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Riding out the slump

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major employer: Boise Cascade employs about 700 workers in Union County, and supports related businesses like logging companies. Above, a log truck is unloaded recently at the La Grande mill. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER
Tom Insko, manager of Boise Cascade’s Inland Region, isn’t expecting a major business disaster for his company as the country struggles through a troublesome crisis in the home construction  industry.

But tough times have already begun, and Insko looks for them to be around awhile.

“Overall the industry is in a major downturn,” said Insko, who oversees four wood products manufacturing plants in Union County and one in Kettle Falls, Wash. “This is the worst I’ve seen it in a number of product markets. It’s probably the worst in the last 40 or 50 years.”

 

Veterans clinic takes shape

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The VAoutpatient clinic in La Grande is being built mostly by Union County contractors, including Summit Construction, Ken Wallace Plumbing, All-Phase Electrical and Danforth Construction. - Observer photos/PHIL BULLOCK
Several local contracting companies have stayed busy through this winter’s wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow, braving it all to build the new VA outpatient clinic on 12th Street near Gekeler Lane.

It hasn’t been easy. There’s been plenty of stop and go.

“Leave it to me to try and do something like this in the winter,” developer Fred Bell said with a laugh.

 

Local real estate market on upward trend

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Graphic/ANDREW LILLY
Even though the country as a whole is suffering through a housing market crisis, Union County looks mainly unscathed.

That's the word from local Realtor Andrew Lilly, who gathers Multiple Listing Service statistics for the Union County Board of Realtors.

 

Business development workshop set for March 18

Local business people should mark their calendars for upcoming educational opportunities sponsored by the Union County Employer Committee.

On March 18, the committee will host its Business Development Workshop, including a session with representatives from the state Bureau of Labor and Industry, and a workshop on identity theft, fraud and security.

The all-day wage and hour seminar covers a multitude of workplace policies and practices, and offers employers tips on how to stay in compliance.

 

$10,000 grant boosts tourism marketing

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SPREADING THE WORD: Grant money recently received from Travel Oregon will help the Eastern Oregon Visitors association to place more full-age ads like the ones pictured above.
More people with a yen to travel will be getting a look at what Eastern Oregon has to offer, thanks to a grant from the Oregon Tourism Commission.

Even some in Europe.

 

Up and running

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Construction of the $150 million wind farm began last March. The turbines began operating full-time on Dec. 27. - Observer file photo
Telocaset Wind Power Partners, a subsidiary of Horizon Wind Energy, recently "went commercial" with the electricity produced by the turbines at the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm in southern Union County.

"We're changing over," said Project Manager Tom Burke. "As we get our power up, we're turning things over to our operations group."

 

Wallowa Union Railroad Board get look at draft business plan

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Union and Wallowa counties financed purchase of the railroad from Idaho Northern in 2002, borrowing a total of $5.5 million from the state. Some $2 million of the $6.5 million purchase price was paid with Oregon Lottery funds. - The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH
The Wallowa Union Railroad Authority took another step toward adopting a business plan recently, reviewing a document submitted by consultants and readying it for submission to the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

In a meeting Dec. 11, the WURA board of directors looked at a draft of the plan, including an executive summary. The board had seen portions of the plan earlier, but delayed detailed discussion until completion of the summary.

 

Applicants vie for ConnectOregon grants

The Oregon Department of Transportation has received 78 applications — including one from Union County — for the $100 million multimodal transportation program, ConnectOregon.

Some of the applicants will go away disappointed when the funds are awarded, however. The department said the requests from throughout ODOT's five regions totaled $214 million.

Region 5, covering Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties, produced 14 applications, seeking a total of $48.3 million.

 

Area merchants report strong holiday sales

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Emerging to the forefront as hot sellers this holiday season are board games, said Dave Campbell, background, of the Hobby Habit in La Grande. - The Observer/PHIL BULLOCK
Maybe it's got something to do with the kicker. Or maybe, it's just good old, down-home holiday spirit come back to roost.

With less than a week to go in the 2007 holiday shopping season, merchants in Union and Wallowa Counties are upbeat, with most seeing their sales match — and in some cases, exceed — those of last year.

It can't hurt that the State of Oregon refunded $1.1 billion to taxpayers this month. The kicker checks fatten the average person's wallet by about $600, and that's a fine holiday windfall in anybody's book.

 

Makeup of UCEDC Board to change

The Union County Economic Development Corp. recently made a bylaw change that will significantly affect the makeup of the board of directors — and maybe help to smooth over a long-running argument with members of the La Grande City Council.

Currently, the UCEDC board includes four appointees from the City of La Grande, four from Union County, and four from the La Grande Industrial Development Corp., also known as the "ID Board."

 
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