Anchored by two world-class research universities, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, the region is rich in ideas, talent, and potential. But while other university-anchored regions have surged ahead, ours has not yet fully captured the economic returns of its intellectual engine. Despite rising research capacity and record philanthropic investment, average incomes in this region trail the national average and lag peers like Portland and Bend. The promise is here. What’s missing is the structure to harness it. That’s what the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor aims to build: a long-term strategy that connects academic innovation with industry momentum, land readiness, and quality of place. One that makes room for new ideas without sacrificing the landscapes and values that define us.