COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Local public officials, business people, bankers and other private citizens worked cooperatively to form the Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) as a private non-profit corporation in June 1982. Since 1982, GEODC has administered the Small Business Administration 504 loan program in eight counties in Eastern Oregon.

In 1992, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), designated GEODC as a federal Economic Development District serving the Oregon counties of Gilliam, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla and Wheeler. In 2001, the District was expanded to include Harney and Malheur Counties. As part of the designation process, GEODC assumed responsibility for the EDA Revolving Loan Fund.

GEODC has enhanced its portfolio of loan products by borrowing over $3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, to administer the Intermediary Relending Program. Several small Revolving Loan Funds exist as well, each serving all or a portion of the GEODC region.

GEODC provides staffing support to two of the Regional Investment Boards and Regional Partnerships located all or partially within the region. Administration of these regional boards not only supports the activities of GEODC, but fosters a close working relationship with the counties, cities, ports, tribes and businesses through the area.

In addition, under contract with a range of public sector entities, GEODC engages in various administrative and facilitation functions. Some examples include Community Development Block Grant management, housing rehabilitation project administration, conducting income surveys, staffing the Southeast Area Commission on Transportation and development of Coordinated Human Services Public Transportation Plans.