The Oregon Coast Economic Summit convened in Lincoln City May 8 at the Chinook Winds Casino following a hiatus after the COVID pandemic.
The event is designed to bring a host of local and state leaders, agency representatives, and others together for a day of networking, learning, and collaboration.
State Rep. Court Boice said the Oregon Coast faces many challenges, but also he sees “tremendous economic opportunities’ and that’s what brought him to the summit.
“If we can manage our timber better, he said. “If we can keep the highways as visitor-friendly as possible. We have a lot of work to do in our schools so families want to stay here. The environment has to be matched up with the whole economic interest and employment. We need to bring everybody together, not to shut Oregon down, but really promote growth and take a reasonable look at the economic values that we have in competing with the states.”
Boice also cited the efforts to develop the Coos Bay Port.
“The planning that has gone into that effort really gives us reason for confidence. It’s been done right,” he said. “Coos Bay and the whole Coos County area has been the talk of Oregon for a long time. The area has good housing developments going, they have industrial room, so there is so much potential there. We need to recognize that and do everything we can. The port development will be good for Curry County, Douglas County, Lane County, and for the entire Oregon Coast. We really need to be aware of that and not just blotch things so that developers and public-private entities lose heart or more on to a different area.”
State Rep.David Gomberg said the summits are significant.
“It’ an opportunity to bring statewide attention to the unique challenges that we face on the Oregon Coast,” he said. “We bring people from all over the state out to the coast to meet with coast leaders and coastal activities and coast residents to hear their concerns first-hand.”
Gomberg said there are specific factors that impact the Oregon Coast economy.
“Certainly we need to be concerned about our infrastructure,” he said. “Whether its finding the money to improve our water systems, or our public safety, and particularly our roads,” he said. “I am not sure that repairing our coastal highways is at the top of ODOT’s priorities and we need that attention even though there are limited resources to address our transportation needs.”
Resilience is another important topic reviewed at the summit.
“That has to do with fires. That has to do with freezes, and that has to do with an eventual earthquake and tsunamis,” he said.
Gomberg also acknowledged that state funding priorities have traditionally been towards the metropolitan areas, such as Portland, Eugene and Salem.
“In real simple terms, there are more votes in Eugene or Salem or Portland than there are in Depoe Bay, Waldport, and Lincoln City,” Gomberg said. “To overcome that, you have to work hard. You have to work smart and the summit is a part of that bringing people out here and helping them understand the concerns.”
Gombreg said the other element is building coalitions.
“That’s what I’ve done these last few years,” he said, “Is working across party lines with representatives from around Oregon regardless of party to work together to get funding for the projects that are critical to our communities.”
Representatives from Coos Bay were expected to be at the summit to talk about the potential for a deep water container port on the Oregon Coast, Oregon educators discussing the need for students, retired people expressing concerns about health care needs and support.
Moving forward following the summit is the next critical step, according to Giomberg.
“By identifying the needs and working together to pursue them,” he said.
State Sen. Dick Anderson said the return of the summit following the COVID pandemic is a positive way to bring people together to discuss the coast’s important topics.
“I would hope that there is a refreshment about what’s going on at the coast,” he said. “I am hoping there are people here from the valley to recognize that things aren’t the same as in the valley. We need different resources and so many exciting things are happening along the coast, so I hope that is the take-away.”
Anderson said as he travels from one coastal community to another he is “energized by the people.”
“And there are some may different factions, whether its the marine economics, the ecology, tourism is always buzzing, so I think we are finally recognizing some diversity as the other segments grow, I think that’s the positive,” he said. “Attitudes are good. We haven’t fully recovered from the pandemic or the earlier recession economically on the coast, but I like t think there is hope.”
According to Anderson, the pandemic impact is helping the coast’s economy.
“COVID brought people to the coast,” Anderson said. “Those who have second homes haven’t left. They found that they can work from here. I continue to meet new people who are living in their second home here on the coast. That’s a real positive.”
Summit topics included Balancing Growth an Sustainability; Renewable Energy and Environmental Stewardship; Coastal Economic Growth Opportunities; Workforce Development; Sustaining Coastal Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Industry; Coastal Disaster Preparedness and Recovery; and Affordable Housing and Community Revitalization.
Local News
