There’s Good News: Meta awards EDCO $50K grant to boost rural entrepreneurship in rural counties
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Economic Development for Central Oregon received a $50,000 grant from Meta today to launch a project aimed at strengthening rural entrepreneurship in Crook and Jefferson counties. The initiative, titled Crook & Jefferson Innovate, will focus on expanding economic opportunities for approximately 51,000 residents in the region.
The funding, provided by the Meta Data Center Community Action Grants Program – Prineville Data Center, will support a comprehensive assessment of the local entrepreneurial environment. The project is designed to identify emerging entrepreneurs and evaluate barriers related to digital access and business support.
The Crook & Jefferson Innovate project intends to map existing resources and highlight specific gaps in the region's entrepreneurial infrastructure. EDCO will directly engage with local entrepreneurs and partners to gather input on business challenges and support needs. Advisory committees will guide these outreach efforts and validate the final findings.
Kelsey Haskett serves as the Prineville and Crook County director for EDCO. She noted that while the area has a high level of interest in business ownership, many founders currently lack the necessary infrastructure to scale. "Crook and Jefferson Counties have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, but many founders operate informally or without access to the digital tools and support networks needed to grow," Haskett said. "This grant from Meta allows us to better understand where entrepreneurs are and what resources they need so we can build stronger pathways for business growth and job creation in our region."
Rural communities in Central Oregon often face unique obstacles, including limited broadband infrastructure and fragmented support services. Historically underrepresented founders frequently encounter additional barriers when attempting to start or grow a business. This initiative aims to address these issues for the region's population of approximately 51,000 residents across both counties.
The initiative also links to the Central Oregon Innovation Hub, a regional effort designed to expand mentorship and capital access for high-growth, traded-sector startups. Rita Hansen is the director of innovation and entrepreneurship at EDCO. Hansen said the project ensures rural entrepreneurs can participate in the region's broader economic growth. "By identifying ecosystem gaps and expanding digital access and mentorship opportunities, we can help more founders move from ideation to scalable businesses while strengthening the overall economic resilience of Central Oregon," Hansen said.
EDCO was one of several organizations chosen to receive funding through the 2026 Meta Data Center Community Action Grants Program. The Meta program funds projects that use technology to address critical community needs, build sustainable communities and improve local science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education.
Founded in 1981, EDCO is a non-profit organization supported by private and public members. The organization works to recruit new employers to the region, help existing companies expand and support the start of new scalable businesses.
The assessment process will result in county reports featuring actionable recommendations to strengthen the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
