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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2003)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR 97523 February 5, 2003 As everyone is aware, our local economy is not doing very well. The last 14 months have seen the departure of Fire Mt. Gems, Energy Outfitters, and Krauss Craft to the I-5 corridor. Now with Rough & Ready facing the possibility of closure, an- other 140 jobs are on the line. The new priority for the CRT is economic development and job creation. In addition to its other activities in this field (the Re- volving Loan Fund, helping R&R employees explore the ESOP option, marketing of wood product businesses, exploring federal contracting for forestry work), the CRT is seriously considering a major investment in the tourism sector. Tourism - though not a panacea to our economic ills - does offer opportunities to support local businesses and create jobs. This would take the form of a multi-functional facility de- signed to increase curb appeal to stop more travelers and better link the Oregon Caves National Monument to the rest of Illinois Valley. The proposed center will serve as a catalyst for entrepre- neurial development by providing a focal point where business owners, crafters, artists, and service providers can interact and collaborate. The centre will serve as the intersection of Internet and on- site marketing for area products. The goal is to build a critical mass of commercial activity based on existing export products (furniture, arts and crafts, wine) and tourism services (accommodation, dining, attractions) within a supportive environ- ment (rental space, administrative services, training, and technical assistance) to spawn new businesses (web design/maintenance, product photography, shipping) that will encourage further growth. The center will be a multi-functional facility combining a number of elements: Gallery and showroom for furniture, arts/ crafts products, and Oregon Caves souvenirs; demonstration stu- dios where artisans can practice their crafts to regale visitors; small business incubator with rental space and affordable admin- istrative services; community connectivity area with high speed computer access buttressed by technical support; and training fa- cility for micro-enterprise organizations and Rogue Community College to deliver courses and workshops. In addition to the center, the CRT is applying for a Rural Business Opportunities Grant which would provide funds so that qualifying businesses and start-ups could establish a “Business Investment Account.” These funds - when matched with the busi- ness owner’s own money - can be used to purchase whatever ser- vices (business planning, technical consultation, Website design, training, etc.) that would best help that business grow. The goal would be to assist businesses to acquire services needed to access loans and/or to solve pressing business problems. If you would like to get involved in development, please con- tact the CRT office. If you own or would like to own a business, visit ivcrt.org for the business survey. Forestry Contracting Workshop, Feb. 8 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are interested in finding out more about federal con- tracting for restoration, thinning and other work in the public for- ests and defensible space on private land, the Family Resource Center is the place to be. Page 9 Beware of ODA initiates new marketing program field honest for all producers. gling. That makes the ODA Signs of hope for Oregon phone scam agriculture While the agency has a focus on helping the industry during 2002 are number of programs that di- remain economically viable. seen by Phil Ward, the direc- says OSP rectly assist the agriculture Ward said that ODA is tor of the Oregon Dept. of Ag- Oregon State Police (OSP) recently announced that a fictitious organization is so- liciting money by phoning residents and identifying themselves as being associ- ated with the OSP. It’s reported that this group states on the phone that the money is being sought due to the recent failure of Meas- ure 28. OSP noted in a news re- lease that it does not solicit funds from the public and is not involved in this endeavor. These actions constitute a criminal act and it is requested that any information pertain- ing to the subjects identity be reported to the OSP. JoCo. office seeks volunteer The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a new volunteer to take the place of Dave Abbey, who was with the office for 7 years. Anyone interested can contact Deputy Rich McMil- len at the sheriff’s office. riculture (ODA). He sees 2003 as a critical year for the state agency and the agriculture industry in general, with economic viabil- ity of producers the principal desired outcome. “You can call this a pre- diction if you want, but I be- lieve we are going to see our export markets continue to strengthen in 2003, and the softening value of the U.S. dollar will provide us more access to the international marketplace,” he said. Ward’s optimism is tem- pered with the reality of statis- tics which show net farm in- come this past year at a rela- tively low point. Even though Oregon’s value of agricultural produc- tion stands at $3.5 billion, low commodity prices, high ex- penses, and other economic factors are keeping the farmer and rancher from making a substantial profit. Oregon’s agricultural diversity allows some sectors to do well, but many others are still strug- initiating some relatively new services that will help give Oregon agricultural products a leg up in a competitive mar- ketplace, beginning with a branded marketing effort, the Oregon Advantage Program. Through the program, ODA provides certification to Oregon firms with products that meet certain quality stan- dards, processing standards, and handling standards that assure food safety, Ward said. National retailers and in- ternational markets are asking for such certification from those who produce and handle agricultural products. ODA also is looking at its regulatory programs as service to the agriculture community, meaning that regulation sup- ports the industry’s high stan- dards for production and mar- keting by keeping the playing community, it can also play an advocacy role on key issues where it does not have direct responsibility. Protection of farm land and labor issues are two examples. Potential legislation in the 2003 session is expected to include agricultural labor. Ward said he sees the issue as another critical component to the industry’s survival. “We understand there might be some interest in adopting a collective bargain- ing act for agriculture in Ore- gon,” he said. “That is something that deserves a careful look and could have benefits for both the farm worker and the farm community,” he continued. “ODA wants to make sure it can assist in the deliberation and fact finding process rela- tive to these kinds of issues.” $ WANTED: Local Entrepreneurs $ To utilize Low Interest Business Loans Pick up an application & information at: •IVCRT Office, 200-C Lister St. •I.V. Library, 209 W. Palmer •IV Family Coalition, 535 E. River St. •Selma Video (next to Selma Post Office) •O’Brien Country Store Deadline for applications: Feb. 21 Illinois Valley Community Response Team Prime Rib… $10.95 (with prawns, oysters or scallops…$14.95) Prime Rib with Lobster… $17.95 Lobster Platter… $16.95 Reservations Recommended Served from 2 p.m. to closing Tuesday-Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Closed Monday) Assorted Loin Pork Chops ... $1.27 lb. Pork Half Loins ... $1.47 lb. Boneless Pork Chops ... $1.87 lb. Pork Shoulder Roast ... .99 lb. Pork Steaks ... $1.27 lb. Country Style Spareribs ... $1.27 lb. Baby Back Ribs ... $3.47 lb. Western Family Bacon 16 oz. ... $1.89 ea.