CET presents findings to Clatskanie Chamber

Formed in 2010, the Columbia Economic Team's (CET) mission is to "promote the creation, growth, and attraction of business and industry throughout Columbia County." In partnership with groups like Columbia County Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Keep it Local Columbia County, GRO Greater St. Helens, and Columbia County's Destination Management Organization, CET specializes in business recruitment, retention, and expansion, as well as serving as advocate, collaborator, convener, facilitator, and small business program and enterprise zone manager.

During the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce meeting earlier this month, CET Small Business Specialist Sierra Trass presented to the group The Columbia County Business Community Connection Project. With data specific to Columbia County's major cities St. Helens, Scappoose, Ranier, Vernonia, and Clatskanie, the project's goals include supporting, retaining, and growing local businesses; strengthening partnerships and collaborating within the ecosystem; and establishing and implementing a shared, county-wide strategic plan. With its project involving over 25 partners, more than 55 volunteers, 75 hour-long business interviews, and 61 completed pre-interview surveys, CET partnered with nonpartisan, independent public opinion research organization Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC) to "assist with data collection and analysis."

As a result of this data collection, CET resolved that as of Sept. 9, 2024, Columbia County has 1,587 total establishments and 11,029 total jobs. As additional data were provided by groups like Greater Portland Inc. and Your Economy, the project shows healthcare/social as the number one industry by number of establishments and government as the number one industry with respect to employment. The project found the average age of businesses in Columbia County to be 25, the average age of business owners/managers to be 48, and the average years managing the business to be 13.

The questions CET asked of business owners/managers came mostly from the University of Minnesota's Business Retention and Expansion Program, as well as CET's team and local partners. The questions included "What are the best/most challenging things about doing business in Columbia County," "What is the greatest challenge your business is facing right now," and "How satisfied are you with the workforce in your chosen city?"

With regards to Clatskanie itself, interviewees responded with answers like "We can't compete with Portland," "This place has a high cost of living considering its location," and "There isn't a strong entrepreneurial and agricultural focus in the region."

Other questions were asked regarding themes like "quality of retail and local business support," "quality of government and regulations," and quality of life." Answers to these questions specific to Caltskanie included "All of us businesses in Clatskanie need to do better at spreading awareness of our businesses," "There is not enough police presence," and "My employees have a hard time with affordable childcare."

Finally, data were gathered to find the "top requested economic solution ideas in Columbia County." While "Career and Technical Education (CTE) for high-school students" ranked first in the county, it came in third in Clatskanie. "Revitalizing the downtown area" and "developing more housing in the county" were first and second, respectively, for Clatskanie.

According to Trass, interviewees were "very willing" throughout the project. "We were never denied an interview out of disinterest," she said. "Interviews only fell through due to scheduling conflicts."

For more info, visit oregonvbc.org.