Letter from the Executive Director - Q1 2024

Jan 18, 2024

Welcome to 2024! A year that holds significance with three notable events. First, it marks a Leap Year with an extra day in February. Second, NASA's Artemis 2 mission plans a groundbreaking journey beyond the Moon, pushing human exploration boundaries. Third, the Summer Olympics in Paris will kick off in July with the theme "Live together, play together," symbolizing unity and shared values.

In McMinnville, these events inspire a focused approach to economic growth through our strategic priorities (Business Retention and Expansion, Attraction, Workforce Development, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship). we are going to take inspiration from an extra day, a moonshot, and the Olympic spirit in our work this year.

What does that look like? This year MEDP is excited to:

• Focus on Business Retention and Expansion by helping companies that have made McMinnville their home continue to thrive and succeed. We will continue to develop and strengthen our workforce through the McMinnville Works internship program, the City’s Business Resiliency grant funded by former Rep. Ron Noble through American Rescue Plan Act (8212) for sustainable and localized workforce, and through the dedication of the Workforce Integration Network (WIN). Since March of 2022, the WIN has partnered to bring grant funded programs to support workforce development in McMinnville.
• Support Innovation and Entrepreneurs by accelerating their connection to resources. We are partnering with the City of McMinnville, Linfield University, and McMinnville Industrial Promotions to bring more opportunities for networking, technical assistance, and access to capital for all stages of entrepreneurship. This work supports the City’s focus on the master plan for the Innovation Campus on Three Mile Lane. As entrepreneurs scale and grow their businesses, the city is ensuring there are thoughtfully designed places in our community for these companies to succeed.
• Highlight McMinnovation. Companies in McMinnville are gaining recognition for their innovation, and we are fast becoming known as a community of McMinnovators gaining recognition as a hub of innovation. In 2023, we saw McMinnovators tackle a moonshot project to sequester carbon in concrete and another become a bug farmer committed to reducing food waste in landfills. There’s no limit to the innovation of McMinnville companies.
• Provide Opportunities to Learn and Connect. We are taking the Olympic theme, “Live together, play together” to engage with our business community through Business Leader Roundtables, Pub Talks, company tours and recognize their achievements at our Annual Awards event in October.

As McMinnville leaps into 2024, the commitment is to make the most of the extra day to ensure growth and success for the community. Stay tuned for further developments.

The commitment to progress is possible through sustaining funding partners: City of McMinnville, McMinnville Water and Light, and McMinnville Industrial Promotions AND our 2023/2024 Investor Circle Partners:

INNOVATOR - You believe in business strategies that embrace innovation and collaboration.

Be the first!

ENGINEER - You trust in strategic partnerships that influence high-performance solutions.

The Granary District

Radius Recycling (Cascade Steel) 

FABRICATOR - You believe in forging a network of relationships that support the bottom line.

BCC Consulting

Chemeketa Community College

Citizens Bank

Express Employment

First Federal

R&H Construction

Solid Form Fabrication 

CONVEYOR - You trust in progressive thinking and strong actions.

Baker Street Real Estate

Cascade Capital

Miller Consulting Group

Precision Analytical

COLLABORATOR - You support and value our partnerships, goals, and endeavors.

Bernards CPA