Ten Good Reasons to Locate to Milton-Freewater
- Great workforce drawn from Oregon and nearby Walla Walla, Washington.
- Some of the lowest utility rates in the Pacific Northwest.
- Tax structure that is pro-business.
- Close proximity to rail, barge and air-cargo facilities.
- Centrally located to serve Seattle, Portland, Boise and Spokane markets.
- Large agriculture base and food processors offers linkage opportunities.
- The State, Port of Umatilla and City pro-business attitudes assist in company location.
- Greenfield industrial sites available with access to City utilities.
- Quiet, safe environment in a rural community.
- Educational opportunities offered by five colleges and
universities in the immediate area.
Transportation
- Air - Three regional airports: Walla Walla, Washington, 10 miles away; Pendleton, 30 miles away; and
Pasco, Washington, 55 miles away. All provide daily passenger and freight service for business. Horizon Air offers passenger and freight service to Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, and other destinations.
- Rail - The local rail freight carrier is the Blue Mountain Railroad with connection to the Union Pacific Lines.
- Marine - The Port of Umatilla operates water transportation facilities on the Columbia River 60 miles to the west.
- Other - UPS and FedEx make daily pickups and deliveries. Luisi Trucking provides local and regional freight.
Umatilla County Labor Market Analysis
Annual Average Employment
|
1990
|
1999
|
2002
|
| Civilian Work Force |
30,360 |
35,250 |
38,566 |
| Total Unemployed |
2,500 |
2,500 |
3,173 |
| Percent of Labor Force |
8.2 |
6.8 |
8.2 |
| Total Employment |
27,860 |
33,520 |
35,395 |
| Total Nonagricultural Wage & Salary Employment |
21,010 |
27,750 |
28,015 |
| Total Manufacturing |
4,510 |
4,360 |
4,120 |
| Durable Goods |
1,350 |
1,490 |
1,330 |
| Lumber and Wood Products |
840 |
890 |
|
| Other Durable Goods |
500 |
600 |
|
| Non-Durable Goods |
3,170 |
2,870 |
2,790 |
| Food and Kindred Products |
2,860 |
2,500 |
2,505 |
| Other Non-Durable Goods |
310 |
370 |
|
| Total Non-manufacturing |
16,500 |
23,570 |
|
| Construction |
620 |
1,900 |
|
| Trade |
4,850 |
7,120 |
|
| Finance, Ins. & Realty |
660 |
1,330 |
850 |
| Services and Miscellaneous |
3,890 |
6,870 |
|
| Government |
5,220 |
6,870 |
6,875 |
Utilities
- Electricity - City of Milton-Freewater provides local electric service
within the City limits and some of the outlying areas.
Pacific Power provides electric service in the remaining
outlying areas.
- Telephone - Qwest is the
phone utility. Fiber optics service is available and
connected in the south business park area.
- Natural Gas - Cascade Natural Gas Company is the service provider.
- Water and Sewer - Both services are provided by the City of Milton-Freewater. Excess capacity in the water system is 2.50 mgd; excess sewer capacity totals 06.5 mgd.
Financial Institutions
Four Commercial Banks serve Milton-Freewater: Baker Boyer Bank, Bank of America, US Bank and Community Bank, all of which are multi-state banks. There is also one credit union,
Oregon First Community Credit Union. All provide full banking services in Milton-Freewater.
Communications
Local papers include the Valley Herald, the East Oregonian out of Pendleton,
and the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. There is one local TV station and nine radio stations within reception range. Cable service is available through Charter Cable TV.
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