Estacada EDC advances strategic plan scope targeting OEM recruitment, workforce housing and marketing; industrial campus open house set for Aug. 5

The Estacada Economic Development Committee reviewed and endorsed a draft scope of work for a strategic plan intended to recruit original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to a 50-acre industrial site and to coordinate related marketing, workforce-housing and workforce-development efforts.

“One of the projects that we deliver also would be to come up with that, like, 20 to 25, you know, maybe it's 20 companies, OEMs that we could strategically recruit to be able to come to this park,” said John Lagares, who presented the draft scope to the committee. The scope lists five principal components: OEM recruitment strategy, building an advanced-manufacturing and mass-timber ecosystem, workforce-housing analysis, lodging and visitor strategy, and a marketing/branding package.

Why it matters: Committee members said the combined approach — pairing recruitment with housing, workforce training and marketing — is intended to make the industrial campus and downtown more competitive in attracting manufacturers and supporting local business expansion. Members repeatedly raised lodging and workforce-housing gaps as issues that affect recruiting and retention.

Next steps and direction: Committee staff will prepare a request for proposals (RFP) for a consultant to produce a five- to ten-year strategic plan (budgeted for fiscal 2026–27). Staff also will reach out to possible partners and funders mentioned in the meeting — including Clackamas County, Business Oregon and Northwest Natural — to explore co-funding or technical-assistance opportunities. “We can start working on the RFP and identifying some partners from that standpoint,” Lagares said.

Lodging and workforce housing: Several members emphasized lodging as a weakness for Estacada, noting that business visitors typically use hotels in nearby Sandy or Clackamas. Jeff Gersh, a committee member, said lodging “is right in our weakness quadrant” and urged that the RFP and subsequent outreach present clear, actionable information for hotel operators and investors. Committee members said the strategic plan should include an assessment of how much housing and lodging would be needed to support new employers.

Marketing and storytelling: Committee discussion repeatedly returned to storytelling and low-cost marketing tactics — videos, radio and branded merchandise — to raise awareness beyond the region. Lagares and other members suggested that a marketing deliverable should package the area’s outdoor recreation assets, industrial assets and workforce story to prospective employers and tourism audiences.

Industrial Campus Night Out: The committee also announced an Industrial Campus Night Out and open house on Aug. 5, 5–7 p.m., coordinated with the Public Traffic Safety Committee and intended to invite businesses, the public, county officials and a requested visit by the governor’s office. Committee staff will circulate an agenda and coordinate outreach to property owners and businesses in the park; staff asked members who can help with setup and promotion to volunteer.

No formal motion required: Committee members did not take a formal vote on the scope at the meeting; participants agreed staff should proceed with RFP preparation, partner outreach and the planned open house. Committee members asked that the strategic plan explicitly address infrastructure needs (for example, gas service and other utilities) and timing to make recruitment feasible.