Economic Development

City of Umatilla is typical of rural Oregon, where agriculture is one of the top job creating industries.  The Two-Rivers Correctional Facility is the city’s largest employer.  In recent years, Amazon has developed several large data campuses in the city limits, creating family-wage employment opportunities for city residents and for the region. The Port of Umatilla is located in the city limits on the east end of town, adjacent to the Columbia River.

City Council actively support the recruitment of new businesses and support of existing businesses.  Revitalization of downtown is a high priority and an important aspect of a healthy city, both socially, culturally and economically.   Improvements to infrastructure is vitally important and city continues to make significant investments in street, water and sewer projects. 

The diverse population of Umatilla and a historically low level of economic activity downtown warrants a unique approach to economic development. 

The Umatilla Together Vision and Umatilla Together Framework Plan developed in 2017 sets the stage for renovation of the downtown area over the next 20 years.  

The city is an active partner with the Chamber of Commerce and supports programs that promote businesses and community events.  Over time, city hopes to become a hub for tourism by fostering niche business development downtown and maximizing potential of river frontage to the Columbia and Umatilla Rivers – the region’s largest natural resource assets.

City of Umatilla is an active partner in regional economic development programs. 

City will continue to expand its efforts to build local economic capacity and adopt new models for encouraging business development; small business and entrepreneurship support; infrastructure investments targeted toward job creation; and connecting rural products to growing consumer markets.