La Pine Community Health Center Remobilizes Construction of Wellness Center
La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC) announces that construction has resumed on the highly anticipated Wellness Center. While the facility was originally projected to open in early 2025, work came to a halt in March due to unforeseen funding-related issues that have since been amicably resolved.
Once completed, the Wellness Center will provide expanded dental services, diagnostic imaging and enhanced mental and behavioral health care for the community.
“We’re thrilled to resume construction and take this next step in expanding access to high-quality, comprehensive care in La Pine,” said Erin Trapp, Chief Executive Officer of LCHC. “The Wellness Center represents our commitment to this community and ensuring that every individual has access to the services they deserve and need to thrive.”
“We are excited to continue our partnership with La Pine Community Health,” said Todd Predmore, senior vice president-account manager for Skanska USA Building in Portland. “The Health and Wellness Center is a testament to our shared commitment to enhancing access to healthcare services. We look forward to advancing construction and delivering a facility that will make a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of La Pine residents for years to come.”
Community members and organizations interested in supporting the project are encouraged to contact Courtney Ignazzitto, marketing & communications coordinator, at 541-876-2135 or visit lapinehealth.org/wellnesscenter to learn how to get involved.
About La Pine Community Health Center:
La Pine Community Health Center (LCHC) is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Patient-Centered Primary Care Home that provides 360-degree care to the communities of South Deschutes, North Klamath and West Lake Counties. LCHC provides care to the commercially insured, uninsured and underinsured. Some of the services that are provided by the health center are primary medical care for all ages, point of care nursing, behavioral health, health education, and outreach resources such as transportation to appointments, assistance with prescriptions and Oregon Health Plan enrollment. Also offered at LCHC is access to specialty care, such as orthopedics, podiatry and dermatology.
Oregon is digging deep to tap into an uncommon renewable energy source — Super Hot Rocks
Mazama Energy, led by chief geoscientist Alain Bonneville, is conducting a pilot geothermal project at Pad 29, near Newberry Volcano. The company is testing a method to extract heat from deep underground, nearly two miles below the surface, to generate electricity using “Super Hot Rocks” technology.
Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely on natural steam or hot springs near the surface, this enhanced geothermal system (EGS) involves drilling deep into hot rock, injecting water to create artificial reservoirs and capturing the resulting steam to power turbines. The water is then cooled, re-injected and reused in a closed loop.
Newberry Volcano, an active geological site, is ideal for this innovative approach due to its underlying magma flow. Though the drilling technology comes from the oil and gas industry, this process avoids fossil fuels and uses only water, making it a clean, renewable energy source.
If successful, this pilot project could produce up to 200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power twice the population of Bend, and help advance geothermal energy as a reliable 24/7 renewable power option across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Deschutes County Economic Update
As of August 2025, Deschutes County’s unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, up from 4.1% in August 2024, aligning with broader regional trends. Despite this uptick, the Central Oregon economy has not suffered as many job losses relative to the rest of the state, according to the Oregon Employment Department (OED).
According to Lightcast, online job demand in Deschutes County remains similar to what it was a year ago. The occupations with the highest job demand are retail and nursing positions and heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
Private education and health care services, currently the largest sector in Deschutes County with about 18,100 employed, grew strongly over the month, adding 200 jobs (1.1% growth) from July 2025 to August 2025, according to OED. Despite instability in other parts of the economy, health care has continued to grow steadily since 2023. The private education and healthcare sector added 590 jobs (3.4%) over the year (August 2024 to August 2025).
Leisure and hospitality, the third-largest sector in Deschutes with about 15,600 employed, suffered the largest employment losses by level over the year. The accommodation and food services subsector (within leisure and hospitality) lost -600 jobs (-4.5%) in particular.
The Federal government suffered the largest job loss over the year by percentage, -9.7% (-110 jobs), following federal layoffs initiated by the current administration earlier this calendar year.
Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Deschutes’ economy, consisting of about 6,700 jobs. It remains resilient, adding about 130 jobs (2.0%) over the year.
These developments underscore the dynamic nature of Central Oregon’s economy, with traded-sector industries leading the way in job creation and economic stability.
Oregon Employment Department
Child Care Tools for Central Oregon Employers
Child Care tools provided by NeighborImpact are available for Central Oregon employers and can be found at the links below.
Central Oregon Child Care Supply:
Child Care Supply Data Dashboard
Employer Supported Child Care Toolkit:
Leading-with-Care.pdf
Child Care Works for Oregon Employer Toolkit:
Employer Toolkit – Child Care Works
Employee Absenteeism Calculator (pdf)
Employee Turnover Calculator (pdf)
Employer Cost/Benefit Analysis Tool (pdf)
Employee Survey Tool (pdf)
SLED Holds Member Mixer at Badlands Artisan Distillery
The Sunriver/La Pine Economic Development Program held its third annual member mixer at Badlands Artisan Distillery in late September. Badlands Artisan Distillery owner Trevor Mayfield sponsored the event and shared the story of why the business is located in La Pine, along with information about the international award-winning double rye whiskey and other products available. City of La Pine and SLED updates were also provided to members and sponsors of the program.
Fire Protection Rating Upgraded in Portions of Deschutes County
Portions of South Deschutes County’s fire protection capabilities have been upgraded by Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) from a 4.5 to a 3 protection class. This will make insurance more affordable for residents and businesses in the affected area. This classification helps insurance companies determine appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties.
Permitting Activity in South Deschutes County
Deschutes County issued 66 building permits in La Pine during the 3rd quarter of 2025. Of those, 17 were for single-family dwellings, two were for new commercial building construction and two were for new commercial building additions.
During the same period, in the rest of south Deschutes County, 521 building permits were issued. Of those, 26 were for single-family dwellings, one was for the construction of a new commercial building and five were for commercial building additions.
Funding for SLED comes from both public and private members and stakeholders. The City of La Pine and Deschutes County are key partners and contributors, as well as private businesses from around the County and Central Oregon that wish to support a stronger and more vibrant economy in south Deschutes County. Over the past nine years, SLED has assisted 16 new and existing businesses with capital investments of more than $12.7 million, resulting in the creation of 149 jobs.
lapineoregon.gov/ed/page/sunriverla-pine-economic-development-sled
