We believe economic development works best when leaders lead. That’s why CEDO’s approach to Industry Sector Strategy, using the nationally recognized NextGen model, puts industry in the driver’s seat. In Lane County, we help convene leaders across key industries and rally public partners to advance shared goals. This isn’t a meeting for meeting’s sake; it’s a focused, outcomes-driven model to move our regional economy forward.

It is not enough to accelerate the creation of good jobs in our community, we must also help local people get those jobs!  Lane County has a strategic competitive advantage in accomplishing that because economic development (CEDO) works so closely with the Lane Workforce Partnership, Lane County’s workforce investment board. 

CEDO serves as the business services provider for Lane Workforce Partnership.

That looks like working hand-in-hand with employers to identify workforce challenges, accelerate innovation, and co-design solutions that create real impact, not just for companies, but for the communities they’re rooted in.

According to the latest State of the Workforce Report, Lane County’s growth and recovery depend on targeted investments in the following sectors:

Technology – Over 749 firms strong in Lane County, which will have 4,008 job openings heading between now and the year 2032.

Healthcare – A critical sector is expected to have a staggering 24,875 job openings over the next ten years.

Construction & Aggregate – With infrastructure and housing needs on the rise, this sector is forecasted to grow 15% by 2032.

Bioscience, Childcare, Food & Beverage Manufacturing, Hospitality, Transportation, and Wood Products – Each of these industries plays a vital role in our local economy and has an active group of leaders shaping their future through sector partnerships.

Our message is simple: If you're in industry and want to shape the future workforce and local innovation, we want to work with you. And if you're a community partner looking to roll up your sleeves, there’s room at the table. It is absolutely possible to build a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready Lane County.

We are already building it… together.

Let’s get to work.

Matt Sayre

At Collaborative EDO, we are investing in people, place, and the partnerships that fuel innovation from within.

The technology industry is the fastest growing sector of  our regional economy - projected to grow by 24% over the next ten years.

Lane County is now home to nearly 750 tech companies, employing thousands of people in fields like software development, AI, data science, and advanced manufacturing. These are high-wage jobs, with an average wage of $99,273. 

One of the most exciting recent developments that is fueling this momentum is Kyora, a new, grassroots initiative launched by members of the local tech community to foster deeper connections. The energy at Kyora’s most recent gathering made it clear that something special is happening here again.  Tech Sector Strategist and Kyora founder Jesse Fittipaldi said it well: 

“If you’re looking for innovative tech leaders to help solve software, AI, or business challenges, I highly recommend getting involved. Kyora is committed to supporting tech startups because they consistently produce real solutions.”

Kyora is helping build connections between campus and community, between startups and seasoned leaders - who together are intentionally creating serendipity. And as we continue to support local companies and entrepreneurs through initiatives like PubTalks, EmpowerPitch, and our sector strategy work, we’re seeing firsthand just how much potential exists, right here, in Lane County.

Forget the big-city stereotypes, some of the most exciting breakthroughs in bioscience are happening right here in Lane County. Behind the scenes, a powerful network of researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors is shaping a sector that’s growing faster than many realize, and partners like Oregon Bioscience Association, University of Oregon Research and Innovation, Launch Oregon and Collaborative EDO are proud to be helping lead the charge.

Together, we’re telling a statewide story of innovation, one that includes Lane County front and center. Whether it’s coordinating regional advocacy efforts in Salem, lifting up women’s leadership in life sciences through Oregon Bio Women, or joining the Oregon delegation at the BIO International Convention, our collaboration ensures that rural and regional voices are included in shaping Oregon’s bioscience future.

Bioscience isn’t just about labs and medical breakthroughs, it’s about jobs, wages, and economic transformation. Lane County is now home to 190 bioscience companies, employing nearly 1,500 people with an average annual wage of $89,000, far above the county average. These companies are creating high-skill jobs and diversifying our economy beyond its traditional roots in wood products.

CEDO has partnered with OEN to bring PubTalks to Lane County, a program where founders pitch their ideas to investors and connect with mentors. On May 7, you’ll get a firsthand look at the future of the bioscience sector as Synplexity and Evergreen Bioworks, two Lane County bio companies, take the stage to pitch their innovations.

Lane County’s Healthcare Sector Strategy is fostering collaboration between education, workforce, and industry partners to build a resilient, community-rooted talent pipeline. With more than 18,000 healthcare jobs and an average annual wage exceeding $63,000, healthcare remains one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing sectors.

On April 11, Collaborative EDO continued its long-standing Career Tour series with a visit to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. This quarterly event brought over 40 University of Oregon students behind the scenes to explore a wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles. The tour highlighted real, local career opportunities and clearly defined pathways into the healthcare field.

“It is through the collaboration of partners working together that creative strategies are identified and implemented, leading to a win-win situation for all”, said Rhonda Busek, Healthcare Sector Strategist.

One of those creative strategies is Bridge Lane, a regional initiative aimed at expanding access to careers through job fairs, benefit navigation, and outreach to rural and underserved communities. PeaceHealth, Orchid Health, Lane ESD and Lane Community College (LCC) play a vital role in connecting residents with essential resources and training to enter in-demand healthcare roles. This work is especially critical in a county where more than 40% of residents live in rural communities and often face barriers to care, including long travel times, provider shortages, and limited local training options.

From hospitals to community clinics, partners across Lane County are coming together to build a skilled, sustainable, and future-ready healthcare workforce, one that reflects and serves every corner of the region.