Tag: Coos Bay Downtown Association

Meet Our RARE AmeriCorps Participant: Katherine Hayes

Posted on by Julia Havens

Katherine Hayes RARE Resource Assistance for Rural Environments

Katherine Hayes received her Bachelor of Arts degree in both International Studies and Economics from American University in Washington, DC. As a student, she had the opportunity to pursue a four-month intensive Arabic language study abroad program in Irbid, Jordan. Katherine has also held an array of other prestigious internships with organizations such as Global Fund for Children, Hands Along the Nile Development Services, and the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation. Needless to say, service is an integral part of Katherine’s life. As such, RARE AmeriCorps – Resource Assistance for Rural Environments was the perfect next step for her. Via her year with the RARE Program, Katherine hopes to further develop a strong foundation and serve as a significant resource as she pursues her career in economic development. Following her year with the RARE Program, Katherine plans on attending graduate school.

Katherine is placed with The Coos Bay Downtown Association, which was established 34 years ago with the goal of promoting and enhancing the downtown area. It is an organization made up of nine board members that are elected by the membership to serve a three-year term. The goal and mission of the Coos Bay Downtown Association has not varied, but the intensity has waned in the past. The current board has taken on the task of renewing the excitement of not only the downtown area but the association as well. They have succeeded in the latter to some degree, bringing back an awareness of the Coos Bay Downtown Association and all the benefits it has for downtown Coos Bay and the surrounding areas.

With The Coos Bay Downtown Association, Katherine will coordinate and support various components of the Oregon Main Street Program. Specifically, Katherine will take on the role as Coos Bay Downtown Association’s lead coordinator, where she will attend Main Street Program meetings, work with appropriate organizations, and participate in joint activities and initiatives. Additionally, Katherine will develop a policy manual for the organization based on an identified strategic planning process.

Organization: Coos Bay Downtown Association
Community: Coos Bay, Oregon
Population: 15,967
County: Coos County

Being a Main Street Manager in Coos Bay by Nathan Jurey

Posted on by Admin

Being a Main Street Manager in Coos Bay by Nathan Jurey

Being a Main Street Manager in Coos Bay has some awesome perks.  One of the biggest perks was attending the 2013 National Main Street Conference in New Orleans.  Besides diabetes and a mild sunburn, I brought back some great ideas and inspiration from that conference.  I could not wait to get back to Coos Bay and talk about what I learned!

My board president and I attended everything from “Saving Downtown Edges” to “Creating Entrepreneurial Ready Cities.”  Every speaker had great little tidbits or a personal story about some project or event that I took back with me.  One community was able to raise over $60,000 selling old items that their Department of Transportation was going to throw in the dump!  So many inspirational stories.

However, there are 3 specific ideas that I want to see implemented in the Coos Bay Downtown Association.  First, I want to triple our budget.  This will take a bit of work, but we have a road map to get there, thanks to this conference.  Second, I want to implement the Community Driven Business Recruitment techniques that I learned in one of the sessions.  Thirdly, I want to start a March Madness tournament that will pit the best dishes at the best restaurants against each other across the city.  I can’t wait to get started; big things are going to happen!

Nathan Jurey, MRCP

Main Street Manager

Coos Bay Downtown Association

541.266.9706

nathanjurey@gmail.com

More on RARE

 Nathan Jurey, RARE Extraordinaire, discusses the Coos Bay Downtown Association membership drive and street banner project.