COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. - Who is comin’ to town? If you’ve driven down Gateway Boulevard recently, you’ve seen the chain link fence and heavy equipment surrounding the area of the long-departed Taco Time restaurant.

The Gateway Plaza, currently anchored by Bi-Mart and Grocery Outlet, will have a new tenant in that spot in early 2024.

Oregon Community Credit Union (OCCU) is preparing for new construction totaling 2500 square feet at 140 N. Gateway Blvd. OCCU was founded in Eugene in 1956 and is a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative.

OCCU’s Chief Operating Officer Tracey Keffer says, “We’re excited to become active members of the Cottage Grove community, serving our current members and welcoming new members, too.”

The new full-service branch will offer all traditional financial services: checking and savings accounts; auto, home and personal loans; financial planning; insurance services; and banking services for businesses.

The new building will feature both drive-up and walk-up video teller ATMs. These video calls to OCCU representatives can handle more complex transactions than traditional ATMs.

A Membership account with OCCU is open to anyone living or working in one of Oregon’s 28 counties or anywhere in Washington.

As the second-largest credit union in Oregon, Keffer adds, “OCCU looks forward to expanding into south Lane County next year.” OCCU has been recognized as a top Oregon philanthropic business and one of the best places to work in the state.

The fifteenth branch of OCCU, soon to be located here in Cottage Grove, will be another worthy banking addition to our community next year.