Growing Rural Oregon program centers trust, collaboration, cooperation
Trust, collaboration, cooperation: These are key ingredients to rural economic development in Oregon and core to Growing Rural Oregon, a program of The Ford Family Foundation that supports entrepreneurs across the state. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone to local economies that create prosperous conditions where kids can grow up.
Nationally, small businesses operate 85 percent of all establishments in rural areas and provide 54.3 percent of all rural jobs, according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small businesses are also responsible for 62.7 percent of net jobs created since 1995 and make up 39.4 percent of private sector payroll. The United States and Oregon need small businesses in order to succeed now and into the future.
Growing Rural Oregon (GRO) supports residents to build assets and mobilize them toward starting and sustaining small businesses. GRO leverages the connections between local institutions like city and county governments and the people who live there to identify economic development priorities and opportunities for businesses. The GRO mindset is based on the many assets we hold across rural Oregon.
Launched in 2021, GRO currently supports four rural communities to build a network — a community ecosystem — that wraps around in support of local entrepreneurs. Find inspiration for ways to support small business in your community from these standout examples.
Local real estate company benefits Chiloquin redevelopment
Brand-new entrepreneur Alex LaChina received just-in-time capital that assisted with business filings and early-stage infrastructure that set his real estate development company, 1457 Development, up for success. Klamath IDEA, GRO’s partner in the region to support entrepreneurs, helped LaChina apply for and receive technical assistance funding from Oregon Community Foundation.
From his home in Chiloquin, LaChina quickly filed for a LLC, opened bank accounts, launched a website and is now on his way to developing a strategic business plan. He is now eligible for grant funding that will allow for community redevelopment and has a digital presence that will allow him to grow 1457 Development.
“This is a great example of how pairing small businesses with the right resources at the right time can make all the difference,” says Kathleen Flanagan, director of Community Economic Development. “The startup phase is critical — entrepreneurs need access to resources and connections in their community that can make it happen.”
From inspection to innovation in St. Helens
When Landon Russell first connected with GRO Greater, his St. Helens-based home inspection business was poised for growth but needed strategic support to expand its operations. Russell sought to grow the reach of Icon Home Inspection across Columbia, Washington and Multnomah counties.
Landon Russell of Icon Home Inspection Services
A $50,000 Community Lending Works loan facilitated by GRO Greater provided the necessary capital to invest in operational improvements to scale services and a technical assistance grant supported a new professional website. Targeted financial support combined with technical assistance helps entrepreneurs like Landon overcome geographic limitations and tap into urban market opportunities. GRO is helping create economic bridges between rural and urban Oregon.
For Russell, the impact has been meaningful. Icon Home Inspection now serves clients throughout the tri-county region, bringing a sustainable revenue stream to Columbia County’s economic ecosystem.
“This expansion represents exactly what GRO aims to achieve,” explains program officer Rozalyn Mock, “We love to see empowered entrepreneurs growing and sustaining their businesses.”
Tillamook levels up through pitch competitions
Green Coast Market, a brand-new local food store that operates like a year-round farmers market in Rockaway Beach, won a cash prize and benefited from an expanded network of supports at Level Up Tillamook’s recent pitch competition. Local entrepreneurs share their stories in order to vet their business ideas, increase exposure for their business and identify new sources of capital. Level Up Tillamook focuses on strengthening existing local businesses and fostering new ones.
Green Coast Market won a cash prize at Level Up Tillamook’s recent pitch competition.
“Level Up Tillamook was a great experience that not only led to us winning a cash prize but introduced us to many of the other participants who we now work with to supply products to the market,” shares Green Coast Market entrepreneur. “It is great to support other local businesses who are doing great things that we love featuring in our store.”
Entrepreneurs exist in the ecosystems of their local communities and our state as a whole; when organizations, cities, funders and small businesses are aligned in vision and mutually supportive, our economic opportunities grow for everyone. Growing Rural Oregon’s approach maximizes the assets we have available to us and draws on the federal, state and local resources. Urban Oregon, rural Oregon and the families and children who live there all benefit from investments in entrepreneurs.
Indy IDEA Hub scales good ideas
Independence’s Indy IDEA Hub incubates food businesses and connects them to local farms. These assets in the Independence area provide a centering point for a broader community ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs.
One of these entrepreneurs is Eden Olsen, owner of Lucky Crow Farm. Olsen received support scale the growing business’s operations, including technical assistance. Environmental sustainability, social benefit and economic viability anchor the young farmer who sources supplies from and supports other local businesses.
“I truly believe that vibrant local communities are the road for a sustainable future,” shares Olsen.
Entrepreneurs exist in the ecosystems of their local communities and our state as a whole; when organizations, cities, funders and small businesses are aligned in vision and mutually supportive, our economic opportunities grow for everyone. Growing Rural Oregon’s approach maximizes the assets we have available to us and draws on the federal, state and local resources. Urban Oregon, rural Oregon and the families and children who live there all benefit from investments in entrepreneurs.
Learn more about Growing Rural Oregon at growingruraloregon.org