Governor Brown to Visit Florence

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown will visit Florence Tuesday to meet business and community leaders and host a forum to learn how Oregon can support small businesses, jobs, and rural economic development.

Florence Development Discussion

• Governor Brown will hear from Florence Mayor Joe Henry and city leaders about the “ReVision Florence” initiative to revitalize the Old Town district and improve traffic and pedestrian safety. The $7.36 million, multi-year initiative includes a streetscape beautification and repaving project that runs along Highway 101 from the Historic Siuslaw River Bridge, with the ultimate goal of turning Highway 101 into a bike and pedestrian friendly boulevard. The Florence Urban Renewal Agency is moving ReVision Florence forward, while Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for repaving Highway 101. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2018 and is anticipated to attract business to the downtown core and support Florence’s tourism economy.

• ODOT is restoring the Historic Siuslaw River Bridge on Highway 101 in Florence. Completed in 1936 to replace ferry service across the Siuslaw River, Governor Brown will see how the Art Deco drawbridge bridge will be seismically strengthened, its railings replaced, and concrete repaired. A major portion of the Siuslaw River Bridge Cathodic Protection Project is to install cathodic protection that includes a zinc surface coating to protect the structure from corrosion. The project also includes the construction of new sidewalk features at the bridge ends and is scheduled to be completed in March 2019.

Florence Old Town Business Tour & Media Availability

• Governor Brown will meet with local businesses and hear how support from the Oregon Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN) is helping local entrepreneurs succeed. Oregon RAIN, a component of the Governor’s Regional Solutions strategy, serves entrepreneurs in Oregon’s South Willamette Valley and Mid-Coast by helping them turn ideas into high impact, innovative, traded-sector companies that can grow and thrive locally.

Florence Community Forum

• The public is encouraged to attend a community forum hosted by Governor Brown. The forum is an opportunity for Governor Brown to hear from Florence residents and local area leaders about their vision for economic growth and prosperity in the Siuslaw Valley.

Members of the media are invited to attend any of the scheduled events. If planning to attend or for additional information, please contact Bryan Hockaday, 503-580-7836.

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