REV Newsletter
Fall 2023
Vol. 1, No. 1
WHAT IS REV?
GRACE NOTE
I am honored to not only address you as the Executive Director of REV, but also to be back in the familiar and beautiful landscapes of eastern Oregon. The Rural Engagement & Vitality Center is more than an organization; it is a commitment to empowering rural communities by bridging the gap between the resources available to them and their great potential. In today's rapidly evolving world, rural areas face distinct challenges requiring innovative solutions. My role is to lead a team of dedicated professionals in developing and implementing strategies addressing the specific needs of rural communities in order to support their resiliency and vibrancy while also helping our university students make meaningful professional and career-connected experiences to attract and retain our talented young minds.
This is where the mission of REV really hits home for me because as a high school graduate in Wallowa County, I didn't see a clear career pathway that would satisfy my career aspirations and allow me to remain in the community I loved. Years later with much more experience, I see opportunities where I never saw them before and I'm determined to help future rural leaders see and seize the opportunities eastern Oregon has to offer.
I am excited about the journey ahead and invite you to follow along.
Grace Donovan
Executive Director - Rural Engagement & Vitality Center
CURRENT PROJECTS
inREV
inREV is the proposed Regional Innovation Hub serving northeast Oregon. Regional Innovation Hubs are a key strategy in Business Oregon’s 10-Year Innovation Plan to advance innovation in Oregon and create more inclusive economic opportunities. inREV will support local small and medium businesses to gain access to technical assistance, capital, networking, mentorship, and talent development in order to advance innovation and job creation. Alongside several partner organizations, REV submitted an initial report to Business Oregon to develop a hub that will nurture and incentivize the coordination of existing resources that foster innovation and technology adoption in important industries in northeast Oregon including, but not limited to, agriculture, food and beverage, forestry and wood products, and manufacturing
If you are interested in this project, learn more and share your insights with us.
Rural Planning Program
Our initial program to provide city and urban planning support to rural eastern Oregon communities lacking dedicated planning staff is underway in the city of Joseph, thanks to funding from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. Joseph was in need of support to facilitate the city's comprehensive planning efforts and goals, which include increasing workforce housing availability. Through the Rural Planning Program, REV is connecting small cities with university students, faculty, and land use planning experts to deliver high-quality services to small cities while creating career pathways for students interested in public administration.
Eastern Oregon faces a significant shortage of dedicated planners: out of 59 cities spanning 10 counties in eastern Oregon, only seven have access to professional planning staff. This shortage has placed rural communities in a challenging position, hampering their ability to capitalize on funding and grant opportunities, particularly when it comes to addressing the pressing need for workforce housing. REV’s goal is to build on what we learn from this work with the City of Joseph and apply it to more communities across eastern Oregon.
If your cities/communities could benefit from creative approaches to land use planning and removing barriers to housing production in the near future while also supporting invaluable learning experiences for EOU undergraduate and graduate students, please contact Grace.
Rural Transportation Equity Study
In 2023, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Rural Transportation Equity program aimed to address the needs of transportation-challenged populations in rural areas and improve access to services for these groups.
In Morrow County, the Project Management team found there is a general lack of awareness of the transportation options available as well as a low utilization of existing services. Under a new model with the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center and Euvalcree, a culturally specific organization, the project sought to make public engagement and planning efforts more inclusive, particularly for traditionally underserved groups, and foster improved access to public services.
The REV, along with Euvalcree, was contracted by Morrow County to make public engagement and planning efforts more inclusive. Community engagement efforts recorded responses from 293 community members and 18 stakeholder groups. An Eastern Oregon University research team led by Dr. Daniel Paul Costie analyzed survey responses. This county level data analysis was previously not available through other sources and provides Morrow County leadership with a strong foundation for decision-making and improving accessibility of transit services.
FUNDING
ABOUT THE REV NEWSLETTER
REV was recently awarded $5,000 from the Roundhouse Foundation to progress towards getting the unheard narratives as it pertains to the “urban-rural divide.” Our goal is to have a read-through of the script in Spring 2024. Learn more about the project.
EVENTS
Workforce Housing
11 a.m. - November 20, 2023 - online event
Join the our monthly discussion on workforce housing to hear from special guest Clayton Crowhurst with Northwest Housing Alternatives on how to combine housing development with services such as childcare, health services, event programming, and employment support fostering healthier, happier communities.
Jefferson Avenue Survey
Through the end of November, the City of La Grande and its consultant (Stantec) are working together on a plan for the Jefferson Avenue corridor in downtown La Grande with the goal to better activate this corridor and to make the entire downtown area feel more cohesive, functional, and vibrant, including exploring new uses, improvements to the roadway and general area conditions for people walking, biking, and driving.
Provide your feedback on this brief survey to help guide an important and exciting planning effort in Downtown La Grande. There are two surveys, complete the one applying best to you:
Spring 2024 - Get Outside After School Activity Program (GO-ASAP)
Spring 2024 - Urban Rural Ambassadors
Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute
June 16-21, 2024 - Learn more >
Cottonwood Canyon Teacher Institute
June 23-26, 2024 - Learn more >
OPPORTUNITIES
If you know of any EOU students looking for experiential learning opportunities, have them check our Job Openings.
Fall 2023
Volume 1, Number 1
The newsletter of the Rural Engagement & Vitality (REV) Center is an quarterly publication designed to inform its audience about activities of the center. For more information about this newsletter, contact Terri Kaiser, Editor, 1 University Blvd., La Grande, OR 97850.
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This is a question we get asked a lot. The Rural Engagement & Vitality (REV) Center is a joint initiative of Eastern Oregon University and Wallowa Resources striving to cultivate vibrant and prosperous rural communities in eastern Oregon by connecting the resources and talent present at Eastern Oregon University with community-led initiatives. The REV supports a diverse array of projects promoting rural resiliency, workforce development, and enhancing regional resources while providing hands-on learning experiences for the next generation of rural leaders to develop meaningful career pathways in rural Oregon after graduation.
We believe showing what the REV does is a more effective means to educate people about what the REV does. Before we get to that, we want you to meet the people of REV.
From its inception in the year 2020, the REV Center embarked on a journey under the diligent leadership of Julie Keniry, who steered its course until late 2022. In that pivotal moment, the capable Cori Quillan assumed the role of Project Coordinator, shouldering the responsibility of overseeing and guiding REV projects throughout 2023. During its first three years, the REV established itself as a local leader bringing together partners to collaboratively address current issues and build capacity across the region. In April 2023, Grace Donovan assumed the role of REV Executive Director and is charged with building, leading, and sustaining the mission of the organization. In October 2023, we welcomed Terri Kaiser into the fold as the Program Manager, adding her expertise to our growing team. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of Ashley Innis as the Project Coordinator in December 2023.
Our profound gratitude is extended to Julie and Cori, whose dedication and commitment paved the way for the team's success as we venture into the promising year of 2024.