Greetings and welcome to Friday! Looks like another damp one – don’t let this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back – stay strong out there!
Here’s our EDALC update for the week:
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Sarah’s Update:
This week started off with updating the opportunities for entrepreneurs slider on our EDALC website and finding new classes and events for that. After, I talked for a little while to a guy who wants to start a BBQ restaurant in Waldport or Newport and wants our help to find a location and get started. Later, I posted on Facebook and my Instagram asking people to be vendors in the Art, Oysters & Brews event series this summer.
On Wednesday, Paul and I discussed ART Toledo plans and I worked on updating the ART Toledo website. Next, I finished my expense report for the Regards to Rural trip a few weeks ago and researched some properties for the possible restaurant to send to the guy that called. At the end of my day, I posted on Facebook for World Ocean Day. Thursday morning, I attended the ART Toledo meeting and then worked on updating the website based off notes from that meeting.
It was a slower week for me this week as I am still dealing with appointments and getting my mental and physical stamina back to normal after being in bed for so long. I am really happy to be back in the office though and starting all the great work we’re doing this summer!
Paul’s note: this weekend, Sarah and her family are traveling to La Grande – she finally gets to walk in a graduation ceremony for EOU – Way to go Sarah!!
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Paul’s Update:
EDALC’s New Director – On Thursday morning, I met with Lorna to get her up to speed on all things EDALC, from what we’ve been working on over the past two years to a deeper dive on our FY2022-23 priorities. It’ll be great to have Lorna on the team!
Blue Economy – In a slight shift, it looks like the Blue Economy Sector Survey study will indeed be handled by Business Oregon (with them directly contracting with Econorthwest), with some support funding coming from funds that EDALC has already received. It’s actually a good thing – there’s a little more money at play and the results should have a little more political impact and attention out of the gates. There will be a small steering team for the project, and both myself and Mark Farley will be on that team.
2014 Economic Report Update – On Monday, I attended (virtually) a County Commissioner work session to evaluate internal ARPA funding requests. One such request was the one I helped Commissioner Jacobson with on the update to the 2014 Lincoln County Economic Report. I was able to answer some questions and it looks like it has full Commissioner support – the potential projects will go before the Commission for review in an upcoming meeting and then a vote to “make it so” in the following meeting – all looking good so far – huzzah!
ART Toledo – We had two meetings this week to nail down logistics for the Art, Oysters & Brews summer event series. In the Thursday meeting, we also discussed two new mural projects and an upcoming chalk art event in concert with Vanlife “invasion” of Toledo happening mid-month in July: https://www.holytoledogathering.com/
Newport – We held our second round of interviews for a new Newport Chamber Director. We also had another meeting at City Hall with Spencer and his team, and it looks like we’re close to nailing down the details of a grant funded position at EDALC for Leslie Palotas. I just need a few tweaks to the proposal, and then it’ll head off to City Council for a vote later this month.
OCWCOG – This morning, Melissa Murphy (BizOR), Patrick Wingard (DLCD) and myself met with Pivotal Resources, a consulting group hired by the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments. They are convening several small stakeholder groups to deep dive into the role the COG plays in the region as part of a strategic planning process.
SBM Graduation – Last night, I was privileged to attend the 2022 graduation ceremony for the SBDC’s Small Business Management course – what a positive, energized event! Birgitte gave an amazing keynote speech and I learned even more about her fascinating gopher-catching business! I wish I had an educational resource like that when I was starting up Magic Lantern Playware!
Getting the EDALC Word Out – Yesterday, I got to participate in a “Coffee with Kiera” video podcast that’s part of the Oregon Coast Breaking News website – the podcast should go up in a few days, and I’ll share the link in an upcoming update.
Oregon Incentives – I attended a training this week put on by Business Oregon on several lesser-utilized business incentives programs – the Strategic Investment Program (GP has taken advantage of that), RRED (rural renewable energy development) Zones and tax exemptions for construction in progress for larger projects.
Broadband – Bob and I chatted yesterday about the ARPA broadband funds coming down the pike later this year and next (I also had a similar conversation with the CWEDD this morning), and what local Lincoln County preparedness looks like (and is there a role for EDALC in helping secure some local and regional funding?). We were thinking that it would be worthwhile to invite an SME or two to an upcoming EDALC board meeting to help us get up to speed and to see where we can lend a hand (other than our participation in the regional Broadband Action Team).
Strat Plan – I put together an initial pass of county-wide strategic priorities for Lincoln County economic development (EDALC and well beyond) and got that off to Mayor Cross for initial review as we continue to prep for our working setting shared ED priorities with local stakeholders.
As a reminder – your Board of Directors resource page is here:
In a “Wow, times does fly by!” moment, last Saturday was my two-year anniversary with EDALC – what a wild an amazing ride it’s been so far!
While we’re late to the game, Susan and I have joined a pickelball squad and are playing in Wednesday evening games now – what a fun time! As a geeky game designer, it’s pretty cool how the rules of tennis and pingpong have been smashed together and tweaked to create something unique and amazingly playable.
Thanks for ALL that you are doing out there! Please reach out to me if you need anything at all.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers,
-Paul 🙂