Leaders To Prioritize Economic Projects For Four-County Region (Photo) - 10/14/26
The Cascades West Economic Development District (CWEDD) Annual Summit attendees will gain insight, collaborate, and prioritize projects that need gap funding.
(ALBANY, Oregon) – Local and elected officials, business leaders, and regional partners from Lane, Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties will gather to prioritize economic projects on November 3 at the Linn County Expo Center in Albany.
The 2026 Cascades West Economic Development District (CWEDD) Annual Summit will give them the opportunity to gain insight, collaborate, and prioritize economic projects in the four-county region that makes up the district.
Attendees will hear from former Oregon State Senator Tim Knopp, Chair of the Oregon Prosperity Council, about Oregon's Prosperity Roadmap. and plans for the future. The summit will also spotlight Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST), include resources for small businesses, and examine how councils of governments help communities turn local priorities into coordinated regional action. Through facilitated discussion and interactive prioritization, participants will help identify projects to strengthen infrastructure, support resilient communities, expand economic opportunity, and advance the region's 2025-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. This feedback will help the CWEDD Board prioritize projects and initiatives, focus resources and capacity, and begin to source gap funding.
“Meeting face to face encourages and energizes us. We learn more about each of our counties’ needs. This summit helps us to better prioritize these amazing projects that will drive economic vitality throughout our region, which helps the entire state of Oregon,” said Sandra Easdale, Loan Program Manager at Lane Council of Governments.
Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the forces shaping our regional economy, build meaningful connections with public-and private-sector leaders, and have a direct voice in determining the priorities that will ignite economic vitality across the region.
The Cascades West Economic Development District Annual Summit will be hosted with generous support from Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, and the City of Albany.
Agenda
9:00 - 9:05 AM: Welcome, Overview, and Outcomes
9:05 - 9:10 AM: Roll Call/Board Member Introductions
9:10 - 9:40 AM: Oregon's Prosperity Plan and Next Steps - Tim Knopp
9:40 - 9:50 AM: Public Comment
9:50 - 10:05 AM: Break and Networking
10:05 - 10:30 AM: Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST)
Oregon State University, University of Oregon
A partnership advancing semiconductor innovation, workforce development, and economic growth in Oregon. Learn about its purpose, status, and implementation plans.
10:30 - 11:15 AM: CWEDD Business Innovators Showcase Panel
Hatfield Marine Science Center, Eugene Airport
Overview of innovative products, services, and their impact on our regional economy
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM: What's New and Cool? Small Business Support
Reverse pitch and spotlight on services to support businesses
12:00 - 1:30 PM: Buffet Lunch and Access to Capital
Greg Price, Small Business Development Center Director
Panel will discuss small business financing options, processes, and pragmatic solutions.
1:30 - 1:45 PM: Council of Governments and Their Role in Economic Development
Ryan Vogt, OCWCOG and Community Services Consortium, Brenda Moore, LCOG
1:45 - 2:50 PM: 2025-2030 CEDS and Significant Projects Prioritization
A high-level review of the CWEDD 2025-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy priorities and brainstorm regionally significant projects for the CWEDD Board to consider. Your feedback will help us prioritize and mobilize projects for gap funding and implementation.
2:50- 3:00 PM: Next Steps and Evaluation
For more information, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-cwedd-ignite-economic-vitality-summit-tickets-1993552726871