Edwards tapped to restructure Economic Development Dept.

May 12, 2008

Oregon Legislature
House Majority Office

CONTACT: Geoff Sugerman, 503-986-1904

Edwards Tapped by Governor to Lead Legislative Effort
to Restructure Oregon Economic Development Department

State Rep David Edwards was asked today by Governor Ted Kulongoski to shepherd through legislation to restructure the Oregon Economic Development Department during the 2009 legislative session.

The Governor signed an executive order Monday breaking up the functions of the OECDD into two distinct operations: business development and community development. The change comes from a recommendation by the Oregon Economic Development Commission to separate the two functions to achieve greater accountability and performance. Rep. Edwards is one of two legislative members of the OECD Commission that made the recommendation to the Governor.

“We had one agency trying to do two very distinct functions,” said Rep. Edwards (D-Hillsboro). “Now, with this restructuring we can achieve greater results from our efforts to help communities improve their infrastructure while also doing a better job of helping Oregon businesses and attracting new industry and jobs throughout the state.”

The primary focus of OECDD’s community development work is to help Oregon communities meet their infrastructure goals and build capacity for business growth, such as water and wastewater systems, brown field cleanup, Main Street revitalization and port infrastructure.

The business development work promotes Oregon’s competitive advantages in the global economy. It focuses on the retention and expansion of Oregon companies, recruitment of new businesses to the state, creation of jobs through innovation, and raising wages.

Rep. Edwards said over the coming months, there would be ongoing discussions about where the community development agency will fit best within state government. The Governor recommended today that it be shifted to the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department.

“While it would seem that the housing department might be the best fit for community development, we will spend the next few months having an in-depth discussion about the needs of communities across Oregon,” said Rep. Edwards. “I’ll be very active in those discussions and I am looking forward to the challenge of promoting this legislation next session.”

Gov. Kulongoski added: “Separating these functions and better defining how each measures success will bring greater accountability, greater clarity and a greater understanding of what each should be achieving. This strengthened clarity and accountability is particularly important to our legislators.”
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