Great Faces: IVCDO/Kenny Houck

On the edge of Josephine County, there’s a building you may drive past on your way through Cave Junction. And in this building, there’s a team with a vision. Illinois Valley Community Development Organization, also known as IVCDO or IVCanDO, is a nonprofit that got its start back in the early 1990’s—as the Illinois Valley Community Response Team. Founded out of a federal grant for Enterprise Communities nationwide, the IVCRT worked for infrastructure improvements, educational support, community quality of life, and economic development—among other goals identified from community strategic planning. Of the original thirty-six Enterprise Communities, IVCanDo is the only one still in existence. Kenny Houck, a former Executive Director of the organization, explained that IVCRT (which officially changed its name to IVCDO in 2005) was also the only nonprofit in the country to hold a major concession service contract with the National Parks Service. In 2018, when the Oregon Caves National Monument began renovation on the Historic Chateau Lodge, IVCanDO retired their operations of the Chateau and Gift Gallery, as well as the Visitor Center in Cave Junction. The organization quickly moved to expand focus to other program areas like the youth centered RiverStars Performing Arts, IVCanDonate-Cans for Kids, and fire fuels reduction. “IVCanDO has always had a lot to do,” said Houck, laughing.

Houck shared about his personal background as a small business owner and project manager. In 1998 he was recruited onto the IVCDO board of directors by Meadow Martell, the current Cave Junction mayor. Around 2008, Houck helped launch the Illinois Valley Entrepreneurial Center which was an innovative partnership with Rogue Community College’s Josephine County Small Business Development Center. As the rural specialist, Houck interacted with a wide range of businesses and owners. “The SBDC works with businesses at all stages and sizes. It’s exciting when things go well for the owner, but I constantly remind people that running their own company is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Having had his own startup business in the early 1980’s, Houck cheerfully said he’s made all the common mistakes—at least twice. However, such business experience proved helpful—especially when the pandemic hit. IVCanDO was able to partner with both SOREDI and the SBDC and together facilitated over a million dollars in grants to Josephine County businesses. “Seeing how quickly we were able to get those grants to our local businesses was one of the best parts of the job,” said Houck.

Being a director of a small rural non-profit was not without its difficulties—especially over the last two to three years. IVCanDo has played an essential role bringing together economic development, an engaged community, infrastructure, arts, quality of life, and strategic planning to make community development goals happen. Houck is optimistic about the future of the region and his continuing work with the RCC SBDC. “We have a great team of advisors along with Ruth Swain as the new SBDC director. We are seeing good things and a rebounding business community,” continued Houck.

Aside from his economic development hats, Houck is involved with IVFROG (Illinois Valley Fire Resilience Oversight Group). Ever since a fire in 1987, Houck found a passion in helping the Illinois Valley community learn about fire-fuels and wildland infrastructure that reduces the impact of fire damage. With the fires again in 2020, wildfire prevention is a fresh—and crucial—topic. Connections with the Forest Service, the BLM, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, and the local Illinois Valley Fire District have led to new grants to property owners from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. These allow Houck and Illinois Valley citizens to plan ahead for future fires—and hopefully minimize their destruction.

Whether through IVCDO, the SBDC, IVFROG, or another Illinois Valley team with an acronym, economic and community development is taking place in Cave Junction and beyond—thanks to the effort of individuals like Houck and his colleagues.

One Rogue Valley Strategy 1.1– Promote economic development and business support services throughout the region, including in rural and underserved communities.