Successful Communities and Businesses Build on a Strong Foundation of Infrastructure
Business Oregon partners with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to provide planning, construction, and maintenance funding for vital infrastructure. Regional Development Officers serve as the gateway to our suite of infrastructure finance services, working directly with communities and business partners to identify opportunities and address challenges related to business growth and community development. Our Regional Project Managers work in partnership with Regional Development Officers to manage the resulting projects and contracts.
Water and Wastewater
All Oregonians need water to thrive. Water supports our local economies, our renowned wildlife and nature, bountiful agricultural products, and healthy and livable communities. The state distributes and leverages federal funding, in order to support water infrastructure such as storage facilities, treatment technologies, distribution systems, and tide gates. Wastewater infrastructure includes collection, treatment, and disposal systems.
Livable Communities
Oregon communities deserve to be safe, with access to quality work, education, healthcare, and recreation. Business Oregon partners with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department and Oregon Housing and Community Development to fund and support livable communities.
Infrastructure and Community Facilities Inventory
The Infrastructure and Community Facilities Inventory is Business Oregon’s first statewide inventory of short and long-term capital construction needs within local communities and port districts in Oregon. The goal of the Infrastructure and Community Facilities Inventory is to provide a predictive and reliable assessment of community needs and project priorities in Oregon. The inventory will be conducted on a biannual basis to help assure that projects submitted to the inventory represent the current needs of communities in Oregon. Business Oregon will utilize the inventory to recommend the most effective funding opportunities for projects identified by jurisdictions.
Seismic Rehabilitation
Earthquake preparation is a smart move. A Cascadia earthquake will affect mostly western Oregon, and in particular, coastal communities. Following such an event, emergency management experts predict that it will take one to three years to restore utility services in the coastal zone. A significant portion of the agency's budget comes in the form of competitive grants for seismic rehabilitation of critical public buildings. These funds are available to schools and emergency response facilities such as hospitals, fire stations, and 911 call centers through the
Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP).
Broadband
Connecting Oregon communities to each other and to the rest of the world is a vital part of a strong economy. Broadband is the centerpiece of this effort and is widely available for businesses and residences. The Oregon Broadband Office was established within Business Oregon in December 2018, by Governor Brown's Executive Order, to promote access to broadband services for all Oregonians in order to improve the economy and quality of life. A 2019 pilot project serves as the basis for Business Oregon's Broadband program, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with remote telework, telemedicine, and tele-education, has underscored the importance of this technology.
Ports
Oregon's 23 marine and freshwater ports serve as an economic and recreational gateway to the world. The agency's three ports programs provide support for long-term planning, dredging, construction, and maintenance of port facilities. We accept applications for funding year round. To apply, contact your Regional Development Officer and complete a Project Notification and Intake Form. Once reviewed, Business Oregon will walk qualified applicants through the remainder of the process.
To maintain safe passage through the state's waterways, Oregon owns a hydraulic dredge and works with ports to operate the equipment and manage dredging projects. The Oregon Public Ports Dredging Partnership helps with dredging and peer support to public ports and marinas.
Land
Oregon's communities and economy are built on clean, accessible land. Our Regional Development Officers can help you identify and prepare lots appropriate for housing, work, and play. Industrial land is one of the state's most valuable resources in terms of net contributions to the state's economy and tax base. Our most often-used programs include Brownfields, Industrial Lands, and Enterprise Zones, or E-Zones.
Additional Public Works
From airports, buildings, roads and bridges, to telecommunications, power, and water utilities, the agency and its funding partners offer a variety of grants, loans, and technical assistance programs that can help local governments construct and maintain the infrastructure needed for economic and business development.