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Yamhill County economic development staff reports outreach, business supports and ARPA project tracking
Summary
Economic development staff described outreach to more than 100 businesses since May, efforts to connect firms to tax-abatement programs and funding, coordination with regional partners and ongoing management of ARPA-funded economic development grants.
Joya Goodrum, economic development staff for Yamhill County, updated the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 23 about ongoing outreach, business assistance programs and work to manage ARPA-funded projects.
Goodrum said one of her core objectives is to create "communities ready to receive business" by connecting companies to county departments such as planning and to incentives including the cancellation of assessment for commercial properties and the rural/industrial tax exemption. She said she has worked with agencies and partner organizations to help businesses navigate local government requirements and to connect firms to funding and to the Small Business Development Center.
"I've connected with over 100 businesses since May for a variety of reasons, such as assistance with identifying sources of funding, questions from new businesses, everything from licensing to insurance requirements," Goodrum said.
She described ongoing regional coordination through a Yamhill County Economic Development Alliance that includes cities, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Mid-Willamette Valley COG, MEDP, SEDCOR and Business Oregon, and said the county meets monthly with partners. Goodrum also described workforce-related programming, including an event titled "Ready or Not" for high school students scheduled for Nov. 20 to give students a simulated manufacturing experience.
Goodrum reported she manages ARPA contracts for economic development projects including childcare, broadband and water/sewer projects. She said there are eight outstanding grants she is tracking; during her presentation she cited a total of "$5,940,825.61" for outstanding grants. A second dollar amount referenced during the update regarding broadband was unclear in the transcript and appears to be garbled; Goodrum's exact broadband remaining balance was not specified on the record.
Commissioners thanked Goodrum for connecting the county's workforce programs to employers, and for assistance to start-ups and recovery-support employment placements. Goodrum said the economic development function is funded through lottery dollars and that she files required annual reports to the state and maintains federal registrations such as the county's SAM.gov Unique Entity ID.
Goodrum also said she is coordinating manufacturing-day tours and that she continues to work with partners on workforce and economic development initiatives across the county.
No formal board action was taken on the update.
