Oregon

During Fiscal Year 2013, EDA invested $6,444,329 in 22 projects in the State of Oregon. These projects are expected to create or retain 753 jobs and leverage $2,091,608 in private investment, according to grantee estimates. EDA’s investments help Oregon communities achieve bottom-up, locally-defined economic development goals and strategies.

EDA offers a complementary, balanced portfolio of grant programs designed to help rural and urban communities grow their private sectors and create jobs.

Investment Spotlight:  Making Electric Vehicles an Industry

The public may not think of Oregon when they think of electric vehicles, but that may soon change.  Over the past few years, transportation electrification has accelerated rapidly due to a combination of high gas prices, technological improvements, and concerns over climate change. While Oregon has long had companies making electric transportation components and equipment, new opportunities for high technology manufacturing and related businesses have arisen with more widespread adoption of electric drivetrains in passenger vehicles.

The electric vehicle industry was identified as an emerging cluster in Oregon in 2009 based on the concentration of firms, growth potential, and the state’s clean tech focus.  The development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem supporting the growth of this industry cluster has become a state priority.   Workforce development is a key component of that ecosystem and the Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) is creating the Advanced Transportation and Technology Center, which will focus on cutting edge, energy efficient alternative energy transportation skills.   The center will train students to the highest industry standards to meet the workforce needs for technicians to install, maintain, and repair both traditional and new propulsion systems.

LBCC is partnering with industry leaders to meet these rapidly growing workforce needs.  The college will offer training to apply, develop, and adopt alternate energy vehicles in biofuels, all electric, compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen, hybrid, telematics, and other new technologies.  In 2013, EDA partnered with LBCC in the construction of the Center and has awarded $1.5 million of the $3 million total costs for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2018.