Molly Murai
Meet Molly Murai:
Molly recently received her Undergraduate degree in Community Development from Portland State University. Through school and internship opportunities, Molly was exposed to a variety of people of different personalities and backgrounds, gaining the ability to understand different perspectives and insights. She enjoys trying out new foods and activities, exploring the outdoors, and playing tennis.
Community and Organization:
The City of Cottage Grove is a quaint town of 10,169 people located about 22 miles south of Eugene and Springfield on Interstate 5, Oregon Route 99, the Union Pacific Railroad along the Willamette Valley line. Cottage Grove is recognized for its array of outdoor activities and scenic sites such as waterfalls, swimming holes, and trails for hikers and bicyclists, including the Row River Trail. The town also has six covered bridges, 21 murals, and historic buildings on the Main Street. It is also known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the West.” With its rich culture and history, Cottage Grove celebrates its history with their monthly History Pub event which helps fund the Main Street program while utilizing the Museum and Historical Society, Bohemia Mining Days, Covered Bridge Festival, and Western Oregon Exposition.
Project:
As the Main Street Coordinator, Molly Murai, worked with the Main Street Board of Directors and local business owners to build sustainable growth within the Cottage Grove Main Street Program. Molly was responsible for organizing fun and engaging community events that helped foster local businesses and boost economic development in the historic downtown district. Molly served as a liaison between the business owners and the City and helped them improve community engagement and economic development in Cottage Grove. She continued to serve in this position for a second year in 2020-2021.