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A barricade at the end of an unfinished street in an unfinished development community called "The Reserve". It was scheduled to have houses built by early 2008, but with the house market drying up and jobs leaving the area, the only thing to be seen here is street signs, paved curbs, utility boxes, and lamp posts. No homes. The promise of expansion is present, but when it will be fulfilled is hard to determine.
A barricade at the end of an unfinished street in an unfinished development
community called "The Reserve". It was scheduled to have houses built by
early 2008, but with the house market drying up and jobs leaving the area,
the only thing to be seen here is street signs, paved curbs, utility boxes, and
lamp posts. No homes. The promise of expansion is present, but when it will
be fulfilled is hard to determine.
David Walker has been taking his dog Nakieta out to the fields to play near The Reserve far before it was even created. He enjoys the natural values of the areas farmland and fields and doesn't want to see them go. "They didn't have to open this land up for development for another 10 to 15 years. It all comes down to greedy people," he said, "I'm not against growth. It's just got to be selective growth."
David Walker has been taking his dog Nakieta out to the fields to play near The Reserve far before it was even created. He enjoys the natural values of the areas farmland and fields and doesn't want to see them go. "They didn't have to open this land up for development for another 10 to 15 years. It all comes down to greedy people," he said, "I'm not against growth. It's just got to be selective growth."
In the David versus Goliath world of small town economics, big businesses can literally push the small shops out of the way. The few loyal local customers are the exception to that rule. Talks about allowing a Wal-Mart to build in the city weigh heavy on the minds of those who want to maintain the small town feel.
In the David versus Goliath world of small town economics, big businesses can literally push the small shops out of the way. The few loyal local customers are the exception to that rule. Talks about allowing a Wal-Mart to build in the city weigh heavy on the minds of those who want to maintain the small town feel.
Leona Houston, Director of Operations at B and I True Value Hardware of Junction City hasn't noticed as steep a drop in sales as other businesses in the area. While buying new housing is becoming less common, repairing old ones has become more and more popular as mortgage failures flourish.
Leona Houston, Director of Operations at B and I True Value Hardware of Junction
City hasn't noticed as steep a drop in sales as other businesses in the area. While buying new housing is becoming less common, repairing old ones has become more and more popular as mortgage failures flourish.
"Support Local" reads a sign in front of Blondie's Coffee stand. Blondie's is a locally owned, one of a kind espresso shop. In the background you can see the presence of the corporate monopoly called Dutch Bros. To date, there are 137 Dutch Bros. franchises.
"Support Local" reads a sign in front of Blondie's Coffee stand. Blondie's is a locally owned, one of a kind espresso shop. In the background you can see the presence of the corporate monopoly called Dutch Bros. To date, there are 137 Dutch Bros. franchises.
Lisa Murdock, owner and barista of Blondie's Espresso stand in Junction City looks toward the arrival of her daughter Mackenzie making her way to take over her shift from her mother. Many of the small town's businesses are owned by families in the community. A side effect of that is people may develop closer relationships with vendors than in larger cities. "Our customers have been quite loyal despite the Dutch Bros. stand moving in next door," Lisa says, "Customers typically are greeted by name and claim the service and quality is better than corporately owned places who use hasty techniques and cheaper ingredients."
Lisa Murdock, owner and barista of Blondie's Espresso stand in Junction City looks toward the arrival of her daughter Mackenzie making her way to take over her shift from her mother. Many of the small town's businesses are owned by families in the community. A side effect of that is people may develop closer
relationships with vendors than in larger cities.
"Our customers have been quite loyal despite the Dutch Bros. stand moving in next door," Lisa says, "Customers typically are greeted by name and claim the service and quality is better than corporately owned places who use hasty techniques and cheaper ingredients."
A new fashion of people in an old-fashioned place. As times change, one thing has stayed the same in Junction City; the farms have been the structure holding the area together since its discovery.
A new fashion of people in an old-fashioned place. As times change, one thing has
stayed the same in Junction City; the farms have been the structure holding
the area together since its discovery.
Jason Perdue, whose family has been farming for his entire life says, "The economy is not looking very good right now. We're hoping that things will turn around when people start buying again. Farmers are real dependent on gas costs. When fuel is expensive, everything gets expensive. Prices went up a while ago, and now they've gone down, but still nobody is buying' 'I'd say we'll know by the middle of next year whether things will change or not. It's either gonna get real bad or better, one of the two. We're just gonna keep doing what we're doing. We don't have much choice. We're all invested in it already."
Jason Perdue, whose family has been farming for his entire life says, "The economy
is not looking very good right now. We're hoping that things will turn around
when people start buying again. Farmers are real dependent on gas costs.
When fuel is expensive, everything gets expensive. Prices went up a while
ago, and now they've gone down, but still nobody is buying'
'I'd say we'll know by the middle of next year whether things will change or
not. It's either gonna get real bad or better, one of the two. We're just
gonna keep doing what we're doing. We don't have much choice. We're all
invested in it already."
This Country Coach parking lot was for the workers in charge of manufacturing luxury motor-homes. In years past it would be literally overflowing with employee vehicles at this time. Some even would have to park on the street a quarter of a mile away or take the bus. Since the company has let go over half of their staff and has put a temporary shut-down for most of the rest, the scene here and around the town has drastically changed.
This Country Coach parking lot was for the workers in charge of manufacturing
luxury motor-homes. In years past it would be literally overflowing with
employee vehicles at this time. Some even would have to park on the street
a quarter of a mile away or take the bus. Since the company has let go over
half of their staff and has put a temporary shut-down for most of the rest,
the scene here and around the town has drastically changed.
Matt Howard, the Vice President of marketing for Country Coach says that work has actually gotten more difficult despite the decrease in the demand for vehicles to be built and sold. "Things ran much smoother before the cutbacks," says Matt. Fortunately for him, he was not one of the over 850 employees to be fired. No job was immune; everyone from first year manufacturing workers to gold-watch V.P.s were given the boot.
Matt Howard, the Vice President of marketing for Country Coach says that work
has actually gotten more difficult despite the decrease in the demand for
vehicles to be built and sold. "Things ran much smoother before the cutbacks," says Matt. Fortunately for him, he was not one of the over 850 employees to be fired. No job was immune; everyone from first year manufacturing workers to gold-watch V.P.s were given the boot.
John Getz washes the windows of his wife Beverly's day spa. The new shop sets a new fashion trend for upscale exterior design in the vintage Junction City downtown.
John Getz washes the windows of his wife Beverly's day spa. The new shop sets a
new fashion trend for upscale exterior design in the vintage Junction City
downtown.
Beverly Getz recently opened Beverly Getz: In Great Skin day spa in Junction City. She originally had the spa's location in neighboring Eugene but did not like the feel of the larger city. "Nearly all our customers have stayed with us despite a short 7 mile drive," says Beverly. She claims that the high-quality, high-end body treatment that is offered and attention to customer service will keep their new business competitive in the hard times.
Beverly Getz recently opened Beverly Getz: In Great Skin day spa in Junction City.
She originally had the spa's location in neighboring Eugene but did not like the
feel of the larger city. "Nearly all our customers have stayed with us despite a short 7 mile drive," says Beverly. She claims that the high-quality, high-end body treatment that is offered and attention to customer service will keep their new business competitive in the hard times.
Gibson motor company car dealership has been in operation since 1921. It lasted through The Great Depression, but has been forced to close this November. After being filled with vehicles and salespeople for 88 years, the empty lot seems eerie and ghost-like.
Gibson motor company car dealership has been in operation since 1921. It lasted
through The Great Depression, but has been forced to close this November.
After being filled with vehicles and salespeople for 88 years, the empty lot
seems eerie and ghost-like.
Owners Cassandra Reade and brother Talon Wood wrap up a haircut for Jim Hagler, a customer of the Junction City Barber Shop for 6 years. Much like many small shops in JC (including the recently closed Gibson Motor Company), this one has been passed down from generation to generation.
Owners Cassandra Reade and brother Talon Wood wrap up a haircut for Jim Hagler,
a customer of the Junction City Barber Shop for 6 years. Much like many small
shops in JC (including the recently closed Gibson Motor Company), this one
has been passed down from generation to generation.
Junction City High School was built originally in 1937 and added on to in 1958 and is badly in need of renovation or a complete replacement. However, a steadily declining student population and poorer tax base is making it hard to fund even such small necessities as paper, books, and even replacing fluorescent lighting.
Junction City High School was built originally in 1937 and added on to in 1958 and is
badly in need of renovation or a complete replacement. However, a steadily
declining student population and poorer tax base is making it hard to fund
even such small necessities as paper, books, and even replacing fluorescent lighting.
Cindy Bandow, Economics Teacher at Junction City High School, says, "In the future, people are going to treat Junction City as a bedroom community, commuting in to nearby Eugene. Also older people are retiring here but not working. What kind of people can afford to move into a $360,000 house with a regular job and kids?"
Cindy Bandow, Economics Teacher at Junction City High School, says, "In the
future, people are going to treat Junction City as a bedroom community,
commuting in to nearby Eugene. Also older people are retiring here but not
working. What kind of people can afford to move into a $360,000 house with
a regular job and kids?"
In some housing developments in Junction City, properties sit empty; waiting for a house to be built on their land. Owners of lots have had to back-out of the construction of new homes due to the rising cost. Consequently, lots like this one seem out of place with their surroundings.
In some housing developments in Junction City, properties sit empty; waiting for a
house to be built on their land. Owners of lots have had to back-out of the
construction of new homes due to the rising cost. Consequently, lots like this
one seem out of place with their surroundings.
Fran Wilger, sales representative of Farmers Insurance in Junction City says, "We haven't lost any customers because of the recession, but we aren't gaining as many new ones now, that's for sure." The outlook around the community seems relatively hopeful that things will improve. The general consensus is, "Junction City will survive.
Fran Wilger, sales representative of Farmers Insurance in Junction City says, "We
haven't lost any customers because of the recession, but we aren't gaining as
many new ones now, that's for sure." The outlook around the community seems relatively hopeful that things will improve. The general consensus is, "Junction City will survive.
Parking lots in Junction City, typically containing workers are going bare this year due to the economic recession causing cut-backs.
Parking lots in Junction City, typically containing workers are going bare this year
due to the economic recession causing cut-backs.
James Cannon, a recent Junction City High School graduate says the recession hasn't really affected him too much. I have a good job making cabinets and most of the stuff happening with the economy passes over my head," says James, "For me, I'm not too worried about the future."
James Cannon, a recent Junction City High School graduate says the recession
hasn't really affected him too much. I have a good job making cabinets and
most of the stuff happening with the economy passes over my head," says
James, "For me, I'm not too worried about the future."
This real-estate sign sits near hundreds of acres of farmland across from the site where the new state prison and mental hospital will be built. The prison has the potential to bring more jobs to the Junction City area. With this addition, more businesses and housing will most likely be attracted.
This real-estate sign sits near hundreds of acres of farmland across from the site
where the new state prison and mental hospital will be built. The prison has
the potential to bring more jobs to the Junction City area. With this addition,
more businesses and housing will most likely be attracted.
Junction City Police Officer Brian Patterson thinks because the new prison is a state-run facility, it won't directly affect his job much, but it could definitely bring careers and more people into the community. Publicly funded institutions like police departments have had to cut funding in the same ways schools, government agencies and city maintenance departments have in the past few years of this recession.
Junction City Police Officer Brian Patterson thinks because the new prison is a state-run facility, it won't directly affect his job much, but it could definitely bring careers and more people into the community. Publicly funded institutions
like police departments have had to cut funding in the same ways schools, government agencies and city maintenance departments have in the past few
years of this recession.

Jayce Giddens, UO

JUNCTION