10/08/2026 Economic Development Advisory Commission

The City of Albany Economic Development Advisory Commission met on October 8, 2026. The commission approved the prior meeting minutes; no procurement or contract-award vote was taken. Staff reported that $50,000 in city-funded collaborative tourism promotion grants had been distributed to eight recipients. Two additional brownfield grant applications were approved for Phase I assessments of city-owned parking lots on Water Avenue, with assessments expected to be completed by the end of October. A CDBG grant program administered by the Cascades West Council of Governments is still being developed, and further details, including possible selection-committee involvement, are expected later.

A Business Oregon regional development officer outlined state economic-development financing and grant programs relevant to local businesses and industrial sites. The statewide $25 million industrial site loan-fund round had closed, with awards expected to be announced; the region had received about $78 million in industrial-land funding in recent years. The presentation also covered business incentives and infrastructure funding, while noting that the state’s strategic reserve fund had declined from about $20 million to roughly $8 million. Commissioners discussed industrial land readiness, workforce connections, and business recruitment and retention. Selection of commission officers was deferred until a future meeting; no other spending actions were taken.