Applicant pitches new hardware store for Madras, promises 22 jobs and $8.3M build

An applicant told the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners that a convenience-style hardware and building-supplies store could fill a local service gap in Madras and the surrounding area, creating roughly 22 jobs and a local retail foothold. The speaker said due diligence on a prospective property would end the coming Friday and that, if the purchase closes, construction could begin quickly with a target of about a year for completion.

The presenter said the project is intended to be a community-oriented mercantile—stocking a broad mix of items rather than the deep assortments seen at national big-box chains—and emphasized local hiring and community programs, including a life-jacket giveaway for kindergartners and a school attendance reward program. "I estimate it's gonna be over $8,300,000 for me to put the facility in this town," the presenter said when describing his budget estimate for the project. He also said the store model would carry about 85–90% of typical inventory from his other similar stores, with a 10–15% shift to reflect Madras's agricultural market.

Commissioners and staff asked questions about building access, permit timelines, staffing recruitment and the applicant's procurement and supply model. The applicant said he expects to hire most staff locally, within a roughly 20-mile radius, and that his stores historically provide career-track positions for many employees. The presentation included visuals of an existing 21,000-square-foot store and a drive-through warehouse model the applicant hopes to adapt locally.

The record shows the presentation closed with a request for questions; staff later confirmed they will examine options for a county grant or fee mitigation to support the project. The applicant did not provide a personal name in the public transcript; staff and commissioners referred to the business and the project during the meeting.