Columbia County, Oregon, is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from its historical roots in timber and shipbuilding to become a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. This shift is driven by strategic investments in workforce development and cutting-edge research facilities, positioning the county as a competitive player in the modern industrial landscape.
The Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) Training Center, established in 2021 in Scappoose, exemplifies this transformation. Offering low- or no-cost advanced manufacturing certificates, the center has seen enrollment grow from an initial cohort of four students to full classes of 24 each semester. Students gain hands-on experience with precision measurement tools, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and robotics, aligning their skills with industry demands. “We ask industry: ‘What are we missing? What do we need?’ And then we do that,” said Patty Hawkins, director of the 25,000-square-foot training center.
Complementing the training center is the OMIC Research and Development (R&D) facility, a 60,000-square-foot complex housing advanced steel cutting, milling, and additive manufacturing machines. With over 37 industry partners, including Daimler, Boeing, and Oregon Tool, OMIC R&D serves as a collaborative space for companies to innovate and solve manufacturing challenges. “They may not mix outside in the economy, but they collaborate in here,” noted Craig Campbell, executive director of OMIC R&D.
The synergy between education and industry in Columbia County is further enhanced by the availability of industrial land. With a 17.2% industrial building vacancy rate—triple that of the Greater Portland region—the county offers ample space for businesses seeking to establish or expand operations. “This area is perfect for manufacturing, especially for those companies where access to—but not sitting right alongside—Interstate-5 is less important,” said Paul Vogel, executive director of the Columbia Economic Team.
As Columbia County continues to invest in its workforce and infrastructure, it stands as a model for rural regions aiming to revitalize their economies through innovation and collaboration. The county’s strategic approach to economic development is not only attracting businesses but also providing residents with new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
