RAIN is offering help for businesses - new and old

FINN ROCK: RAIN wasn't part of a weather report but the acronym held some promise of better days ahead for people interested in local business. Representatives of the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network delivered that message during their presentation last Monday night in the McKenzie High School gym.

Caroline Cummings, executive director of RAIN, explained was formed to work with people interested in starting or improving businesses in rural communities. The organization is currently serving rural communities in Oregon stretching from John Day to Florence.

The local meeting was sponsored by the McKenzie Locals Helping Locals group, which Cummings said is a key move that has to occur for them to work with a community. Although their approach is different depending on local needs, RAIN's model calls for talking with people to get an understanding of both what is already happening business-wise, as well as which improvements people would like to see.

The Lane County Board of Commissioners will review a funding request for the McKenzie Valley - as well as continuing to fund RAIN's work in Florence, Veneta, Coburg, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Lowell, and Oakridge at their March 29th meeting.

To view a video of last week's meeting at McKenzie High and some local business ideas, go to: tinyurl.com/2s3u83tc.