PRESS RELEASE – Business Oregon and Oregon InC Award $2.6 Million to Support Oregon Innovators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 17, 2024

Business Oregon and Oregon InC Award $2.6 Million to Support Oregon Innovators

Business Oregon and the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 Regional Innovation Hub Grants. Regional Innovation Hubs provide technical assistance, capital, networking, mentorship, and talent development to innovation-based entrepreneurs statewide. Regional Innovation Hub grant funding supports these Hubs in continuing their work assisting entrepreneurs with innovation-based business concepts across varied industry sectors and supporting a regional innovation network.

As a key strategy of Oregon’s 10-Year Innovation Plan, this grant funding enhances the coordination of services and resources to maximize support for innovation-based entrepreneurs, as well as fosters a culture of innovation throughout Oregon. Regional Innovation Hubs are specifically focused on supporting the growth and development of high-growth, scalable, innovation-based companies primarily focused on science and technology. Each Regional Innovation Hub has a lead organization along with key partners who foster collaboration and ensure seamless delivery of services.

A list of the 2024-25 Regional Innovation Hub grant recipients is below. These are tentative awards, subject to the awardee and Business Oregon entering into an executed grant agreement.

• Cascades West Council of Governments was awarded $120,000 as the lead organization for the Cascades West Innovation Hub in Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties.
• OSU-Cascades was awarded $425,000 as the lead organization for the Central Oregon Innovation Hub in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties.
• Blue Mountain Community College was awarded $310,000 as the lead organization for the Frontier Oregon Innovation Hub in Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Wheeler, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties.
• Portland State University was awarded $750,000 as the lead organization for the Metro Region Innovation Hub in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties.
• Mid-Columbia Economic Development District was awarded $285,000 as the lead organization for the Mid-Columbia Innovation Hub in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties.
• Strategic Economic Development Corporation was awarded $270,000 as the lead organization for the Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties.
• Oregon Tech University was awarded $120,000 as the lead organization for the South-Central Oregon Innovation Hub in Klamath and Lake Counties.
• Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. was awarded $225,000 as the lead organization for the Southern Oregon Innovation Hub in Jackson and Josephine Counties.
• South Coast Development Council was awarded $120,000 as the lead organization for the Southwest Oregon Innovation Network in Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties.

To learn more about Regional Innovation Hubs, visit www.oregon.gov/biz.