As bills flow in, the county’s development company learns the state is stopping payments for the Treasure Valley Reload Center. Contrract issues are tying up millions needed to finish the project.
Special Reports
State’s fund for rail center nearly exhausted but millions in costs remain, records show
Managers of the Treasure Valley Reload Center project haven’t released a budget since October and an analysis shows the financial circumstances have worsened. A recent board meeting was canceled because project leaders weren’t ready with update cost figures.
SPECIAL REPORT: DEQ steps up oversight after discovery of ‘reckless’ reporting by company
DEQ officials say the agency is more closely monitoring companies in its carbon credit Clean Fuels Program after TTS Charging sold $1.8 million in credits linked to false data.
SPECIAL REPORT: How startup took advantage of DEQ program with lax oversight to net $1.8 million
A Lincoln City entrepreneur reported false data to the DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program, sold invalid carbon credits and went on a spending spree. An Oregon Capital Chronicle Special Report details what happened.
Engineering firm was ready for Nyssa project to ‘blow up’ over missing rail spur
Managers of the Treasure Valley Reload Center jeopardized the project’s to Union Pacific Railroad when they cut one rail spur from plans. They had to scramble to reverse course, documents show, after rail engineers warned the project may be “dead.”
Rail project fails in $1.5 million request; another $1 million source isn’t documented
The Malheur County Development Corporation – the public board appointed by the county to oversee the Treasure Valley Reload Center – hoped to secure millions from the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board but the effort failed last week. The company also had no records backing a claim that another $1 million source was lined up. The Malheur County. Court on Wednesday, Dec. 14, will consider again giving the project $2 million more.
Reload project managers mum on interest costs for contractors
Treasure Valley Reload project officials aren’t saying if they’ve complied with contract requirements to put some funds in escrow and pay interest on that money to contractors working on the rail center.
Senator defends push for $3 million; records contradict his rail project claims
Malheur County’s state senator insisted $3 million would make the Treasure Valley Reload Center usable. At the time, he had in his own files reports showing far more was needed, an investigation by the Enterprise has established.
Malheur history: Ontario temple emerges to offer spirituality, hope
This article is from the Enterprise’s annual history magazine, “Journey Into Malheur County’s Rich History.” Copies of Journey are available for free at the Enterprise office and at local businesses in the area. ONTARIO – In 1947, as snow padded the quiet streets of Ontario, more than a hundred Japanese-Americans[Read More…]
More contract troubles dog Smith in public work as business awarded without bidding
SPECIAL REPORT: Contract awarded without bidding ensnares Greg Smith in another controversy. This time, it is in his role with Boardman’s Columbia Development Authority.