Success of Oregon RAIN Acknowledged by State’s Economic Development Association

Oregon RAIN Awarded OEDA 2016 Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Award

Eugene, OR (DRAFT- not for release)- Oregon RAIN (Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network) is proud to receive the OEDA (Oregon Economic Development Association) Outstanding Collaborative award, a recognition of the work done to fuel the regions’ economy through an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Presented at the OEDA annual conference on Monday, October 24, 2016, the awards honor organizations and individuals focused on creating more high-quality jobs, developing more vibrant communities, and improving the quality of life in their regions.

Oregon RAIN leverages community, university and business to create an ecosystem of resources and mentoring for entrepreneurs. In turn, these entrepreneurs are able to transform ideas into high impact, innovative, traded sector-companies that are committed to thriving and remaining the in region.

“RAIN is honored to receive this award from the OEDA,” said RAIN Executive Director, Jim Coonan. “It is rewarding and inspiring for our organization and its partners to be recognized for our successful contribution to growing our region’s entrepreneurial culture. It truly takes a community to raise an entrepreneur and winning this award allows us to celebrate our many public and private partnerships.”

RAIN’s network of partners includes seven cities, four counties, two research universities, four chambers of commerce, two foundations, three private corporations, eight economic development organizations, and several angel investor groups throughout the state. To date, through the collaboration of these partners, RAIN has assisted 375 businesses, which in turn have generated $8,400,000 in revenue and created 212 jobs regionally.

“The collaboration among universities, communities, and various entities to build an entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem has created amazing results in a very short time,” said Tom Nelson, Economic Development Manager for Corvallis Benton County Economic Development. “Hopefully support will continue, and we will see increased investment and job creation for years to come.”

By influencing the entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of innovation through mentorship, RAIN has simulated economic development in Oregon’s South Willamette Valley and Mid-Coast region – creating new opportunities, new jobs and replenishing the ecosystem for future growth. RAIN realizes the vision of innovation-based economic growth through the application of real action and resources to support entrepreneurs in the region.