RCC hires Houck for Kerby site
From our weekly issue dated November 19, 2008
As work proceeds apace on Rogue Community College’s Business Entrepreneurial Center (BEC) in Kerby to serve Illinois Valley, Kenny Houck has been engaged as BEC’s business development coordinator.
RCC’s Learning Center at the Kerby Belt Bldg. (long called “The Belt Bldg.”) is being revamped into an updated learning and resource center. It will house Southern Oregon Guild (SOG) and its new, more glamorous art gallery space; the BEC; the improved RCC Learning Center, and Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge 18 AF&AM.
It’s anticipated that the brighter and more welcoming interior will be completed by mid-December, according to RCC’s Gray Conway and Houck. He also serves on the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCDO) Board of Directors.
The attractive new entry hall will be more conducive for public events and provide better access for organizations in the building.
Houck will work half time and will have an assistant to cover other hours at the Kerby facility. The schedule will be announced at the grand opening in January.
Houck said that the hours will be similar to hours the SOG Gallery will be open, so that people needing business advice will know when they can come by.
To do the job, Houck brings tremendous enthusiasm, knowledge of local economy, and help through his wide network of educational and organizational contacts. He will welcome inquiries from anyone seeking help with business assessment and planning, financial planning, marketing and business-related questions at the BEC.
Noted Houck, “I’m grateful for the vision and tireless efforts of Dr. Peter Angstadt, RCC president; and John Lopez, director of the RCC Small Business Development Center in Grants Pass, for their part in the project.”
Houck believes that the new business resource center will be a valuable aid to business survival, growth and innovation in the Illinois Valley region. He has plenty of ideas about types of services the valley could use.
One is a shuttle bus from Cave Junction to Oregon Caves National Monument for the 100th anniversary of the Caves and the 75th anniversary of The Chateau during 2009. He said that the coming year presents a tremendous opportunity to maximize the experiences of visitors so that Cave Junction and Illinois Valley become a regular, familiar stop on any visit to the region.
Houck feels that this could benefit many businesses, not just those catering to tourism. He and others also feel that with the first colorful new Illinois Valley billboard now up on Hay’s Hill, the community is poised to redefine what Illinois Valley is all about. They add that the possibilities are endless and require firing up community effort and entrepreneurial spirit.
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Houck has many other creative ideas to put forward. He will be working to constantly help existing merchants, start-up businesses, and will look for ways to attract new types of businesses. He hopes to have help from the Rotary Club of Illinois Valley and I.V. Chamber of Commerce in making the valley attractive and feasible for the entry of diverse new businesses.
“We could use another operation like Fire Mountain Gems here,” commented Houck. He noted that it was a shame that the company had to relocate to Grants Pass because of needing more space and being closer to Interstate 5 for shipping.
“A light industry business like that would be terrific for the Cave Junction area, along with smaller Mom-and-Pop businesses that provide a steady foundation for employment,” said Houck.
He said that the goal is to establish the presence of the entrepreneurial center so the community will see a valuable and useful resource. He plans to keep it relevant to current business needs as they evolve. For more about the BEC visit www.roguecc.edu or phone Houck at (541) 415-0561.
The expansion and remodeling work comprise a joint effort by RCC, the Small Business Administration, Josephine County, IVCDO, and Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. These partners provided funding through grants and loans, planning, coordination and cooperative effort “to make this much-needed resource center a reality.”
RCC and SOG will begin to move furniture, equipment and stored items from the back of the building into their remodeled quarters in mid-December. The final phase, including the Craftsman-style façade, could be done as early February, noted Houck.
In partnership with RCC’s Small Business Development Center in Grants Pass, the new BEC will serve Illinois Valley businesses and entrepreneurs as a rich resource center. Individuals will be able to obtain free information, guidance, access to business evaluation and planning, and specialized training and workshops to start or improve a business in Illinois Valley.
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