Greg Smith, Malheur County economic development director, makes a point during an Oregon Transportation Commission meeting in June while Larry Wilson, Malheur County commissioner, looks on. On Thursday, July 18, the commission approved a $26 million rail reload project north of Nyssa. (The Enterprise/File). SALEM – A multimillion-dollar rail reload[Read More…]
Business & economy
State sets final deadline for Nyssa reload center
Greg Smith (left) Malheur County economic development director and Larry Wilson, Malheur County commissioner, testified before the Oregon Transportation Commission last week. Both men urged the commission to support a proposal to build a rail reload center north of Nyssa. (Mark Ylen, Mid-Valley Media). SALEM – State transportation officials appeared[Read More…]
State commission delays Nyssa rail center decision, keeping project alive one more month
Greg Smith, Malheur County economic development director, and Larry Wilson, a Malheur County commissioner, urge the Oregon Transportation Commission on Thursday, June 19, to approve a proposed rail project in Nyssa. The meeting was in Salem. (Mark Ylen/Mid-Valley Media) SALEM – Supporters of a $26 million-dollar rail reload facility north[Read More…]
Baker County ends contract with Greg Smith’s company
BAKER CITY – Baker County’s three-member board of commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday morning to terminate the county’s contract with Gregory Smith & Company LLC for economic development services one year after the four-year pact took effect. Commissioners cited as a reason a significant drop in revenue from the county’s lodging[Read More…]
Consultants question benefit to agriculture industry of $26 million rail center
Malheur County’s onion producers likely won’t get faster or cheaper shipping service than they have now if the Treasure Valley Reload Center is built in Nyssa, according to a new state analysis. The finding undermines key factors Malheur County officials have cited to justify the project. And the new report[Read More…]
Vale railroad opposes Nyssa project, says jobs at risk and county ignored its offers
A Vale-based railroad is opposing plans for a new Nyssa shipping center, saying Malheur County officials “ignored” its approaches on how to do the project at less cost. Oregon Eastern Railroad said in a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission that “we would encourage the OTC to not proceed this[Read More…]
Snake River Septic ready to serve Vale
Jed and Andrea Frank’s new business, Snake River Septic, opened recently. The duo want to provide speedy and quality service to local county customers. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell). VALE – The status of a septic tank isn’t something many people give much thought. Until it stops working. “When your septic tank[Read More…]
Vale grower sets his sights on new onion packing facility
Crews are already hard at work on a new onion packing shed owned by Jeff Bair on U.S. Highway 26. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell). VALE – Jeff Bair’s new business is hard to miss if you are driving down U.S. Highway 26 north of Vale. Construction crews are busy building Bair’s[Read More…]
Vale meat business ready to carry on a family tradition
Jace Morrison left a job in Redmond to get a taste of the butcher business nearly eight years ago. Morrison said he has no regrets about his decision. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell) VALE – Jace Morrison has no regrets about leaving his job in Redmond in 2011 and coming to Vale[Read More…]
Enterprise adds 3 to news team as it joins national program
Yadira Lopez joins the Enterprise as a corps member of the national Report for America, which is helping fund local journalists across the U.S. VALE – The Malheur Enterprise will add three reporters this summer, including a participant in a national reporting corps and two college interns. The additions will[Read More…]