CHECKING UP: An Oregon Department of Transportation employee checks a truck through a weigh station during a statewide weight enforcement event last year. This month, ODOT Motor Carrier enforcement officers again conducted checks at stations throughout the state, including the one near Spring Creek on Interstate 84 west of La Grande. Photo/ODOT

In Oregon, commercial vehicles more than 26,000 pounds pay a weight-mile tax instead of the fuel tax that passenger vehicles pay.

The weight-mile tax is a large part of the funding that Oregon uses to preserve and maintain public roads and bridges. In 2008, ODOT collected more than $240 million in weight-mile tax. Weigh stations throughout the state ensure compliance with size and weight laws.

Local economic development leaders are encouraging the public to attend summit meetings on economic strategic planning hosted next week by the Union County Economic Development Corp.

UCEDC is inviting all members of the community to participate in one of two meetings slated for May 28 and May 29 at the Blue Mountain Conference Center.

The purpose is to help Union County prepare and plan for the future, said UCEDC interim executive director Mike Sanford.

upgrades in progress: Systems technician Mike McCants and Ted Thamert, Elgin TV Association president, stand by their goal board that outlines the priority upgrades targeted for future completion by the association. The Observer/TRISH YERGES

Ted Thamert, president of the non-profit association, is serving his second year of a two-year term at Elgin TV Association. He is one of an eight-member board of directors, all volunteers who supervise various departments and functions of the organization.

Each of them puts in between five and 20 hours of volunteer labor each month. Besides these, the organization employs two full-time and one part-time employee.

DELICATE WORK: Students Matthew Collins (right) and Jennifer Dockweiler practice the fine art of splicing fiber optic cable. Looking on are classmates Matt Hall (left) and Ady Ayatullah. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

For many dislocated workers, the answer to the problem of unemployment lies in learning something new. A group of about 20 people had a chance to do just that recently when Training and Employment Consortium hosted a hands-on class in fiber optic technology.

Armed with new knowledge — and a certificate of completion — the students have a shot at getting a job in a high-growth, high-demand industry, said Lynn Trice, TEC’s workforce development supervisor.

Louis Perry, left and Jonathan Monschke came up with the idea to design and build aluminum or steel structures for holding solar units. The raised units leave space underneath, which can be used for any number of secondary purposes. Submitted photo

Sun Storage, a new, renewable energy company started by two Joseph natives, will manufacture solar arrays, which come in pre-engineered packages. What makes the product unique is that the arrays are elevated for better solar access, and so that the ground space below can still be utilized.

Partners Louis Perry and Jonathan Monschke have been working on prototypes and developing the business model for more than a year. They officially launched the company at the recent Northwest Solar Expo trade show in Portland.

Bronson Lumber Co., 10514 North McAlister in Island City, will hold its grand re-opening celebration Friday and Saturday.

After a devastating fire in September of last year, Bronson’s built a new, 10,000-square-foot store at the site. Features include an updated electrical and plumbing department, tool crib, molding department, paint department and a new warehouse.

The company also opened the Bronson’s builder’s exchange center, an information hub for local builders and contractors.

subject to seizure: Transmission equipment owned by Almega Cable will be taken by Union County if a tax debt owed by the company isn’t paid by May 11. Submitted photo

Assessor Linda Hill said this week that Almega is five years behind in local property taxes. She said she has no choice but to shut power off to the transmission station, take the equipment and sell it at auction.

It isn’t known how many customers Almega serves in the area. It is certain that they will be left without service unless Almega pays up by the May 11 deadline.

The City of La Grande Main Street Program is looking for downtown building owners interested in doing a renovation or restoration project this summer.

The city has up to $14,167 in grants to assist, according to Community and Economic Development Director Charlie Mitchell.

“While we have a limited amount of funding right now, we anticipate launching our own local facade grant program this summer, meaning that we’ll have funding to do many more downtown building renovation projects in the near future,” Mitchell said.

CONVERTED ANTIQUE: La Grande resident Ken Bruce, center, bought and restored an antique two-wheeled cart, then donated it the Union County Chamber of Commerce to display at local events. The cart will be set up as an information center at the La Grande Farmers Market this year. Others in the picture include farmers market members Karl Sutton, Kathleen Evergreen and Randy Moore (left), and, (right) farmers market member Darci Jones, Rona Lindsey of the chamber and Janet Rose Marie, farmers market manager. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

Preparations for another year are pretty much complete, so mark Saturday, May 16, on your calendar. That day, the market returns for another season.

The market is many things, but mainly it’s a chance to buy local produce from local growers, said Janet Rose Marie, a La Grande resident who is stepping in as manager this year.

The Oregon Main Street Program, a program provided by Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, has awarded a grant of $6,667 to the City of La Grande’s Main Street program for facade and building improvements within the downtown revitalization area.

A total of $100,000 in awards has been given to 11 Oregon Main Street communities that were selected into the program on September 26, 2008.

The award is intended to help La Grande address some of the most important priorities in its downtown that will help preserve heritage assets, stimulate the local economy, encourage additional public or private reinvestment and help implement local work plans.