Urban Renewal Program

NEWS: Urban Renewal Program Accepting Project Funding Applications! 
Each fiscal year, the La Grande Urban Renewal Agency (URA) has a limited amount of funding to allocate toward public/ private development projects within the Urban Renewal District. For the 2019-20 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, the Agency will be accepting applications for project funding assistance through April 17, 2019.

NEWS: Just launched!! Up to $200,000 to expand your business to La Grande! That's right! The La Grande Urban Renewal Agency is happy to announce a new Traded Sector Business Attraction Incentive. Qualifying businesses can receive up to $200,000 to relocate or expand their traded sector business to La Grande, specifically, the La Grande Business & Technology Park. For more information, download the program policy.

NEWS: The City, Union County and UCEDC are now proud partners of the TEAM Oregon Advanced Manufacturing initiative. The three of us sent representatives to the FABTech trade show in Atlanta in November 2014. Along with our partners at Business Oregon, the Portland Development Commission and SEDCOR, we showcased Oregon as a great place for relocation and expansion opportunities.

For more information on the Advanced Manufacturing program,

The City of La Grande Economic Development Division is primarily responsible for implementation of the City's Urban Renewal Plan. The current primary focus is downtown revitalization activities and the management of the La Grande Main Street program. Downtown revitalization has been a top priority for the City Council. In addition, the Economic Development Strategic Plan  was adopted by the Council in 2010. The Plan is comprehensive and covers all aspects of local economic development strategy. The City aims to grow its economic base through the creation of family wage jobs and the expansion, retention and attraction of businesses.

The City's economic development efforts provide support to those of other organizations, as well, including the Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC), Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD), Union County, and the Union County Chamber of Commerce to name a few. 

The City's role and plans with economic development include support of the following initiatives:

• Business retention & expansion
• Business attraction, recruitment and community marketing
• Downtown revitalization (Main Street program)
• Urban Renewal (includes downtown, the La Grande Business Park and other commercial/ industrial sites)
• Tourism marketing, promotions and product development
• Workforce development

La Grande is also home to one of Oregon's Enterprise Zones, which provide property tax abatement to qualifying new business investments.

Most importantly, for existing and new businesses alike, the City's Economic Development division is a part of the Community & Economic Development Department, which includes Planning and Building Inspection services. What this means to the business owner is that under single leadership with a single vision is the assurance of the highest level of business-friendly quality customer service aimed at providing assistance to project completion.

Mission Statement:

The Community & Economic Development Department provides the citizens of La Grande order, safety and vitality by facilitating, managing and supporting customer-driven development projects, offering excellent service and value.