“I encourage you to think about who’s driving that scary big SUV next to you. Ever try to get five kids to soccer practice in a Mini Cooper or Vespa?”

It was a strong year for overall revenue and profits, while the net number of companies remained the same and and total market value slipped.

There are a lot of good manufacturing jobs and students who need them. Let’s make the connection.

Businesses understand the value of a strong K-12 education system to their ability to recruit employees and hire a skilled workforce. They feel at a competitive disadvantage with the current quality of K-12 education, so much so they are willing to take a tax refund out of their own pocket to do it.

“I grew up in La Grande and was headed to L.A. after school when my wife said, ‘You just put that L.A. stuff aside because we’re going to Baker City.'”

Out of all the benefits besides cash with which companies can attract and keep employees, none is more appreciated than health coverage. But at a time when health care costs are rising faster than inflation, offering a high-quality plan is easier said than done.

Real estate closings in Harney County grew by nearly one-third in the first six months of 2006, according to statistics released by the county.

A California company wants to build the largest wind farm in the Columbia River Gorge. The project, Shepherds Flat Wind Farm, calls for up to 300 turbines on 32,100 acres in Gilliam and Morrow counties.

The City of Irrigon has been awarded a $1.04 million grant and a $1.7 million loan for water system improvements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development.