Oregon Prosperity Council ReportJune 2026 · progressive-disclosure index

38. Oregon State University — President Murthy Email

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38. Oregon State University — President Murthy Email

5/28/26, 9:24 AM Fwd: OSU and the economic health and prosperity of Oregon - nester@econw.com - ECONorthwest Mail From: Murthy, Jayathi Y jayathi.murthy@oregonstate.edu Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026 15:09 To: Lois Cho admin@getchowines.com Cc: Fast, Katie katie.fast@oregonstate.edu Subject: OSU and the economic health and prosperity of Oregon Dear Lois, I understand that Governor Kotek’s Prosperity Council is coming to the end of its deliberations. As it prepares to release its findings, I thought it would be important to convey to you the strategies that OSU feels would be most beneficial for the economic development of the state of Oregon. First, let me say that the economic health and prosperity of Oregon is critical to the success and future of Oregon State University. OSU not only wants but believes it is critical that we be a coordinated part of Oregon’s economic development strategy. We have observed that states with robust business climates designate universities as active partners. We are eager to assist in development of strategies and/or new business and retention efforts. I list below the strategies that OSU considers to be most important for workforce and economic development:

  1. Sustain public university budgets for the benefit of Oregon students Approximately 85% of personal income tax revenue is paid by those with bachelor’s degrees or higher. Affordability is the biggest hindrance facing potential university students. Oregon public universities have the highest tuition in the western region due to low state investment th (46 in the nation) and higher than industry benefits costs. Addressing these challenges will directly impact students’ ability to access a four-year degree. Accordingly, Oregon Should invest in the entire education continuum, including K12, community colleges, and public universities. Assist universities through policies and/or investments to assist with the growing employee benefit costs that are outside of the universities control.
  2. Develop workforce-aligned investment pools Industry surveys consistently rank access to a skilled and educated workforce as the top factor in site selection for large, high-wage employers. Therefore, Oregon should Create targeted funding streams for universities to:
  3. Expand capacity in high-demand programs
  4. Launch rapid credentialing and reskilling programs
  5. Respond quickly to employer needs
  6. Create a statewide work-based learning initiative be establishing incentives (grants or tax credits) for employers to provide:
  7. Paid internships
  8. Apprenticeships
  9. Cooperative education opportunities
  10. Bolster Oregon’s Research and Innovation economy https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/#inbox/FMfcgzQgMCXPRwcwdXfMbRFdNZfxdsWM 1/2

5/28/26, 9:24 AM Fwd: OSU and the economic health and prosperity of Oregon - nester@econw.com - ECONorthwest Mail The state of Oregon should a. Annually fund the University Innovation Research Fund, which provides matching funds for large federal innovation and economic development grants, with at least $10M per year ($20M for a biennium). b. Extend the December 31, 2027, sunset of the University Venture Development Fund tax credit, which supports entrepreneurship programs, provides opportunities to apply research to commercial activities, and funds efforts to transform novel concepts into products and services. This is how new ideas on campuses become new businesses for the state. c. Provide startup and early operational/staffing support of $1M for the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor to have the effort officially endorsed and launched by the state. d. Provide bridge funding of $1M for the Corvallis Microfluidics (CorMic) Tech Hub, which is a joint effort between OSU, University of Oregon, and Oregon Health Sciences University and an economic engine that stimulates, drives, and supports the commercialization of microfluidics-connected technologies to meet national security goals. We would be delighted to work with you and the Prosperity Council to help flesh out these ideas further and to help implement them as plans mature. And thank you for all your hard work on the Council on behalf of our state and its communities. Sincerely, Jayathi Jayathi Y. Murthy President Oregon State University | 638 Kerr Administration Building | Corvallis, OR 97331 Executive Assistant: Brad Canfield | brad.canfield@oregonstate.edu https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/#inbox/FMfcgzQgMCXPRwcwdXfMbRFdNZfxdsWM 2/2

Parent: Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback · PDF: pp. 339-340