SPRINGFIELD—The University of Oregon and NextStep Recycling celebrated the grand opening of their new surplus store at 547 Q St. in Springfield on April 30. “UO is a critical partner to Springfield, and now they have buildings over here with their logo on it, which says something about where this community is going,” said Mayor Sean VanGordon at the Springfield-Eugene chambers’ joint ribbon-cutting event. The Office of Sustainability took over UO surplus operations in 2022 and began successful public sales for unselected items, expanding the store in the former Knecht’s Auto Parts store. The store is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m., offering computers, appliances, and a rotating selection of office furniture and other items from the UO. ERIN TIERNEY-HEGGENSTALLER/THE CHRONICLE
Chronicle news service
University of Oregon has expanded its surplus property operation to include a new retail store at 547 Q St. in Springfield, and they are bringing a friend along with them. Next Step Recycling will also have a presence in the store, a partnership with the Office of Sustainability that expands what both organizations can offer the Eugene-Springfield community.
Jessica Ahrenholtz, Executive Director of Next Step, says, “NextStep Recycling is so excited to partner with the University of Oregon’s Office of Sustainability. What a wonderful way for these two organizations to work together toward a common goal of reuse and sustainability.”
The Office of Sustainability took over the bulk of UO surplus operations in 2022, which increased visibility and engagement for the campus community. The program then moved to offering public sales for items not selected for campus reuse. The program’s growing success, combined with the need for stable and more functional space, led to the move to the Springfield store.
“Next Step has been operating re-use programs for nearly 20 years,” noted Steve Mital, Director of Sustainability at the University of Oregon. “We are delighted to partner with and learn from them as we launch our newest community sustainability program.”
The new store is open Wednesday through Friday, 10am to 5:20pm, and Saturday, 12 pm to 2:30pm. In addition to computers, cords, appliances, and other small electronics from Next Step Recycling, the store will have a rotating supply of office furniture as well as other small and large items from the University of Oregon.
“Our team is really excited to be able to offer this expanded store to our local community,” said Cimmeron Gillespie, UO’s surplus property and waste reduction specialist. “We have so many cool things from our ‘bread-and-butter’ items like desks, chairs, and filing cabinets to wild one-offs like a pastry case or dozens of industrial brass doorknobs. It’s always an adventure at surplus and that makes it fun.”
The University of Oregon is the state’s flagship research institution, located in Eugene and Portland. Next Step Recycling is a social enterprise in Eugene that recycles electronics and provides technology access and training.
Springfield Chamber hosting ‘State of Business’ on Tuesday
The Springfield-Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual State of Business program on Tuesday. The program focused on Oregon’s economic outlook and business climate.
This year’s event features speakers from the economic and advocacy sectors sharing data-driven research.
Participants will receive an exclusive preview of the 2025 Business Climate Survey, which will highlight Springfield-area businesses’ perceptions of the economic landscape and regional advantages.
Key presenters include:
• JL Wilson, contract lobbyist for the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, providing an update on the 2025 legislative session.
• Mark McMullen, Vice President of Policy & Research at the Common Sense Institute, presenting findings from the Institute’s State Budget Report.
• Angela Wilhelms, President & CEO of Oregon Business & Industry, discussing results from a recruitment and retention study commissioned by Business Oregon.
Read more about the event and its key presenters here.
Upcoming hiring fairs
• Cottage Grove High School, May 14, 8 a.m.-noon in the school gymnasium. The event is designed for businesses seeking to connect with graduating seniors who are looking for job opportunities. Employers who RSVP should have at least one open position available. Students will have designated times to visit employer tables, with half of the senior class attending from 10:28-10:55 a.m. and the other half from 11-11:27 a.m. An open session for juniors and seniors will take place from 11:27 a.m.-noon. Local businesses offering jobs suitable for high school graduates are encouraged to participate. Interested employers can fill out the registration form. More info: tinyurl.com/CGHiringFair.
• Lane Community College, May 15, 1-4 p.m. in the Center Building at the Main Campus in Eugene. This event welcomes students, alumni, and community members seeking employment. Attendees can connect with employers recruiting for part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions across multiple industries. Job seekers should bring multiple copies of resumes; on-site interview rooms will be available. Lane’s Tutoring Center offers assistance with resume writing, cover letters, and interview preparation. Attendance is free, and no registration is required. More info: LaneCC.edu/JobFair
