The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) is in the process of a full rewrite of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Central Oregon region. The purpose of the CEDS is to: 1. Develop a framework for regional collaboration on economic development priorities and needs identification. 2. Develop coordinated priority strategies to build regional and community capacity/readiness to support business retention, expansion, and recruitment, and to address economic resilience, including: a. Public infrastructure needs b. Program development and coordination needs c. Policies 3. Identify resources to support key regional projects connected to the priority strategies. 4. Enhance stakeholder and community awareness of regional economic issues, opportunities, and needs. The project solicitation component of the CEDS process is a critical tool for COIC to identify high priority regional economic development projects. This is NOT a grant funding application. Every submitted project will be compiled into a list for the COIC Board of Directors for inclusion within the Central Oregon Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Strategy will then be used as a basis to promote priority projects to state, federal, and private foundation funders. The project solicitation form and these FAQs can also be downloaded from the COIC website: https://coic2.org/community-development/ceds/ Project Solicitation Process What is the purpose of the regional CEDS project solicitation inventory process? The purpose of this solicitation is to: Inventory and prioritize economic development project needs; Develop regional consensus on high priorities; Promote high priority projects to state, federal, and private foundation funders. What is the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy? The CEDS serves two primary functions in our region: 1. The CEDS is a required pre-requisite for funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Regions that have a CEDS in place are eligible to receive public works funding, planning funding, and other EDA funding sources. COIC has had a CEDS in place for over 25 years. 2. It identifies key regional economic development priorities and projects. State and federal agencies and private foundations are increasingly interested in funding projects and programs that are the result of collaborative regional issues identification and prioritization. Local partners also face an increasingly complex set of issues and recognize the need to collaborate on solutions. The Central Oregon CEDS will serve as a coordinating strategy that integrates community, industry, and organizational economic development plans, strategies and priorities. The CEDS will not duplicate efforts or supersede local, on-the-ground economic development efforts. Rather, the CEDS will be an over-arching roadmap for regional economic development that results in identification of needed actions and broadly-supported priorities. 1
The Strategy is being built around several core elements: An inventory of regional-scale economic development issues and challenges, and strategies to address them, identified through extensive stakeholder outreach. Articulation of economic resilience factors, and strategies to strengthen regional economic resilience. A list of local economic development project needs submitted and prioritized by cities, counties, Tribes, businesses and organizations (this is the purpose of this solicitation). A strategy to identify funding resources, lead partners, and performance measures and to implement high priority projects and initiatives. Ultimately, the goal is to better position Central Oregon projects for funding. What is the overall CEDS process and timeline? The timeline for the overall CEDS process is/has been: August to October, 2015: Data gathering socio-economic indicators; regional plans, etc. November December 2015: Regional stakeholder meetings/outreach January April 2016: First and Second Draft CEDS Issues and Strategies; Strategy Committee meetings May June 2016: Regional Issue Focus Group Meetings July August 2016: Final Version of Issues and Strategies developed August September 2016: CEDS Project Solicitation Process (this process) October 2016: Final CEDS produced; public review; revision as necessary November 2016: COIC Board Approves the CEDS, with project inventory December 2016 ongoing: CEDS and projects presented to state, federal and private funders; CEDS implementation begins CEDS Project Solicitation Dates: Wednesday, August 3 2017 Project solicitation form and FAQ distributed to all local jurisdictions and economic development partners. Wednesday, August 10 Recipients confirm receipt of the FAQ and project solicitation form and provide contact information for their primary contact (the person who will gather project information and send to COIC) Friday, September 16 Project solicitation forms are due back to COIC. How should projects be submitted? Please send completed project solicitation forms via email to Scott Aycock at scotta@coic.org What types of projects should be included? COIC s approach to the CEDS Project Solicitation process is to be as flexible and inclusive as possible to ensure that the highest priority needs and issues are identified and included. Therefore, projects can be defined broadly to include not only bricks and mortar infrastructure projects, but also planning efforts, capacity development, workforce and education programs, leadership development, policy initiatives, and/or any other action that will lead to an improved economic climate, and for which state, federal or private foundation funding is necessary to complete. The key element is that there should be a demonstrable economic development benefit to the project. Projects should have start and end dates, and an estimated budget including need for funding. This project solicitation is for public or non-profit projects, including public-private partnerships that support economic development. 2
What is the planning horizon for the CEDS? The CEDS is a 5-year plan, with an updated in 3 years (2019). Therefore please only submit projects that should be initiated prior to summer 2019. Our organization has a lot of project needs. How many and what type should we submit? There is no limit on the number of project forms submitted. However, we do ask that you submit only project forms for which state, federal or private foundation funding is necessary, that meet community and economic development needs, and that are high priorities for your organization or community. If multiple project forms are submitted, we ask that you identify the project s relative ranking compared to other submitted projects (i.e. identify which project is the #1 priority, which is #2, etc.). Should transportation projects be included on this list? If a transportation project has a clearly demonstrated economic development impact, and if the project could be funded by an economic development funding source, then it would be appropriate to include the project within this process. In fact, Regional Transportation has been identified as a key regional economic development priority in Central Oregon (described further below). Development of a regional rail freight hub facility, a downtown revitalization project with streetscape elements, and investments to increase transit access to employment and education are examples of transportation projects that could be funded through economic development funding sources. Should projects that are focused on natural resource issues (fuels reduction, for instance) be included within this process? Natural Resource projects should be included if they have an economic development component or benefit. For instance, a fuels reduction project that is aimed at lowering wildfire risk would not likely be considered a high priority project through this process. However, if the fuels reduction project outcome was focused on acquiring small diameter biomass material for the forest products or biomass heating industries, then the project could be considered an economic development project. Projects that contribute to the viability of farm businesses could also be economic development projects. Are you looking for projects that are regional in scope, or can a local project (i.e. a project that benefits or is located within a single community) be included? Both local (single community) and regional (multi-community) projects should be submitted. Regional projects will not have an advantage over local projects when designating high priority projects. However it should be noted that projects that can be demonstrated to have a regional impact tend to be more attractive to funders. The solicitation form asks if the project is ready to proceed. What does this mean? There is no one size fits all definition for project readiness. Generally, ready to proceed means that a project has been scoped, planned, engineered and budgeted, and that the project could begin within the next 12 months. Large capital projects or other complex projects might be separated into smaller segments that could be completed within a year (i.e. project engineering and design separated from project construction). Specific readiness factors could include: Land use issues resolved; permits secured Match/local contributions identified or secured Environmental clearance (if applicable) Included within comprehensive plan or other relevant adopted plan (if applicable) Local jurisdiction support 3
Project meets urgent need and will move forward upon securing funding Project is sufficiently scoped so that a competitive grant application can be prepared How can unincorporated areas participate in this process? The project needs of unincorporated areas can be included in this process in a number of ways: Organizations representing unincorporated communities (e.g. chamber of commerce, homeowner association) can submit projects The County government can submit projects. How much funding is available through this process? This is NOT a funding application process. This process will identify high priority economic development projects and issues. Projects will then be promoted to state and federal funders and private foundations. The expectation is that this process will result in a larger share of investment into Central Oregon. However, there is no guarantee that specific projects will be funded. Who will be prioritizing the projects, and what will the criteria be? COIC staff and Board will conduct an initial prioritization utilizing the following criteria: 1. Readiness to proceed. A project will be determined to be ready to proceed if it can start within 12 months, and has no significant barrier to moving forward. Readiness also entails having a project sufficiently developed so that a grant funding application can be prepared and submitted. 2. Benefit to the community and/or regional economy as measured by job creation, retention, and/or other indicator of economic value. 3. Demonstrated local/regional support. The project is consistent with goals or priorities of community or regional strategies and is highly ranked by the submitting organization; match is secured; demonstration of collaboration/support letters; etc. 4. Consistent with regional priorities. The project will make a demonstrable impact towards addressing regional economic development priorities as identified by the CEDS Strategy Team or the Regional Solutions Team (these priorities are described below). 5. Potential funding source(s) can be identified. One of three priority designations will be provided to each of the projects: High Priority Developmental Project Long Range Issue Project is ready to proceed within the next 12 months, with clear scope and outcomes Economic development benefit demonstrated Regional support and consistency with regional priorities demonstrated Funding source identified Project does not yet meet all of the above criteria Some level of scoping and/or development necessary Regional-scale problem, gap or barrier identified Significant scoping, development or capacity-building necessary Not yet in form of a project Once a high priority is identified, how do you determine what state, federal and private funders to pitch the project to and do you do this for or with the organization that submitted the project? COIC will engage state and federal funding agencies and private foundations to review the inventory results, and will help facilitate connections between funders and project proponents. In some cases, COIC may provide direct grant writing and/or project development support to further a project. The particulars for each project will vary depending on 4
priority, staff capacity, and potential for funding. Central Oregon CEDS Project Solicitation Process Who are some of the state or federal funders that will have access to this list? COIC has communicated with a number of funding agencies as this process has been developed to ensure that this is an exercise that will be beneficial to them. The consensus has been that a coordinated regional effort to identify high priority project needs will help them to better connect funding opportunities to appropriate projects. Funding organizations involved to date include: US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration USDA Rural Development Oregon Business Development Department and Infrastructure Finance Authority Central Oregon Regional Solutions Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development COIC will also communicate with the Meyer Memorial Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, and other major foundations, as well as the local state delegation regarding regional priorities and the final project list. This process is not limited to the above agencies; many funding entities prefer to fund projects that are regional priorities, and that are ready to proceed. This process can be beneficial in promoting projects to nearly any funding source. Besides assisting with access to funding for projects, what other benefits can we expect through this process? This process will provide a wealth of information on Central Oregon project needs. These needs could help the region to better understand and quantify: The degree of unmet funding needs; The need for state or federal legislative action necessary to address high priority needs and issues; and Needs shared by multiple organizations or communities, which could lead to a greater degree of collaboration. This process will also provide a mechanism to have ready-to-proceed projects identified, so that when funding opportunities come along the region is in an optimal position to advance projects. How can I review and comment on list drafts? The first draft of the CEDS project list will be posted to the COIC web site, and an email message will be sent to the stakeholder list. You may submit comments on the draft list at any time. The COIC Board may elect to modify the list based on comments received during the review period. If the list is revised, the second draft will also be posted to the COIC web site and an email message will be sent to the stakeholder list announcing this further opportunity for comment. How can I ensure that I am on the stakeholder email list? If you received the initial email message announcing this process has begun, then you are already on the email list. If you would like to be added to the list, contact Scott Aycock, COIC Community and Economic Development Manager, at (541) 548-9523 or scotta@coic.org How will the list be finalized? The COIC Board of Directors will approve the project list as a component of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. That approval will likely occur in November, 2016. This action will provide a snapshot in time approval. We recognize that a list of this nature must be flexible, fluid, and updated regularly. Therefore, there will be opportunities to amend the list after approval, and a new process will begin within 2 years of completion. COIC s 5
intent is to have a continuous planning process in place to address economic development needs and issues as they arise. Who is on the COIC Board? The COIC Board is composed of representatives from each Central Oregon City Council, County Board of Commissioners, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, as well as several appointed members. The current COIC Board roster is posted to the COIC web site: https://coic2.org/about/coic-board/ What will COIC do with this list once it is finalized? How will the CEDS be implemented? The primary purpose of this inventory will be to promote high priority projects to leverage state, federal, and private foundation funding. Through inclusion in the CEDS, project proponents have the opportunity to more persuasively demonstrate the value of their project to the region, and state and federal and private foundation funders will be able to focus their resources on projects that are broadly supported within the region and ready to proceed. COIC is working with other Oregon Economic Development Districts to help develop the Agora Platform (http://www.agora-platform.com/), an online project matchmaking tool that assists local partners in collaborating on projects and bringing them to the attention of potential funders. COIC staff will follow up with project proponents to help them get their projects on the platform. (Please feel free to sign up on the platform by clicking the join Agora button in the center left on the homepage.) What are the CEDS Regional Priority Issues and Strategies, and the Regional Solutions Priorities? All submitted projects with a demonstrable connection to economic development will be included in the CEDS; however projects that can be shown to help address priority regional economic issues and strategies will be indicated as such. The CEDS Strategy Committee, with the input of dozens of stakeholders across the region, has developed the following priority economic development issues for Central Oregon: Housing Affordability and Availability Housing values in Central Oregon are approaching the pre- recession levels of 2006/7, making it increasingly difficult for low and middle income families and individuals to find housing that they can afford. Housing availability is also a challenge, with rental vacancy rates in every community hovering near zero percent. The affordability and availability crisis is driving many workers to find housing at greater distances from employment centers, and businesses are increasingly challenged to find local workers to fill jobs or to entice desired workers to relocate to the region. Economic development stakeholders believe that efforts should be focused on a spectrum of needs from subsidized affordable housing for lower income earners as well as market-rate housing for low to middle income earners that cannot be served by subsidized housing. Public Infrastructure and Broadband Communities need basic public infrastructure in order to provide for development, grow local businesses, and attract new firms. Communities cannot support business development, or any development, without adequate public infrastructure such as water and sewer systems, adequate local transportation, and utilities. Due to the extraordinary growth experienced in Central Oregon, some communities are finding it difficult to finance and implement public infrastructure needed to serve commercial and industrial development in a timely fashion. In addition to basic public infrastructure, economic development stakeholders have questioned whether the region s broadband infrastructure is sufficient to meet the needs of current and future entrepreneurial activity and other types of business growth. There is currently no assessment of the projected broadband needs for the region, and how current and planned future capacity does or does not meet that need. Emerging Workforce (Youth and Young Adult Workforce) Economic development professionals, businesses, and post-secondary institutions across the region have documented deficiencies in the readiness of high school graduates and other young adults for work and post- 6
secondary education or training. The deficiencies include soft skills (showing up on time, courtesy/communication, work ethic), academic skills such as math and writing, and hard skills such as technical industry skills. This makes it difficult for local businesses to find prepared entry-level employees, is a barrier to recruiting businesses to the region, drives enrollment in remedial classes at post-secondary institutions, and limits local residents in achieving their education, employment, and income goals. Move-in Ready Commercial and Industrial Buildings; Incubators Regional stakeholders state that there is a lack of available commercial and industrial buildings across Central Oregon. Companies from small tech to large manufacturing are increasingly opting to buy or lease existing buildings rather than build on their own, and the lack of suitable buildings is a barrier to business expansion and recruitment in the region. There is also significant interest in expanding incubators and accelerators in the region in order to support established and nascent entrepreneurial ecosystems in the region and to reflect the fact that businesses and workers/labor are evolving from large, integrated firms to flexible, distributed networks of associated businesses and freelancers. Rural Community Amenities All Central Oregon communities are striving to create complete, livable communities that are attractive to businesses and skilled workforce. While some local communities have made significant strides in this regard, stakeholders from some of Central Oregon s more rural communities state that they lack the amenities that modern businesses and workers value. These desired amenities will vary from business to business and community to community, but they include built form, such as attractive, walkable downtown areas; businesses such as coffee shops and boutiques; sufficient broadband and wireless capacity to meet Millennial and high-skilled business and professional employee expectations; and community infrastructure such as quality schools, parks and recreation, community centers, etc. Regional Transportation: 1) Freight access to markets; and 2) Citizen access to employment and education The Central Oregon region is relatively isolated from markets and from major transportation infrastructure. The region does not have a freeway, and weather and topography are barriers, particularly in the winter. BNSF operates a Class 1 railway providing freight access, but network tunnels to the north preclude double-stacked cars, which is a barrier for regional freight mobility. There is no inland port/container yard, so multimodal freight transport is impossible in the region. The region features a commercial airport, Roberts Field in Redmond, which continues to expand direct flights, as well as a network of smaller general aviation airports that are economic engines for the communities they serve and the region as a whole. Central Oregon communities are relatively isolated from each other, and many residents must travel long distances for employment, education, healthcare, social services, shopping, and other critical needs. The region features a significant jobs/housing imbalance that causes residents to live and work in separate communities. The region features a regionally-coordinated transit system, which facilitates access for particularly low income, disabled, and older residents, but service levels are insufficient to attract many choice riders at this time. Natural Resources: Environmental Assets and Resource Utilization The Central Oregon region has long utilized its abundant natural resources and scenery as an economic development tool. Today, while the economy has shifted dramatically from its former base in natural resources extraction and processing, natural resources are still enormously important. Much of the region relies on an extraordinary diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities, for tourism businesses and jobs as well as a means to market the region to entice business, entrepreneurs, and skilled labor to relocate to Central Oregon. Further, the region is rich in forests that will continue to produce timber and biomass, and agricultural lands that produce crops and meat for export and to meet the growing local appetite for local farm produce. The abundance and availability of water for agricultural production, industrial processes, community drinking water, as well as in-stream for fish and tourism values varies across the region and is becoming an increasingly concerning issue. For more information: Scott Aycock Community and Economic Development Manager, COIC Phone: 541-548-9523. Cell: 541-390-4653 scotta@coic.org 7