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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2015)
8 Wednesday, September 16, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Volunteers sought to advance community projects The City of Sisters invites citizens to apply for the Com- munity Assets Technical Advi- sory Committee to advance two project concepts identi- fied as feasible by the Com- munity Assets Committee. The two projects are a field house and a combination project that would include a convention center with winter sports park and elements of an arts/science/history building. The committee’s work will include creating architectural design, elevations, determin- ing operational budget and reviewing financing options. Tasks will include preliminary design and cost analysis, solic- iting rough bids and research- ing relevant financing options. Individuals skilled in busi- ness development, design and architecture, and financing are encouraged to apply. The City will accept appli- cations from people residing both inside and outside city limits and the mayor, with council concurrence, will appoint a minimum of five committee members. Meeting times and frequency will be determined by committee members. Applications can be picked up at the reception desk at City Hall located at 520 E. Cascade Ave. or on the City’s website at www. ci.sisters.or.us under the City Committees page. Submit applications by September 25. For additional information, contact City Recorder Kathy Nelson by email at knelson@ ci.sisters.or.us or by calling 541-323-5213. Metabolic Maintenance to celebrate new location By Jim cornelius News Editor Ed Fitzjarrell had a big decision to make when it became clear that the com- pany he founded, Metabolic Maintenance Products (MMP), had outgrown its longtime headquarters on Pine Street in Sisters: Should they stay or should they go? “I wanted to move it, mostly for tax reasons,” Fitzjarrell said. “I looked at Nevada, Texas. I was courted by the Nevada folks real hard.” But virtually none of the approximately 39 people employed by the nutriceutical manufacturer were willing to make a move. And that was a game-changing consideration for Fitzjarrell. “Our biggest assets are our people,” he said. So the company started looking for the right space. Fitzjarrell had always admired the building that once housed Weitech and then Multnomah Publishing. “It’s the nicest building in Sisters, in my opinion,” he said. MMP purchased the build- ing and moved its manufac- turing and office operations there this spring. The move provided 32,000 square feet of space, nearly double that of the original Pine Street location. But it still may not be sufficient for the growing company. “It’s probably going to double within the next three to five years,” Fitzjarrell said. “Then what are we going to do?” That’s an issue for another day. Right now, MMP is hosting an open house on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the new space on Larch Street, across from the Sisters Post Office — and to give the community a glimpse of one of the most quietly suc- cessful operations in Sisters’ “hidden economy.” Fitzjarrell notes that the company has been in Sisters for 22 years — yet few peo- ple know what they do. So folks can come out to the open house and enjoy food, beverages, and live music — and get “a behind-the-scenes glimpse of who we are.” MMP manufactures high- quality supplements, work- ing directly with doctors and other healthcare providers. “We were the first to make products with no binders or fillers — non-nutritive (com- ponents),” Fitzjarrell said. “We led the charge on that.” The company works with 18,000 doctors and takes photo by Jim CorneLius ed fitzjarrell has doubled down on his company’s commitment to Sisters. their input on what they’d like to see in products that support their patients’ health. Fitzjarrell notes that the com- pany is currently sponsor- ing studies on the impact of diet and supplementation on chronic fatigue, autism and problem pregnancies. The business model has put the company on a steady upward trajectory in sales and given it international reach. And, with the acquisi- tion of a new headquarters, Fitzjarrell has affirmed the company’s commitment to operating out of Sisters. For more information, visit http://www.metabolic maintenance.com.