Business Matters
Oregon to Receive $157 Mil-
lion for Broadband
Infrastructure Expansion
Salem, OR—The United States Department of the Treasury
announced that Oregon will be awarded $156.7 million to
expand broadband infrastructure across the state through the
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund.
The funding will go to the Oregon Broadband Office,
housed within Business Oregon, to secure high-speed internet
access to an estimated 17,000+ new locations in the state.
“This unprecedented funding will strengthen Oregon’s
broadband infrastructure and expand access to quality in-
ternet service,” Governor Kotek said. “This award, which is
part of President Biden’s Investing in America effort, will help
rural and low-income communities across Oregon develop
high-quality modern broadband infrastructure and expand
access to telehealth, job opportunities, education, and so
much more.”
“This award is the latest in federal support towards
broadband access and will enable Oregon to continue our
work to close the digital divide and provide digital equity for
all Oregonians,” said Sophorn Cheang, Business Oregon
Director. “We look forward to collaborating with our local
and regional partners across the state as we put these funds
to work for Oregon.”
November 2023
Average Personal Income
for Douglas County
Personal Income in Douglas County,
OR was 56657.00 in January of 2021,
according to the United States Federal
Reserve. Historically, Personal Income
in Douglas County, OR reached a re-
cord high of 56657.00 in January of
2021 and a record low of 23733.00 in
January of 1969. Trading Economics
provides the current actual value, an
historical data chart and related indi-
cators for Personal Income in Douglas
County, OR - last updated from the
United States Federal Reserve on Oc-
tober of 2023.
Ray’s Food Place is Drain’s Food Place
Continued from the Front Page
don’t have their eye on rural populations.
This is how it is in rural areas; One
grocery store in Drain pretty well serves all
of Northern Douglas County. Sure there are
the little convenience stores, neighborhood
markets and even the dollar stores. But they
are actually not providing the really needed
foodstuffs. The fresh vegetables and fruits,
good healthy cuts of meat and fresh baked
items, nevermind the myriad of food items
that aren’t necessarily processed quick heat
items.
I believe that in times not so long ago,
the grocery store or even general stores
were a common intersection for the patrons,
neighbors near and far. When that happens I
think folks tend to congregate and visit with
each others and as my Dad used to say, “Jaw
a bit”. It seems pretty natural that the local
grocery store kind of helps in connecting
folks in a rural area. Everybody eats and
everybody, most anyway, go to the store so
in the country, anyway, just about everyone
is a neighbor.
In Drain, prominently on the main drag
through town is Ray’s Food Place at 308 N.
1st St. There is no other grocery stores around
so that’s where everyone goes, unless they are
one of those who takes a trip to Eugene or
Springfield and hits the Costco or whatever. I
go to the store like everybody else but I’m one
of those that beelines in and grabs what I need
and then out the door I go. I decided to go take
a trip to the store, just to check it out. First
thing was getting inside, all it takes is a “Nice
day isn’t it?” to someone in the parking lot
and the next thing your in a conversation. Not
just me, by the time I got through the doors I
saw 2 other encounters just like mine.
I wanted to take a new look at the store
and I took a little time and walked up and
down the aisles taking note of the scope
and depth of foods, products and displays.
Comparing in my mind, the difference
between a full grocery and convenience type
stores. Its obvious that the Grocer is out to
provide a full compliment of food and general
necessary goods.
I know Joe Fleshman, the Manager, and I
stopped him to see if he would share a little of
his experience and inside knowledge of being
a grocer in a rural community.
“Sure, what do you want to know?” Joe,
is a friendly guy and I know he’s helpful
because I can never remember where things
are and he never fails to, happily, point me in
the right direction.
Turns out Joe is originally from Medford
and he has been with Ray’s for nearly 25
years. He started out in Central Point in 1997
and worked a number of stores till he landed
in Drain as the Manager.
Talking to Joe for a few minutes, it was
obvious that providing for his customers was
on top of his mind. He was telling me of the
importance of having fresh vegetables and
fruits and foods that are quality in not only
food value but appearance and placement. He
described the care spent to providing quality
cuts of meat and the satisfaction of meeting
customers shopping needs.
Joe went on to let me know that his
staff was comprised of mostly local folks
who take pride in their work and he expressed
some pride in the fact that there wasn’t a high
turnover. Partly he attested that the Company,
Ray’s Food Place i.e. CK Market out of
Medford is an employee owned company
and amongst the benefits was a good feeling
of working for a company that’s invested in
its employees and shows it. I see that there is a
little bit of a pride in their work, I think.
Listening to Joe, I realized that my first
assessment was about right. It’s a hub, the
Grocery Store, a hub for neighbors and local
folks and travelers alike. Before he rushed off
to do his Manager thing, he left me with this.
“Bringing fresh meats and foods and
asking, ‘what else are you looking for?’
That’s the point of being a grocer in a small
community, good customer service. I have
a lot of people shopping here and those
customers are most important to us. It’s my
job and I’m always interacting with people,
you know ‘if we don’t have it, let me know
what you need, we’ll try to get it’. And, of
course, I love the fact that one minute I am
busy with some chore and the next thing,
I’m in a conversation with somebody about
the fishing last weekend. It all adds up to a
fulfilling day at work”
It’s pretty well known how difficult
the small rural grocery stores are struggling
with surviving these trying financial times,
with competition from corporate chains
that can under price and out market them,
and diminishing populations and general
economic down turns meaning smaller
margins and fighting to keep from going
under. Read the following article on the
history of Ray’s, maybe there is good reason
for this Grocery to surmount these obstacles
and keep this social connection alive as well.
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