Innovate Willamina is a collaboration between local teachers, students, community members, and businesses to create a new model of hands on education that fosters forward thinkers who are aware and involved in the world. Towards that end, OnlineNW is working with ADTRAN, a leading provider of fiber-optic technology, to construct a high speed Internet network in our community.
Due to a tremendous community effort, Willamina was selected by OnlineNW and Innovate Oregon for the building of this new high-speed fiber Internet network, which will make us the fourth 10 Gig city in the nation. This infrastructure, combined with new learning opportunities for our students and community, will potentially generate tremendous new opportunities for economic prosperity in Willamina.
We can make a difference in our community, and give our students greater opportunities for growth. Find out more by clicking the links below, or check out our community calendar and programs below to find out how you can get involved.
Making Change Together
West Valley Food Initiative
Food, it brings people together, it creates community. Our aim is to celebrate and strengthen our community’s economic resilience and health through food independence. We will build connections as we share food, food growing, food stories, preservation, education and histories of the abundance of food around us here in the West Valley. Learn more.
Marketing
Willamina is a community with rich history and possibility. From farms to music to technology, our goal is to share our story with the world. Learn more.
OUR STORIES
The Innovate Willamina initiative brings our school, community and businesses together to learn the skills and mindsets of innovation that are needed to drive economic growth in our region. Here are some things people are saying:
Dennis Ulrich
Business Owner
“Being a business owner, this is an exciting time. High speed internet is a tool that can be used to bring new businesses into Willamina. I intend to initiate projects that will use a collaboration between schools, businesses, community and the Innovate program.”
Dave Buswell
Community Member
“Our town has a lot of potential. As a multi-generational community member, parent and grandparent, I want to help make Willamina a place of opportunity for our kids and a destination for businesses and residents.”
Carrie Zimbrick
Superintendent, Willamina Schools
“There is a lot of potential for our kids here in Willamina. We want to make our community a place of learning that empowers them to be the makers, creators and problem solvers of our future.”
Eleanore Stritzke
Student
“As a ten year old girl I think the Innovate Willamina program will open up lots more opportunities for me and many others. The make-a-thon was the beginning of that and I had a blast doing it. I hope it can grow and do what it set out to do, and I know I will be there to help it do so.”
Design Thinking Training: Willamina Together
This past June, local community members gathered at Willamina High School to participate in an interactive training event. The group was lead by Kurt Neville, a CTE teacher at Willamina High School. Organized by Willamina Together, the purpose of the event was to...
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The Leaders behind the Innovation in Willamina School District
Innovation in the Willamina School District is a crucial piece for creating new economic opportunities for the town. By integrating current industry best practices, such as agile methodologies, into the way students are taught, they become better prepared for the new...
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USDA, The Ford Family Foundation and Innovate Willamina: Early meeting discussing plans for the future of Willamina
Last Tuesday, community leaders from Willamina meet with representatives of USDA Rural Development and the Ford Family Foundation to discuss ways help support the community as it works together to develop new economic prosperity Willamina. The meeting was a...
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Art Conspiracy Provides Artistic Outlet for Local Youth
The West Valley Art Conpsiracy provides programs and classes in various mediums of expression. Their annual Summer Program invites area youth to attend classes in photography, theater, cooking, drumming, and much more. Professionals and teachers lend their expertise...
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The Minds Behind Timbertown Together
With the installation of the 10-gig fiber internet structure underway in Willamina, the residents are looking towards the future. At the heart of it is the Youth Council of Willamina.
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Willamina Civic Club Relaunches
The Willamina Civic Club is a non-profit organization established to stimulate pride in our community by its citizens. They would like to help make Willamina a safe and desirable place to live. The Civic Club was first started in 1932. It was recently revived in...
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Innovate Willamina Youth Council Kick-Off
The Innovate Willamina Youth Council held its first meeting on May 1st at the Willamina Public Library. The meeting was attended by several youth and a few adult advisors. They are all members of the community who are interested in lending a hand to our town. The...
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What is 10 Gig Internet?
Willamina is receiving a state of the art fiber-optic Internet network. It will be the 4th 10 Gigabit city in the nation! But what does that mean exactly? Read on to find out what this could mean for the community, and for you! 10 Gig 10 Gig refers to the speed in...
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Re-imagining the Educational Experience
We all have seen the images: a phone of 100 years ago and a phone of today. A car of 100 years ago and a car of today. A classroom of 100 years ago and a classroom of today. Two of these sets of images have dramatically changed. One has not. The world is changing...
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Rural Oregon Day
Rural Oregon Day is a celebration of small towns and rural communities everywhere in Oregon. It was held at the State Library in Salem on April 4th. It was an important day for people in our state, as people can learn about how rural communities are addressing issues...
read moreOur Partnership with OnlineNW
Innovate Willamina is partnering with OnlineNW to offer incredible opportunities to build new opportunity here in Willamina! OnlineNW is constructing a high-speed fiber optic network in Willamina, making Willamina the fourth 10 gigabit city in the entire nation. A percentage from each subscriber’s bill for this service will be invested into an Innovation Fund for Innovate Willamina to use for seed funding of student and community innovation projects.
Willamina Population
Children in Willamina Schools
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