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View Article  Join the Union County Chamber of Commerce
Join the Union County Chamber of Commerce today! Click here for answers to frequently asked questions, a list of benefits, and to download a membership application.   more »
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View Article  Forestry & Natural Resources Tour, June 18
Forestry & Natural Resources Tour, June 18. Learn about a day in the life of a forester. Free. RSVP by June 16.   more »
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View Article  Great beers of Belgium tour/fundraiser
Tour Belgium this fall and help support the Chamber!   more »
View Article  Medical Marijuana card holders can be fired
Oregon Supreme Court ruling: Medical Marijuana card holders can be fired if they test positive.   more »
View Article  Welcome new member, UCACC
Union County Arts & Culture Center joins the Chamber.   more »
View Article  Rickie Lee's sells subsidiary
Rickie Lee's owners and operators announced today the sale of their popular website www.BeerHatBox.com.   more »
View Article  Employer credit checks prohibited in Oregon
The Oregon legislature passed SB1045, prohibiting employers from using credit histories for employment purposes.   more »
View Article  Proposed Blue Mountians Forestry Management Plan available online
The Proposed Action for the Blue Mountains Forests Revised Land and Resource Management Plans for the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests is now available online.   more »
View Article  Welcome new member, Golden Crown

Help us welcome our newest Chamber member, Golden Crown Restaurant. Golden Crown, located at 1116 Adams Ave. in La Grande, ...   more »

View Article  USDA grants due March 5
 
USDA Rural Development-Oregon (RD-Oregon) is now seeking concept papers under the
following programs:

   1.  RBEG (Rural Business Enterprise Grant) - for General, rural projects

   2.  RBEG (Rural Business Enterprise Grant) - for Native-American, rural projects

   3.  RBOG (Rural Business Opportunity Grant) - for General, rural projects

   4.  RBOG (Rural Business Opportunity Grant) - for Native-American, rural projects

NOTE:  These grants are made to nonprofits, public bodies, and tribes to support rural business development.  They are NOT direct grants to individuals or for-profit businesses.


>> RBEG or RBOG?

RBEG is a much less competitive grant program (though with small award amounts).  It is focused on more localized projects that will benefit specifically-identifiable, small businesses rather than broader, strategic economic development work.  For information about RBEG program, see:
 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbeg.htm 

RBOG is a much more competitive grant program - typically limited to only one $50,000 award in Oregon.  It is focused on broader, strategic economic development work rather than the specific-business-focused projects supported by RBEG.  For information about RBOG, see
 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbog.htm   


>> GENERAL or NATIVE-AMERICAN?

General RBEG and RBOG funds are targeted broadly to assist most categories of rural business.  ("Rural" means outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas.)

At the same time, USDA Rural Development sets aside some of its RBEG and RBOG funds in a national pool exclusively for Native American-focused projects.  Such projects typically direct at least 75% of their benefits to members of a Federally Recognized Native American Tribe. 

 
>> A CONCEPT PAPER IS REQUESTED:

Since we expect to receive many more RBEG and RBOG proposals (whether General or Native American) than we can fund, instead of seeking full, detailed applications, we are only seeking a brief "concept paper" from prospective applicants.  This will save everyone time and effort while still allowing USDA to survey the field of candidate projects.  

You can find the "concept paper" format and further details on each of these program opportunities here:

RBEG-General:  
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbeg.htm 

RBEG-Native American:  
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbeg.htm 

RBOG-General:  
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbog.htm

RBOG-Native American:  
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbog.htm


>> DEADLINE!

Please follow the guidance provided at the above links, and submit a concept paper to RD-Oregon by MARCH 5, 2010. 


>> QUESTIONS?

If you have questions or concerns, please contact anyone on Oregon's Business & Cooperative Programs staff.  Our contact information is on-line at: 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/bizcontact.htm

Thanks for your efforts in Oregon rural business development.  We look forward to working with you on your innovative proposals!


jeff

Jeff Deiss, Business & Cooperative Program Director
USDA Rural Development, Oregon State Office
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Ste. 801, Portland, OR 97232-1274
jeff.deiss@or.usda.gov
503-414-3367 phone; 503-414-3397 fax
Visit our web site,
http://www.ruralOregon.biz
For energy programs, http://energy.ruralOregon.biz
View Article  Economic impact of wind energy in Union County

The following press release details findings of an economic impact study of the Antelope Ridge and Elkhorn Valley wind farms in Union County. Click on the attachment to read the full article.

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View Article  Annual Banquet Table Survey
Take this one-question survey to let us know which tables you prefer for the Annual Banquet (Feb. 19, 2010).   more »
View Article  Help shape EOU's marketing
EOU has developed a new marketing strategy and would like your input on the proposed branding.   more »
View Article  Get ready for flu season
Everyone's least favorite season is upon us: flu season. Learn how your can prepare for the H1N1 flu pandemic and keep your business running.   more »
View Article  Crossing the Blues, Aug. 21-22
Don't miss Crossing the Blues, Aug. 21-22 in downtown La Grande! Learn more at www.crossingtheblues.com   more »
View Article  Business plan software give-away, July 1
Encouraging entrepreneurship with a one-day only free software give-away event!   more »
View Article  Oregon Emergency Jobs program launched
The Oregon Emergency Jobs Program provides temporary employment opportunities for Oregoniansfor the state’s public service and non-profit agencies.   more »
View Article  SBA offers car dealers help
The Small Business Administration will provide financing for auto dealers’ inventory starting July 1.   more »
View Article  House passes Transportation Funding bill
The Oregon House passed a major transportation funding package on May 27, creating 4600 jobs and earmarking $49 million for District 57 if approved by the Senate.    more »
View Article  International Trade Road Show, May 18-22
Expand your company's knowledge of key markets and learn about assistance available to diversify your company's exports   more »
View Article  Summer "Shop Locally" campaign launched
Join in this special ad program and save over $1,000 in radio advertising. You'll help support local shopping and increase your exposure!   more »
View Article  Identity Theft: What is it, what can you do about it?
Identity theft is a serious crime, costing consumers thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges and legal expenses, plus hundreds of hours spent restoring their good name   more »
View Article  State of Oregon stimulus
Learn where the bidding opportunities are, how to bid, and more!   more »
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View Article  Volunteers always welcome!

I’ll admit it: I read the lovelorn columns in the newspaper.

I’m always struck by the folks who would like to be involved with something but can’t find the place to join in. While the columnists often suggest gyms, churches and schools, I don’t recall any of them ever mentioning the local Chamber of Commerce. Those lonely folks are missing a great opportunity!

Our volunteers have formed fast friendships with one another, and they are often called upon to help out in public activities, such as parades, banquets, grand openings, Business After Hours and many other events. Our Chamber Ambassadors—the folks you see in red jackets and white polo shirts waving from parade floats—are a group of dynamic, fun and smart people. I am in awe of their energy. And once a month, a group of ladies help us out by inserting flyers and labeling the newsletters for mailing. We’d be in quite a bind without their helping hands.

Throughout the year, the Chamber holds several fund-raising events, such as last fall’s Fuel Raffle and January’s Casino Night. We’re always scrambling for help planning, executing and following through with activities. We certainly know that most people are busy; it’s easy to fill up your life with work, family, friends, church and the so many other things that demand our attention. But the Chamber, chugging away in the background, needs your help, too.

The Chamber’s mission is to support local businesses and commerce to promote a healthy business environment in Union County. In these troubling economic times, who wouldn’t want to pitch in? The concern is evident: economic presentations are packed, newspaper articles are read from the first word to the last, and coffee shop talk nearly always comes around to the economy.

The Chamber needs your help. We’re forming an active Issues Committee, which focuses on legislation affecting businesses. We need an enthused fund-raising committee. And we can always use more hands to deliver flyers, hang posters, stuff envelopes and many more administrative chores. Call us and let us know how you want to help the Chamber help Union County. We’ve got room!

View Article  Union County merchants encouraged to participate in Feb. 14 events
Merchants are encouraged to help kick off Oregon’s 150th birthday during the week of Feb. 9-15, with special emphasis on Feb. 14, the date Oregon gained statehood. Please join in and help promote Feb. 14 with a special in-store event.   more »
View Article  Union County to celebrate Oregon's 150th Birthday
As a part of the “Oregon 150” Sesquicentennial celebration recognizing the state’s 150th anniversary of statehood, Union County leaders are asking the community to begin celebrating on Feb. 14, the actual date that marks statehood.   more »
View Article  City of La Grande to receive Main Street visit
On February 5 and 6, 2009, the City of La Grande will be receiving a Resource Team visit from the Resource Team Visit from Oregon Main Street   more »
View Article  Working Together Networking Lunch, Dec. 11 at EOU
Attend the Dec. 11 Working Together Networking Lunch. Meet, eat & greet!   more »
View Article  Open House, Dec. 18
The Chamber of Commerce, along with UCT and LGDDA, will be holding a holiday open house on Dec. 18, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.    more »
View Article  Public Transit Building Ribbon Cutting, Dec. 1
Join us in celebrating the grand opening of the Northeast Oregon Public Transit Building at 2204 East Penn Ave.   more »
View Article  Win up to $500 in fuel
The Union County Chamber is selling chances to win $850 worth of fuel. Get your tickets today!   more »
View Article  Chamber Update launched
Today, the Chamber emailed the first of its weekly updates    more »
View Article  Lloya's Uniforms Ribbon Cutting, Nov. 14
Help us welcome Lloya's Uniforms, 1411 Adams Ave.   more »
View Article  Candidates Forum
 
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Chamber is hosting a Candidates' Forum at the La Grande Middle School at 6 p.m.  We encourage the audience to arrive a few minutes early to provide questions for the candidates.  "We have a full agenda, so it's important that we stay on schedule," says Mat Barber, chairman of the Chamber's Issues Committee, which coordinated the event.
 
The following candidates will participate in a Q&A:
 
For the position of City of La Grande Mayor, Colleen Johnson and Daniel Porkorney.
For the position of City of Union, Council Position #1, Betty Bronson and Tony Prince.
For the position of Union County Clerk, Landon Braden and Robin Church.
For the position of Union County Commissioner, Mark Davidson and Jim Mollerstrom.
 
Each candidate will make 2-minute opening and closing statements.  Four questions will be asked of each candidate, who will have 1.5 minutes to respond. 
 
While all candidates for opposed races were invited, not everyone could attend due to prior commitments.  Instead of omitting the candidates who could attend, the Chamber has agreed to allow attending candidates an opportunity to make a short speech regarding their candidacy.  We'll hear from: 
 
For the position of City of Elgin Mayor, Amy Nelson and Tim McGinnis.
For the position of Elgin Health District Director, Position #1, Alicia Hayes.
For the position of City of North Powder Mayor, Bonita Hebert.
For the position of City of Union Mayor, Jack Zimmerman and Bill Lindsley.
For the position of City of Union, Council Position #3, Joe Gonzalez.
For the position of City of Union, Council Position #5, George Washington Blanton.
For the position of State Representative, District #58, Jerry Sebestyen
 
Each of the above candidates will make a 4-minute speech.
 
We encourage the audience to prepare questions in advance.  Our moderators, Ted Kramer, editor of the La Grande Observer, and Ken Kennedy, news director for KCBM, will review and select questions.  Di Lyn Larsen Hill will be the moderator.
View Article  Chambers New Director
 
Welcome to our new director, Judy Hector.  Judy grew up in La Grande, and has deep roots in Eastern Oregon. She is an alumna of Eastern Oregon University, where she earned her Bachelor's of Science in Business Economics in 1990.  In 2001, she earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  Judy has worked in marketing and communications for nearly 20 years, and has experience in organizational management, sales, and retail.  Prior to returning to Union County in 2005, Judy was VP of marketing and sales for a software company in Southern California.  Locally, Judy has been involved in the La Grande Downtown Development Association and Crossing the Blues: 2008.  Judy is looking forward to applying her experience in business management and non-profit organizational leadership to the Union County Chamber of Commerce.
View Article  Chamber Survey, Let us know how you feel.
 
 
We have prepared an online survey (the link is below), which includes 20 or so questions about the Chamber and your community.  With very few exceptions, the survey is "point and click" so it should take only about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.  The results will be tabulated, then directed toward helping the Chamber move provide the best service for Union County.  The survey will be live until Oct. 31. 
 
 
Please feel free to forward a link to this blog on to your friends and family in Union County so that we can hear from as many people as possible.  Thanks for participating!
View Article  Valley of Charms - Union County, Oregon

Here is a list of the new and old Charms. Stop by the Chamber office and start your trail today.

1012 Adams Antiques 1012 Adams Ave La Grande 541-962-7171 9-5 M-Sat
Aggie's PO Box 521//328 N Main Union  541-805-9566 6am-7pm Tues-Sun
Apple Eyecare 109 Elm St La Grande 541-962-7753 8-5:30 M-Th Fri 9-1
Benchwarmer's Pub & Grill 210 Depot St La Grande 541-963-9597 Daily 10AM-2AM
Buffalo Peak Golf  Box 495// 1274 E Fulton Union  541-562-1102 Call for times
Cherry's Florist 106 Elm St La Grande 541-963-7191 M-F 9-5 Sat 10-2
Chery's Ass-etts  61824 Blackhawk Trail La Grande 541-963-8367 Tue-Sat 10-5
Eagle Cap Train Alegre Travel 101 Depot St La Grande 541-963-9000 M-F 9-5
Eagles Hot Lake Spring Restoration PO Box 1043, Hwy203 La Grande 541-963-4685 Mon-Sat 8-6
Elgin Saddle & Boot 493 South 8th St Elgin 541-437-3100 Mon-Fri 8-5:30 Sat 9-4
Faerie Beads 1102 Adams Ave La Grande No Phone Tue-Sat 11-5
Gilstrap Brothers Winery 69789 Antles Lane  Cove 541-568-4646 Call for times
Grand Ronde Hospital 900 Sunset La Grande 541-963-8421 Mon-Fri 8-8
Grande Ronde Sign 2302 Cove Ave La Grande 541-963-5841 Mon-Fri 9-5
Haines Steak House US Highway 30 Haines 541-856-3639 Sun 1-9, MWT5-9, F5-10, S4-10
Home Sweet Home 10302 W 1st St Island City 541-963-4393 Mon-Sat 10-6
Island City Hall 10605 Island Ave Island City 541-963-5017 Mon-Fri 9-1
Kneads Bakery 1113 Adams Ave La Grande 541-963-5413 Wed-Fri 7-6 Sat 7-3
Loveland Funeral Chapel 1508 4th St La Grande 541-963-5022 Mon-Fri 10-4
PGG 10209 McAlister Island City 541-963-4195 Mon-Fri 8-5:30 Sat 8-5
Real Estate Eastern Oregon 2008 Adams Ave La Grande 541-963-4042 Mon-Fri 8-5
Red Cross Drug 1123 Adams Ave La Grande 541-963-5741 Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 9-2
Rendezvous RV Resort  2636 Bearco Loop La Grande 541-962-0909 Mon-Sun 6am -10PM
Rosewood Cottage 1801 Adams Ave La Grande 541-963-4310 Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30
Stamped Inn  51 South 7th ST Elgin 541-437-2441 open all the time
Stampers cottage 61824 Blackhawk Trail La Grande 541-963-8367 Tue-Sat 10-5
Sunflower Books 1114 Washington Ave La Grande 541-963-5242 Mon-Sat 10-6
Taco Time 1612 Portland St La Grande 541-963-9316 M-F 6am-9pm Sun 8am-9pm
The Mountain Works 1307 Adams Ave La Grande 541-963-3220 Mon -Sat 10-6
The Potters House 1601 6th St La Grande 541-963-5351 MTWF 10-6 Th 7-7 Sat 10-5
The Winners Circle  2 Depot St La Grande 541-963-7364 M-F 9-5 
Thunder RV 10401 S Walton Rd Island City 541-962-2975 M-F 8:30-6 Sat 9-300
Union county Chamber 102 Elm  La Grande 541-963-8588 Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-3
Union County Fire Museum 102 Elm  La Grande 541-963-8588 Mon-Fri 9-5 
Union County Museum 331 South Main St Union  541-562-6003 Mon-Sat 10-4
Whispering Pines Bed & Bath 1108 Adams Ave La Grande 541-962-0156 Mon-Sat 10-5
XI Alph Mu 10302 W 1st St Island City 541-963-4393 Mon-Sat 10-6

View Article  Welcome - How to Use this Blog

Welcome to our new "blog" (short for "web log", which is a specialized kind of  communications Web site) for your Union County Chamber's news and announcements.  The latest news article will appear at the top of the opening page of the blog.  The blog also keeps a searchable history of all published news articles, so you can always look up something you might have missed in the past.

Some news articles are expanded commentaries on time-sensitive items in our events calendar, and others are items that will be always available to you by keyword searches or by clicking on monthly archive links.

Let us know if you would like to see blog articles on particular topics, or if you would like us to republish here any articles from our previous monthly hardcopy printed newsletter.

If you have an RSS reader, you can subscribe to our RSS feed, so that the news comes automatically to your desktop!  Just paste this URL (if your reader doesn't grab it automatically) into your feed reader software: http://news.unioncountychamber.org/blog/index.xml 

(If you want to set up a RSS reader -- also known as a feed reader -- you can find a wealth of information and freely downloadable readers by doing an Internet search on this topic, or you will find that the most recent browsers, such as Firefox 2 or Internet Explorer 7, have the built-in ability to read RSS feeds.)

Be sure to visit our main Web site at http://www.unioncountychamber.org.  The home page automatically displays quick excerpts from this blog, and you can always reach this blog from our main site.