After being hired by the Harney County Court to provide economic development services, Gregory Smith and Company LLC of Heppner began its efforts by concentrating on building a foundation of information and developing lines of communication with local businesses, as well as state and federal agencies.

Smith and his team took over the office on Aug. 15, and they are currently exploring the need for more fiber optic lines and fiber optic development, as well as working with a local company to develop a strategic development plan and accessing capital for future growth.

Smith said his company will have regular, consistent office hours at the local economic development office, which is located in the Harney County Community Center. He hired Denise Rose to be in the office Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and other staff members will be present at other times. Smith emphasized that he and his staff will be willing to meet with clients anywhere, anytime — whatever is convenient for them.

“If folks need to meet with us on Saturday or in the evenings, we’ll be here to meet with them,” Smith said. “The only day we won’t be open is on Sundays. We’ll have a full team of staff available who you can come and meet, or we can meet by phone or teleconference, whatever we can do to accommodate.”

Smith said one of the biggest challenges for him is managing expectations, and to help meet that challenge, he will be out and about, visiting with as many folks as he can to let them know they are here, they care, they are capable, and are willing to work with everyone.

Smith noted that one concern of existing businesses is the availability of a workforce. Smith plans to contact the state employment office, WorkSource Oregon, community colleges and universities, and high schools to discuss developing a workforce.

“You cannot go anywhere where this is not an issue,” Smith said. “So we have two choices on this: One, we can say we’re just like everyone else, or two, we can aggressively address it.”

Another plan to bolster economic development is to identify one vacant building each month and ask residents what would be the best use of it? They will then build a database on the building specs and possible uses, and send the information out to existing businesses in the area letting them know about the potential opportunity.

“The previous economic development director did a lot of good things. Our job is to come in and build on that and to bring in some innovative, new ideas to complement the good things he’s already done,” Smith said. “He was phenomenal. He and I sat down and talked for about an hour-and-a-half, and you could not have asked for a better gentleman. He walked through the process with me, showed me where he was in the process with projects, and shared that he is always available to assist me. And I can tell you we’re going to utilize his experience.”

Smith stated that they are also going to work on access to capital, especially for business start-ups. He said there is already access in Harney County to three revolving loan funds, and he plans to work with Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation regarding providing financing.

When asked about his goals for economic development in the county, Smith said his job is to work with the county court to achieve their goals, as they are the ones who hired him. He added that another part of his job is to work with local business owners to achieve their goal and vision.

“This isn’t about Greg Smith. This is about where our county leaders want us to go, and then where our local businesses want their businesses to go,” Smith said.

In closing, Smith said, “I want people to know they can always call me on my personal cellphone. I’m accessible. The number is 541-377-0000. We’re going to have regular office hours, we’re going to be here after hours, we’ll be available on Saturdays, and they can call me anytime.”