Scott Swanson
After more than 10 years in the 1300 block of Long Street, the Oregon Jamboree has moved its offices to the commercial complex located at 401 Main St., also occupied by Heritage Northwest Realty.
The move, which took place Jan. 1, also included the Sweet Home Economic Development Group staff, which had been previously located at 1331 Main St., next to Steve Hanscam’s accounting office. Hanscam owns both of the vacated offices.
both of the vacated offices.
Jamboree Manager Erin Regrutto said the new facility allows the Jamboree and Economic Development staff members to cut costs on duplicate functions and utilities.
“We were looking to consolidate office space with SHEDG and the Jamboree for a number of reasons,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to split those costs. It gives us a lot more space and gives staff members their own offices to work out of.”
She said that although the space in both the previous and current offices totaled about 3,000 square feet, the new office complex also provides both staffs with meeting facilities that were lacking in their former locations.
“It give us a much more professional atmosphere to work in,” Regrutto said. “In our old space it was difficult to invite people to our office because we didn’t have a lot of meeting space. Here it’s different. We can meet in our own offices or in the conference room downstairs.”
She said the old billboard used to post performers’ names and other community messages will stay at the old office because is it owned by Linn-Benton Community College, which formerly occupied the Long Street building.
“It’s exciting,” Regrutto said. “It’s certainly an upgrade for us, for the staff. It’s very cost-effective for us to be together in one space.”