & Scott Edelman Transportation, Department of Jarod Johnson

Energy, Department of Rob Del Mar

Parks & Recreation, Department of Susan Bethers

Parks & Recreation, Department of (Main Street) Sheri Stuart State Lands, Department of Kirk Jarvie

Water Resources Department Kyle Gorman

Department of Agriculture Theresa Yoshioka Beth Pietrzak

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Updated April 2019

Mission

The South Central RS Team provides regulatory technical assistance, aligns funding, and shares information to support job retention and attraction. The South Central RSAC has identified the following priorities to guide the team’s work.

Priorities

• Infrastructure

• Shovel Ready employment land

• Support entrepreneurship and small business

• Workforce Housing

• Downtown Revitalization

• Water quality and quantity

• Workforce development especially trades and internships

• Improve forest health/restoration economy

• Agriculture

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Klamath County and Lakeview Housing: Growing More Units These initiatives are centered on opening up more housing types and units.

Associated SC Priority: Workforce housing

The Initiatives – The RST convened meetings in Lake and Klamath Counties to share information about state housing funding programs. RS also convened a meeting in Lakeview with large employers to better understand their housing needs and partnered closely with the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA) to understand the needs of Klamath County employers. KCEDA has worked closely with Kingsley Field, Sky Lakes, Klamath County and others to develop a funding and development strategy. RS convened meetings with builders in Central Oregon to understand the challenges and barriers to bringing more developers to Klamath and Lake Counties. RS will continue working closely with these partners to support their work to secure funding through the Greater Oregon Housing Accelerator and/or state loan guarantee program.

Updates – The Klamath-Lake regional housing center was awarded $400,000 to fund a housing rehabilitation program for low and moderate-income homeowners in the incorporated cities of Klamath Falls, Malin, and Merrill.

The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) hired ECONorthwest to complete housing needs analyses in Klamath Falls and Lakeview. Results were reviewed by the team and advisory committee.

The brownfield grant awarded to the South Central Economic Development District (SCOEDD) for work on identifying and cleaning up brownfield sites assessed and identified housing redevelopment opportunities.

Training the Next Generation: Klamath Community College Internship and Apprenticeship Center

This RIF project is a partnership with the RSAC and Klamath Community College to support hands on training.

Associated SC Priority: Workforce development, especially trades and internships

The Project – The South Central RSAC prioritized this facility for 2017-19 RIF funding ($200,000). The project supports the regional priorities and is a high priority for the local workforce investment board. Klamath Community College (KCC) will design and

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construct a 36.000 sq. ft. industrial shop space for hands-on training for pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in the trades of plumbing, electrical, and industrial work (including pipefitters, millwrights and machinists). The project increases capacity for welding, emergency medical technicians (EMT), fire sciences, and manufacturing training programs.

Additionally, the program will house new non-credit, short-term Construction Skills and Crafts training. Regional industries and businesses will be able to connect with students for internships, apprenticeships, and on the job. RS will continue to provide technical and logistical assistance to throughout the programs development process. SCOEDD worked with KCC on a grant application to the US Economic Development Administration for $3M in match funds.

Chiloquin Water Background – The City of Chiloquin has long been working to address their water and wastewater infrastructure challenges. In addition to long-standing water system issues, the city learned they had to drill a new well to locate their water source outside of the area hydrologically connected to the Klamath River so that water would continue to be available during a water call when junior water right holders do not have access to water.

Update – During 2019, significant progress was made to advance projects that address these challenges. Business Oregon contracted to provide $2.8M in a forgivable loan and loan from the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund. The city is seeking additional loans and grants from USDA Rural Development. The Oregon Water Resources Department awarded $661,000 to Chiloquin under the Water Projects Grants and Loan program for a new well and meter replacement, which leaves just one piece of funding unsecured from USDA Rural Development. During 2019, the City of Chiloquin completed the lift station upgrades through a RIF project and Business Oregon convened a one stop to assess funding options for a new wastewater

Below: Students in the KCC pilot Construction Basics training offered in partnership with ECWorks (WIB) and WIOA Title 1B

on the job training funding.

“Building this center will ensure that we have a new well-trained construction work force to replace professionals who are retiring. I see this as a critical need for our community.”

Steve Tippin Local Industry Leader & Foundation Chair

Above: Chiloquin Chlorine contact looking East

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treatment facility. This lead Chiloquin to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for design and engineering. Design and Engineering will reach a 30% complete milestone by the end of January. Chiloquin intends to apply for additional Block Grant funds this fall, as well as other funding through Business Oregon. Chiloquin hopes to begin construction on a new wastewater treatment plant in Spring 2021.

Lake County Airport: Investing in Infrastructure Improvements

Associated SC Priority: Infrastructure

The Project – Lake County replaced outdated water lines and overhead electrical service with underground lines. These systems needed to be replaced because they were no longer able to accept capacity enhancements (electrical) or were original infrastructure installed in 1943. This project was recommended as a priority project because it supports the retention of three existing jobs and makes it attractive for additional businesses to locate at the airport. These upgrades were also needed to provide service to US Forest Service firefighting operations during fire season. The project was paid for with $150,000 from the Regional Infrastructure Fund plus $15,000 Lake County match.

Red Rock Biofuels: A New Biomass Business Development This project involves Red Rock Biofuels constructing a $250 million biofuels refinery in Lakeview.

Associated SC Priority: Infrastructure; shovel-ready employment land

The Project – Red Rock Biofuels (RRB) is constructing a $250M biofuels refinery in Lakeview, funded with a $70M federal Department of Defense (DOD) grant and investors. Once operational, the facility will employ 44 full time, with 55-60 indirect jobs created in the nearby forest; 250 jobs are estimated for construction. RRB intends to convert

Above: Lake County Airport

Above: Red Rock Biofuels, January 6, 2020.

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140,000 bone-dry tons of woody biomass into 15.1 million gallons per year of renewable jet fuel, diesel, and naphtha. Red Rock broke ground in July 2018.

Update – The RS Team continues to work with the Town, the County, South Central Oregon Economic Development District, and Red Rock to provide assistance on state approvals and incentives (air quality and wetland permitting, transportation/jobs incentives).

The RS Team convenes monthly conference calls to ensure good coordination. During 2019, DEQ issued a 401 water quality certification, and worked closely with the Town, Red Rock’s consultants and business Oregon on a proposal to re-use town wastewater as cooling water at the facility and then re-discharge the water to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant. DEQ provided technical assistance on solid waste and biochar permitting and began working on the company’s air quality permit renewal. East Cascades Works provided $35,000 for workforce training and assisted with employee recruitment through the WorkSource Center.

“The RS Team has been vital in coordinating the many state departments and agencies. These teams provide a very valuable role in the development of large projects.”

Jeff Manternach

CFO, Red Rock Biofuels

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Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla & Wheeler Counties

Convener Representative Lynn Findley, House District 60 Philanthropic Representative Timothy Mabry, Oregon Community Foundation Business Representative Donald Rice, GreenWood Resources LOC Representative Mayor Mike McLaughlin, City of Vale AOC Representative Commissioner Melissa Lindsay, Morrow County Committee Appointment Commissioner Bill Elfering, Umatilla County Committee Appointment Judge Pete Runnels, Harney County Committee Appointment Judge Dan Joyce, Malheur County Committee Appointment Joe DeLaRosa, Chairman, Burns Paiute Tribe Committee Appointment Bill Tovey, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Committee Appointment Bob Levy, Windy River Farms Committee Appointment Fred Flippence, Harney Electric Committee Appointment Rick Minster, Retired Committee Appointment Peter Mitchell, Port of Arlington

Governor’s Coordinator Courtney Warner Crowell

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Melisa Drugge

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Scott Fairley

Environmental Quality, Department of Randy Jones Nancy Breuner

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Phil Stenbeck

Transportation, Department of Ken Patterson

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Adopted August 15, 2019

The following priorities are all required to advance the regional economy and help support current and emerging businesses in Greater Eastern Oregon. Support for traded sector, small business and entrepreneurial job growth and retention is the

Natural resources utilization • Support forestry, agriculture, mining, and recreation sectors. Water management and development • Helping promote the regional workforce development

opportunities to meet current and future industry needs and address issues related to workforce availability such as childcare, training and education.

Workforce housing availability • Increase housing availability across types and values.

Competitive rural communities • Access to services that create competitive rural communities

including broadband, child care services, an engaged entrepreneurial ecosystem, downtown revitalization and multi-model transportation to attract growth, development, and workforce.

Infrastructure for marketable industrial lands • Increase availability of sewer, water, roads, and other

investments to be competitive in attracting business development opportunities.

Broadband • Support rural Oregon broadband development as a key economic

development driver for rural communities.

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Juntura Cut-Off Road Improvement Leads to an Opportunity to Drive Business Growth in Eastern Oregon

This completed project was driven by an area business in need of a road improvement.

Associated GE Priorities: Natural resource utilization; competitive rural communities

Background – Eagle Pitcher Mine is a company that mines diatomaceous earth on the border between Harney and Malheur Counties and hauls material to the Vale area for processing. The truck haul route is approximately 60 miles between the mine and the processing plant in Vale. After processing, material is shipped by truck and by rail to customers across the country.

The company indicated that with an improved road, they could increase production to meet increased demand, which in turn would increase the number of employees. The opportunity to expand production was contingent upon improvements to Juntura Cut Off Road and this was brought to the attention of the Regional Solutions Team.

The Project – The 28-foot wide roadway was in very poor condition, as evidenced by deep ruts, base failure and fractured asphalt surface. Conditions were so poor that vehicles could not maintain their travel lanes to navigate the road, creating a safety concern. The Regional Solutions team worked together to identify multiple funding sources (included below), in order to provide significant road improvements and thus secure existing jobs as well as create new jobs.

Funding:

• Federal Lands Access Funding $2.0M 29.76% • Immediate Opportunity Fund $1.0 M 14.9% • 2016 Legislative Session Funding $2.0M 29.76% • ODOT Enhance Funding (15-18) $490,500 7.29% • Local funding (split both counties) $250,000 3.71% • Eagle Pitcher Mine $250,000 3.71% • Business Oregon Special Public Works $315,000 4.69% • Business Oregon Strategic Reserve $415,570 6.18%

Additionally, this project was a key project for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) because they were able to use innovative new technology to both cut down on the cost of the project and use less material. This is the first time

Above: Juntura Road

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this technology has been used in Oregon. It is a method of grinding up the old road surface and base materials and adding asphalt and a little bit of cement as binders to the base rock for additional strength. This process takes the road grindings, adds asphalt and a small amount of water to create an asphalt foam that better coats the aggregate materials before laying right back down as a new, strengthened base. It creates almost three times the structure as base rock alone, while using only a 3% volume of asphalt.

The project was completed this Fall and has retained 136 jobs and is projected to create 23 new jobs.

Helping Streamline Regulatory Processes to Bring Manufacturing Back to Harney County

This project will help bring manufacturing back to a community that has seen the Hines Lumber Mill sit idle for decades.

Associated GE Priorities: Natural resource utilization, competitive rural communities

Background – DioDynamics LLC purchased the Hines Lumber Mill in 2018, and the company plans to open an alfalfa and biomass pellet mill in Harney County that could employ up to 15 people when up and running. The alfalfa pellet mill will take locally grown alfalfa and make it into pellets for agriculture uses throughout the state. Additionally, the company plans to process smaller diameter logs, under 12 inches in size and create wood pellets. This component results in a net dual-purpose outcome, the creation of a renewable energy fuel from forest waste and the clearing of invasive western juniper in the region.

The Project – Regional Solutions has been engaged with the company as they work through the state and local permitting process. Regional Solutions continues to hold monthly coordination calls with the company, Harney County Economic Development, and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to help navigate the air quality permit with the goal of securing a before the next alfalfa season starts.

Update – This project was one of the first new facilities to go through DEQ’s newly established Cleaner Air Oregon regulatory process and now they are awaiting final approval of their combined air quality permit. A public hearing for the air permit is scheduled for February 2020 and due to the ongoing collaboration with Regional Solutions and DEQ the alfalfa pellet mill should be up and running by alfalfa season in June 2020.

Above: Hines Pellet Mill

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Regional Solutions will continue to work with this project as they continue to move towards full production on both alfalfa and biomass pellet lines and deal with the regulatory framework within state agencies.

John Day: An Innovation Gateway to Economic Vitality This project is designed to help transform a community from decline into a bustling commercial, retail, and innovation hub.

Associated GE Priorities: Competitive rural communities, water management, and development and broadband

Background – The City of John Day has launched a strategy for growth aimed at reversing the pattern of steady population decline, which began in the 1980’s. As part of this strategy, they have also launched the John Day Innovation Gateway that will create an 80-acre innovation center in the heart of the city. The former mill property known as Oregon Pine is in the process of being revitalized to include community facilities and retail and commercial opportunities.

Update – In 2019, the John Day Innovation Gateway has made huge strides in their economic and community development projects and Regional Solutions continues to be a partner with them in their work.

The following is a list of accomplishments:

• Awarded $6M through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect program to create over 80 miles of broadband fiber from Seneca to John Day to Spray. This project will connect all Grant County cities to a fiber backbone. John Day was the only applicant in Oregon to win this national award.

• Held a Rural Economic Diversification Summit in June in coordination with the U.S. Economic Development Agency. The two-day conference brought together 40 local, state and federal agencies to learn about the Innovation Gateway and opportunities to partner with the city.

• Awarded a $196,500 Community Development Block Grant for planning and design of the new wastewater treatment center. The city plans to begin construction in 2021 and have the system in operation in 2022.

• Two produce greenhouse operations serve two local restaurants and the local grocery store by providing year round, organic produce. Currently the city has 6,000 square feet under production, but they are looking to add an additional 4,000 square feet in 2020 to meet the local demand.

• New hotel/convention center – The city is working on a public private partnership to open a 60-room hotel ($6.5M) and convert the sawmill at the Innovation Gateway into a convention center.

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• Awarded an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Recreation Economy for Rural Communities planning assistance grant. John Day was one of 10 communities nationwide selected out of a candidate pool of 200. This grant will provide planning assistance from the EPA and USDA to help position Main Street as a recreation hub for the Malheur National Forest.

• Integrated Park System – completed Davis Creek trail system and received $500,000 in funding from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to complete the riverfront trail system and design the new aquatic center/recreation center.

Additionally, Regional Solutions has helped facilitate key coordination efforts with DEQ to assist with the city’s ambitious plan to upgrade their wastewater system to Class A water quality and then re-use the water for community open space landscaping projects.

Below: Proposed rendering of the John Day Innovation Gateway

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Baker, Union & Wallowa Counties

Convener Tim Seydel, Eastern Oregon University Philanthropic Representative Aletha Bonebrake Business Representative Kathy Gover-Shaw, Behlen Mfg. Co. LOC Representative Councilor Corrine Dutto, City of La Grande AOC Representative Commissioner Susan Roberts, Wallowa County Committee Appointment Curtis Martin, VP Ranch Committee Appointment Nils Christoffersen, Wallowa Resources Committee Appointment Chelsea Judy, Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort Committee Appointment Mayor Allan Duffy, City of Elgin Committee Appointment Commissioner Donna Beverage, Union County Committee Appointment Lindsay Warness, Woodgrain Millwork Committee Appointment Superintendent George Mendoza, La Grande School District

Eastern Oregon University, 233 Badgley Hall, One University Blvd., La Grande, OR 97850

Governor’s Coordinator Courtney Warner Crowell

Business Oregon, Regional Development Officer Brian McDowell

Environmental Quality, Department of Randy Jones Nancy Breuner

Housing & Community Services Kim Travis

Land Conservation & Development, Department of Phil Stenbeck

Transportation, Department of Ken Patterson

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Adopted August 15, 2019

The following priorities are all required to advance the regional economy and help support current and emerging businesses in Northeast Oregon. Support for traded sector, small business and entrepreneurial job growth and retention is the overarching goal of these priorities.

Natural resources utilization • Support forestry, agriculture, mining, and recreation sectors. Water management and development • Secure agricultural, industrial, and municipal water supply.

Promoting workforce development and stability

• Helping promote the regional workforce development opportunities to meet current and future industry needs and address issues related to workforce availability such as child care, training, education, housing and transportation.

Workforce housing availability • Increase housing availability across types and values.

Competitive rural communities • Access to services that create competitive rural communities

including broadband, child care services, an engaged entrepreneurial ecosystem, downtown revitalization and multi-model transportation to attract growth, development, and workforce.

Enhance local infrastructure • Increase availability of broadband, sewer, water, roads, and

other investments to be competitive in attracting business development opportunities.

Working lands recreation economy

• Support the working lands recreation economy of the region by enhancing and supporting projects that capitalize on the natural landscape of our working lands and history of the region.

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Elkhorn View Industrial Park: Infrastructure Expansion Opens New Prospects This completed project was focused on getting the industrial shovel ready.

Associated Northeast Priorities: Enhance local infrastructure; competitive rural communities

Background – Baker City and Baker County have worked with Regional Solutions over the past few years to make the Elkhorn View Industrial Park shovel ready for prospective business. By the end of 2019, Baker City had invested over $260,000 in infrastructure, and there are currently water and sewer lines available, as well as natural gas service along the paved street that bisects the industrial park.

Update – In 2019, the City completed the next phase of the industrial park and installed broadband fiber and electrical power along this route to each parcel of the industrial park. The City received a $137,000 grant from Oregon Business Development Department to install broadband fiber and $121,000 from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to install power and electrical service to all parcels within the industrial park.

This infrastructure expansion has already resulted in a two new business locating in the industrial park with an expected five new jobs.

Wallowa Lake Dam: Rehabilitation of Century Old Dam

This project is to assist with the multi-phase, multi-year rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam.

Associated Northeast Priorities: Water management and development, natural resource utilization

Background – Wallowa Lake Dam, built in 1919, is a critical piece of water infrastructure for the economy, supporting recreation, agriculture and other future water needs. The dam is considered “high risk” for failure, and could cause loss of

Above: Elkhorn View Industrial Park

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human life and significant damage to adjacent property if it were to fail. Cost to repair is estimated at over $16M. The reservoir has been maintained at only 72% of historical capacity in order to reduce the risk of dam failure.

Update – In 2019, the Governor and Legislature awarded $14M to restore the Wallowa Lake Dam. Regional Solutions is now convening the Wallowa Lake Irrigation District, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to develop a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to protect the instream water rights to be effective when the new dam is completed.

In 2020, this funding was cancelled due to reduced bonding capacity as a result of COVID. The project is currently in the Governor’s 2021-23 Recommended Budget. As this project continues to move forward, Regional Solutions will continue to help facilitate coordination with other state agencies.

Above: A ground view of the 20th century built dam shows the need for immediate repair.