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Economic development update: Project Spice decision expected in May; SBA and small-business supports face uncertainty
Summary
Paul Vogel briefed the committee on Project Spice (decision expected in May), electric-transmission feasibility studies, SBA staffing reductions affecting local small-business services, SBDC events and an expected tourism marketing grant decision in May or June.
Paul Vogel gave the committee a county-level economic development update on April 17 that covered large industrial recruitment, small-business supports and tourism grant activity.
On “Project Spice,” Vogel said the prospect has narrowed to a choice between Columbia County and a site in Quebec, with a fallback to the company’s home country; he said a board will vote for a site in May. “They will now make a decision at the May,” Vogel said. He warned that global tariff issues and ongoing negotiations over energy, land and pricing could affect the final decision.
Vogel said the Project Spice process has elevated the county’s electric-transmission needs: “There are two feasibility studies underway…initial estimates as well as concepts on how to upgrade and increase the amount of transmission out to Columbia County,” he said, adding work will likely continue through the end of the year.
On small-business support, Vogel described constrained Small Business Administration (SBA) lending and staffing: loan requirements, eligibility and volume are “being constricted and restricted,” and he reported the deputy director of the Portland SBA district and much of that staff are leaving. He said the county has contacted the congressional delegation and is watching whether the county’s SBA subcontract for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be affected.
Vogel promoted several SBDC and Grow program events: a small-business resource fair on May 3 at the John Gumm building in Saint Helens (accounting, IT, cybersecurity, law and marketing services), Grow entrepreneurial meetups and an e-commerce series with a session referenced for April 20 and a Grow session on May 14 at Beyond the Forge in downtown Saint Helens.
On tourism, Vogel said the county presented at the governor’s tourism conference and is awaiting a decision on a $150,000 tourism marketing grant expected in May or early June. He said the next round of tourism grants this summer will emphasize “access” and that local organizations and governments should contact Tourism staff (Wela) if they have destination-accessibility proposals.
Vogel also noted that two new members joined the county’s CET: Robinson Construction and Scappoose Hospitality Group, the latter pursuing a hotel in Scappoose.
