>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Local recreational vehicle manufacturer Ron Nash won Union County Planning Commission approval Monday for his proposed axle and trailer frame plant at the Union County Airport business park.

Nash, owner of Northwood Manufacturing, will now proceed with construction of a 180- by 132-foot building that will house three assembly lines, one for axles and two for chassis and frames.

He told the commission that Northwood has formed a partnership with a German firm that “builds most of the axles for mobile homes in the country.” He said Northwood will supply products for several different RV makers, including Fleetwood.

Northwood Manufacturing has had its share of trials lately because of the high cost of gasoline. Demand for RVs has slipped, forcing Nash to cut production. At least 30 workers were laid off at Northwood in May. The plant recently reopened after a four-week shutdown.

After Monday’s planning commission meeting, Nash said the axle and trailer plant will give his company some much-needed diversity.

He said that despite the recent setbacks, he is optimistic for the future.

“Business has been trying lately, but we’ve been through this kind of thing before and we always seem to come out in better shape,” he said.

Northwood, founded by Nash in 1994, builds Arctic Fox, Nash and Desert Fox travel trailers and fifth wheels. According to its Website, it employs close to 400 people.

Nash said construction on the new plant will begin immediately and be complete in about four months. Some 35 people will work in the plant, he said.

The planning commission approved Nash’s permit application and site plan with little debate, though it did hear some opposition testimony from Airport Lane resident Ray Addleman.

Addleman said he was not strictly opposed to Nash’s plan, but had concerns over lighting, noise, dust, debris and other issues. He said he and others living near the business park are bothered by those things all the time.

“I’m not against growth, but the way the properties are taken care of out there is a disgrace,” he said.

Specifically related to the new plant, he said he was worried about lights shining in his window and noise early in the morning.

Nash said he likely will run one shift at the axle and trailer plant, starting at 7 a.m., and that noise shouldn’t be a problem. As for lights around his building, they are required to be shielded.

The planning commission decided that Addleman’s concerns are addressed in the conditional use permit. But Doc Savage, chairman of the commission, suggested County Planning Director Hanley Jenkins speak with the Board of Commissioners about overall conditions at the business park.

In addition to the Nash application, the commission held two other public hearings Monday.

A hearing on Shepard Olson Timber II LLC’s application to establish a youth camp near North Powder was continued to give the applicant time to resolve unanswered questions on the application.

In the other matter, Scott Hill’s application to establish an ATV sales business near Island City was approved.