Strengthening and diversifying our economy with new jobs.

Under Sid's leadership, Springfield has prospered. Since 2000, more than $1 billion of new investments have help diversify the town’s economy and create news job opportunities for local families. 

Investment dollars equate to thousands of sustained local jobs in areas such as new construction, healthcare, retail, professional services, consumer, travel and food service industries. And while the recent downturn affects all industries with unemployment dramatically increasing, Sid has challenged the community to work together on ways to get folks back to work.

Sid Leiken follows the philosophy that a community's success is achieved with a strong local economy where new jobs are welcome and existing companies can grow and expand.

The background and experience we need.

Sid was born in Roseburg and grew up around Oregon’s timber base. He is a graduate of South Eugene High School. He attended the University of Texas-Arlington and graduated from Northwest Christian College.

Sid values education, advocating literacy through the Springfield Public Library and Springfield Public Schools and is a former Board of Trustees member for NCC. 

Prior to joining the city council in 1999, Sid served on the Springfield budget committee. Elected to his first term as Mayor in 2000, Sid has been re-elected twice.

In his professional career, Sid owned a local dry cleaning business that was one of the first to incorporate “green” cleaning systems through the use of “wet” technologies. He has also worked in the banking industry as a commercial lender and today operates his own consulting firm. 

Making Oregon a safer place to live, work and play.

Sid understands that disaster may strike at any time, and that we all need to be prepared for an emergency. While a member of Oregon’s Domestic Preparedness Working Group (DPWG), Sid provided emergency preparedness guidance to state and local governments and agencies, including evacuation planning.

Sid also served as a member of the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority Board, which monitors air quality. While on the Board, he advocated for projects to encourage local biodiesel production and usage, create incentives for trucking companies to install engines that emit less pollution while idling, and assist school bus companies in cleaning up their exhaust.  

Building partnerships that work for Oregon.

Sid Leiken understands the importance of hard-work, and working together. From bringing new jobs to Oregon to making families more safe, Sid has a long history of bringing together people with varying interests, backgrounds and beliefs, and forging them into a group to keep us charging forward. 

Driving Oregon transportation solutions.

Sid chairs the Transportation Committee of the League of Oregon Cities, which reviews state and Federal legislation and encourages projects for coastal shipping, streets and roads, traffic safety, and public transit. Governor Kulongoski recognized his expertise by appointing Sid to the Governors Transportation Governance and Vision Committee. Sid's upbringing and family relationships in Douglas County spur him to promote freight rail as a vital part of the economy in the 4th Congressional District and the entire country. 

Growing Oregon’s tourism base.

Whether visiting for a day or planning to stay, people come to our region because of the natural beauty of our public beaches, parks, forests, trails, waterways, and mountains. Visitors support our local economies and the small businesses that offer dining, lodging, tours and recreation. 

While a member of the advisory board, Sid helped rebrand CVALCO into their new name, Travel Lane County, which attracts new facebook fans every day. Sid Leiken understands firsthand that local jobs depend on our efforts to protect our viability and increase our visibility nationwide.