At a recent meeting of the Estacada Economic Development Commission, commissioners advanced plans for an industrial-campus career day set for Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., intended to connect local employers with high-school juniors and seniors from the Estacada School District.

The commission said the event will be a pilot aimed at exposing students to local employers and career pathways. Commissioners discussed using buses to move student groups through multiple employer sites in the industrial park, targeting about six host businesses with additional companies available as overflow or informational tables. Organizers proposed 20 minutes per stop, a kickoff gathering with food, and an RSVP process to cap attendance and manage logistics.

Why it matters: commissioners framed the event as part of a broader push to link downtown and industrial employers, build workforce pipelines, and raise awareness of local job opportunities. Staff will confirm business participation, coordinate with school officials for student transport and permissions, and report back to the commission after the event.

Key logistics and partners discussed
- Date and time: Sept. 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; pilot focused on Estacada School District; possible invitation to Colton and Molalla schools if capacity allows.
- Structure: a kickoff at one host site to feed students and explain the schedule, then small groups rotated among roughly six business-host stops (20 minutes each) by bus or walking, with a final pickup point.
- Employers mentioned as likely participants included Portland General Electric (PGE), Port Blakely, Souder/ Sauter (timber companies referenced), Lockwood (industrial site), the Glazers, Russo's Coachworks, and Reliance (broadband). Clackamas Workforce Partnership was cited as a potential sponsor or partner.
- Recruitment and promotion: staff will ask businesses to commit this week, and organizers plan to open RSVPs during the first week of school and cap attendance (suggestions included a first-come, first-served 50–100 limit for the pilot). City and school social-media channels were mentioned as promotion channels.
- Cost and budget: commissioners said the EDC has funds set aside for events; food (hot dogs or barbecue) and minor printing/social media promotion were the principal budget items discussed. Exact amounts were not specified.
- Safety and permissions: commissioners flagged safety in an industrial park (truck traffic and pedestrian routing). Options discussed included assigning EDC members or staff to small groups, coordinating teacher supervision, and asking the sheriff’s office to assist if needed. Organizers will confirm school permission-slip or app procedures with school staff.

Partners and employer commitments
Portland General Electric’s economic prosperity program manager, Brian Fuentes, told commissioners that PGE would be interested and “has all kinds of fantastic, well paid apprenticeship opportunities right now for young people.” The commission also reported outreach to a Port Blakely representative and to Russo’s Coachworks for automotive and fabrication demonstrations.

Follow-up and next steps
Staff (John) was asked to contact the named businesses this week to confirm participation and to produce an RSVP and logistics plan for school coordination. Commissioners agreed to review results and report back in October. The commission also encouraged student champions to help promote the event and suggested collecting QR-code feedback from participants after the pilot to refine future events.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the meeting minutes: adopted by voice vote. (Motion text: approve minutes; mover/second not specified in the transcript; voice tally recorded as three affirmative responses.)

Ending
Commissioners described the Sept. 25 event as a pilot that could scale in future years if businesses and schools report value. Staff will confirm business commitments and school logistics, open RSVPs at the start of the school year, and provide a summary to the commission after the event.