A PLACE FOR LEARNING: Worksource Oregon Office Manager Debbie Gargalis shows off a newly added training room where job seekers can brush up on computer skills. Observer photo/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

“I’m very pleased. The layout is conducive to good customer service,” Erhardt said as a large crowd of well-wishers came through the doors for an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony arranged by the Union County Chamber of Commerce.

The ability to deliver good customer service is especially important during a recession that has left nearly 15 percent of Union County workers without jobs.

Should local incentives, above and beyond state-mandated tax breaks, be continued?

“The big issue is local incentives,” Community and Economic Development Director Charlie Mitchell told the council. “The staff recommendation is to take them out, and that raises some philosophical and political issues.”

Jerry Grant is the owner, operator and master brewer of the new Mt. Emily Ale House located in downtown La Grande. The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

Things have not calmed down since for Jerry Grant, owner, operator and master brewer of the new brewpub located in downtown La Grande.

Grant is being honored as the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s 2009 Union County “Entrepreneur of the Year.” The award was developed by NEOEDD to recognize an individual who demonstrates excellent entrepreneurial characteristics. 

That was a message heard at a recent Rotary Club luncheon Feb. 24 when three local banking executives brought club members up to date.

“We’ve bucked the national trend. Locally, it’s business as usual. Nothing has changed,” said Craig Nightingale, commercial loan officer for Banner Bank.

PROUD VOLUNTEER: Corrine Dutto, a physical therapist with Mountain Valley Therapy, recently lent her professional expertise to athletes competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise. Submitted photo

Dutto was one of many physical therapists from across the country who volunteered their expertise for the Healthy Athlete Program designed to improve athletes’ health and fitness.

“I enjoyed meeting with the athletes. They were all very polite and worked very hard,” Dutto said.

J.C. Penny’s early presence in La Grande can be seen on the side of the former Mamacita’s restaurant building. Observer photo/PHIL BULLOCK

Gary Van Huffel of the Oregon Community and Economic Development Department, and Nicholas Kalogeresis and Kevin Clark of the Lakota Group, spent two days touring the city, talking with business owners and meeting with city officials.

They said said they found a high level of commitment to downtown revitalization, and enough physical assets to put the effort on a solid footing.

best wishes: Primos owner Dave Ricker, right, gets a handshake from Northeast Oregon Economic Development District board member Terry Hughes. Looking on are board member Jeremy Gilpin, and Donna Talbott of the Eastern Oregon University Small Business Development Center. Submitted photo

Take a couple of people with entrepreneurial daring and grit, add some help from local economic development agencies, stir in a generous portion of private sector financing, and what do you get?

A healthy new business providing 25 jobs.

Primos, a buffet-style pizza and pasta restaurant with an all-you-can-eat menu, has been open in the Wal-Mart shopping complex since December.

On Thursday and Friday, the City of La Grande will be receiving a Resource Team visit from Oregon Main Street, a statewide commercial revitalization program administered through the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

Last September, La Grande was selected by the state to participate in Oregon Main Street’s Transforming Downtown program.

Mark Goss, president and general manager of M.J. Goss Motor Co. , was among a select group of dealers from around the nation nominated for the award, one of the most coveted among new car dealers.

He was picked to represent the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans in January.

Nominations are open for the second annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards sponsored by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District.

The award is sponsored by the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District and coincides with the celebration of National Entrepreneurship Week.

Nominations are due by Feb. 13.