Columbia River Economic Development Council

We are pleased to share that Summit Truck Body has been recognized as the 2025 WEDA Awards Economic Development Business Attraction Project of the Year! This honor from the statewide Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA) highlights Summit’s successful expansion and the collaborative efforts that helped make it possible. From Summit’s initial interest in SW Washington to today, the CREDC team has collaborated with Summit to ensure a smooth transition to their new home in Ridgefield. Summit’s commitment to innovation, employee ownership, and long-term investment contributes to Southwest Washington in so many ways, and we look forward to their continued success.

Today saw the successful launch of the CREDC & Washington APEX Accelerator Capacity-Building Workshop Series, where business owners joined us for expert-led training by Don Shanklin, with Propel Insurance, to learn about strengthening their capacity for public projects. The training featured insights from NAMC Oregon, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and the City of Vancouver, Washington, with Chris Harder sharing the City of Vancouver's commitment to supporting small and diverse businesses in our community. A huge thank you to Julia Roberts Krivoruk for coordinating and executing this event seamlessly, and to the City of Vancouver for generously sponsoring it. We’re grateful to the partners and speakers who made today’s session so impactful! #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #CapacityBuilding #CREDC #WAAPEXAccelerator #SmallBusiness

Manufacturing fuels economies, creates jobs, and drives innovation—but what gives some regions a competitive edge over others? Join us on April 22nd for our Spring Luncheon, where Stuart Skaug, an Executive Vice President at CBRE, and Kristin Hammond, a Senior Vice President at CBRE will share their latest analysis of global market trends and Bao Nguyen, VP & General Manager of Specialty Printing & Technology Solutions at HP, will provide insight into HP’s regional footprint. ? Thank you to Maddox Industrial Transformer and the Clark College Foundation for their premier sponsorship of this event! You can purchase tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gN4MJ6pn

Today, our Business Development Manager, Ilana Cour, attended the Columbia Play Project lunch, connecting with community leaders and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of SW Washington. Slumberkins spoke about their journey—from starting a business in SW Washington to becoming an Emmy-nominated brand, a testament to the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in our region. At CREDC, we’re committed to helping businesses start, scale, and succeed while ensuring we have the workforce and infrastructure to support long-term economic growth. #EconomicDevelopment #FutureWorkforce #Entrepreneurship #CREDC #ClarkCounty #ColumbiaPlayProject #Slumberkins

Manufacturing fuels economies, creates jobs, and drives innovation—but what gives some regions a competitive edge over others? Join us on April 22nd for our Spring Luncheon, where Stuart Skaug, an Executive Vice President at CBRE, and Kristin Hammond, a Senior Vice President at CBRE will share their latest analysis of global market trends and Bao Nguyen, VP & General Manager of Specialty Printing & Technology Solutions at HP, will provide insight into HP’s regional footprint. ? Thank you to Maddox Industrial Transformer and the Clark College Foundation for their premier sponsorship of this event! You can purchase tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gN4MJ6pn

?? Calling all manufacturers in Clark County! We need your help! CREDC seeking to understand how federal, state, and local policies impact your staffing, capital expenditures, and growth. Your insights help shape how we support businesses like yours. Please help us by filling out this short questionnaire: https://lnkd.in/gM-FyyHQ Your feedback will remain confidential, and we may use aggregated insights to help identify broader trends in the business environment. Thank you for sharing your perspective as we work together for our community here in SW Washington! ****** Each year, CREDC connects with over 200 companies—large and small—to support site selection, permitting, capital access, financial fitness, capacity building for public procurements, and underwriting for grants and microlending opportunities.

Is your business ready to compete for future public projects? Strengthen your foundation and seize new opportunities with the right strategies and resources. CREDC and Washington APEX Accelerator are committed to helping local businesses grow and succeed through the 2025 Capacity-Building Workshop Series. This free, in-person program is designed to equip local businesses with essential tools to thrive in competitive markets. Generously sponsored by the City of Vancouver, Washington. Register for the workshops here: https://lnkd.in/gknBP25F

?? Meet the Agencies: Public Works Contracting Session ?? Join CREDC and Washington APEX Accelerator for an in-person session connecting contractors with local public agencies! Learn about procurement processes, upcoming opportunities, and bid requirements. Meet representatives from Clark Public Utilities, City of Camas, Washington, City of Vancouver, Washington, City of Ridgefield, C-TRAN, Washington State Department of Transportation, Port of Vancouver USA, Port Of Camas-Washougal, and Port of Ridgefield. Resource organizations like Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), OMWBE, APEX Accelerator, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program will also be on-site to provide guidance on certifications, government contracting, and small works rosters. ?? April 9, 2024 | ? 1:00–4:00 PM Gaiser Hall, Clark College | ?? FREE to attend Don’t miss this chance to gain insights, build connections, and explore public works opportunities by registering now: https://lnkd.in/gBg-fi4a #PublicWorks #ContractingOpportunities #CREDC #APEXAccelerator #GovernmentContracting

The future of our region’s economy depends on attracting and retaining young talent. That’s why CREDC was the originator of JustNorth—a national campaign showcasing the quality of life in SW Washington to the next generation of workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The JustNorth Instagram account now has 14,000+ followers learning about living and working in SW Washington! See how JustNorth tells the story of SW Washington's unique opportunities on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/g4QtuJgq #CREDC #JustNorth #TalentAttraction #WhyClarkCounty

?? Strengthen Your Business with CREDC & WA APEX Accelerator Local businesses—get the tools, training, and connections you need to thrive! The 2025 Capacity-Building Workshop Series?offers free expert-led sessions on bonding, proposal writing, blueprint reading, and more. ?? Upcoming Workshops: ?? March 26—Bonding & Insurance ?? April 24—BOLI & L&I Training ?? May 21—Proposal Writing & Blueprint Reading ?? June 12—Joint Ventures & SBA Loan Programs ?? Learn more about the requirements and register now: https://lnkd.in/gknBP25F For additional questions, reach out to Julia Roberts Krivoruk Let’s build a stronger business community together. ?? #CREDC #SmallBusiness #CapacityBuilding #WAAPEX #BusinessGrowth