Peter Cohen

Meet Peter Cohen (he/him/his):

Born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Peter graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with majors in Public Policy and Food Studies. His work experiences in college included working with a food incubator in the San Francisco Bay Area, a social change consultancy in London, and a food policy council in Orange County, NC, among others. Peter enjoys going to farmer’s markets, watching soccer, running, curating Spotify playlists, and experimenting with one-pot meals.

Community and Organization:

Marion County, Oregon, is a vibrant community located in the heart of the Willamette Valley. The Willamette Valley is one of the most fertile and agriculturally productive regions in the world. The area is dotted with cities, farms, and forests and is considered one of the most livable areas of the country, offering a low cost-of-living, quality schools, and mild weather. The county covers 1,194 square miles and has a population of approximately 333,950. There are 20 incorporated cities and 37 unincorporated communities in Marion County. Salem, the county seat and the state capital, is one of the valley’s oldest cities and the third largest city in Oregon. The principal industries are agriculture, government, food processing, lumber, manufacturing, education, and tourism. Marion County has both private and public schools, pre-school through university level. There are four universities and two community colleges within a 30-mile radius.

The Community Services Department is home to the Children and Families Commission, County Fair, Dog Services, Economic Development, Marion County Reentry Initiative and our partnership with Marion County Extension and 4-H Service District. There are 10 staff members in the office. Peter spent most of his time working directly with the economic development team, supporting small cities and their desired economic development goals for broadband development.

Project:

As the Rural Broadband Specialist, Peter undertook a number of projects to boost the broadband ecosystem in underserved communities in Marion County. He worked with cities on policy development, infrastructure deployment, and outreach with providers to share the importance of broadband access in economic development. He also worked with the communities in the county’s Agricultural Corridor to deploy broadband fiber to allow for a precision agricultural ecosystem in the county.