March 14, 2017

To:

Eugene Mayor

Eugene City Council

Lane County Commissioners Office

Dear Oregon Representatives,

We are a group of citizens and residents writing to express our support and gratitude for RAIN Eugene. We have observed or led businesses that have passed through RAIN Eugene’s accelerator program, and we wanted to let you know how valuable the organization is to the growth of a vibrant Oregon economy.

As new businesses navigating the pressures of the startup world, one of the key elements to our success is a community of support. The work of RAIN Eugene, particularly that of Mr. Joe Maruschak, provides that support unconditionally, completely, and at every level. The organization is providing young businesses with the lift needed to take our ventures from idea to reality -- from invaluable lessons on developing strong business models; to providing the physical space for us to meet; to one-on-one coaching.

Yet RAIN Eugene’s work goes beyond supporting young businesses - it is creating a true entrepreneurial ecosystem. Mentors, business leaders, and investors routinely come through the space to inspire and advise local founders, transforming the lonely work of a starting a business into one of belonging to a group of businesses that can collectively shape our economy. Several member companies have dedicated office spaces, yet choose to return to the RAIN workspace to be a part of the culture that is taking shape.

If you share our conviction that Oregon is an incredible place to build a company, we ask you to increase the level of support for Eugene RAIN so it can continue its crucial work. The organization’s potential is huge, yet in its nascent stage, it is also fragile. We hope you decide to support its growth so it can continue to provide a jump start to aspiring Oregon entrepreneurs searching for ways to make our state a better place to work and live.

We invite you to contact or visit us at RAIN Eugene’s workspace in downtown Eugene. We remain dedicated to building a healthy and sustainable Oregon economy of the future.

Yours,

The undersigned