CET Blog

Welcome from the Columbia County Board of Commissioners

Welcome from the Columbia County Board of Commissioners

Welcome to Columbia County Oregon. We are a place of distinctive communities with a deep history, a vibrant present and a bright future. Situated between the Oregon Coast and the nearby Portland urban area, we are small-town, semi-rural, and enjoy a quality of place that is anything but a suburb. The Columbia Economic Team reflects the essence of Columbia County. CET is a private-public partnership created by local doers; stakeholders who get things done. CET drives small business retention and growth, business and industrial recruitment, and even tourism within our county and region, sustaining a marvelous place to live, work and play.

Our historical manufacturing base in timber and building products aligns with the new and burgeoning Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) that was intentionally placed here to fuel innovative research, development and training for future generations of global manufacturing and workforce development for Oregon, the nation and the world.

Our nearly 1,500 diverse small businesses integrate naturally with substantial producers in heavy materials and renewable, sustainable fuels. With more Columbia River frontage than any other county in Oregon, our maritime capability pairs with our land transportation, rail and airport connections to make

Columbia County the best place to be, and to get you and your products wherever they come from — or need to go.

If location, location and location are your top three criteria — Columbia County checks all those boxes. If location also means a collaborative team of stakeholders working together to make your business and community life a top priority, we’ve checked that box too, with Columbia Economic Team.

As a Board of Commissioners, we helped originate CET and continue to sustain this Team to meet the needs of our county for growth, investment and ensuring a balanced economy in which every community thrives. The Columbia Economic Team has our full support in doing what it takes for prosperous business, community and quality of life.

Come to Columbia County, we look forward to welcoming you.

Sincerely,

Casey Garrett, Chair
Margaret Magrader, Commissioner
Kellie Smith, Commissioner

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