MEDP Spark Q3 '25 - Where Innovation Meets Aviation: The Future is Taking Off

Jul 18, 2025

MEDP Q3 - 2025 Spark Newsletter, read the full e-newsletter at this link.

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

Where Innovation Meets Aviation: The Future of McMinnville is Taking Off
By Patty Herzog, Executive Director, McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP)

As McMinnville approaches the completion of a new Airport Master Plan, we’re entering an exciting time that places aviation, innovation, and advanced manufacturing at the forefront of our community’s economic future.

Municipal airports like ours are a unique community asset. Operating as an enterprise fund, McMinnville’s airport reinvests revenue from land leases, hangar rentals, and fuel flowage fees directly back into operations. Major capital projects such as runway improvements, upgraded lighting, and modern communications infrastructure are funded through competitive state and federal grants. The result is a financially sustainable, development-ready resource that strengthens our local economy.

Why does the airport matter?
It’s more than a transportation hub for general aviation use it’s a catalyst for innovation, logistics, and growth, especially for industries that rely on the movement of people and high-value goods. Oregon's general aviation (GA) airports contribute significantly to the state's economy, playing a vital role in various sectors like business, tourism, agriculture, and emergency services. The McMinnville Airport economic benefits include:

Supporting businesses: Many businesses rely on general aviation airports for corporate travel, delivering goods, and providing services. Proximity to an airport is a key factor for companies in logistics, manufacturing, and tech, improving access to markets and supply chains. This attracts investment and supports local business expansion.

Facilitating tourism and recreation: GA airports enable tourism and recreational travel, drawing visitors to various parts of the state and supporting local businesses like hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Providing emergency services: GA airports are crucial for air ambulance services, search and rescue operations, and aerial firefighting efforts, notes the Oregon State Legislature.

Promoting education and workforce development: Flight schools operating at GA airports offer training and contribute to the aviation workforce development.

McMinnville’s Airport in Action
We’re proud to be home to several airport-based and aviation related businesses fueling innovation and economic activity:

Precision Aviation provides global rapid-response flight services, both manned and unmanned, along with expert aircraft maintenance.

Jerry Trimble Helicopters offers professional helicopter training and charter services, attracting students and talent from around the world.

Northwest UAV is a national leader in propulsion systems for unmanned aircraft, headquartered right here in McMinnville.

Strategic Location

The airport’s proximity to the McMinnville Landing—a future 200-acre innovation campus—positions McMinnville as a prime site to co-locate aviation, advanced manufacturing, and technology within an integrated district. This creates strong and growing opportunities for job creation, investment, and the development of industry clusters that will drive regional economic growth.

Strengthening Our Local Economy Together
At MEDP, we’ll continue working alongside the City and regional partners to ensure the airport and the businesses that depend on it remain a key part of McMinnville’s economic future.

Let’s take McMinnville’s economy to new heights!

Thank you to our community partners and Investors Circle contributors for your ongoing support!

Patty

Executive Director
McMinnville Economic Development Partnership

On the Radar: What’s Ahead

Join us at the next Quarterly Business Leader Forum sponsored by First Federal
We’ll delve into the Airport Master Plan and examine how it aligns with McMinnville’s broader economic development strategy. This is your opportunity to connect with local leaders, ask questions, and shape what’s next for our business community.

Date: August 7, 2025 | Time: 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Location: Chemeketa Community College – McMinnville Campus
RSVP Here

PNAA and MEDP will host Oregon AeroConnect Summer Social and Tour the following week with tours of the Northwest UAV Campus of businesses (Northwest UAV, Northwest Rapid Mfg., Phenix Solutions, and RP Advanced Mobile Systems) with plenty of networking, insight into the future of UAS in the region, along with great PNW food and beverages.

Date: August 13, 2025 | Time: 2:00 – 6:30 PM
Location: Northwest UAV Campus
Register Here (*Visitor Verification Required for tour)

Charting a Course for Domestic Manufacturing
Resources for manufacturers looking to modernize, scale, or onshore operations:

Recently Launched - SBA Onshoring Portal
A free online tool connecting businesses with over 1 million U.S.-based suppliers to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.
➡️ Explore the Portal

OMEP (Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership)
A go-to partner for small and mid-sized manufacturers. In 2024 alone, OMEP clients reported $600M in economic impact and helped create or retain 1,400 jobs statewide.
➡️ Connect with OMEP

Read the full Q3 Spark here.

Accolades & Congratulations:

McMinnville's future innovation campus off of Highway 18 was named! The McMinnville Landing
Mayor Morris, first six months
SwedeMom / Mac Hub found a new home in McMinnville's Industrial District for their e-commerce and distribution business just off Rivergate.
Alea Bakery opened in Mac Market, Bunny Belly Bagels opened on 3rd St., Mac Clay to open on 1st St. in August
Launch Mid Valley Oregon Startup Conference and Pitch Willamette Winners Announced!

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: