Yamhill County undertook a groundbreaking research project – in partnership with leaders from ten communities and state agencies – to find ways that the local agriculture and tourism sectors can coexist and jointly contribute to the economy.  The County’s agriculture sector is an economic mainstay, contributing $300 million annually.  As a premier wine producing region, an estimated 1.5 million visitors are attracted to its wineries each year, presenting opportunities to significantly grow the local tourism industry.

The County hired Barney & Worth, Inc. to design and conduct the study, analyze the findings, and draft the plan document.  From the start, the project team sought to involve a full variety of perspectives – farmers, business operators and workers, agency staff and officials, economic and workforce professionals. The resulting plan reflects these voices and promotes cooperative regional economic and community development.  The plan’s recommended strategies point the way forward to help ensure thriving agriculture and tourism industries in the region.

The City of Portland, in collaboration with local market leaders, sought answers to the most pressing questions about the forces of supply and demand that will shape the future of the city’s farmers markets.

The Barney & Worth team was hired to take a comprehensive look at the current status and economic benefits of Portland’s markets, make comparisons with successful farmers market operations across the nation, and analyze potential challenges and opportunities to sustainability and expansion.

The resulting report: Growing Portland’s Farmers Markets, serves as a guide for the city and advocates in planning for the future of Portland’s cherished farmers markets, which have become an integral part of our community’s way of life.

Barney & Worth provided communications and program planning services to support the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (OCCWD) and Worksystems, Inc. – administrators of a three-year federal grant.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) program aimed to transform the regional economy by building partnerships and implementing strategic workforce development programs.  Partners include state governments, community colleges, workforce agencies and employers across the ten county, bi-state WIRED region.

Barney & Worth supported the grant administrators and its multiple partners to work together and maximize the impact of the grant.  Consultant tasks included: organizing and conducting a leadership retreat, facilitating meetings of the Regional Workforce Council and the grant coordinating committee, and developing a comprehensive communications program, including website enhancements to reach internal and external audiences.

Barney & Worth served on the consultant team to prepare a comprehensive regional economic profile and strategic assessment for the tri-county region of Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties in Oregon. Conducted under the auspices of the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), the assessment provided the context for economic planning and implementation by public agencies and economic development organizations serving the mid-Willamette Valley region with 460,000 residents.

Barney & Worth designed the assessment process and guided the project team through the strategic planning process.  An array of local economic leaders, employers, educators and workforce development professionals contributed information and perspectives. The firm’s report – Quest for Talent – analyzed current conditions, identified future challenges and outlined priority workforce development strategies.