La Grande, Oregon: A Natural Fit
- The Retail Hub of Northeast Oregon
- Available, shovel-ready sites at competitive prices
- Incentives from state and local resources help lower development costs
- Excellent transportation infrastructure—Interstate 84 and Union Pacific Railroad
- Municipal water and wastewater systems with excess capacity to serve new development
- Low cost and dependable electricity
- NO Sales Tax
- NO System Development Charges
- Quality K-12 education
- Workforce Development Resources
- Eastern Oregon University
Demographics
The City of La Grande has approximately 13,000 people within our city limits and over 26,000 in the surrounding communities within Union County. As the commercial center of northeast Oregon, we draw from our surrounding counties of Baker (population 16,005) and Wallowa (population 6,856) for shopping, work and recreation. Our school district is growing with a student enrollment of approximately 2,350 students. Eastern Oregon University adds to our local population with a student enrollment of approximately 3,500 students and approximately 450 faculty and staff.
Secondary Trade Area:
La Grande draws retail customers from a three-county trade area. These counties are: Baker, Union, and Wallowa.
Additional consumers live between 100 and 120 minutes Northwest and Southwest of La Grande.
- Population: 49,117
- Households: 20,601
- Median Age: 44.1
- Median Income: $45,298
- Civilian, Employed: 23,067
- Married: 52.7%
- Some College: 27.5%
- Associates Degree: 8.9%
- Bachelors Degree: 14.0%
- Graduate Degree: 7.3%
Area Draw
- Grocery Stores: Safeway, Albertsons
- Big Box: Walmart
- Shopping Center: Big 5 Sporting Goods, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Petsense, Ace Hardware, Rite Aid, Domino's Pizza, Anytime Fitness
- Healthcare: Grande Ronde Hospital, Clinics, Specialized Clinics
- Restaurants
- Fast Food
- Gross Leasable Area
- Schools & Colleges
- Physicians
- Large Businesses
- Hotels
- University Field House (under construction)
Retail Leakage/Surplus Analysis
As the commercial hub for a tri-county region in northeast Oregon, La Grande attracts shoppers to the area from a 90 minute region.
Within a 20-minute drive time, the City of La Grande has an 80% surplus, attracting shoppers in the categories of Health Care and
Personal Care, General Merchandise and Automotive Parts and Dealers. Our largest area of leakage is Clothing and Apparel and Food/Beverages.
The quantitative comparison of retail leakage and surplus in the major store types shown in the table below provides an initial measure of market opportunities. Combining this analysis with the knowledge of the local retail situation will take the process of identifying retail possibilities one step further.
A Diverse Economy
The region has a diverse economy which includes agriculture, the lumber industry, RV and Transportation manufacturing, e-commerce and a growing health care industry.
A Skilled Workforce
Our are workers are trained in a variety of skills and come from a regional workforce including five counties within Oregon, the Walla Walla, Washington MSA and Tri-Cities, Washington MSA. Combined, this is a potential workforce of more than 217,000 workers.
Workforce development and training is strong in the City of La Grande and Union County. In 2015, residents of the La Grande School District (LGSD) passed a $33 million dollar school bond, which included funding for a new Career Technical Education Center (CTE). In collaboration with Blue Mountain Community College, customized training programs can be developed to meet your business needs.
Eastern Oregon University
La Grande is also home to Eastern Oregon University (EOU). Recognized as Oregon’s Rural University, EOU is a public, four-year, regional institution of 3,500 students with nationally recognized programs both on campus and online. EOU is an active partner with community and economic development programs, connecting students, faculty and research with the business community.
Grande Ronde Hospital (GRH)
Grande Ronde Hospital, Inc. is an award winning not-for-profit health system that has garnered national and state recognition. GRH includes a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, 11 Out-Patient clinics and a virtual care clinic. At 750 employees and growing, GRH is the largest employer in Union County.
Major markets are a one day transport by highway:
- Portland—261mi
- Seattle—333mi
- Tri-Cities—124 mi
- Boise—164 mi
- Spokane—250mi
- Salt Lake City—510mi
- San Francisco—755mi
- Denver—995mi
Ports:
- Port of Morrow—97 miles via I-84
- Port of Portland—270 miles via I-84
Passenger Air:
Union County Airport is a general aviation airport that can accommodate private and commercial shipping transport.
- Pendleton, OR—45mi
- Walla Walla, WA—83mi
- Pasco, WA—120mi
- Boise, ID—164mi
- Portland, OR—261mi
La Grande Business & Technology Park
- The Park is “shovel-ready” with paved streets, sidewalks, underground utilities, fiber ready, municipal water and waste-water.
- Interstate 84 is 1.5 miles from the Park entrance.
- The Park is situated in the City of La Grande Urban Renewal District and financial incentives are available from the District.
- The full Park is 70 acres. Lot sizes range from 1 to 8+ acres and lots can be reconfigured to accommodate need for a larger parcel.
- The Park is an ideal location for light industrial, warehousing, and general office operations.
“We are thrilled to be in such a beautiful and supportive city. Our area holds a lot of potential for growth in the clothing retail category, which makes it ideal for a company like Dainty Jewells. Our community also does such a great job of supporting local; it’s our pleasure to be based out of La Grande!”
Charity Walters, President of Dainty Jewells located in the La Grande Business Park
Credits:
Images courtesy of Ashley O'Toole, Eastern Oregon University, Grande Ronde Hospital, City of La Grande, and Redbat Creative..