The students in the classes described on the instruction page (BA 498, BA 464, BA 465, BA 460), with my guidance, have completed more than 90 projects for the local community over the last two years. These projects have help forge a much stronger bond with the community. I’m also involved in a number of projects that help local economic development. The details of all these activities are covered below.

Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (URAC), La Grande, Oregon

I currently serve on the URAC for the city of La Grande, OR. La Grande receives ~$300,000 in urban renewal funds annually to remove blight, promote economic development in the downtown core, and La Grande Business Park. The committee reviews proposals and makes recommendations for the city council (the Agency). Sample projects we have funded include: the expansion of Cinco de Mayo, the bowling alley on Jefferson Avenue, the Landing Hotel, the Pennington project (Odd Fellows Hall renovation), the Liberty Theater, two expansion stage companies in the business park, and many others.

Facilities Study Committee, La Grande School District, La Grande, Oregon

The school district is considering a bond to upgrade several school buildings and facilities. We are considering the use of the Maintenance Building as the home of a new Accelerator for entrepreneurial ventures.     Facility Condition Assessment Report

 

Economic Development Planning

One of the first projects we completed in BA 498 was for the Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC). We prepared baseline economic data...

Read More

Other projects that we have committed to working on include

• Strategic planning and the expansion of rural broadband for Eastern Oregon Telecom (Hermiston, OR)
• Explore using two barns at McKenzie Farms that are owned by the EOU Agricultural Foundation as an event venue
• Defining the mission and growth strategy for the Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute

There are plenty of other community partners in need that we can serve…

Student Technology Expanded Programs (STEP)

Created and delivered an Internet technology overview 2 years in a row for over 200 students who come to EOU for the STEP conference. The focus was on current trends, techniques, and careers in technology.

STEP presentation

Jeff Carmen reference

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

I created an innovation exercise for FBLA students visiting EOU.  I also conducted an informal seminar for FBLA students at Stanfield High School to discuss business programs at Eastern Oregon University. I’ve served as a judge for the statewide competition held in Portland, OR many years. I have also coached local teams headed off to compete at Nationals.

FBLA innovation event pictures

Insko + Keniry thank you

Entrepreneurship

Please see the Contribution to Institution page for more information on entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship Club (eClub).  In addition to the activities of the club we have also created a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Eastern Oregon Ventures (EOV), to help create and nurture the entrepreneurial ecosystem in eastern Oregon.  EOV co-sponsors events with the eClub and has worked with the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) on several grant applications.  The goal is to bring a Center for Entrepreneurship, and related programs, to our region.

4H

Purchased a Christmas wreath from Megan Counsell’s daughter for a 4H fund-raiser.