Southern Oregon Organizations Received Over $1.7 Million to Help Small Businesses

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has announced its first grant awards via the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program, which is part of the ReOregon effort to help areas hardest hit by the 2020 Labor Day disasters. OHCS has awarded more than $1.2 million to the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCanDO), which will use the money for two initiatives in Jackson County. A Revolving Loan Fund will provide low-interest rate loans to increase capital and encourage credit-building to help small businesses in fire-affected areas to launch or expand. A Microenterprise Grant Program will provide flexible funding through an accessible grant program for low- to moderate-income microbusinesses, which are often sole proprietors of businesses that are run from home. Federally funded by the $422 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, PIER provides grants in the disasters' eight most-impacted counties to address unmet infrastructure, planning and economic recovery needs. OHCS PIER also awarded over $500,000 to the Southern Oregon University Small Business Development Center to support IVCanDO's grant and loan beneficiaries with technical assistance, consultation and support services. ...Read more

Rogue Community College Expands EMS Offerings with Two New Local Programs

The Rogue Community College Emergency Services Department has added two new programs to its lineup -- the Advanced Emergency Care Certificate of Completion and the Emergency Services Associate of Applied Science degree. The new RCC programs will provide advanced training for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and people looking to advance their careers in emergency medical services. The Advanced Emergency Care Certificate is a four-term program designed for EMTs with an associate degree or higher. It is focused on appreciating students' prior degrees and experience, streamlining their focus on paramedic care and reducing their time to complete the program. The Emergency Services Associates Degree provides extensive training, starting with EMT certification and progressing to paramedic education. Graduates qualify to sit for the National Registry Paramedic Certification Examination, opening doors to leadership roles in EMS and fire services, and meeting the evolving needs and demands for paramedic providers in this region. For more information on these new programs or other RCC Emergency Service programs, visit "roguecc.edu/emergency services" or call (541)-956-7500. ...Read more

Evergreen Federal Bank Donates $50K toward Asante Family House Expansion in GP

Evergreen Federal Bank has announced a donation of $50,000 to the Asante Foundation to support expansion of The Family House in Grants Pass. The Family House -- which is located near Three Rivers Medical Center -- offers affordable lodging to families traveling for medical care, making it essential for patients seeking treatment. With the recent installation of a linear accelerator at the Helen K. Spears Cancer Center and the launch of a robotics program for advanced surgical procedures, there is an increasing demand for respite lodging. The expansion of The Family House will double its current occupancy and be fully-funded through charitable contributions from the community. Support from the community is crucial for Asante's efforts to expand, improve and transform healthcare in Southern Oregon. Evergreen President/CEO Boyd Elkins said the bank has been a long-time supporter of The Family House. He said their goal is to ease the burdens faced by patients receiving medical care, adding that the home-style facility will continue to be a valuable resource for families in Southern Oregon. ...Read more