Southern Oregon Business Wins Oregon’s Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award

from Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce Newsletter: May 2023

by Grants Pass & JoCo Chamber of Commerce

News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. – The winner of the 2023 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Family-Owned Small Business of the Year is Clouser Drilling Inc. owned by Kevin and Helen Gill.

Clouser Drilling is a multi-generational family business, growing from humble beginnings to being one of the leading well drilling companies in Oregon. Founded in 1971 by LeRoy Clouser, the company was purchased by longtime team member Chuck Gill in 1995 who would eventually sell the business to his son Kevin Gill and his wife Helen in 2012. Their son Ryan joined the business in 2020. Clouser Drilling is a full-service water well contractor licensed in Oregon and California specializing in drilling residential, commercial, agricultural, environmental, and geothermal wells.

The SBA Portland District Family-Owned Small Business of the Year honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 15-year track record. Winners must also show growth in net worth and business expansion, increase in jobs and sales, innovativeness of products or services, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.

During this year’s National Small Business Week, April 30 to May 6, 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration will spotlight the resilience of America’s entrepreneurs, who are doing their part to power our nation’s historic economic comeback. And we’ll be sharing important information about the many services and programs the U.S. Small Business Administration offers to help start and grow your business, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation and increase America’s global competitiveness. This year’s event will honor the nation’s 33 million small businesses for their perseverance, ingenuity, triumphs and creativity. And the SBA, along with valued small business partners, will share important information about the many programs and services available to help businesses start and grow, continue to power our economic growth, strengthen our supply chains and deliver the products and services Americans depend on every day.

The National Small Business Week events will also include access to critical federal resources, opportunities for new business strategies, opportunities to meet other business owners and chat with industry experts. NSBW will include honoring small businesses around the country, educational sessions, online business resources and exciting speakers. Highlights of the week will include an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., a four-city roadshow tour, and a virtual summit where small business owners can visit virtual booths to develop one-on-one connections with public and private sector partners to create opportunities for collaboration and information-sharing in real-time.

“These incredible entrepreneurs show the vibrancy and grit of our nation’s small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “From Main Street to manufacturing hubs and tech centers, they are powering our economy. We hope their stories inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

“The spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in our small business community is part of what makes life in the Pacific Northwest so special,” said SBA Portland District Director Martin Golden. “Entrepreneurs like Kevin and Helen Gill represent the thousands of small business owners who dedicate themselves every day to building a better life for their families, employees and are a source of strength for their communities.”

In 2003, Kevin Gill left an executive level career to join the family business and his wife Helen took over the administrative duties in 2007. At this early stage in their new career paths, they knew they could use some help in running the family business. This help came from the Rogue Community Col- lege Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Since 2006, the husband and wife team have worked with Rogue SBDC advising and training programs which include the intensive Small Business Management (SBM) program. In 2020, Kevin and Helen’s son Ryan joined the company as vice president and is enrolled in the SBM program anticipating the next level of succession planning for the firm.

Today, Kevin serves as the company’s president while Helen serves as its secretary helping to lead a 13 person team of operational staff, well drillers and expert welders. They are passionate about giving back to the people who have kept them in business for so long and are active in supporting community schools, local activities, and events. Additionally, the company boasts membership in the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce, Builders Association of Southern Oregon, the Rotary Club of Grants Pass, Associated Oregon Industries, as well as state and national ground water associations.

When COVID hit, SBA COVID Relief programs provided resources to ensure the company was to keep its team on the job as well as to meet the challenges and opportunities after the pandemic.

“We are blessed to serve our valued clients and communities,” said Kevin and Helen Gill. “The SBDC has been vital to our steady business growth and improvement. It is an honor to be recognized as Oregon’s Family-Owned Small Business of the Year by the SBA.”

Award winners from the SBA Portland District will be individually recognized throughout National Small Business Week to include the Oregon Small Business Person of the Year, Portland District Director’s Award for Excellence, Exporter of Year, Family-Owned Small Business of the Year, Nano Business of the Year and Small Business Champion.

Ribbon Cuttings

Tom Pearce Park Playground

May 4th at 3:30 pm

3700 Pearce Park Rd, Grants Pass

Growing Together

Family Community Center

May 5th at 4:30pm

310 SW H Street, Grants Pass

Rogue Credit Union

Grand Opening

May 12th at 10:00 am

340 Union Ave, Grants Pass

Rogue Valley Heating & Air

May 31st at 10:00 am.

2820 Foothill Blvd, Grants Pass

TUESDAYS

June 13th, 20th, 27th

July 11th, 18th

Food Trucks, Beer & Wine Garden Fun for ALL Ages!

All Concerts @ Midway Park Josephine County Fairgrounds

Oregon Rogue Farms

Draper Valley Rd, Selma

(541) 450-2941

Janice Egan

Email: oregonroguefarms@gmail.com

Website: www.oregonroguefarms.com

Category: Farm

Description:

Oregon Rogue Farms strives to produce the highest quality beef pork and eggs in Southern Oregon. We proudly feature grass raised, grain finished minimally processed beef with no artificial ingredients or antibiotics.

Our Farm produces all natural, high-quality pork with no antibiotics or hormones. Our hens wander our ranch daily, nibbling on wild plants and bugs, producing eggs that are tastier and full of nutrients.

Heroes American Cafe

943 NE D St, Grants Pass

(541) 291-9295

John Jackson

Email: john@heroesamericancafe.com

Website: www.heroesamericancafe.com

Category: Restaurant

Description:

Heroes offers amazing Gourmet Burgers, Subs, Bowls, and Salads. We have been voted the best Sandwich!

Brooks Farms and Gardens

Grants Pass, OR 97526

(541) 659-0489

Charles Brooks

Email: chasbrooks@charter.net

Website: www.brooksfarmsandgardens.com

Category: Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance

Description:

Landcape design and installation of fine gardens. We are a full service licensed landscaping company

Josephine County Historial Society

Josephine County Historical Society

512 SW 5th Street, Grants Pass

(541) 479-7827

Martha Metcalf

Email: jchsmartha@gmail.com

Website: www.jocohistorical.org

Category: Associations, Clubs & Organizations

Description:

Motivated by a group of Josephine County citizens with a passion for history, the Josephine County Historical Society was incorporated in May of 1960, following the celebration of Oregon’s 100th birthday. The purpose and goals of the Josephine County Historical Society were to establish a museum for artifact collections and exhibits and to organize a research library for paper documents and research.

Welcome Our Newest Chamber Members

Insurance Lounge

1221 NE 7th St., Grants Pass

541-479-4975

Joe Voisin

Email: joe.voisin@insurancelounge.com

Website: www.insurancelounge.com

Category: Insurance

Description:

Insurance Lounge offers great plans in all major insurance categories. We will make personalized recommendations in home, auto, life, health, and retirement planning.

Chef Kristen Catering and Jefferson Farm Kitchen

Jacksonville

541-531-6740

Primary: Kristen Lyon

Email: kristen@chefkristen.com

Website: www.JeffersonFarmKitchen.com

Category: Caterers

Description: Local, Organic Meals Made with Love

Oregonized Painting LLC

Grants Pass

(541) 295-6391

Primary: Richard Akers

Email: richardakers87@oregonizedpainting.com

Website: www.oregonizedpainting.com

Category: Paint Contractor

Description:

Veteran owned and operated painting company that provides Interior House Painting, Exterior House Painting, and Commercial Painting.

ServiceMaster

1616 Dowell Rd. Suite H, Grants Pass

(541) 476-7075

Primary: Andrew Bellamy

Email: info@servicemasterbylomroe.com

Website: www.svmcleaningspecialists.com/

Category: Construction Equipment & Contractors

Description:

ServiceMaster by LOMROE is proud to celebrate 12 years in Grants Pass!

We provide disaster restoration services including Water damage, Fire damage, Mold damage, and almost any other damage to your home.

Please call the local crew! 541.476.7075 - 24/7

The Young Professionals Network is for young professionals in the target age range of 18-45 who are looking for networking opportunities with other young professionals, connections to the community and business leaders, community engagement, and professional development. The network holds monthly luncheons, quarterly socials, and community service projects.

Asante, Banner Bank, NiceBadge

First Interstate Bank, Logan Design, Midland Empire Ins., Weekend Beer Co., People’s Bank of Commerce, Jim Sigel Automotive, Hampton Inn & Suites, and RE/MAX Integrity-Bifano Home Team

Our YPN Monthly Luncheon featuring Giff Gates of Gates Home Furnishings was well attended. Giff spoke on things that shaped his life, on seizing opportunities, his mentors, and keys to his success which included “finding a need and presenting a solution”. As a proud and longtime Rotarian and a supporter of other local organizations such as the Sparrow Club and K-9 Angels, Giff’s passion for serving this community is unwavering. While Giff has a great gift for storytelling, it was a fun addition to have his son Nick Gates join us as the official fact checker. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of great information.

In May, we have two events: the Adopt-A-Street Clean-Up on Thursday, May 4th at 4:00pm launching from Weekend Beer Company and then for Professional Development on Tuesday May 16th, we will be touring the Josephine Community Library Grants Pass Branch from 9:00am-10:30am. Visit our Community Calendar at www.grantspasschamber.org for more information.

To learn more about the Young Professionals Network, please email Christie Swafford at cswafford@grantspasschamber.org. Follow us on social media or sign up for text alerts by texting GPYPN to 38316