Sedcor reports business expansions, ag processing and data‑center interest in Marion County

Salem — Sedcor, the regional strategic economic development corporation contracted by Marion County, told the Marion County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27 that the organization helped advance multiple manufacturing and agricultural processing projects, supported local entrepreneurship programs and is tracking early interest from a data‑center project at Mill Creek.

The update was delivered by Eric Anderson, Sedcor president, and Kip Morris, Sedcor business retention and expansion manager, during a presentation at the board’s regular meeting. Sarah Julie, Marion County economic development specialist, introduced the item and noted that the county’s current contract with Sedcor provides $160,000 annually and expires June 30, 2026.

Why it matters: Sedcor’s work ties county contract funding to projects that can affect jobs, local tax revenues and agricultural value‑added processing — areas commissioners said they watch closely. Commissioners and Sedcor staff repeatedly framed projects as efforts to retain local businesses and attract investment to Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties.

Major projects and results - Hazelnut processing: Sedcor described coordinating partners to support the George Packing/Northwest Hazelnut project tied to the acquisition of the Hazelnut Growers of Oregon facility. Sedcor said the project is a roughly $32 million effort that “allowed over 70 farm families to have a place to process their hazelnuts” after a prior operator left the facility. Sedcor credited Business Oregon and the governor’s office for providing a strategic reserve award and said Energy Trust of Oregon and Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership remained engaged on equipment efficiency.

- Oregon strategic reserve award: Eric Anderson said the state strategic reserve funding for the hazelnut project was structured as a forgivable loan tied to job or investment criteria. Sedcor reported the award amount as $625,000.

- Don Pancho expansion and food processing reuse: Sedcor described the forthcoming Don Pancho grand opening and said the company is expanding into about 300,000 square feet at a former Norpac site, converting it for food processing with separation for corn, flour and organic lines.

- Smaller manufacturers and local expansions: Sedcor highlighted projects such as Valley Fab, Jackman Industries and GK Machine (an expansion having included machinery and equipment at a new facility near Donald). The presentation noted GK Machine’s eligibility under a rural industrial tax exemption.

- Agritech and crops: Sedcor said Coast Fibers is exploring first‑stage flax processing in Marion County and that Canopy, a tech‑ag company making automated greenhouses, is growing with technical support from GK Machine’s site.

- Food and entrepreneurship supports: Sedcor said its Launch Mid Valley Regional Innovation Hub ran 37 events with nearly 800 participants and that its venture catalyst supports pitch events to connect entrepreneurs with local investors. Sedcor also reported that the Latino Microenterprise Development Program completed cohort 9, with more than 250 graduates overall.

- Ag innovation and field trials: Sedcor said it received Ford Family Foundation funding to compensate farmers hosting field trials for AgLaunch accelerator startups, and that several local farmers have joined the AgLaunch Farmer Network.

- Data‑center interest: Sedcor said “Project Gridline” has an option on roughly 80 acres at Mill Creek and had a pre‑application meeting; Sedcor did not provide total project cost or power‑use figures but said those factors would affect property‑tax revenue and franchise fees. Separately Sedcor provided an estimate from application materials that combined project costs at sites approved over the last year total about $79 million and could generate roughly $1 million in property tax revenue for communities.

Commissioner exchange and context Commissioners asked for details about state resource priorities and noted the county’s role in convening partners such as Chemeketa Community College, the Food Innovation Center and workforce providers. Sedcor described connections to the Northwest Ag Innovation Hub, AgLaunch and other statewide partners, and said it had been expanding services into smaller communities.

What’s next Sedcor said it will update the county during an upcoming contract year and that the county’s contract renewal is on the 2025–26 horizon. Sedcor also listed upcoming industry events and tours, including a Sept. 12 awards event and a Garmin tour Oct. 20.

Ending note Commissioners thanked Sedcor for the presentation and noted interest in follow‑up coordination on workforce, reentry training and data‑center site impacts.