Legislation approved by the Oregon Legislature will allow, under very specific circumstances, construction of houses on low-grade farmland in Malheur County. (The Enterprise file) VALE – More housing will be available on marginal farmland and local government agencies will have to favor Malheur County residents when filling jobs after action[Read More…]
Tag: MALHEUR COUNTY ECONOMY
Uncategorized WATCHDOG: County’s rail team told state key permits were in hand for reload center – they weren’t
Hopes that construction on a rail reload center could start soon evaporated recently after key permits from the federal government and the state were declined. (The Enterprise/Kezia Setyawan) NYSSA – Malheur County’s economic development team falsely represented to state officials for months that they had all the key permits needed[Read More…]
Uncategorized Vale officials see potential development opportunities with short line railroad
Vale Mayor Tom Vialpando believes finding a way to link economic development to rail service will be key for future prosperity. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell). VALE – When Vale Mayor Tom Vialpando looks at the rail lines that slice through town, he sees opportunity. “There is no reason Vale can’t get[Read More…]
Uncategorized How we did the reporting to expose Greg Smith’s handling of county invoices
The Enterprise’s investigation into missing reimbursements to Malheur County started with an email in early April. The newspaper asked Lorinda DuBois, the county’s administrative officer, whether the county was still receiving $4,000 a month to cover certain costs related to the planned rail shipping center in Nyssa that will serve[Read More…]
Uncategorized Border board awards grants to local businesses, cities and education centers
Cathy Zacharias will receive $6,000 from the Eastern Oregon Border Economic development Board to help her Vale business, ExZacht Sewing and Alterations, complete an equipment upgrade. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell) VALE – Just after the first of the year, seamstress Cathy Zacharias ran into a “good” problem. The owner of ExZacht[Read More…]
Uncategorized Development board slams Enterprise for ‘wrongful’ reporting
Grant Kitamura, general manager and part owner of the onion packing firm Baker & Murakami Produce Co., is president of the Malheur County Development Corp. Greg Smith, director of the Malheur County Economic Development Department, issued this statement to the Enterprise on Friday, May 14. The statement is in response[Read More…]
Uncategorized WATCHDOG: Nyssa rail project faces jeopardy as state stops funds, seeks overdue agreements
Greg Smith, Malheur County’s economic development director and project manager for the Nyssa rail shipping project. The state has suspended funding for the Treasure Valley Reload Center, warning that more delay by Malheur County’s development team imperils construction of the Nyssa project. The Oregon Department of Transportation put the county’s[Read More…]
Uncategorized Non-profit seeks contractors to transform Presbyterian Community Care Center into housing
The Presbyterian Community Care Center, closed several years ago, is scheduled to get a major makeover beginning in June but the non-profit spearheading the project needs sub-contractors. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell). ONTARIO – A project to transform Presbyterian Community Care Center into 56 affordable rental units is still on track to[Read More…]
Uncategorized Big Loop: Welcome to the best place to eat in Jordan Valley
Left to Right: Kelsey Gluch, Kate Gooch, Cassidy Gluch, Danielle Stanford, Kim Phillips, Shelley Gluch and Lisa MacKenzie – the team behind Big Loop Pizza and Subs in Jordan Valley. (Submitted photo) JORDAN VALLEY – In the two years to take Big Loop Pizza and Subs from idea to reality,[Read More…]
Uncategorized Hundreds in Malheur County behind on utility bills but new help arrives
An Idaho Power substation in Ontario. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess) ONTARIO– Malheur County customers won’t see their utilities shut off in coming weeks as the utilities and state regulators roll out new programs to help with past-due bills. The Oregon Public Utility Commission has approved plans by regulated utilities to help[Read More…]