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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 2021)
8A | AUGUST 19, 2021 | RAIN from A1 businesses. “We work directly with communities across Oregon — and soon to be beyond Oregon — and we work in those communities to sup- port the entrepreneurs,” Ru- ben summed up. Supporting entrepreneurs can manifest itself in many ways and the organization avoids a one-size-fi ts-all approach, instead building upon “entrepreneurial eco- systems” to accomplish its goal. “And what we mean by ‘ecosystems’ is that it’s not just about helping the small businesses and the entre- preneurs,” said Ruben. “It’s also about making sure that there’s news and media and government support and mentors and activated cap- ital.” Making use of a com- munity’s retired popula- tion with a desire to give back, initiating education programs and getting con- nected with local busi- ness-minded groups are all pieces of the puzzle. “So, we’re a bridge build- er. We’re a connector,” ex- plained Ruben. “And we want to make sure that companies in small towns have access to all the re- sources that a metro area might have.” RAIN staff is also made up of individuals with boots-on-the-ground ex- perience when it comes to business. “All of us that work at RAIN are entrepreneurs ourselves,” said Ruben. “We need to have skin in the game. We need to know what it’s like to grow and start a company.” Ruben herself was part of a startup which ran out of local co-working kitch- en Bohemia Food Hub for years. Th e business, Hazel People, produced hazelnut milk but was eventually COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL forced to close when a fi t- Florence area. Entrepre- the community and build young person’s entrepre- the hiring of a local to the part-time position of “en- ting manufacturer could neurs have begun more programs around what she neurial gathering.” As the project moves trepreneur in community” than 30 startups, created learns. not be found. In the beginning of Sep- forward, Ruben added she — a role which makes use of “But then I got recruited more than 30 jobs and gen- tember, Ruben will be is sensitive to the idea that an on-the-ground network- to this job at RAIN two and erated nearly $500,000. RAIN has also helped launching meet-ups to be- growth and preserving er who can funnel others a half years ago and have been working with small jumpstart shops in Veneta, gin networking and eventu- the spirit of community into the program. In the meantime, Ruben businesses ever since,” said where the city set up ship- ally hold a larger activation can seem contradictory to invited those interested to ping containers in conjunc- event where participating some. Ruben. “Th is really is take part in future events to With a a long game,” she help begin establishing con- broad range COVID CHALLENGES said. “And it’s also nections. of experi- “COVID has defi nitely brought up a lot of challenges and I’m seeing, of “I would say that any community-led, so ence to draw course, workforce as one of the biggest challenges right now for local business- we’re here to just type of early-stage business on, she said es. No one wants to work. Th ere’s certainly a shift in what we care about and start those con- who’s interested, we would the resourc- what people are prioritizing. People are prioritizing maybe quality of life and versations and say, love to see you come and es available vacation. ... So defi nitely workforce is a huge issue right now. We’re seeing that ‘Hey, what does the we would love to hear about within the across the board. But some businesses are even having to close their doors or community want?’” your idea,” she said. “And organization close up shop or close for extended periods because they have no one to work, Part of the notion then if you’re an existing are bound- which is crazy.” of a community-led business, we would love to less. Ariel Ruben project is growing know who you are and un- “C ol l e c - Lane Venture Catalyst, RAIN sustainably in a way derstand what your needs tively, we which promotes lo- are around growth, maybe have a large network across Oregon and tion with its farmers market, companies can show off cal collaboration, she noted, progress within your com- beyond,” she said. “I mean, providing new businesses their products or services pointing to the education, munity, and if there’s any you want to export to Chi- the experience of holding and take the stage to share business and farming com- connections that we can munities as possible inter- help make.” their stories. na? Sure, I’ll connect you retail space. More information about And beginning Aug. sections. In Oakridge, the nonprof- with someone. You want Locals will have a chance RAIN can be found on its to get manufactured in the it worked with a high school 12, Ruben and Lane Small Development to participate in the process website at www.oregonrain. USA? Sure. You’re starting teacher to bring business Business Center Director Robert in a direct way as well. One org. a restaurant? Sure, I’ll con- education to students. “She was actually the Killen jointly launched a way RAIN promotes this is nect you there. You want to build an app? Okay, great. business class teacher and Startup Bootcamp, an eight- You want to build an agri- she had never taught busi- week online program which Drip Irrigation and culture business? Perfect. ness class or entrepreneur- will occur every Th ursday So, we have experience ship before,” recalled Ruben. night from 6 – 8 p.m. until Sprinkler Systems in Stock. across all fi elds, collectively, “And she reached out to us Sept. 30. Th e program aims to and our Rolodex is broad and she was like, ‘What am enough to encompass all I doing? Please help.’ And so teach new skills and en- ideas and all needs and all we actually helped her de- hance business strategies velop the entrepreneurship for participants in a 16- businesses.” RAIN has several years curriculum for the entire hour startup training course which is free to rural partic- of experience stimulating year.” Because each city is ipants in Lane County. the business communities Even as these fi rst steps in numerous other cities in characterized by its own particular challenges and are being taken, Ruben said the state. In Florence, for instance, opportunities, the RAIN she has already noticed a RAIN held an entrepre- approach in a new commu- potential avenue in Cottage neurial activation event nity is to listen and observe Grove. “One of my passions in November 2019 with a before implementing plans. LANDSCAPE AND “It’s really about connect- is getting youth involved turnout of more than 200 BUILDING MATERIALS people. Local businesses ing at fi rst and getting to with entrepreneurship and tabled their goods and ser- know folks. Shaking hands. businesses,” she said, “and Tues-Sat 8:30am-5:30pm vices and shared their sto- And then we start by do- I know that the schools are 79149 N. River Road ing some activation events excited about potential- ries on stage. “I’ve also been helping and meet-ups,” Ruben said. ly working together and two high schoolers start a “We’re investigative, not having some type of entre- delivery service in Florence prescriptive. So that means preneurship club or like a — a food delivery service that we’re ears-to-the- like an Uber Eats,” said Ru- ground listening, like what does the community need?” ben. Th rough the investiga- In the last six years, RAIN has worked with at least 70 tive process, Ruben hopes entrepreneurs from the to identify potential within 541-942-4664 Worship Directory it’s COTTAGE GROVE: 6th & Gibbs Church of Christ 195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822 10:00am Christian Education: Pre-K through 5th Tim Baker, Senior Minister www.6thandgibbs.com First Presbyterian Church 3rd and Adams St 541-942-4479 Rev.: Karen Hill Worship: 10:00am Sunday School: 10:00am fpcgrove.com Calvary Baptist Church 77873 S 6th St • 541-942-4290 Pastor: Riley Hendricks Sunday School: 9:45am Worship: 11:00am The Journey: Sunday 5:00pm Praying Thru Life: Wednesday 6:00pm Hope Fellowship United Pentecostal Church 100 S. Gateway Blvd. 541-942-2061 Pastor: Dave Bragg Worship: 11:00am Sunday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday www.hopefellowshipupc.com “FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE” Church of Christ 420 Monroe St • 541-942-8565 Sunday Service: 10:30am KNND’s 2021 Rock Roll n’ Rumble Saturday, August 21 Car Show 8am-3:30PM Car Cruise 6-8:30pm The cruise will start at Cottage Grove High School, proceeding down River Road, before going through the Main Street historic district and looping back. KNND’s Preregistration Party Friday August 20th 5-7pm at Hamilton Auto Sales om Hwy 99. T-shirts and goody bags will be available along with refreshments for those who register their vehicle. Following the cruise, KNND and Stacy’s Covered Bridge restaurant will host an after cruise party featuring the 50s and 60s music of the Men From Surf from 8-9:30pm. Face coverings and social distancing is encouraged. Cottage Grove Bible Church 1200 East Quincy Avenue 541-942-4771 Pastor:Bob Singer Worship 11am Sunday School:9:45am AWANA age 3-8th Grade, Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm www.cgbible.org St. Andrews Episcopal Church 1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050 Rev. Lawrence Crumb “Scripture, Tradition, Reason” Worship: Sunday 10:30am All Welcome Seventh-day Adventist Church 820 South 10th Street 541-942-5213 Pastor: James D. Boram Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40 Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00 Trinity Lutheran Church 6th & Quincy • 541-942-2373 Pastor: James L. Markus Sunday School & Adult Education Living Faith Assembly 9:15am 467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612 Worship Services Sundays: 9a & 11a Sunday Worship 10:30 am Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tue & Thur Youth Worship Sundays: 11a (all 5:00pm TLC Groups ages welcome) Mondays: 5:30p (6th-12th grades) tlccg.com United Methodist Church Non-Denominational 334 Washington 541-942-3033 Church of Christ Worship 10am 1041 Pennoyer Ave umcgrove.org 541-942-8928 Preacher: Tony Martin “VICTORY” Country Church Cottage Grove Faith Center Sunday Bible Study:10:00am 33761 Row River Rd. Sunday Worship:10:50am & 5:30pm 913 S. 6th Street • 541-942-5913 Pastor: Barbara Dockery 541-942-4851 www.pennoyeravecoc.com Worship Service: 10:00am Lead Pastor: Kevin Pruett www.cg4.tv Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Message: “WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” Full Childrenʼs Ministry available St. Philip Benizi Services: 9:00am & 10:45am Catholic Churches CRESWELL: 1025. N. 19th St. Creswell Presbyterian Church Delight Valley 541-942-3420 75 S 4th S • 541-895-3419 Church of Christ Father John J. Boyle Rev. Seth Wheeler 33087 Saginaw Rd. East Holy Mass: Adult Sunday School 9:15am 541-942-7711 • Pastor: Bob Friend Saturday Vigil – 5:30 pm Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am Two Services: Sunday – 10:30 am 9am - Classic in the Chapel For weekday and Holy Day of website www.creswellpres.org 10:30am - Contemporary in the Obligation schedule see website Auditorium OLPHCG.net First Baptist Church 301 S. 6th st • 541-942-8242 Pastor: David Chhangte Sunday School 9:30am Worship Service 10:30am Youth Wednesday 6:30pm cgfi rstbaptist.com Confession: 4 PM to 5 PM Saturdays or by appointment St. Philip Benizi, Creswell 552 Holbrook Lane Sunday 8 am Our Worship Directory is a weekly feature. If your congregation would like to be a part of this directory, contact us today! S entinel C ottage G rove 541-942-3325 1498 E. Main St Suite 104 Cottage Grove, OR
