About Brian Cole - Baker City
Career Highlight: Economic Development Director, Baker City / Baker County, Oregon
Brian Cole in 2023, Baker City, Oregon
Brian Cole was hired as the first-ever Economic Development Director for the City of Baker City and Baker County, Oregon in June of 1987.
Brian Cole had just completed his Masters of Business Administration from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon when the City of Baker City was looking to hire an Economic Development Director.
The economy in Baker City and Baker County and Oregon was deeply impacted by changes in forest management that was leading to the closure of saw mills throughout the state. Baker City and Baker County were not immune to this economic impact.
The first project that Brian Cole was asked to coordinate was what became the National Historic Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill. This was a project concept in June of 1987, but became an economic development strategy due to the work that Brian Cole performed in submitting a grant proposal to the State of Oregon through a program called the Oregon Regional Strategies Program.
Brian Cole wrote the Regional Strategy which included the development of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in the context of economic development strategic planning for Northeast Oregon.
The economic development proposal was sent to the State of Oregon in early 1988 and ultimately became funded leading to a Phase Two grant application during the following biennium to the State of Oregon.
Brian Cole was then responsible for the submittal of the Phase Two proposal which covered the 1989-1991 biennium which included grant funding for the Sumpter Valley State Park, the Sumpter Valley Railroad, the restoration of the Baker City Historic District, and other projects to foster tourism development and economic development.
Brian Cole’s career in Baker City started with the 6½ year stint as the City and County Economic Development Director which ended in December 1993 with his appointment as a Regional Business Development Officer (RBDO) for the Oregon Economic Development Department.
Brian Cole continued to live in Baker City and Baker County during his five-year commitment to the State of Oregon as the RBDO. In that capacity, Brian Cole worked in five counties including Baker County, Union County, Wallowa County, Umatilla County, and Malheur County.
In the capacity with the State of Oregon, Brian Cole was the Regional Business Development Officer to assist cities and counties with their economic development priorities.
In 1998, Brian Cole ran to become the County Commission Chairman for Baker County, Oregon. Brian Cole won the 1998 election in a landslide, and served as the Chairman of the Baker County Board of Commissioners for a period of four years from 1999-2002.
In his role as County Commission Chairman for Baker County, Brian Cole continued to reside in Baker City, Oregon and became the top government official for Baker County. It was the role for Brian Cole to pass a balanced budget, lead the Baker County personnel, and to continue to play a leadership role fostering the economic development vision for Baker County.
Recent Projects
Brian’s work has led to assisting a Native American business enter the aviation industry.
Brian Cole’s work is not confined to Baker City. Brian is working in Arizona to assist a Navajo-owned company to expand into the aviation field. Brian's company, Building Communities, provides business planning and networking to support the expansion of the Navajo company.
Business development in Indian Country is much more difficult than off-Reservation. It requires long-term relationship building and a strong network of contacts for each of the Tribal Nations served.
Brian’s work on the Navajo Nation has led to recognition for his economic development efforts.
Since 2011, Brian Cole has made over 140 trips from Baker City to the Navajo Nation, focusing on economic development, tourism, and housing development projects to assist Navajo communities.
One project known as the "Pinta Project" is being advanced by a Navajo Chapter seeking to capitalize upon the traffic along Interstate 40. A Master Plan for the project has been completed and funding for project development, including lodging, entertainment, housing, and transportation elements, provides the focus for the project.