Facilitating Growth Through
Leadership, Partnerships and Resources

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

The Cowlitz Economic Development Council is a non-profit, professional association dedicated to facilitating economic and employment opportunities in Cowlitz County.

Our membership shares the common goal of encouraging a stable, healthy, and diversified economy and employment base.

The CEDC promotes job creation and investment, while maintaining the county’s exceptional environment and high quality of life.

Since its establishment in 1979, the CEDC has helped bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars’ worth of capital investment to the county.

The primary role of the CEDC is assisting businesses to relocate and expand in Cowlitz County through: workforce retention programs, incentives, networking, sales leads, marketing and promotion, navigating legal and political channels, process facilitation, site selection and acquisition, permitting assistance, business financing, policy development, education and training workshops, small business assistance, Covid-19 grant administration, Lower Columbia Investment Network, rural revitalization, downtown development, non-profit assistance, tourism.

The CEDC actively supports quality of place, knowing employers and their workforce not only do business in Cowlitz County, but also live here: raising families, going to school, seeking out cultural and recreational activities, and getting involved in their communities.