Oregon
State Resources
Business Oregon, overseen by the Business Oregon Commission, is the state’s economic development authority. Its mission is to “invest in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy.” Business Oregon’s programs span arts and culture, business finance and incentives, international trade promotion, infrastructure and land, and promotion of innovation in the state. Below is a sample of what Business Oregon is doing to encourage new ventures.
Metals Manufacturing Assistance
The NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)-affiliated center Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) in Tigard, OR consults with small- and medium-sized businesses on a broad range of manufacturing problems, but Business Oregon also sponsors two organizations that assist with metals manufacturing issues specifically.
Oregon Metals Initiative
Oregon Metals Initiative (OMI), a nonprofit established 1990, helps Oregon companies conduct metals manufacturing R&D using a 1:1 match of state dollars, while drawing upon faculty expertise and equipment from a research institution partner (Portland State University, Oregon State University, or George Fox University). Interested companies develop the project proposal in cooperation with the academic partner.
Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center
Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC), also called OMIC R&D, in Scappoose, OR is a collaborative, applied research innovation facility that helps industry address metals manufacturing challenges in partnership with government and academia. Areas of expertise include additive and subtractive manufacturing, material development, robotics and sensors, and inspection. See current projects.
Commercialization Gap Fund (CGF)
Initiated in 2020, Business Oregon’s Commercialization Gap Fund Program provides capital investment in early-stage, Oregon-based companies in the digital health, healthcare IT, bioscience, medical devices, climate-tech, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, and natural resources industries. To be eligible, companies must be less than 5 years old and have less than $1 million in total net revenue. The current fund is Commercialization Gap Fund III or the Intrepid Oregon Fund, seeded with a $4 million investment from Business Oregon announced in April 2024. Investment determinations and fund deployment handled by the fund manager, Portland Seed Fund (PSF).
