Governor John Kitzhaber was in Eugene today (Wednesday) to sign a “Declaration of Cooperation” for the new regional business accelerator. The document pledges the state's commitment to the project.
The Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network, or RAIN, is a partnership between local universities, communities and businesses. The acronym is appropriate for the area, and for the growth of new ventures. Governor Kitzhaber remarked that Oregonians embrace rain:
Kitzhaber: “And I think the rain that we’re here to celebrate today is the kind of rain that we need a lot more of here in the state of Oregon. By bringing entrepreneurs and their ideas together with the resources necessary to turn those ideas into companies, this community endeavor is going to make a lasting contribution, I think, to the southern Willamette Valley.”
The legislature funded the project with 3.75 million dollars for the next two years. The money will help RAIN groups in Eugene and Corvallis cultivate and support emerging companies. Local leaders hope the effort will result in more high-quality jobs in the state.
