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EDCO manager details meat-processing, site updates and marketing push for Jefferson County
Summary
EDCO staff updated commissioners on economic development projects including a proposed beef processing facility, two traded-sector projects in Metolius and Madras, local small-business support and plans to refresh county site listings and marketing materials.
An EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) manager told the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on Monday that several private-sector projects and marketing efforts are moving forward that could add jobs and improve local business capacity.
The manager said a proposed Simon’s beef processing facility is estimated to create roughly 40–60 jobs and that EDCO is offering introductions to potential funders, financing partners (COIC was mentioned) and workforce curriculum partners such as Oregon State University–Cascades. “It’s been a really fun project to work on,” the presenter said, noting project-specific advocacy and efforts to address material challenges.
The update also listed two other traded-sector prospects that remain confidential while in early stages: a Metolius project estimated at about 40 jobs and a Madras project estimated at about 60 jobs. The manager said EDCO will share more details when they may be disclosed publicly.
On smaller-business support, the presenter said EDCO has helped recent private ventures including a container taproom project in Culver called Shorty’s Taproom, and parties looking to buy the Metolius Market, work tied to a healthy-food financing grant. EDCO staff also said they responded to three Business Oregon leads in the quarter (two for Madras and one for Culver) and that such leads fluctuate seasonally.
EDCO’s near-term priorities include building a community profile and marketing plan during the county’s strategic-planning process, restarting “maiden tours” or shorter “lunch-and-learn” company visits, hosting an EDCO “Pub Talk” in Madras on May 22 at Initiative Brewing where presenting companies will update attendees, and refreshing property/site listings on Oregon Prospector to ensure prices and availability are current.
The presenter said EDCO has been helping the City of Madras pursue makerspace and wayfinding grants and supported the Metastream Development Commission’s request for proposals on property next to the Mid Oregon Credit Union site. The presentation noted EDCO had a small number of responses to Business Oregon this quarter and expects more leads after tax-season constraints ease.
Commissioners and council members in the room praised the outreach work and asked about potential next steps, including whether the proposed beef facility might sell branded products. The EDCO manager said that possibility had been discussed by project principals.
The update closed with a request for feedback on a pilot EDCO newsletter and an invitation to county leaders to suggest recipients for distribution lists and items they want EDCO to highlight.
Ending: EDCO asked the board to stay engaged with project-specific introductions and to expect more public announcements as confidential negotiations permit.
