HEALTH CARE

Residents of Union County are blessed with one of the top 100 small rural hospitals in the United States, according to a HCIA Inc/Mercer Management survey. Grande Ronde Hospital received this award two years in a row and continues to be viewed as a high quality rural hospital in the Pacific Northwest region. Over 425 employees work at the hospital, making it one of the five largest employers in Union County. A full range of medical services are provided through the hospital and include a Family Birthing Center, Medical/Surgical floor, Home Health and Hospice, Respiratory Care, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Intensive and Critical Care Units, Laboratory, Transitional Care Unit, Diagnostic Imaging Services including CT scan and MRI, Advanced Life Support Ambulance service and a 24-hour Emergency Room.

The 49 bed hospital is a private, not-forprofit, community hospital that was first established in 1907 and relocated to its present address in 1966. The hospital’s mission statement, “We are dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of the people of Union County”, is evident in its commitment to quality of health care. Community education classes ranging from childbirth preparation to diabetes management classes are offered at no charge throughout the year. The hospital participates in national screening days for depression and anxiety, and offers yearly diabetes and cholesterol screenings. Over 40 physicians on the medical staff represent 16 different medical specialties. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and is a member of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and the American Hospital Association.

Public Health in Union County is served by the Center for Human Development, located in La Grande.

Medical clinics in the cities of Elgin and Union expand health care services to the edges of the county. The Elgin Clinic is owned and operated by Oregon Health Sciences University School of Nursing at Eastern Oregon University, providing care to the north end of the Grande Ronde Valley. Care is provided by Family Nurse Practitioners. The Union Family Health Center is also owned and operated by the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Nursing at Eastern Oregon University providing health care to Cove, North Powder and Union. Care is provided by Family Nurse Practitioners.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Many of the major banks – Bank of America, Community Bank, Klamath First Federal, Pioneer Bank, U.S. Bank, Western Bank (a division of Washington Mutual), and Wells Fargo – have offices in La Grande, and some in the other communities as well. In addition, a number of mortgage companies have offices in La Grande in response to the growing housing market. The county is also served by three credit unions and a broad range of securities and investment counselors. Most of the major insurance lines are represented by offices of national agencies as well as by a variety of independent insurance agents

CHURCHES

Nearly all of the major denominations – Assembly of God, Baptist, Christian, Church of God, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Foursquare, Free Methodist, Lutheran, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, United Methodist, Christian Science, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – are represented in the county. There are several independent, non-denominational, and pentecostal churches as well. Several church-sponsored schools offer alternative educational programs for children from preschool through high school.

COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

Two daily papers serve the needs of Union County residents. The Observer, published daily except Sunday in La Grande, has served the needs of the county for one hundred years. The Oregonian, published daily in Portland, is also widely distributed. The East Oregonian is published daily in Pendleton and has a Sunday Edition. In the community of Elgin, the Valley News, is published weekly, with news of the Grande Ronde Valley. The Nickel, a weekly classified advertising newspaper, is a free distribution paper. Telfax, Inc. is a locally based pre-press publishing company with expanding markets nationwide. Specializing in independent telephone directories, the company also offers graphics design and custom product development. Quality printing services are also available through Palmer Particular Printers, La Grande Printing and Copy Center, La Grande Quick Print, and Freemen Printers.

Television services are provided by Charter Communications, which offers nearly forty channels including four translator associates, four commercial channels, PBS station and digital service.

The radio needs of the county are served by one commercial AM station, KLBM (1450/1590), also known as OK GOLD, three commercial FM stations, and one public FM station. Radio KWRL-FM is also known as 99.9 and plays hits from the 70’s, 80’s and today. KUBQ-FM (98.7), known as THE KUBE, offers country music, talk shows, news and sports round the clock. Radio KCMB-FM (104.7) carries a 100,000 watt signal and broadcasts local, regional and national news, music and sports.

Oregon telecommunication sites are located on campus at Eastern Oregon University and a Grande Ronde Hospital, and will be part of the facility at Blue Mountain Conference Center. In addition, Eastern Oregon University maintains a digital studio to serve both on and off campus video production needs. Several Internet providers have a presence in Union County, offering direct local connections to the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Union County has fiber optics throughout the county. At present we have two points of presence (POP), one with Touch America and one with Level 3 Communications. We can provide competitive rates compared with areas much larger than ours. Union County is one of the few rural counties in the State of Oregon that has fiber optic services available at competitive rates.

TRANSPORTATION

Interstate 84, a major four-lane limited access highway runs east/west through La Grande, providing a direct link to the West Coast and to eastern centers of population. State highway 82 runs northeast from La Grande into Wallowa County, and highway 30 runs through La Grande, linking it to points east and west. A good highway and road system link the smaller communities within the county and connect Union County with the rest of Northeast Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Union Pacific and Idaho Northern Pacific railroads provide mainline freight service for regional and transcontinental destinations on a daily basis.

Moffit Brothers Transportation provides passenger and freight service between La Grande and communities in Wallowa County. Charter services are also available.

The transportation needs of local schools are provided by Mid-Columbia Bus Co., which also offers some bus rental services.

Local residents can call Blue Mountain Cab Co. for their local transportation. La Grande is 250 miles from Portland International Airport, and 175 miles from Boise Municipal Airport. The Pendleton Municipal Airport offers daily service to Portland and is 50 miles to the northwest. Baker City Municipal Airport lies about forty-five miles to the southeast.

The La Grande-Union County Municipal Airport has two runways, the longest of which is 5,600 feet. Navigational aids include VASI lights, an NDB beacon and GPS approach.

UTILITIES

Electric power is provided by Oregon Trail Electric Consumers Cooperative and is purchased from Bonneville Power with preferred customer status. Natural gas is provided by Avista Utilities.The company offers commercial and residential services for communities in Union County. Telephone service is provided by Verizon for communities except North Powder, which is served by Century Tel. Service is also provided by A.T.&T., Qwest, Union-Wallowa Telephone Co., and Priority One Telecommunications. Water and sanitary sewer services are provided by public systems in each community except Summerville. There are adequate water resources for well into the future. Solid waste disposal is provided by county landfill, which is privately operated under franchise. A new transfer site is being planned. Recycling options exist across the county.

TOURISM & CONVENTIONS

The La Grande/Union County Visitors & Conventions Bureau (VCB) is an independent organization with the purpose of increasing the economic impact of tourism in Union County. The VCB: • Develops and implements a marketing program. • Gathers and publishes visitor information. • Operates the Visitor Center and helps visitors make their vacation plans. • Works with other private and public entities to develop visitor attractions and activities. • Assists meeting and event planners in arranging for facilities and publicizing conferences and events. • Promotes use of the Blue Mountain Conference Center. • Maintains a web site with complete visitor information: www.visitlagrande. com The VCB shares an office and works in partnership with the Union County Chamber of Commerce, to achieve the goals of each organization.