Document text
Rogue Credit Union expanding Thursday Jan 5, 2017 at 5:18 PM Jan 5, 2017 at 5:18 PM Greg Stiles Mail Tribune @GregMTBusiness Rogue Credit Union is embarking on a pair of expansion projects, one in Ashland and one in Medford. The credit union is seeking Planning Commission approval for a new office on Ashland Street, augmenting a 34-year-old office on Lithia Way. RCU will go before the Medford Site Plan & Architectural Commission Friday with plans for a two-story building on its headquarters campus. The proposed 4,600-square-foot Rogue Credit Union office at 1651 Ashland St., across from Wendy's, between Lit Way and Walker Avenue, is on vacant property once used as a trailer park. Rogue CEO Gene Pelham said demand created by 12,000 members linked to the office is pushing things to the limit. "We have the largest market share of any financial institution serving Ashland," Pelham said. "We're at $171 million and doing it out of a four-teller office with no drive-up window." Rogue Credit Union possesses Ashland's last remaining permit for a drive-up window, he said. "The new site gives us an opportunity to use it," he said. "As soon as we get approval, we'll begin construction." RCU also operates an office on the Southern Oregon University campus. In Medford, Pelham said the credit union hopes to secure approvals now to give it more flexibility in coming years. "We like the environment we're working in today," he said. "By getting it done now, we will know where we are at." He said the two-story, 28,000-square-foot administration building on 2 acres would go up south of Panda Express near the corner of Garfield Street and Center Drive. "It's a long-term addition that we won't construct anytime soon," he said. — Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31.