Title
Establishment of an Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Approve to sanction the Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee ("The Economic Plan Steering Committee") as an ad hoc committee of the City that will dissolve after the approval of an economic development strategic plan document; appoint recommended members to the Economic Plan Steering Committee; and approve the appointment of an Oregon City Commission Member to serve on the Economic Plan Steering Committee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Economic Development Department of Oregon City will work with The Economic Plan Steering Committee to create and implement a holistic strategic plan designed to aid Oregon City to establish partnerships that
encourage the coordination of resources across agency lines, to pave the way for new business investment and innovation that result in a more resilient economic landscape. A formal document will be presented to the Oregon City Commission to adopt and approve the implementation of the strategic plan. The work of the Economic Steering Committee is projected to span over a period of 8 to 10 months. (see attachment)
BACKGROUND:
On March 23, 2020 Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order No. 20-12 directing everyone in Oregon to stay at home as much as possible and ordered on a temporary basis nonessential businesses to close due
to the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. With the ensuing forced closures across the community, the negative economic impact on Oregon City businesses has been significant. Loss of income and unknown future requirements put
businesses in a challenging situation. In response to the resulting economic downturn, the City Commissioners approved the Economic Development Department's Debt Relief Initiative on April 27, 2020. The Department received
a total of 113 applications, totaling $290,397.26 in grant requests. The Department awarded 78 businesses totaling $183, 823.49 in grant assistance.
As the community continues to experience an economic downturn, the Economic Development Department will respond by developing a holistic economic development strategy designed to establish effective partnerships that provide for close collaboration across organization and agency lines. On May 23, 2020 Governor Brown approved the phase 1 opening of Clackamas County.The City's Economic Development Strategic Plan coupled with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions will greatly enable various regional and local partners' to help the City to realize a more resilient economy.
OPTIONS:
1. Approve the creation of the Oregon City Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee
2.Do not approve the creation of the Oregon City Economic Development Strategic Plan Steering Committee