Cottage Grove Community Development Corporation

The Cottage Grove Community Development Corporation (Cottage Grove CDC) is dedicated to supporting job creation in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Since its inception in 2011, our driving force is the belief that Cottage Grove is a destination location for businesses where their potential can be cultivated and realized.

Our mission

Our mission is to foster community partnerships, projects, and priorities that create a favorable climate for economic and employment growth.

Our vision

We envision a happy, healthy, and vibrant community with ample employment opportunities and a standard of living allowing abundant engagement and fulfillment.

Our efforts are primarily focused in three areas:

• Attract new industry to the community;
• Assist in providing education, marketing, and resources for new and existing and
  businesses; and
• Support special projects that improve the livability of the community.

Cottage Grove has facilitated business development by showcasing Enterprise Zone tax incentives,
available property, and a skilled workforce; provided leadership and encouraged participation
in developing a comprehensive downtown revitalization organization using the Main Street
Approach®; and hosted an annual economic development summit which includes a report on area
economic development activities and programs, and discussions on efforts underway.
CGCDC’s goal is to offer the services and incentives needed to establish and maintain a successful
business in our city: Available Properties; Business Development; Community Tours; Funding
Sources; Tax Incentives; and Workforce Development.

Current working board of directors:

• Matt Parsons (President) Financial Advisor, Commonwealth Financial Network
• Jim Gilroy (Vice President) Branch Manager, Siuslaw Bank
• Ruth Linoz (Secretary) Executive Director, South Lane Wheels (Represents Main Street®)
• Eric Mongan (Director) Community Development Director, City of Cottage Grove
• Georgia Haskell (Director) CEO Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
• City Councilor Dana Merryday (Director)
• City Councilor Alex Dreyer (Director)

Key partner

Entrepreneurship is a means of economic and workforce development. Cottage Grove CDC is working to bring FertiLab Thinkubator to the community in 2016. FertiLab offers a hands-on, participation-driven pre-accelerator program, incubation services, and a network of resources for technology and other startups. Whether you are already a part-time entrepreneur or just dipping your toe in the water​, we believe you will be empowered by mentorship and educational programming. Find out more about what FertiLab Thinkubator is doing in Eugene and Springfield, and watch here for more details in early 2016.

Founded in 2013, FertiLab Thinkubator (FertiLab) is a non-profit organization that nurtures growth of the high tech and biotech startup community by providing access to facilities, equipment, mentorship, educational programming and seed funding. FertiLab currently operates two facilities: A 5,500 sq. ft. headquarters at 44 W. 7th in the downtown core of Eugene, and an 1800 sq. ft. co-working space on Main Street in Springfield.

Our work

In 2011, a group of concerned Cottage Grove, Oregon, residents banded together to address the blight and disinvestment that had turned our once thriving timber community into one of stereotypical rural decay. Three years later, through hard work and vision of residents and partners, including the Cottage Grove Economic & Business Improvement District (EBID), the City of Cottage Grove, and the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cottage Grove Community Development Corporation has emerged as a local nonprofit leader in business development and community revitalization.

Cottage Grove CDC received a $13,000 challenge grant in June of 2015 from Lane County Community & Economic Development to help fund a formal feasibility study to develop a microgrid in the City of Cottage Grove. We have a fabulous opportunity to be the first site in Oregon to develop a microgrid project with Green Energy Corp, and jumpstart economic development and job creation in South Lane County. This project specifically targets “High Tech-High Growth-High Green” and the transformation of “ideas into enterprises” as outlined in the 2010 Regional Prosperity Economic Development Plan. In July of 2014 key stakeholders toured a number of locations identified as potential microgrid sites. A preliminary feasibility study on four sites was completed in August of 2014. The preliminary report outlined the advantages, challenges, and potential resources for each site. Considerations such as City-owned, and the potential to be used as an economic driver for other businesses or an emergency response centers were also taken into consideration. A critical next step is a full feasibility study by Green Energy Corp to determine the best site. Cottage Grove’s City Manager has approved moving ahead with a full feasibility study and will provide in-kind staff to support the study. Cottage Grove CDC has committed to raise the $50,000 to fund the study. Once a site is selected, financing and maintenance is provided through Green Energy Corp with tremendous benefits to the community at-large.  WE HAVE $15,000 LEFT TO RAISE! PLEASE CONTACT US TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION.

Cottage Grove CDC has partnered with Lane Workforce Partnership to offer community resident’s the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). ACT's NCRC is a portable credential that demonstrates achievement and a certain level of workplace employability skills in Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information, and Reading for Information.

Please visit the Cottage Grove CDC website for more information.  www.cgcdc.org