Ground broken for RCC business site in Kerby
From our weekly issue dated August 6, 2008
Peter Angstadt, (left) president of Rogue Community College, served as master of ceremonies during a groundbreaking event for the Illinois Valley Business Entrepreneurial Center at the RCC Belt Bldg. in Kerby. (Photo by I.V. News)
Seen as a boon for businesses in Illinois Valley, which has a bright future “with strong, progressive growth,” construction will begin soon on the Illinois Valley Business Entrepreneurial Center (BEC).
Ground-breaking for the center was held at the Rogue Community College Kerby Belt Bldg., which houses the RCC Learning Center, on Thursday, July 31. A crowd of approximately 50 attended.
The project will include remodeling approximately 1,300 square feet of space of the current building, and adding 1,200 square feet of new space for business events and services. Ausland Builders of Grants Pass is in charge of construction.
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The BEC is funded primarily through a $300,000 USDA grant with supporting grants from the Four Way Foundation, the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, the RCC Foundation, and Josephine County. Project partners are RCC through its Small Business Development Center, Josephine County, Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCDO), and Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. (SOREDI).
Artist’s rendering shows planned RCC facility in Kerby. (Illustration provided)
The project is part of “a vision to have even more space for business development and community usage,” said Peter Angstadt, RCC president.
He told the crowd of the hopes for helping to spark not only new business development for Illinois Valley, but to aid existing businesses to expand.
“Imagine in 10 years what strong, progressive growth will do for this valley and its wonderful people,” said Angstadt.
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Maj. Gen. David Trump (USAF retired), chairman of the RCC directors, called the plan “an exciting project that will result in a stronger RCC presence to a vibrant Illinois Valley.” He said the efforts of many leading to the project should be applauded.
Speakers also included Josephine County Commissioner Dwight Ellis, and Robert Schumacher, IVCDO executive director.
Ellis noted that the project initially began in 2004 as a plan for a business incubator at Illinois Valley Airport. He observed that the RCC site in Kerby likely “is the best place for an enterprise center” and cited the partnerships that are working to make the BEC a reality.
Remarked Schumacher, “This has been a long time coming,” a comment that drew laughter from the audience because of the ups and downs that have accompanied the project.
He added that IVCDO (formerly I.V. Community Response Team) has worked for years on business mentoring, and that the BEC will be a welcome addition. Helping businesses succeed in their endeavors is important, said Schumacher.
Angstadt said that those who want to help the BEC financially, to help complete all construction details, can contact Jerry & Sharon Work at their Dovetail Joint business in Kerby. They also serve on an RCC advisory group.
Representatives of many organizations attended the ground-breaking. In fact, after the “official” ground-breaking, a number of attendees grabbed shovels and turned some dirt as a sign of their involvement.
And one observer pleased with the coming BEC was Bill Moore, who formerly worked on business development for IVCDO.
Besides Chairman Dave Toler of the county board of commissioners, and District 3 state Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass) there was representation from groups including Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge, I.V. Family Coalition, Kerbyville Museum, Friends of the Chateau & Oregon Caves, Siskiyou Field Institute, I.V. Safe House Alliance, I.V. Section of the Boys & Girls Club, Southern Oregon Guild, RCC Board of Directors, SOREDI, and others.
