The Talent City Council on Oct. 1 directed staff to seek a qualified operator for a proposed Gateway business incubator by issuing a request for qualifications. The decision follows the city’s application for an OHS/OHCS peer grant and prior proposals from the Talent Business Alliance.

Steph, the city staff presenter, said the grant from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) positioned the incubator as an initial project for the city: "one of the questions...is what the process by which the city would select a partner to operate the business incubator," she told council. OHCS suggested an open process; staff noted that the Talent Business Alliance has championed the idea and could be a candidate but recommended some level of transparency in the selection. Councilor Panamara and others supported a short open process to identify additional partners and to show transparency.

Councilor Coley moved and the council seconded a motion to issue a request for qualifications seeking a qualified operator. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote. Council members asked staff to coordinate outreach broadly, including with regional partners and Jackson County long‑term recovery groups, and to make feasibility study materials available as public documents.

The council did not select an operator at the Oct. 1 meeting; staff will issue the RFQ and return with responses and recommendations.