Month: January 2015

Meet our RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Isaac Dalke

Posted on by Julia Havens

Isaac Dalke RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments Oregon Regional SolutionsAbout Isaac Dalke

Isaac received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Chicago, where he was a Constituent Services Intern for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. Isaac researched and wrote policy memos on Social Security, administrative law, policy, and veteran mental health.  Isaac has also worked as an Economic Development Intern for Greater Portland Inc., where he oversaw web development and web page design as the organization worked to re-brand itself.  Through the RARE AmeriCorps Program, Isaac hopes to gain more hands-on experience with community development.

About Oregon Regional Solutions

Oregon Regional Solutions offers an innovative, collaborative approach to community and economic development in Oregon.  The State, in partnership with Oregon colleges and universities, established
.  Each Center takes a bottom-up approach to development projects — working at the local level to identify priorities, solve problems, and seize opportunities to complete projects.  These centers integrate State Agency work and funding to ensure that projects are completed in the most economical and streamlined process possible.

Isaac is placed with Regional Solutions as the Assistant Regional Coordinator. He will act on behalf of the Regional Coordinator to move large scale infrastructure projects to fruition. Specifically, Isaac will learn and participate in the work of public appointed bodies in deliberating and determining local priorities; assist in the creation implementation plans; carryout project execution activities; and develop informational newsletters for the Eastern and Northeastern Regions.

Meet our RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Warren Clauss

Posted on by Julia Havens

Warren Clauss Port of St Helens RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments AmeriCorps Program

 About Warren Clauss

Warren received his Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Public Administration with minors in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from the College of Charleston.  After attaining his Bachelor’s degree, Warren interned with Renew Urban Charleston, where he researched properties, assisted with architectural design projects, and assisted with on-side construction.  Warren applied to the RARE-Resource Assistance for Rural Environments Program hoping to increase his experience with new environments and to interact with new people in addition to developing his skills and contributing to the field of urban planning.  Following his year with the RARE AmeriCorps Program, Warren hopes to apply his knowledge and skills in the non-profit field.

About the Port of St. Helens

Port of St. Helens is a special district focused on the creation and sustainment of jobs, primarily through the use of transportation infrastructure, land sales and leases, and access to bond finance.  The Port of St. Helens’ mission is not only recruiting new businesses but also helping industries that currently exist.  The Port of St. Helens works with numerous businesses as Port tenants that provide hundreds full time jobs.  Approximately 2,600 acres of property split between a general aviation airpark, a public marina, and a combination of light and heavy industrial zoned sites exist within the Port’s boundaries.

Warren is placed with the Port of St. Helens and will carry out an array of planning activities.  Specifically, he will use GIS to develop a more sophisticated mapping of Port properties for marketing and development efforts; provide vital assistance with the complex permitting process needed for further development of the Port Marina; assist with compiling various grants; and, help address an increasing need to develop more robust Emergency Management Plans.