State and Region Work with Central Oregon Truck Company to Retain Jobs

Press Release

The Governor today applauded Central Oregon Truck Company's decision to build a new corporate headquarters in Redmond and retain 125 jobs in central Oregon. The Governor's Central Oregon Regional Solutions Team worked with the company, the City of Redmond and Economic Development of Central Oregon to identify a suitable site and accelerate public infrastructure improvements to accommodate the facility.

"This is a wonderful example of how the public and private sector can work together to keep Oregonians employed," said Governor Kitzhaber. "I applaud all the partners involved in making this project successful and Central Oregon Truck Company for their decision to stay in Oregon."

"Having a major employer paying living wage jobs and offering a vital service to Central Oregon is a great boon to the area. I want to thank all parties who worked so diligently to make this private/public partnership come to fruition. This is a great example of cooperation leading to a very successful outcome," added Redmond Mayor George Endicott.

"Keeping Central Oregon Trucking in our region has been a significant priority", noted Roger Lee Executive Director for Economic Development for Central Oregon. "Through an incredible effort of public and private collaboration, we are able to retain quality jobs in the region and help build our transportation supply chain."

The Central Oregon Truck Company (COTC) is headquartered in Prineville, with a truck terminal and training facility in Terrebonne. COTC hauls freight throughout the United States and Canada, employing 218 people, including 175 truck drivers and 43 support staff. The average COTC employee salary and benefit package is $58,530, which is approximately 150% above the central Oregon average.

The company has been seeking a single site to consolidate their operation either in Oregon or another state. Economic Development Central Oregon identified the Redmond site in and the need for public improvements to make it feasible for a trucking facility.

The Central Oregon Regional Solutions Team -- created by Governor Kitzhaber to facilitate locally-driven economic development opportunities -- partnered with the City of Redmond to seek public funding for an acceleration lane on US 97 and an intersection widening of SE 9th Street at Highway 126 to accommodate the increased truck movements and provide for the safe and efficient operation of their fleet.

The Regional Solutions Team and the City submitted an Immediate Opportunity Fund request to the Oregon Transportation Commission for construction of the transportation infrastructure. The Commission awarded the request on an accelerated schedule in September 2011. It will cover 75 percent of the $495,000 project, with the City of Redmond providing 25 percent ($123,750) in local match. The design and construction of the transportation improvements will be coordinated with the construction of COTC's new buildings and are scheduled to be completed in October 2012.

The Governor has set up Regional Solutions Teams for each of the economic development districts in the state to focus agency work and investments on regional priorities and to integrate resources to grow Oregon's economy and create jobs. The core agencies of these teams are: Oregon Business Development Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Oregon Housing and Community Services and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

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