OREGON RESOURCES
The City of Oregon has made a deliberate and successful effort to establish active relationships with individuals representing regional economic development agencies. This provides ease of access to technical and informational resources useful for business support and planning. Examples include market analysis, workforce studies and training, grant writing, access to state agencies, expertise in high-speed internet, and information on regulatory standards. The following are some of those agencies able to provide technical assistance to the community of Oregon.
City of Oregon
The City of Oregon itself operates a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to businesses in town. Commercial companies who consider building in the city are offered the use of our technical advisory committee to assist in their building process. This committee is made up of the city engineer, city building inspector, superintendent of streets and superintendent of sewers. They assist in providing information needed by architects and designers for the plans of a new commercial business.
Oregon Chamber of Commerce
Mission: Collaborating with the Oregon Area to foster a climate for business, residents, and visitors to connect, succeed and grow.
Activities include regular networking opportunities between businesses; professional learning activities regarding best business practices for success; and monthly lunches with speakers on relevant community, educational, and business happenings. The Chamber also organizes and supports several festivals and events for the whole community during the year. They are a close and active partner with the City of Oregon. Visit the chamber site.
Blackhawk Hills Regional Council
The mission of Blackhawk Hills Regional Council is to assist the people and local agencies of northwest Illinois in developing and implementing a regional outlook that will enhance economic growth, workforce development, natural resource conservation, and quality of life for local communities through leadership, program and project development, planning, and leveraging of resources. www.blackhawkhills.com
Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (BEST, Inc.)
A non-profit agency that administers federally funded programs such as Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). Accessing its vast range of business services, BEST, Inc. assists local companies to thrive in today’s complex, competitive and ever-changing economy. Our professional staff will meet with employers on site to assess their needs and determine an appropriate implementation plan to meet those needs. With offices in Peru, Oglesby, Ottawa, Dixon, Princeton, Sterling, Oregon, Galena and Mt. Carroll, its focus is assisting adults and youth gain meaningful employment through training, job search assistance and work experience. www.best-inc.org/programs-and-services/business-services
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Rockford Office
The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is to raise Illinois’ profile as a pemier global business destination; and to provide a foundation for the economic prosperity of all Illinoisans, through coordination of business recruitment and retention, provision of essential capital to small businesses, investment in infrastructure and job training for a 21st century economy, and administration of state and federal grant programs. www.illinois.gov/dceo Having established a relationship with a nearby regional office means DCEO is aware of Oregon’s needs and is only a phone call away.
NIU Center for Governmental Studies
Mission: The Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University provides expertise that helps decision-makers implement efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective approaches to economic, social, and information management issues. http://cgs.niu.edu/
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) builds the capacity of community leaders and policymakers by providing technical support, applied research, policy evaluation, and training across the state. IIRA is a clearinghouse for information on rural issues, coordinates rural research, and works with state agencies on issues of importance to rural communities. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for rural residents by partnering with public and private agencies on local development and enhancement efforts. www.iira.org/what-we-do
Blackhawk Waterways Convention and Visitors Bureau
Blackhawk Waterways Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a non-profit, official State of Illinois CVB, dedicated to promoting the Illinois counties of Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside as a tourism destination. www.visitnorthwestillinois.com
Workforce Development
Area residents have access to four different community colleges within 30 minutes of Oregon. In addition to traditional associate degree programs, each of these colleges provides adult learning opportunities and workforce training to ensure that employees have opportunities to improve their skills to keep ahead of the changing demands in the workplace.
- Highland Community College, 2998 W Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL 61032
- Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Road, Malta, IL 60150
- Rock Valley College, 3301 N Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114
- Sauk Valley Community College, 173 Illinois Route 2, Dixon, IL 61021
For those seeking employment or job search support, the Business Employment Skills Team (BEST), Inc. has a regional office in Oregon. BEST is a non-profit agency that administers federally funded programs such as Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the focus of which is assisting adults and youth with gaining meaningful employment through training, job search assistance, and work experience. BEST also helps local companies thrive in today’s complex, competitive, and ever-changing economy. Their professional staff meet with employers onsite to assess their needs and determine an appropriate implementation plan to meet those needs.