Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC)

Oregon’s ECDC meeting dates are regularly scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month and are held at City Hall.

The economic and community development commission shall have for its purpose and goal the maintenance of the economic health of the existing community and the promotion of industrial development, commercial and retail business and other supporting services, which will provide quality job opportunities, diversify and broaden the tax base, and enhance the quality of life in the City of Oregon. The commission is authorized to coordinate its activities with such local organizations and institutions as will effect a successful program of economic and community development.

Policies

Monitor and work closely with the Oregon Chamber of Commerce and other taxing bodies and organizations in their marketing and promotion efforts to attract new business to the community and to expand existing business within the community.
Make recommendations to improve and enhance the community’s public infrastructure, its visual appeal and design, and its overall competitiveness to create opportunities and sites suitable for developing for future economic proposals.
Actively engage in strategic economic development planning and policy initiatives, participate in a comprehensive and effective business retention program, and review and recommend specific incentive proposals for projects of an economic development nature.

Objectives

Work with the plan commission to identify future growth areas and recommend public infrastructure improvements to make these areas capable of development.
Participate in the preparation of the city’s five (5) year capital improvement plan and annual capital improvement budget.
Assist in identifying revenue alternatives and fee structures to finance these improvements.
Formulate and implement various plans to redevelop appropriate areas of the community to improve and enhance its economic vitality and visual appeal.
Establish a capability to conduct on site business retention calls. Recommend policy and program revisions based on issues or concerns that are identified.
Identify and recommend infrastructure improvements, in addition to roads and sewers that are necessary to improve the community’s quality of life, including public/private improvements, etc.
Review and analyze various statistics, trends, and reports to keep current on issues that may affect economic and community development policy.

Membership

Members of the economic and community development commission are appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Commissioners. It is comprised of not more than eleven persons, including the City’s Commissioner of Finance. No fewer than nine of the eleven members shall be either

(a) residents of the City of Oregon,
(b) owners of real estate or a business within the City of Oregon, or
(c) representatives of one of the allowable organizations.
- Allowable organizations include
  - the Oregon Chamber of Commerce,
  - the Oregon Park District,
  - the Oregon School District,
  - the Ogle County Board or Board appointee
  - the Oregon Library District.

Effort shall be made to include representation from the following segments of the community: retail, commercial, industrial segments; professional and financial institutions; utility and labor segments; other taxing districts; and citizens at large.

Appointments shall be made on the basis of the individual, their willingness to serve, and the ability to assist in the goals of the commission. One member shall be appointed chair by the mayor.

Current members (as of 12/30/2020):

Don Griffin, Chair of Planning Commission-Ogle County Board

Erin Folk, Director of Oregon Park District

Tom Mahoney, Superintendent of Oregon Public Schools

Liz Vos (Executive Director) representing: Chamber of Commerce Board

Rebecca Hazzard, Remax

Phil Lehmann, Harvard State Bank

Rick McCanse, McCanse Builders (Ret.)

Terry Schuster, City Commissioner

The Commission Chair, with the approval of the Commission, may form committees to aid in the achievement of its goals. The Chair of these or other committees must be a member of the commission, but persons willing to serve on these committees may be persons at large, not necessarily members of the commission, and not necessarily meeting the requirements of members to the commission.

Historical Agenda and Minutes:

2020 Agendas and Minutes

Agenda January 7, 2020 Minutes January 7, 2020

Agenda February 4, 2020 Minutes February 4, 2020

Agenda March 3, 2020 Minutes March 3, 2020

Agenda April 2020 Minutes April 2020

Agenda May 2020 Minutes May 2020

Agenda June 2020 Minutes June 2020

Agenda July 2020 Minutes July 2020

Agenda August 2020 Minutes August 2020

Agenda September 2020 Minutes September 2020

Agenda October 2020 Minutes October 2020