The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors held its quarterly session on Oregon’s South Coast on Friday, August 8, hosted by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and the South Coast Development Council.
The gathering offered the region a prime opportunity to spotlight its expanding role in trade and economic development, particularly against the backdrop of evolving federal trade policies.
Council members received a presentation on the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port a public–private partnership between OIPCB and NorthPoint Development.
They also heard from the SCDC on regional investment challenges, solutions, and target industry clusters, and toured the South Coast Accelerator, an incubator supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
Derek Tonn, Director of the Southwestern Oregon Small Business Development Center, discussed efforts through the Oregon SBDC’s Global Trade Center to open new international markets for South Coast businesses.
Melissa Cribbins, Executive Director of the PCIP project, highlighted that this visit allowed them to highlight the opportunities on the South Coast and the vital work underway to diversify and strengthen the economy.
Lexie Woodward, Executive Director of the SCDC, added that these initiatives are positioning the South Coast for long-term success in a changing global economy.
Established in 1980 by Governor Vic Atiyeh, the GCEA brings together leaders from academia, business, industry, and finance to advise on economic forecasts and revenue outlooks. The group meets quarterly to analyze national and state economic trends, with one meeting each year held outside Salem to engage directly with local economies.
As part of the visit, members also toured the proposed PCIP site as well as Southport Lumber, one of the area’s largest employers.
