Built for Economic Stability
Business leaders helping business leaders–this is the history and vision of McMinnville Industrial Promotions. Faced with a devastating economic crisis in 1953–loss of 300 jobs and several plant closures–a local group of 45 business and professional leaders pledged their own money to attract new businesses to McMinnville. These were leaders who were not only concerned with business success, but with the health and vitality of their community. They knew economic stability was important to strengthening their overall community and would provide greater opportunities for the future. MIP began as a nonprofit organization, and in 1955 expanded to a community corporation. The following year it progressed to a for-profit with the same important mission–to attract new industry to McMinnville. Today, a volunteer Board freely shares their expertise and insight on behalf of a stronger and more stable economic climate for all.
Focused on Economic Diversity
With a strong belief that a community with a diverse economic base is better able to weather economic storms, MIP has focused on attracting diverse industries. From its early years to today, MIP has had a hand in attracting such diverse products and companies as: the old fashioned goodness of Franz Bakery, the handcrafted knives of the William Henry Studios and silicone airplane parts of Meggitt Polymer Solutions.
Moving Forward by Innovation
MIP was the first industrial development company in the Pacific Northwest to qualify for Small Business Administration funds. It was recognized by governor Tom McCall when nine different industrial projects broke ground in McMinnville in 1969–the result of MIP’s “9 for 69” effort. MIP also formed a unique partnership with the City to acquire a $770,000 federal economic development grant to establish the city’s major industrial park infrastructure in 1983. Today, MIP continues to collaborate with others who share their mission and lead the effort to work toward a bright future.