SCDC, Inc. Embarks on Modern Initiative with the Southwest Oregon Innovation Network Grant Application
COOS BAY, Oregon (March 7, 2024) - The South Coast Development Council, Inc. is excited to announce its submission of a grant application for the establishment of the Southwest Oregon Innovation Network (SOIN) through Business Oregon’s Regional Innovation Hub – Groundwork program. This application is the culmination of a yearlong process which involved approximately one hundred businesses and partners. Project partners include the Small Business Development Centers at Southwestern Oregon Community College and Umpqua Community College, the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership, CCD Business Development Corporation, Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board, cities of Coos Bay and North Bend, and private businesses such as Blue Ridge Strategies, Engles Furniture, and Pacific Power. This project aims to foster growth and innovation across Southern Oregon.
The proposed grant seeks to introduce a regional innovation hub, designed to enhance collaboration and communication among economic and small business development agencies. If awarded the funding, it would include the hiring of a full-time program manager to coordinate the program, which will unite innovators and entrepreneurs, offering them a platform for collaboration and access to resources essential for their success.
The initiative will feature several key programs such as Region-wide Design Sprints, Innovators Roundtables, and Growth Talks. These programs are tailored to bridge the inspiration gap, facilitate meaningful connections, and provide a launchpad for entrepreneurial ventures and small business growth.
Region-wide Design Sprints are interactive workshops aimed at closing the inspiration gap through practical skill development. Participants tackle real-world problems faced by local businesses, creating solutions while learning cutting-edge approaches like design thinking and Lean startup principles. The goal is to foster and develop promising ideas into viable business ventures.
The Innovators Roundtable is a quarterly meetup for entrepreneurs to network, share experiences, and collaborate. Held across various regional venues, it broadens the opportunity for connections.
Growth Talks builds upon on the success of the Umpqua Growth Talks, offering small businesses and entrepreneurs a platform to pitch ideas, potentially secure funding, and engage in valuable networking and learning opportunities with the business community.
SCDC, with its diverse non-profit board, continues to lead the way in fostering a culture of cooperation and partnership among public and private entities on Oregon’s South Coast. This grant application marks a significant step towards creating a supportive ecosystem for innovators and entrepreneurs in the region.
For further information, please contact:
Lexie Woodward, Executive Director
South Coast Development Council, Inc.
(541) 808-7774
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