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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2024)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Christmas Business Page Continued Heppner Auto Parts Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Your local NAPA stocks auto parts, tools and equipment and many other items. Stop in today. Happy Holidays to our loyal customers! We look forward to serving you in the New Year Open December 23rd all day and open until noon on the 24th. We will be closed the 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th and the 29th. We will open at 7:00 am on the 30th with regular hours the 30th and 31st. Closed the 1st of January. 541-676-5009 186 E May Street, Heppner Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Call or text 458-318-8675 Hours: Saturday 11 am to 6 pm Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm Monday 11 am to 6 p m 177 N Main St. Heppner, Or 97836 O: 541-676-9228 E:sykeschris@hotmail.com Heppner, Oregon Heppner council hears update from WCVEDG Willow Creek Valley Economic Development Group’s work includes funding to help revi- talize the Heppner Chamber of Commerce. That support has spurred developments like Market 87 on Heppner’s Main Street, which now houses more than 30 vendors. -Photo by Brooke Christy -Continued from PAGE ONE totaling $373,000. WCVEDG also offers incentives for lot develop- ment, abatement and new housing, as well as working on construction projects of its own. The group has already built three townhouse du- plexes, and Coil said they are planning something a little bit “different” next. WCVEDG has bought lots in Heppner and plans to build two 1,000-square- foot, single-level homes. The housing is targeted at seniors looking to downsize into something smaller and more manageable. “So, if you’re in a four-bedroom, two-bath- room home, several floors, you would move into this home that’s smaller, lower maintenance,” said Coil. The small homes also have low-maintenance landscaping and will be within easy walking dis- tance of downtown Hep- pner. WCVEDG plans to begin that project within the next few weeks. Coil also said that WCVEDG hopes those homes will open the way for building family-sized homes in the future. They are also consid- ering gathering resources and professionals to help those who want to build new homes for themselves. “There’s a lot of things to know about it, and maybe we would do that so people could just get their foot in the door and figure out what it takes to get a construction project going,” she said. WCVEDG is also brainstorming other ways to promote new and reha- bilitated housing in South Morrow, including flood plain management—a huge concern in Heppner. “That impacts every project we look at, every project anybody looks at,” she said. While housing is a hot topic, that doesn’t mean WCVEDG hasn’t been busy in other areas. Coil said they also invested $129,000 in new and ex- isting businesses last year. They have also pro- vided technical assistance catered to entrepreneurs and small businesses. One project she said they are excited about is a collabora- tion with Heppner Chamber of Commerce, Reinventing Rural and Business Oregon to provide small business startup training classes, as well as grants and financial assistance. “So that’s been a great program,” she said. Last year, WCVEDG also gave $15,000 to South Morrow County Seniors Matter, which she says that organization then leveraged into more than $150,000 dollars in grants. “And they’re serving nearly 70 people every week at that meal site,” Coil said. South Morrow Seniors Matter has also added vet- erans’ lunches, exercise classes and social outings. “We’re really proud of what they have done. It’s just incredible,” she said. WCVEDG also helped with the roof at Willow Creek Terrace and a heat- ing and cooling system at St. Patrick’s Senior Apart- ments. As far as childcare, Coil said they put $250,000 toward a new South Mor- row childcare facility this year. “The day care took that seed money and has successfully raised over $900,000 to date,” she said. “That’s what we’re trying to do,” she added. “Take our money and do something with it.” WCVEDG also pro- vides community enhance- ment grants every spring. In 2024, WCVEDG granted more than $260,000 for 12 community projects. Those projects ended up having a total value of more than $850,000, she said. Coil said WCVEDG re- ceives administrative fund- ing from the county, which the group has passed on to the Heppner Chamber of Commerce to revitalize that organization. “And this revitalization of the chamber is having an exciting and significant impact for the chamber and their members,” she said. One such impact is the new Market 87 on Hep- pner’s Main Street, which now has more than 30 ven- dors. To date, they’ve sold more than $9,500 worth of merchandise, with $4,000 in local sales in the first month. “It’s a really neat little store,” she added. Also at the meeting was Morrow County Commis- sioner-elect Gus Peterson. He spoke briefly and said that, though he couldn’t get to every single meeting in the county, he wanted to be at a lot of them. “I want to be somebody that people feel like is in- volved and active, and that you know where you can find me and talk to me if you want to,” Peterson said. The council also passed a resolution accepting the results of the recent elec- tion. Corey Sweeney will return as mayor for another two-year term, and Ralph Klock and Ian Murray will also keep their seats for another four years each. Joseph Armato has been elected to replace Cody High in council position 3. In other business, the council heard from Hep- pner City Manager John Doherty that Portland State University had released its population estimates for the year. Once again, both Heppner and Morrow County as a whole have had their population estimates lowered. They also revised and lowered the population retroactively back to 2020. Doherty said he couldn’t see how the uni- versity had gotten their figures, and leadership in Morrow County and other counties had been discuss- ing how to address it. Lower population numbers also reduce the county’s per-capita funds distribution from the state. The Heppner City Council also scheduled a goal-setting meeting for Jan. 10. Broker Chris Sykes 541-215-2274 Price Reduced $170,000 Charming 1900 Victorian Home in Heppner, Oregon – A Unique Opportunity! Step into history with this 1900 Victorian gem, located in the picturesque town of Heppner, Oregon. This two-story home offers 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Classic Victorian Style: From its timeless architecture to intricate woodwork and high ceilings, this home exudes vintage appeal. 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms: Plenty of space for a growing family. Detached Garage & Basement: A versatile space for storage, a workshop, or future renovations. Ideal for those with a vision, this property offers the opportunity to restore and personalize to your taste. With a little love and care, this house could become a stunning blend of classic and modern. Enjoy the charm of small-town life in Heppner while crafting the home of your dreams. Don’t miss out on this rare chance. Selling as-is. 195 N COURT ST Heppner MLS#:24426505 WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Get your Canvas Prints In Time For Christmas We cover Morrow and Umatilla County Email: andrew@rapidserve.net Canvas Sizes 8x8 12x12 11x14 16x20 18x24 24x36 30x40 $36.50 $49.95 $52.00 $65.00 $69.95 $115.00 $165.00 Call The Brothers To Order Your Canvas Prints Today 541-676-9228 177 N Main, Heppner Oregon
