Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (March 17, 2017)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 Local Economic development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 As part of an HBC update, Abell said there is preparation for participa- tion in events such as the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally and Miner’s Jubilee, and, “We we do during the motorcycle rally, is provide information, and try to connect all of the visitors and riders with all of the restaurants and the services they require in town, so, we’re one of the hubs, so to speak...” Events include the duck and duck decoy races, and projects include a Walk- ing Tour map and detail update, and installation of Resort Street event ban- ners. He said that the HBC has been invited to be a part of the Rose Festival (probably next year, he said), because of HBC’s duck “mini fl oat,” which could be an opportunity to showcase the community. As part of an update from Governor Kate Brown’s offi ce, Fairley mentioned some potential funding for regional eco- nomic projects (in the pro- posed budget), and he said that, among other projects, there is an effort to connect high school students with businesses in rural areas. He spoke about some emergency public infra- structure damage grants, which could become avail- able soon, and he said that Brown’s priorities for the rest of the current term in- cludes kids, opportunities, and rural economic de- velopment. This includes touring communities— every county, including Baker, he said. Daugherty brought up the issue with the lack of signage for the Elkhorn View Industrial Park, and he said that more informa- tion regarding the area and the properties should be available. He said, “Resort Street, Fred—I’d like for you to walk down that some time...The sidewalk work there—the top is coming off of a lot of the con- crete...It’s a great addition to the community... but we need to be proactive, and take a look at it... It’s just really not very good workmanship...” Arritola said, “We don’t have to worry about cracked sidewalks on 10th Street, because we don’t have them...” which prompted some laughter. He spoke about the issues with the lack of sidewalks in certain areas there (and other issues), and pedestrian/vehicle interaction, and he said, “We have a lot of pedestri- ans walking up and down 10th Street who are on their own, and I’m wait- ing for one to make the paper in a super negative way...You’re backing the forklift up, unloading a truck, and a stroller comes right behind you (as an example)...We always feel left out on 10th Street...” In reference to locations for events such as trade shows, for example, he said, “Our facilities to host events in this town are pathetic, to be blunt...We need some place to host events...” Harvey mentioned speaking with represen- tatives of the Oregon Department of Transpor- tation, and he said that efforts are in place to push for improvements to areas such as what Arritola mentioned. Smith provided an Economic Development update, fi rst explaining that the State Legislature is in session, and, in the interest of transparency, he disclosed his dual roles as Economic Develop- ment Director, and as State Representative. Among other details, Smith said that four local companies are working on expansions, though he couldn’t elaborate further (he plans to do this at a later date). He received a phone call from an entrepreneur in a neighboring state express- ing interest in investing in a new furniture store in Baker City, and Smith mentioned the closing of Home Furnishings Liqui- dator, 2034 Main Street, which he said “...was not based upon market condi- tions; it was based upon a family situation...” Harvey said, “I wanted to emphasize, that it’s not market-based.” Harvey asked about further opportunities, and Smith said there defi nitely are possibilities, including expansions. Smith spoke about the failed attempt to have Grocery Outlet, Inc. add a store to the Baker City gro- cer community (a project in the works since Albert- sons was required to divest its store, at 1120 Campbell Street, to Haggen, as part of a merger requirement with Safeway in early 2015, by the Federal Trade Commission, leaving Safeway, at 1205 Campbell Street, as the sole local major grocer then, though Albertsons now resides once again in its former lo- cation, following Haggen’s bankruptcy, in late 2015). He said to Harvey, “I’ve got to let you know, Com- missioner, I’ve let you down on Grocery Outlet. I tried—I tried. We went all the way to (Grocery Outlet) Corporate... and, because of Oregon’s business environment (he emphasized not Baker County’s), the company has said it’s focusing on other areas (primarily in California)...” Smith said that he’s looked at other grocer options, but, “We really thought that Grocery Out- let would be the right type of company for here...I don’t think it was based on market conditions; I think it was based on where they want to take their com- pany—their focus.” He said that he may revisit the question with Grocery Outlet in the future, but for now, it’s a no-go. In reference to the Chaves Consulting con- tract loss with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), he said that he spoke with representatives of OHA, and, “...they were unaware of the infrastructure that these folks invested in...” as well as other details, and as such, there may be additional contracting opportunities available to Chaves. Books from local authors make great gift s! Mary Vinecore writing as Mary Vine Blacklyonpublishing.com • Amazon.com • Your local bookstore