Union County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Loudermilk is leaving her post April 1. - The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

Loudermilk, at the chamber helm the past nine years, said this week she is leaving for personal family reasons. She declined to elaborate, but did say she will be moving to Sunriver.

“Sometimes you have to make a decision like this, and I finally did,” she said.

Award winner: Greg Barreto of Baretto Manufacturing and Lisa Dawson of the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District share a light moment during Thursday’s PubTalk at Foley Station. Baretto was named the NEOEDD’s Union County Entrepreneur of the Year. - The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH

Celebrating National Entrepreneurs Week, the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District tapped Greg Barreto of Union County and Kathy Shoemaker of Wallowa County for the district’s first Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

Research tour: Union County Leadership, which will highlight area medical facilities in its upcoming video, recently toured Grande Ronde Hospital’s operating room. Program participants pictured front row left to right are Tina Baxter, Debera White, Annette Shelton-Tiderman, John Cavin, Kelly O’Neil, Randy Lindsey and Sandra Patterson; back row left to right are Charles Sarrett, Kyle Evans, Jon Larkin, Brian Hanley, Kurt Lenhoff and Jay Pounder. - Submitted photo

The main character is Union County itself, with all its scenic splendor, recreational opportunities and cultural and economic diversity.

Union County gained a little bit in population last year, while Wallowa County lost a few people, according to figures released recently by Portland State University.

Each year, PSU makes population estimates for Oregon, its counties and incorporated cities. Estimates completed in July and certified in December show Union County gaining 140 people, for a 0.6 percent population growth between 2006 and 2007, and Wallowa County losing 10 residents, or 0.1 percent

TRYING IT OUT: Carol Weaver, wife of Valley Bronze worker David Weaver, climbs the ornate staircase her hu band helped build. Other Valley Bronze workers involved in the project included Project Supervisor Kent Weaver, Christopher Asbell, Sam Rickert and Douglas Smith. - Submitted photos

The highlight of Valley Bronze’s work was the building of two spiral staircases in the new House and Senate expansion. The expansion project was the largest in the Capitol’s history.

Unemployment climbed upward in Union and Wallowa counties in December, hovering above the jobless percentages for both Oregon and the nation.

According to a report from Jason Yohannan, a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department, Union County had an estimated 7.2 percent unemployment rate for the month.

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

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.”

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

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.