The inaugural Annual Luncheon for the La Pine/Sunriver Economic Development Program, held at Crosswater Golf Club on June 7 to a sold out crowd, highlighted the progress in the South County area.
“The energy and enthusiasm in South Deschutes County is palpable,” said Janet Burton, EDCO area economic development manager. “A lot of positive things are happening in Sunriver and La Pine, including the ‘Put a Shine on La Pine’ initiative with local businesses sprucing up their buildings with fresh paint and landscaping.
Commissioner Tony DeBone and City of La Pine Mayor, Ken Mulenex, opened the luncheon with a look back at where the area has come from. South Deschutes County has had a slower recovery from the economic downturn, but the last year has shown great progress in new businesses and new housing starts.
In her Let’s Celebrate presentation, Burton highlighted several areas of progress including:
• A branding and marketing initiative that City of La Pine is currently working on with Mandala
• Recent news that Travel Oregon has selected Newberry Country for an accelerated Rural Tourism Studio
• Stellar years for both Sunriver Brewing Company and Sunriver Resort
• The recent opening of a new building for Mid Oregon Credit Union
• Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree’s plans to open a new 27,000 square foot site at the corner of Highway 97 and Finley Butte Road
• Plans for a Travel Plaza at the current site of Gordy’s Truck Stop, which has recently been purchased by new owners
• The new St. Charles Family Care Center (planned for fall 2017)
Three local traded-sector companies presented at the luncheon: Quicksilver Contracting Company, an integrated wood products company who has had a sizeable expansion to its production and hired 11 new employees this year; Cascade Wellness Technologies, Inc., a startup medical device company and Sunriver Brewing Company, who recently won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup for its Fuzztail Hefeweizen.
The future looks bright for La Pine and Sunriver. One of South County’s greatest assets is its 300 acre Industrial and Business Park, with sewer, water and power already curbside. The park boasts the lowest land costs in Deschutes County as well as the lowest system development charges in
Central Oregon.
Just recently, Business Oregon approved the application to expand the boundary for the Deschutes County Rural Enterprise Zone to include Sunriver Business Park and Spring River Plaza. This will provide an opportunity to attract traded-sector businesses to these areas and incentivize current traded sector businesses to grow and expand. All this activity, coupled with new housing starts, makes South Deschutes County an attractive place to live, work and play.
Janet Burton, EDCO area economic development manager for La Pine/Sunriver, 541-536-1432 or jburton@edcoinfo.com
