Economic Development

Access Market Data

Hermiston is an excellent location to invest in.  You will see that from the numbers. Many economic development websites tend to over-inflate the area’s importance through flowery language in hopes of attracting new business development.  The City of Hermiston doesn’t hide behind odd interpretations of vague information, because we don’t just want your business in Hermiston, we want your business to EXCELL in Hermiston.  On this site, you’ll find real numbers and have access to the raw data.

To see an independent Retail Market Analysis conducted by Pitney Bowes Business Insight in 2011, click HERE.

Local Market Data
Regional Market Data
Supportable Retail Square Footage
2012 Average Daily Traffic Counts

Starting a Business

Umatilla Electric Revolving Loan Fund:
www.umatillaelectric.com/programs/economic-development/revolving-loan-fund/

Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC):
www.bizcenter.org/small-business-resources/small-business-resources

Oregon SBDC – Pendleton Resources Tab:
www.bizcenter.org/small-business-development-centers/pendleton

Available & Skilled Workforce

There are more that 117,000 people actively in the workforce who live within Hermiston’s 30 mile labor shed, and 46% of these workers have at least some college or an Associate’s degree. Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University also offer full programs in Hermiston.

To learn more about Hermiston workforce:
www.hermiston.or.us
www.hermistonchamber.com
Business Oregon:
www.oregon4biz.com
Business Oregon:
www.oregonprospector.com
Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center:
www.eotechermiston.com
Worksource Quality Info:
www.qualityinfo.org

Transportation

www.hermiston.or.us/business/transportation
www.tidewater.com
www.odot.state.or.us/home
www.up.com

Building Codes Permits & Permits

City of Hermiston Departments:
www.hermiston.or.us/departments
City of Hermiston Building Permits:
www.hermiston.or.us/building/home
City of Hermiston Planning Department:
www.hermiston.or.us/planning/home
City of Hermiston Frequently Asked Questions:
www.hermiston.or.us/frequently-asked-questions

Land Use/Zoning Laws

Umatilla County Property Taxes:
www.propertytax101.org/oregon/umatillacounty
Umatilla County Planning/Zoning Department:
www.co.umatilla.or.us/planning/index.htm
Oregon Dept of Land Conservation & Development:
www.oregon.gov/LCD/Pages/index.aspx

Land

Umatilla County:
www.co.umatilla.or.us/
Umatilla County Economic Development – Huelett Johnson
hjohnson@co.umatilla.or.us
Port of Umatilla:
www.portofumatilla.com

Taxes

Umatilla County Tax Rates
www.co.umatilla.or.us/at/index.html
Enterprise Zone Tax-Abatement
Industrial and manufacturing businesses which locate or expand their current employment in Hermiston may be eligible for 3-5 years of exemption from property taxes on new construction or equipment.  To learn more about the Hermiston Enterprise Zone visit us at www.hermiston.or.us/business/incentives

Telecommunications, Fiber Optics & Internet

Eastern Oregon Telecom-Business Class Voice up to 2 GB:
www.eotnet.com
Charter Business:
www.charterbusiness.com

Very Affordable Power

Hermiston is served by Hermiston Energy Services, a municipal electric utility and Umatilla Electric Co-Op.  Together these two power providers supply industry in Hermiston with some of the lowest electric rates in Oregon.

Current rates can be found at:

Umatilla Electric Cooperative:
www.umatillaelectric.com/
Hermiston Energy Services:
www.hermiston.or.us/energy-services
Cascade Natural Gas
www.cngc.com

Low Water & Sewer Rates

Hermiston has the lowest Water & Sewer Rates for large scale water users of any comparable eastern-Oregon city.  An analysis done in 2013 showed that across the board commercial water and sewer rate payers in Hermiston pay less than they would in Pendleton, The Dalles, LaGrande, Baker City or in Ontario.

Check out the analysis at:
www.hermiston.or.us/commercial-utility-comparison

Health Care

Good Shepherd Health Care Center
www.gshealth.org
Good Shepherd Community  Health Foundation
www.gshealth.org/foundation

Projects of Current Success

Kennison Field
www.facebook.com/KennisonFieldFundraisingCommittee
DuPont Pioneer
www.pioneer.com
ConAgra Foods
www.conagrafoods.com
Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center (EOTEC)
www.hermiston.or.us/eotec

Schools

Hermiston School District:
www.hermiston.k12.or.us
Hermiston Christian School
www.hcc4u.org/christianschool
Hermiston Junior Academy—Seventh Day Adventist
www.hjra.org
Blue Mountain Community College:
www.bluecc.edu
Eastern Oregon University:
www.eou.edu/

Recreation

Hermiston Parks & Recreation
www.hermiston.or.us/parks-recreation/home

Emergency & Fire Department

Hermiston Fire Department
www.hermistonfire.com
Hermiston Police Department
www.hermiston.or.us/police/home

Multi-Cultrual Support

Hispanic Advisory Committee
www.hermiston.or.us/hispanic-advisory-committee
Latino Business Network

http://business.hermistonchamber.com/events/details/latino-business-network-meeting-02-12-2014-9371