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Highlights from SEDCOR’s 2026 Annual Awards & Membership Meeting

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On Wednesday, September 30th, business and community leaders from across the Mid-Willamette Valley gathered at the Salem Convention Center for SEDCOR's Annual Awards & Membership Meeting. The afternoon celebrated the stories behind the region's progress, from family farms and century-old businesses to new ventures just getting started.

A Year of Impact

SEDCOR President Erik Andersson opened by saying that while it's easy to get mired in the challenges the region faces, the day was a chance to highlight its successes. He shared that SEDCOR's efforts this past fiscal year contributed to $5 million in private sector investment, and that the team is currently tracking 18 retention and expansion projects and 4 recruitment projects, with 166 new jobs in the pipeline.

Key highlights from 2025 to 2026 included:

  • Expansions & Retention: The sale of Ulven Aerospace & Precision Solutions in Hubbard to Northwest Manufacturing Group, supported by an Enterprise Zone incentive; plant upgrades at Crystal Creek Dairy Service in Independence; the reopening of Pacific Fir Lumber in Sheridan, with 28 jobs retained; Object Permanence, a Salem record pressing plant, approved for the Enterprise Zone incentive; and Oregon Mining & Agriculture Fabrication's new Independence facility, which will grow its team from 9 to 17 employees. SEDCOR also worked with NW Hazelnut and Hazelnut Growers of Oregon on options for hazelnut shell byproducts, and Van's Aircraft and partners on the future of the Aurora Airport.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship: The Latino Microenterprise Development Program held cohorts in Salem and Independence, bringing it to 12 cohorts and over 300 graduates. Launch Mid-Valley continued its six coffee clubs, pub talks, Start-Up Bootcamps, and Pitch Willamette. The NW Ag Innovation Hub, with AgLaunch and the Ford Family Foundation, brought ag-tech startups to field trials on Willamette Valley farms. And SEDCOR was selected by the Oregon Department of Agriculture as one of three pilot Regional Food and Agriculture Business Centers (RFABC).
  • Infrastructure & Housing: Industrial land readiness work with the cities of Independence and Silverton, building on the Sheridan project. In Newberg, construction is underway on the Housing Innovation Village Experience (HIVE), a cottage cluster of ten homes built by five developers and affordable to buyers earning 80 to 120 percent of median household income.
  • Workforce Development: Touch-A-Truck in Independence; curriculum development with the Sheridan School District for the Barbara Roberts CTE Center; a new Fire Science Program with the Grand Ronde Tribe; and the revived Sidewalk Program in Carlton, which gives "Opportunity Youth" ages 16 to 24 hands-on trade experience. Two projects have been completed.

"Today's event gives us a chance to highlight the region's successes, the businesses and communities that are doing great things and making a difference," Andersson said.

Honoring Regional Excellence

The Annual Awards recognized businesses and leaders across eleven categories:

  • Agri-Business of the Year: NW Hazelnut & Hazelnut Growers of Oregon. A family-owned company that began as a student FFA project in 1986 and is now the nation's largest hazelnut processor, with plants in Hubbard, Salem, and Newberg and a major investment in its Donald facility.
  • Business Partner of the Year: Commercial Business Furniture. A woman-owned, family-operated business with roots in Salem going back to 1869, recognized for designing and furnishing SEDCOR's new office space on budget and with exceptional service.
  • Community Leadership Award: Jose Gonzalez. A former Salem City Councilmember, president of Tu Casa Real Estate, and founder of the Latino Business Alliance, honored for his partnership on the Latino Microenterprise Development Program and his support for the region's entrepreneurs.
  • Community Service Award: Life Flight Network. A not-for-profit critical care transport organization, headquartered in Aurora, that brings ICU-level care by air and ground to patients across the region.
  • Dynamic Development Award: The Forge. Honored for breathing new life into a landmark downtown Salem building, creating space for entrepreneurs, restaurants, and community events, including Pitch Willamette at Cellar 54.
  • Economic Development Champion: Arthur Chaput, Business Oregon. A trusted partner known for showing up informed, present, and committed to solving problems alongside local businesses and communities.
  • Entrepreneur of the Year: Lucky Crow Farms & Eatery. Founded by sixth-generation farmer Eden Olsen and Chef Lindsay Darling, growing from a CSA and farmers' markets into a farmstand and restaurant in downtown Monmouth.
  • Innovative Product of the Year: UrbanForm. An Oregon-based platform that digitizes zoning codes to speed up permitting and housing, now covering more than 66,000 parcels, including regional rollouts in Polk and Yamhill Counties.
  • Manufacturer of the Year: Cabinetworks Group. One of the largest privately held cabinet manufacturers in the U.S., recognized for its Independence facility, its skilled workforce, and the on-site health clinic it opened for employees and their families.
  • Outstanding Public/Private Partnership: Carlton Sidewalk Project. A partnership of the City of Carlton, YOOP!, the Willamette Workforce Partnership, SEDCOR, and contractor Willie Kostenborder that pays young people to learn construction skills while rebuilding local sidewalks.
  • Small Business of the Year: Jackman Industries. A woman-owned Salem manufacturer, founded in 1992, that makes its Flashers® pipe flashings entirely in the USA.

"Today isn't just about handing out awards. It's about celebrating the stories behind them, the stories that make the Mid-Willamette Valley the dynamic, thriving place we all love," said SEDCOR Board Chair Scott Snyder.

SEDCOR also recognized partners Mayor Cathy Clark, Jamie Johnk, Kristin Retherford, and Tim Ray for their years of leadership, and thanked this year's sponsors: Saalfeld Griggs, Business Oregon, and Summit Wealth Management.

Looking Ahead

Every business in the room has a story, and the afternoon was a reminder that the region's success is written by people working together: businesses, educators, government, and community members. SEDCOR looks forward to another year of advancing economic opportunity and celebrating the spirit that defines the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Media inquiries? Please reach out to Naureen Khan at naureen@sedcor.com.

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