Coastal Caucus in North Bend, Aug. 10

News release from Oregon Seantor Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay). More than 500 leaders from around the state engaged in discussions about everything from craft breweries to housing and ocean health in the first day of the Oregon Coast Economic Summit on Monday at The Mill Casino in North Bend. The event opened with remarks from Coquille Indian Tribe Chairperson Brenda Meade and Tribal Chief Don Ivey, followed by North Bend Mayor Rick Wetherell and first-day keynote speaker Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon). For the first panel, the Oregon Legislative Coastal Caucus discussed its bicameral, bipartisan approach to addressing political, economic and social interests of rural and coastal Oregonians. The economists took the stage next, updating the audience on challenges and potentialities of coastal and rural Oregon economies. They devoted time talking about industry, tourism and enticing communities’ young people to come back home to rural Oregon after they go off to college or begin careers in other communities. Entrepreneurs discussed ways to develop eco-tourism, innovation and new business on the coast. A panel of craft brewers provided their own experiences, giving the perspective of this emerging new industry on the Oregon Coast.Leaders from around the state representing business and industry; state, local and federal governments; and other community organizations engaged in conversations throughout the summit and learned from each other ways to break down barriers for economic opportunities. The second day’s lineup on Tuesday included keynote speaker Ninth Circuit Court Judge Alex Kozinski, Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, University of Oregon President Michael Schill and Oregon State University President Ed Ray. The event generated some excitement among local and statewide leaders about the economic future of the coast and rural Oregon. “America’s rural agenda begins right here on the Oregon Coast,” Sen. Wyden said. For more information, those interested can go online to https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/secretary-of-senate/Documents/OCES%202016%20booklet.pdf.