UO President Michael Gottfredson attended a signing ceremony in the governor's office on Monday for legislation that authorized the Oregon Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN) initiative in the south Willamette Valley.

The initiative, which received $3.75 million in legislative funding, calls for a partnership among the UO, Oregon State University, Eugene, Corvallis, Springfield, Albany, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and other regional entities. The program will include facilities adjacent to the state’s two large research universities to encourage innovation-based companies and research-inspired startups.

President Gottfredson also had lunch in Salem with Gov. John Kitzhaber's appointees to serve on the initial UO Board of Trustees. The Oregon Senate's Interim Committee on Rules and Executive Appointments held hearings on the appointments Monday afternoon and forwarded them to the full Senate for a confirmation vote on Wednesday.

- from the UO Office of Strategic Communications