Join us for the Keynote Address as Economic Development Director Courtney Griesel of Springfield, Oregon discusses the contemporary issues that urban communities are faced with. You will gain an understanding of the important role that university resources and expertise can play in helping address these issues, and discover ways of bringing those together with local governments and other community partners to find and implement long-term solutions.
COURTNEY GRIESEL BIOGRAPHY:
Courtney Griesel has been with the City of Springfield Oregon since 2006, leading critical economic and community development programs and projects. Author of the City of Springfield Downtown Urban Renewal Plan and contributing author of the Glenwood Refinement Plan, she brings extensive experience to the management of Springfield’s two urban renewal areas and citywide economic development.
Her focus on business retention, expansion, recruitment, site development, and public-private partnerships has led to extensive exciting partnerships between the Springfield Economic Development Program and Springfield’s growing companies and new firms locating in the region. Under her leadership, the City of Springfield Economic Development Program has grown to include significant community identified goals and initiatives; expansion of publicly owned fiber into Springfield, acquisition of key redevelopment sites, and active and effective recruitment and retention strategies.
Ms. Griesel is the co-founder of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities – Network (EPIC-N), a nonprofit association that seeks to unite the human capital of universities with local governments and communities, to improve the quality of life and social wealth for all involved.
Ms. Griesel received a Bachelor of Science in Planning, Public Policy & Management from the University of Oregon and a Masters of Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. In May of 2016, she was honored by the Planning, Public Policy and Management Department at the University of Oregon with the Award for Distinguished Recent Alumna and in 2017 was recognized as a 20 Under 40 Community Rising Star. In addition to managing the City’s Economic Development Program, Ms. Griesel supports the greater community through service on boards and participation as an advisor in organizations like Oregon Economic Development Association, United Way of Lane County, RAIN-Eugene, Travel Lane County, EPIC- Network. As a board member and trainer with EPIC-Network, she has partnered with the UN and EPA to support resource building in European and South African communities.
View full biography:
http://www.springfield-or.gov/city/city-managers-office/economic-development