Local resident passionate about community

Visiting the Highway 101 Harley Davidson shop in Coos Bay, it was alive with people, looking at the bikes or browsing the merchandise. And behind this store is an individual whose expertise extends beyond the world of motorcycles.

Al Pettit

Before Al Pettit came to Coos County in 2006 to start a Harley business, he had an extensive career as an executive in large-scale companies, such as Apple and Citrix.  He has worked in many start-up businesses over his career and has helped larger companies expand internationally. But the lifestyle of a business executive was taxing on Al and his family, and after some reflection he decided that what he wanted to do was open a Harley Davidson shop.

Now a Coos Bay resident and Harley Davidson shop owner for five years, Al is passionate about the economic stability and social health of his community. He recalls a more prosperous community when he first came here; now, he says, “the recession has amplified the problems people in this community and in all of southern Oregon face.” On June 1^st, Al gave a presentation to the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Action Team. Highlighting many of the issues faced by the community, such as the high unemployment rate (averaging 150 percent higher than the national average) and the limited opportunities for youth (50 percent of the county’s children come from low-income families; approximately 450 students are homeless on any given day).

Al also made note of how the community can – and must – change, in order to revive itself. In particular, he emphasized how the community and the state must adjust legislatively to support the development of business and economic opportunities, which will in turn provide the community with jobs and capital.

It comes as no surprise that Al is one of the most passionate advocates of the work of Oregon Resources Corporation in Coos County. “The community can no longer rely on fishing and lumber alone, with the housing market hitting an all-time low,” he said, “we need to pursue new and different businesses in order to save the community.” Not only does ORC provide jobs, he asserts, but it also taps into alternative markets, giving the community more economic security. 

When discussing opposition ORC has faced in the community, he believes that while most members of the Bay Area don’t oppose ORC; there is a “small, focused minority of the population whose main goal is to prevent what they feel would bother their lifestyles.” Al cites misinformation or no information as main components of opposition. “If there are economic, environmental or safety concerns, we need to talk, to debate based on solid fact and data, and historic information available,” he said.

As ORC grows, he says it will encourage other industries to invest in the region. “A lot of people focus on just [the effects of] the jobs. But [ORC] touches a lot of people’s lives … my customers have already benefited from the project.”