Bynum, Salinas Host Rural Economic Development Roundtable in Silverton

August 29, 2025
Press Release
Representatives Andrea Salinas and Janelle Bynum host a roundtable with local business leaders and nonprofits on rural economic development.

Oregon City, OR – Yesterday, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) teamed up in Silverton for a roundtable discussion on rural economic development with local government officials, nonprofit groups, and local business leaders.

Rep. Bynum and Rep. Salinas are both members of the New Democrat Coalition, which is made up of 115 center-left House Democrats committed to breaking through gridlock to deliver results for Americans. This event marked the ninth stop of the New Dems on the Road Tour, which is a series of meetings between New Dem Members and American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations, and local leaders.

After the event, the members said:

"Oregon wouldn’t be Oregon without our rural small businesses,” said Rep. Bynum. “They don’t just create jobs — they help build stronger, more resilient communities. Today’s conversation highlighted both the obstacles these businesses face in getting off the ground and staying open, as well as the incredible opportunities they’re creating. I'll take these insights with me back to Washington to keep pushing for the support our rural entrepreneurs need and deserve."


“Oregon’s small towns and rural communities are full of potential, but too often they’re held back by crumbling infrastructure, limited broadband, and federal programs that are too complex to access,” said Rep. Salinas. “Investing in our rural communities helps drive economic growth and can foster good-paying, quality jobs that grow the middle class. I’m grateful to the New Dem Coalition for sponsoring this roundtable, and I appreciate the opportunity to meet with our local leaders and hear about how we can work together to invest in our rural economies to ensure they can thrive for generations to come.”

This is the 14th roundtable Rep. Bynum has hosted to hear Oregonians’ stories and provide updates on her work in Congress.

Attendees from the roundtable included: 

  • Abisha Stone, Economic Development Manager for Yamhill County, SEDCOR
  • Arthur Chaput, Regional Development Officer, Business Oregon
  • Brian Asher, Mayor of Aurora
  • Cory Misley, Silverton City Manager
  • Jason Freilinger, Mayor of Silverton
  • Jeff Hilderbrand, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments
  • Jim Carmack, State Director, USDA Rural Development
  • John Berard, City of Aurora City Council
  • Julia Hajduk, City Manager for Stayton
  • McRae Carmichael, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments
  • Rick Hohnbaum, City Manager for Gervais
  • Shawn Waite, City Administrator for Hubbard
  • Stacy Palmer, Silverton Chamber of Commerce

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Issues: Costs & Jobs