If you know an entrepreneur or traded sector business that would benefit from being in an incubator building, contact Patricia Lucas, Executive Director of the Sunriver/La Pine Economic Development Program, at (248) 693-3049 or sledexecutivedirector@gmail.com.

The La Pine Comprehensive Plan update is moving into its final phases after a very productive year consisting of a series of charrettes, summits and public engagement exercises. The La Pine Community Development Department feels confident in both the quantitative and qualitative data received to date and is pleased to present to both the City Council and Planning Commission a representative data set for policy and goal formulation.

Director Brent Bybee explained that February's efforts will focus on background work for the plan update and in March and April, three joint meetings between the bodies are scheduled, providing an opportunity to share opinions on final draft formulation. Once the work sessions are complete, public hearings will follow - one with the Planning Commission and two with the City Council. To remain in compliance with the Oregon Department of Land and Conservation Development grant funding requirement, the update must be completed by May 31st.

Mazama Energy to Demonstrate a first-of-its-kind Superhot Rock Enhanced Geothermal System in the Newberry Volcano

Central Oregon is not just known for its breathtaking landscapes, it's now leading the way in geothermal energy innovation. Mazama Energy, Inc. has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to demonstrate a first-of-its-kind superhot rock (SHR) enhanced geothermal system on the western flank of Newberry Volcano.

The SHR Demonstration Project at Newberry aims to prove that Mazama Energy’s new technologies can economically extract heat from the earth in places previously considered unfeasible. The project will test several advanced methods in two new deep wells planned for drilling in superhot rocks in 2025 and 2026. This initiative aims to create the first commercially viable geothermal reservoir, potentially generating five to ten times more power than conventional systems and with minimal CO2 emissions.

Geothermal energy, tapping into the earth's natural heat, is a clean and renewable energy source. While conventional geothermal systems rely on naturally occurring hot water reservoirs, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) can be developed in locations lacking these natural reservoirs. SHR EGS, the next evolution, taps into superhot rocks - subsurface formations with temperatures exceeding 705°F (374°C) - and generates much more power compared to other systems.

The DOE-funded SHR EGS Demonstration Project officially launched in January in collaboration with three DOE national laboratories (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory) and two leading universities (University of Oklahoma and Oregon State University). This milestone marks a significant advancement in creating the first-ever SHR EGS system.

Book a time to meet with the

Deschutes County Business Librarian in La Pine

Need help starting, expanding or pivoting a business or nonprofit? Liisa Sjoblom, Community Librarian specializing in Business and Nonprofits, will be available at the La Pine Library on the third Friday of every month from 10 am - noon to assist with your business or nonprofit questions.

This program offers research training, reference assistance and access to a wide range of resources for business and nonprofit needs. It can also help find relevant research materials, provide guidance on their effective use and refer you to suitable agencies or organizations.

Questions? Contact liisas@deschuteslibrary.org.

Available Commercial and Industrial Property in

La Pine/Sunriver

La Pine

La Pine Industrial Park

1.29 acres of industrial property

.57 of acres of industrial property

1,600 sq ft commercial

905 and 984 sq ft office

8.93 acres of commercial property

7.72 acres of commercial property

2.29 & 2.75 acres of commercial property,

contact Scott at 541.815.3872

.29 acres of commercial property

.11, .14 & .17 acre of commercial property

Sunriver

380-1,300 sq ft commercial

Permitting Activity in South Deschutes County

Deschutes County issued 59 building permits in La Pine during the 4th quarter of 2024. Of those, 13 were for single-family dwellings, 1 was for commercial building new construction and 3 were for commercial building additions.

During the same period, in the rest of South Deschutes County, 516 building permits were issued. Of those, 21 were for single-family dwellings, 21 were for residential additions and 3 were for commercial building additions.

Funding for the SLED program comes from both public and private members and stakeholders. The City of La Pine and Deschutes County are key partners and contributors, as well as private businesses from around the County and Central Oregon that wish to support a stronger and more vibrant economy in South Deschutes County. Over the past eight years, SLED has assisted 16 new and existing businesses with capital investments of more than $12.7 million, resulting in the creation of 149 jobs.