CommunityLink
Springfield, OR
BusinessAs part of refocusing its efforts to revive the state’s economy, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department has placed a new emphasis on supporting and developing industry clusters. This is based on the idea that businesses in the same or related industries tend to locate together in order to cultivate a skilled workforce, to attract suppliers, to connect to markets and to challenge one another through sharper competition.
For the past two years, the Lane Metro Partnership has held workshops to identify the targeted industry clusters appropriate for our area. While Lane County encompasses a number of diverse communities, the commonality of interest expressed in each of these clusters is remarkable.
The life technology cluster is a broad class that includes everything from hospital services and medical supplies to bioscience. The plans by Peacehealth and McKenzie-Willamette hospitals to relocate and expand, along with the continued presence of strong community hospitals in nearby Cottage Grove and Florence, help highlight the strength and vitality of this cluster. So does the presence of Molecular Probes, the state’s largest bioscience employer, in
west Eugene.
The recreational vehicle and equipment cluster is riding high, thanks primarily to the strong growth of the RV industry. We are not only interested in supporting growth among primary RV manufacturers like Monaco, Marathon and Country Coach, but we also want to attract more suppliers to that industry. And a growing bicycle manufacturing and supply industry adds further overall strength to this cluster.
Our natural resources cluster is beginning to rebound from strong competition in the global economy. Niche agricultural production remains a growing market for Oregon, with a particular emphasis on organic foods that capitalize on our reputation for high environmental standards. The local wood products industry has shown signs of stabilizing after decades of declining employment and stiff competition from both other parts of the United States and from other nations.
Back office, customer service and call centers comprise our fourth targeted industry cluster. Contrary to recent reports, not all call center work is being outsourced overseas. In fact, recent complaints about foreign call centers’ inability to meet customer service expectations has led to a revival of interest in places like Lane County, due to our well-educated, highly motivated workforce.
Of course, the fact that we target certain industry clusters doesn’t mean that we aren’t interested in pursuing other opportunities as they present themselves. It simply means that we believe our efforts are best spent pursuing industries that we think are a particularly good match for Lane County and the communities that make up this region. We are optimistic that our growth opportunities in these areas are excellent and look forward to celebrating success in our pursuit of more jobs and the business success that goes with them.
Family Businesses
Cafeto Coffee Company
Meet Alberto Miranda, proud owner of Cafeto Coffee. The Chamber team recently spent a few minutes with this innovative coffee roaster at his facility in Glenwood. We wanted to know the highs and lows of owning an independent family coffee-roasting operation in this part of the world.
CHAMBER: Alberto, how long have you been in business here?
Alberto Miranda: I have been roasting coffee in Springfield for 20 years. This new facility was not how I started, however. In the beginning, I roasted coffee in a very small building on Centennial that is today the Hillside Baptist Church.
C: Businesses always go through cycles — good and bad. What is your secret in overcoming adversity as a small business owner?
AM: I can be stubborn, that’s all. You overcome and do not give up. You have problems; you overcome those problems and keep moving on. We have always had challenges, but I never thought of giving up. You don’t have that choice. You must keep going.
C: What gives you the most satisfaction in running your business?
AM: Well, I am very proud that we have 20 families represented here in our workforce. We have added a new employee each year for several years, and many employees have been here 10-plus years. Also, I love to see my customers enjoy our product. I travel the world to buy the best product, and I very much enjoy the relationships I have in all those coffee-producing countries.
C: What about the future, Alberto? How do you see your company growing?
AM: We want to grow. We want to grow in Springfield and be appreciated in Springfield. I believe it is very important for the City of Springfield — the planners and City Council — to give business owners the right signals. They need to show they appreciate business being here and do whatever it takes to support and encourage businesses such as mine. We are thinking of expanding our facility, and I am counting on the City of Springfield to support that expansion.
C: How is your family involved in the business, Alberto?
AM: My two kids have worked here from time to time. It has been good for them to know they could work here as they pursued college and other things. My nephew works here, and my extended family of employees have been with me a long time.
C: When people think of Cafeto’s Coffee, how do you hope they feel?
AM: Ahhh! What a great way to start a new day! A cup of Cafeto’s Coffee!
Springfield Buick Dealership
Meet Robert Scherer, longtime owner of Springfield Buick. The Chamber team wanted to know the highs and lows of running a family business in Springfield.
CHAMBER: Robert, how long has your family been in business in Springfield?
Robert Scherer: The business, Springfield Buick, was started by my father in 1948. However, my grandfather was also a Buick dealer in Wisconsin from 1904 until his death in 1921. I have been working full-time at Springfield Buick since 1978. Each of my four siblings has worked at the dealership at some time.
C: What does it mean to you to have a family business, Robert?
RS: To work with and be mentored by a family member. In my case, this was my father, Clarence. It was an opportunity to learn good values and ethics that have been in my family for generations.
C: What do you like about doing business in Springfield?
RS: Springfield has a homespun identity that I like. It’s friendly but not fast-paced, and that makes it easy to do business in Springfield.
C: What are the highs and lows of running a family business?
RS: The highs are seeing a business grow, good long-term employees and great customers. The lows are not being able to leave work at work, and that carries over to my personal life at times.
C: What other family members are involved in the business, Robert?
RS: At this time, my four siblings only offer advice. But with so many long-term employees, they feel like family to me.
C: Robert, what do you see in the future for your business?
RS: I believe that the business will continue to be positive because of the changes happening in the auto industry. We always have new and exciting things on the horizon to look forward to.
C: When people think about Springfield Buick, how do you hope they feel?
RS: We would like them to think that we give them good value for what they buy or have serviced at our dealership in a non-threatening environment.
C: Robert, any other thoughts?
RS: A family business can be fulfilling, even fun, but like any family, it requires maintenance to keep things running smoothly.
Starting a Business in Springfield
Congratulations! You are considering one of the most exciting endeavors in one of the most exciting cities in Oregon. The Springfield Chamber encourages the entrepreneurial spirit, and we are always ready to help members and non-members begin or expand their business.
At the same time, it must be noted that nearly half of all new businesses will fail. We want to make an impact on that number. Your best move is to check out the Chamber and all of the resources we can offer you.
The City of Springfield aggressively seeks new businesses of all types. Some could qualify for incentive programs, including Enterprise Zone benefits. You do not have to be a big business to qualify for most of these programs.
Most new small businesses face questions that are totally new to the business owner. We can keep you from making small and large mistakes in opening and marketing your new business. And a Chamber membership is, of course, your best way to get the word out about you and your business.
