Oregon Economic Development Districts Honored with 2024 Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Award
Salem, OR — Oregon Economic Development Districts (OEDD) was the proud recipient of this year’s Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Award from the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA). OEDA’s Awards of Excellence in Economic Development recognize the state’s best economic development programs, projects, partnerships and impacts, and honor organizations and individuals alike for their efforts in moving forward life-changing economic development projects across Oregon’s rural and urban communities.
Awarded for its exemplary results with the Rural Capacity Fund, OEDD’s members were celebrated for the outstanding collaboration fostered both internally through the deployment of this fund, and between the state and private partners who made this fund possible. These collaborative efforts resulted in the mobilization of over $65 million in grant funds, and technical support for more than 230 rural capacity-building projects across Oregon.
The Rural Capacity Fund was a concerted effort by Oregon’s 12 Economic Development Districts to provide essential technical support, project development services and grant-writing assistance to rural communities across the state. The fund was made possible through a $500,000 state investment from House Bill 2345, passed during the 2021 Legislative Session, and an additional $500,000 matching contribution from The Ford Family Foundation. Together, these investments fueled the development of critical projects in over 95 rural cities and communities, spanning 14 counties.
Through this partnership, OEDD and its members successfully secured federal, state and private grant dollars to support projects related to housing, youth services, transportation infrastructure, downtown revitalization, water and wastewater improvements, flood mitigation, tourism and more.
Jessica Metta, President of OEDD, expressed pride in the results of this collaborative effort. “Our districts work tirelessly to support underserved communities in their economic development efforts,” Metta noted. “This award is a testament to the strength that can be achieved through creative, public-private partnerships.”
This recognition by OEDA emphasizes the vital role that Economic Development Districts play in rural areas, ensuring that even the most underserved communities have access to the resources, expertise and funding needed to get their local community and infrastructure projects off the ground.
For more information on the Rural Capacity Fund and its impact, visit our Building Rural Capacity page.
* * *
About Oregon Economic Development Districts (OEDD): OEDD serves as a statewide strategic platform for collaboration, information-sharing and resource mobilization across Oregon’s 12 EDA-recognized Economic Development Districts. Covering all 36 counties and the state’s 9 federally-recognized Tribes, OEDD’s members focus on delivering tailored economic development services and support to Oregon’s diverse urban and rural communities.
