Capturing Momentum for the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor

Last month, a delegation of business, university, and civic leaders from Oregon’s Southern Willamette Valley traveled to North Carolina’s Research Triangle to learn firsthand from one of the nation’s most successful innovation regions. Over three days, we engaged with business executives, university leaders, and public officials who have spent decades building a thriving ecosystem of talent, research, and industry collaboration.

This trip was not just a fact-finding mission; it was a signal. A signal that the Southern Willamette Valley is ready to think bigger about our shared future and to begin shaping a strategy that positions our region for national and global competitiveness.

An Effort with Broad Support

What makes this effort distinct is that it is being led through a shared effort that includes both the business community along with Oregon's two top research universities, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. Karl Scholz and Jayathi Murthy, joined the trip to learn more about how North Carolina's colleges and universities engage in the Research Triangle's highly collaborative effort. Their presence underscores how critical higher education is to fueling innovation and workforce development, and how unique this moment is for aligning business, academia, and government around a common vision.

Enormous Opportunity Ahead

If we can capture this momentum, the Southern Willamette Valley has an opportunity to establish itself as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration. Our universities, businesses, and communities bring unique assets, from research expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to a vibrant quality of life, that, when connected, can create something much greater than the sum of their parts.

We saw in North Carolina how transformative outcomes come from consistent leadership, clear focus, and a willingness to invest in shared priorities. That lesson resonates here at home: we can build a stronger, more competitive economy if we align around authentic strengths like advanced manufacturing, biotech, semiconductors, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Still in the Exploratory Phase

At the same time, we want to be clear: this effort is still in an exploratory stage. The Research Triangle trip gave us inspiration and ideas, but our next steps must be shaped by the people who live and work here. Over the coming months, we will be engaging broadly with business leaders, civic organizations, universities, and community members to listen, learn, and refine our path forward.

This is not a finished plan; it is the beginning of a conversation.

Looking Ahead

We left North Carolina energized by the possibilities and with a deeper understanding of what it takes to create a region that attracts and retains talent, investment, and opportunity. Now, it is our turn to apply those lessons in ways that reflect the Southern Willamette Valley’s values, assets, and aspirations.

The journey ahead will require collaboration, vision, and commitment. But if our trip taught us anything, it’s that regions that believe in themselves and work together can achieve extraordinary things.