November 20, 2023 2:50 a.m.

On Friday. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that the South Coast Development Council Inc in Coos Bay has secured a $300,000 federal investment to nurture local tech-based start-ups.

Wyden said, “This federal investment in the South Coast will generate jobs, innovation and economic activity that will ripple out for years to come”. Wyden said, “I’m gratified that key business, education and civic leaders in this rural Oregon community have teamed up to earn these resources. And I’ll keep battling for communities throughout Oregon to receive similar funds that build strong local economies”.

Merkley said, “Small businesses are the backbone of Oregon’s economy, and even more so for our rural and coastal communities”. Merkley said “These important investments heading to the South Coast Development Council will support jobs, drive innovation, and help strengthen the local economy of the South Coast”.

A release said the $300,000 from the federal Economic Development Administration is designed to accelerate technology entrepreneurship on the South Coast by increasing access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital. The South Coast Incubator Technology Industry Ecosystem Development project is led by the South Coast Development Council Inc. with support from Southwestern Oregon Community College and the cities of Coos Bay and North Bend.