Lexi Woodburn, executive director of the South Coast Development Council, told the Coos Bay City Council on Jan. 9 that the nonprofit is expanding services for business attraction, retention and entrepreneurship across the South Coast region.

Woodburn, who said she began the job Jan. 8, described a suite of services the SCDC provides to local businesses and prospects: an interactive economic-development website and map, property listings, a business incubator (the South Coast Accelerator) on the Newmark Center campus, and management of the Bay Area Enterprise Zone. She said the city of Coos Bay is “one of our top annual members” and that the city contributes $20,000 annually to the organization.

Why it matters: Council members and staff praised SCDC’s local work and said the organization’s tools and partnerships could make it easier for the city to recruit employers, support startups and market available sites. Woodburn highlighted recent activity in 2024 — from reviewing a city RFP for 150 South Fourth Street to assisting a national distributor and pitching three state leads — and outlined tenant and program growth at the incubator.

Woodburn also described entrepreneurship programs run by SCDC staff. She said the South Coast Accelerator — a business incubator launched in July 2024 — had three tenants and two strong leads, and that the Coos Bay CoStarters cohort (a 10-week entrepreneurship course) graduated four participants. She promoted an upcoming public pitch event: “the first ever Coos County pitch night will be January 17,” she said, and said every participant would receive cash awards and a one-year Bay Area Chamber of Commerce membership.

Councilors asked about board composition and tribal representation. A councilor urged SCDC to invite members of the region’s two tribes to join the board of directors; Woodburn said the tribes could become eligible to serve after joining as annual members.

What happens next: Council members welcomed SCDC’s new executive director and said they look forward to continued collaboration on site marketing, workforce data and downtown property opportunities. Woodburn said staff will continue outreach to local businesses and economic partners and provide updates to the council when appropriate.

Meeting context: The presentation was an informational report; no formal council action was taken on SCDC funding or programs during the meeting.