Q1 2026 Business Leader Forum: McMinnville's Business Climate: Alignment. Action. Impact.

Feb 23, 2026

Updated: April 2026

Strengthening Communication Between the City of McMinnville & the Business Community

Following the February 12, 2026 Business Leader Forum in McMinnville, partners have initiated coordinated actions. Below is a progress update with key meetings and actions to date:

1. Develop and adopt a measurable long-term economic and growth vision

February 12, 2026 – Business Forum held; long-term vision identified as a top priority
March 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Initial discussion on aligning partner organizations around shared economic metrics
April 8, 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Presentation of consolidated strategic actions and direction for measurable framework
- Motion passed to support the Business Forum as an annual event and to commit to securing resources for future events
Ongoing coordination to define shared benchmarks tied to MAC-Town 2032 goals

2. Launch a comprehensive workforce and middle-income housing strategy

February 12, 2026 – Workforce and housing identified as the #1 priority across all tables
March 2026 (Partner Coordination Meetings) – Workforce partners begin aligning existing programs (internships, training, recruitment)
April 2026 (MEVLC Discussion) – Reinforced need for integrated workforce + housing strategy
Continued collaboration to connect employer needs with housing availability strategies

3. Conduct a planning and permitting process audit

February 12, 2026 – Permitting efficiency identified as a key barrier
March 2026 (City Staff Internal Discussions) – Early evaluation of current planning and permitting workflows
April 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Permitting audit included in top strategic actions
Next step: define scope, methodology, and timeline for formal audit

4. Review development and system charges for feasibility impact

February 12, 2026 – Development cost concerns raised during forum discussions
March–April 2026 (Internal Review Discussions) – Framed as part of broader permitting and development systems evaluation
April 8, 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Included in strategic action framework
Next step: explore comparative benchmarking and feasibility analysis

5. Establish a Business / Development Concierge

Establish a Business / Development Concierge February 12, 2026 – Strong business interest in a single point of contact model
March 2026 – Formation of MEVLC Business Concierge Working Group
March 2026 (Working Group Meeting #1) – Defined purpose, peer examples, and initial role concepts
April 2026 (Working Group Meeting #2) – Discussed structure, scope, and potential implementation pathways
Ongoing: development of a recommendation framework for City consideration

6. Prioritize industrial land readiness and living-wage job expansion

February 12, 2026 – Industrial land and space constraints identified as a major barrier
March 2026 (Economic Development Partner Discussions) – Continued focus on site readiness and infrastructure needs
April 8, 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Reaffirmed as a top strategic priority
Ongoing alignment with regional efforts to support traded-sector growth and living-wage jobs

7. Create a continuous city–business accountability forum with public reporting

February 12, 2026 – Businesses emphasized the need for ongoing, structured dialogue
March 2026 – Commitment among partners to continue the forum annually and expand communication touchpoints
April 2026 – Development of this public progress update as an initial accountability measure
Next steps:
- Establish regular reporting cadence
- Explore additional forums, roundtables, or briefings throughout 2026

8. Align economic development organizations around a unified strategy

February 2026 (Forum Planning & Delivery) – Collaboration between City, MEDP, Chamber, Visit McMinnville, and Downtown Association
March 2026 (Partner Coordination Meetings) – Ongoing alignment discussions to reduce duplication and clarify roles
April 8, 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Reinforced shared commitment to unified strategy
Continued use of MEVLC as a cross-organizational alignment table

9. Expand bilingual communication and inclusive outreach

February 12, 2026 – Language access identified as a gap
March 2026 (Internal & Partner Discussions) – Recognition of need to expand Spanish-language engagement
April 2026 (MEVLC Discussion) – Included as a strategic priority tied to broader participation goals
Next steps:
- Identify priority materials and communications for translation
- Expand outreach to underrepresented business communities

10. Position McMinnville as a model small city for innovation and modernization

February 12, 2026 – Forum established a clear direction for systems improvement and innovation
March–April 2026 (MEVLC + Partner Work) – Advancing concepts including:
- Business Concierge model
- Permitting process improvements
- Public accountability reporting
April 8, 2026 (MEVLC Meeting) – Framed McMinnville as a potential pilot community for small-city innovation
Ongoing focus on visible progress, measurable outcomes, and replicable models

Key Takeaway

Since February, the focus has been on organizing, aligning, and initiating action - with multiple meetings and working groups already underway.

The next phase will emphasize: implementation, measurable outcomes, and continued public reporting.

February 2026

Strong Turnout. Real Alignment. Clear Action Ahead.

McMinnville’s Q1 - 2026 Quarterly Business Leader Forum brought together employers, developers, entrepreneurs, and community partners for a candid, solutions-focused conversation about our business climate.

In a time of shifting policy and global uncertainty, McMinnville’s business community isn’t waiting — we’re stepping forward. And the City is at the table.

Leaders identified clear priorities to strengthen our local economy:

🏠 Workforce & middle-income housing as essential economic infrastructure
🏗️ Streamlined, predictable permitting & development processes
👷 Skilled workforce development & living-wage job growth
🎯 A clear, measurable economic vision with stronger alignment

The energy in the room was collaborative, candid, and action-oriented — focused not just on challenges, but on solutions.

This forum directly supports the MAC-Town 2032 Economic Development Strategy — McMinnville’s roadmap to grow living-wage jobs and strengthen our economy by 2032. A core priority of that strategy is improving communication and alignment between the City, economic development partners, and the business community. This quarterly forum creates a real-time feedback loop so policy and strategy stay grounded in business realities.

The City, the McMinnville Economic Vitality Leadership Council (EVLC), and our economic development partners are actively advancing this work. The EVLC will review forum input and outline next steps at their April meeting — turning dialogue into direction.

McMinnville is building its next chapter — together.

Thank you to the business leaders who showed up, spoke candidly, and are helping shape what comes next.

If you missed the chance to give your input, please take a moment to contribute to the conversation at the link: McMinnville's Business Climate - Feedback Form

Thank you to our Roundtable Facilitators:

Lori Robertson, Cutting Edge Metals, MEDP Board of Directors, Co-Chair MEVLC - Economic Vitality Leadership Council
Dean Craig, Willamette Workforce Partnership
Paul Davis, Dean, Chemeketa Community College Yamhill Valley Campus - McMinnville
Mike Morris, Morris Consulting, MEDP Board of Directors, McMinnville Chamber of Commerce
Carson Bennter, Cellar Ridge Construction, Past Chair MEVLC - McMinnville Economic Vitality Leadership Council
Dan Gibson, Visit McMinnville
John Olson, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce
Meg Ordaz, Troon Vineyard, McMinnville Downtown Association
Not pictured: Mark Siegel, Delphian School, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to our City Officials and Staff participating:

Mayor Kim Morris
Councilor Chris Chenoweth, Co-Chair MEVLC - Economic Vitality Leadership Council
Councilor Scott Cunningham
Chief of Police, Cord Wood
Fire District, Ty Darby
Community Development, Heather Richards
Public Works, Geoff Hunsaker

Thank you to Evergreen Events for supporting our community and hosting us at their beautiful venue.

To learn more about the Economic Vitality Leadership Council and the Mac-Town 2032 Strategic Plan, visit at the links.

Our next Quarterly Business Leader Forum will be May 7 at Chemeketa Community College Yamhill Valley Campus - McMinnville from 8:00 am - 9:30 am. Visit our events page to RSVP.