Building Momentum: Incentive-Based Tools Strengthening Yamhill County's Business Economy: C-PACE

Jan 23, 2026

Building Momentum: Incentive-Based Tools Strengthening McMinnville’s Business Economy

McMinnville’s economic landscape continues to evolve as local businesses grow, reinvest, and look toward the future. At the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), our focus remains on creating the conditions that allow businesses to thrive—through strategic planning, strong partnerships, and incentive-based tools that support long-term investment and job creation.

As McMinnville and Yamhill County compete regionally for business growth, programs like Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) are increasingly important. These tools help reduce barriers to development, encourage reinvestment in existing assets, and ensure our community remains competitive while supporting quality, living-wage jobs.

One of the most promising advancements is the progress of CPACE in Yamhill County. CPACE is a voluntary, state-authorized financing tool that enables commercial, industrial, and multifamily property owners to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and seismic upgrades using private capital. Improvements are repaid over time through a property assessment, allowing businesses to modernize facilities while managing costs and preserving cash flow.

Beyond the property modernization benefits, C-PACE is an economic development tool at its core. It supports reinvestment in existing buildings, improves business competitiveness, and lowers long-term operating costs—without placing financial risk on local government.

Source Link energy.gov

Recently, the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners reached consensus to direct staff to prepare a C-PACE program for adoption, marking a major milestone for the county. This progress reflects more than three years of collaborative work and advocacy led by MEDP and supported by local businesses including Chapul Farms, McMinnville Properties, and the Piquette Hotel, alongside regional economic development partners.

MEDP extends sincere thanks to Commissioners Johnston, Starrett, and King for their leadership and thoughtful discussion, with special appreciation to Chair Johnston for guiding this effort forward. We also look forward to continued collaboration with Yamhill County staff as the program moves toward implementation.

As MEDP looks ahead, we see C-PACE as one example of how economic development programming can strengthen McMinnville’s business environment, support reinvestment, and build a more resilient local economy. To learn more about CPACE, visit Energy.gov or the Clean Energy Finance Guide.

To see the Yamhill County Commissioner Presentation held on January 15, 2026, view here:

Patty Herzog, Executive Director, MEDP – CPace public testimony (Timestamp 47:)

Todd Severson, Chapul Farm – CPace public testimony (Timestamp 1:18)