MEDP Spark Q1 '26 - Entering 20 Years of Partnership and Progress

Jan 23, 2026

MEDP Q1 - 2026 Spark Newsletter, read the full e-newsletter at this link.

A Letter from MEDP's Executive Director, Patty Herzog:

This year, MEDP celebrates 20 years of serving McMinnville’s business community. MEDP was founded in 2005 by local leaders who recognized the importance of a dedicated organization focused on economic development. Their goal was simple and forward looking to support existing businesses, attract investment, create quality jobs, and ensure McMinnville’s economy remains strong and resilient over time. That founding vision continues to guide our work today.

From the beginning, MEDP has been built on partnership. Our sustaining funding partners, the City of McMinnville, McMinnville Water and Light, and McMinnville Industrial Promotions have provided consistent support that allows MEDP to carry out this mission year after year. Their commitment, along with the leadership of our board and community collaborators, has helped shape the organization MEDP today.

Our work is grounded in Business Retention and Expansion, ensuring existing businesses have the support, connections, and tools they need to grow and stay competitive in McMinnville. The support of MEDP Investor Circle partners plays a critical role in advancing this work. Your investment supports initiatives that strengthen the local economy and respond to the needs of businesses.

Through this work, MEDP focuses on:

Business Retention and Expansion, helping existing employers navigate growth, respond to challenges, and plan for the future

Entrepreneur support, connecting startups and growing companies to resources, business planning guidance, and peer sharing networks

Business and public sector engagement, creating opportunities for business leaders and elected officials to share insights and align priorities creating meaningful dialogue for effective policy changes

Workforce development, through the Workforce Integration Network, aligning industry driven training and credentialing programs to meet current and future workforce needs

Bring new economic development tools to our region, like CPACE, helping businesses finance building improvements that support growth and expansion

We are deeply grateful to our sustaining funding partners, Investor Circle partners, and collaborators whose leadership and involvement continue to shape a stronger economy in McMinnville. Your support turns ideas into action and ensures MEDP can remain responsive, strategic, and community driven.

As we look ahead to MEDP’s next chapter, we are excited to continue this work with you. To learn more about becoming an Investor Circle partner, visit
mcminnvillebusiness.com/investor-circle.

With gratitude,

Patty Herzog

Read the full Q1 2026 Spark here.

Accolades & Congratulations:

What's Ahead:

Thank you to our incredible Investor Circle!

Join MEDP in supporting economic vitality in McMinnville,

Join our Investor Circle today!

MEDP is a 501c6 created back in 2015 as a committee of the Chamber of Commerce. We became a standalone entity supported by our primary funding partners: McMinnville Industrial Promotions, McMinnville Water & Light, and the City of McMinnville. We rely on the generosity of our Investor Circle to support programs for our traded sector business community. Please join us in supporting McMinnville business and industry by investing today. Investors will be highlighted at our October Annual Event and Awards program and throughout the year at MEDP events and in our quarterly e-newsletter and social media channels.

MEDP's strategic initiatives focus on: