• University Center Program

ROI is funded by a U.S. Economic Development Administration University Center Grant and Eastern Oregon University.  ROI works closely with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and rural communities to create a positive climate for private sector investment. This University Center Program is a partnership of federal government and academia that makes the varied and vast resources of EOU available to the economic development community.

EOU has a well-respected history of service in rural Oregon and is a key supporter and advisor to ROI. The university has been involved in economic development since 1979 and currently holds the contract for the Small Business Administration-funded Small Business Development Center. ROI’s University Center Program is the result of a collaborative partnership between the federal government and academia, enabling the resources of EOU to be easily accessed by the economic development community. ROI also administers the Mine Safety Program at EOU, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The program provides annual safety training for Oregon’s mining industry as mandated by federal law.

•  Program Objectives

ROI works closely with the Eastern Oregon Rural Alliance, Oregon Rural Development Council, EDA-designated economic development districts, Oregon Industry Clusters Network Leadership Council, Connecting Oregon for Rural Entrepreneurship, (CORE), Program, and the Governor’s Office on Rural Policy. The resources made available through ROI increase rural economic diversification, as well as the capacity of rural communities and businesses to take full advantage of economic development opportunities.Three industry clusters are currently targeted through ROI: bioscience, renewable energy, and value-added agriculture products.