Union County Chamber of Commerce

09/28/2024

We are all set up and the teams are checking in! Come see us at the Union County Fairgrounds for Oktoberfest and try come chili!

09/28/2024

📸✨ Discover the charm of Cove, Oregon, and share your favorite moments with us! Use to showcase your photos and drop them in the comments for a chance to be featured on our page. We can’t wait to see what makes Cove special to you! 🌲❤️

Thank you Allie Aguilera for sharing this glowing photo of Cove!

09/27/2024

Business Feature Friday: Benchwarmers Pub & Grill

Brooklyn, the manager of Benchwarmers Pub & Grill, found her calling in the hospitality industry through her passion for serving the community. With a warm smile, she explains, "I have really enjoyed customer service jobs and have built great relationships with many regulars. The sense of community here is truly special."
Benchwarmers Pub & Grill is not just another bar; it is a cherished institution with a storied past, making it the second longest-running bar in the Pacific Northwest. The pub is known for providing a fun, safe, and unique experience that sets it apart from other establishments. Its rich history and the character of the building contribute to a distinctive ambiance that patrons love.

The success of Benchwarmers Pub & Grill is a testament to the loyalty of its customers. The pub has cultivated a dedicated following, with patrons who consistently support the business, embodying the spirit of small-town camaraderie. This unwavering support from the community is the cornerstone of Benchwarmers' enduring popularity and success.

We wish Brooklyn luck on her future endeavors and welcome Kalina as the new manager of the bar and restaurant!

09/27/2024

Our Sip and Shop sponsor, Eastern Oregon Women's Coalition began its work in 2006 and became a nonprofit organization in April 2015, designated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Its mission is to educate Oregonians about Eastern Oregon, particularly its businesses and rural way of life. The organization envisions a prosperous Oregon, where rural and urban areas are united through sustainably produced goods and services, healthy natural systems, and strong communities. The coalition strives to build trust and understanding between Oregonians so that Eastern Oregon and its residents are recognized for their valuable contributions to the state as a whole.

One of the coalition’s educational methods includes organizing tours of farms, ranches, and economic development projects in Eastern Oregon, led by expert farmers, ranchers, engineers, and local leaders who provide both practical knowledge and expert insights. Additionally, the organization hosts nonpartisan gatherings of state leaders, policymakers, and community members to encourage communication and the development of community-based solutions. The coalition also facilitates the sharing of economic development strategies within the region, such as water delivery and conservation methods. At these events, participants exchange ideas, successful strategies, lessons learned, and emerging tools for community and economic development.

The coalition is always open to new methods of fostering understanding and education. Those interested in sharing ideas or participating are encouraged to contact [email protected].

The coalition is committed to bridging Oregon’s urban-rural divide, with education and meaningful dialogue at the heart of its efforts.

09/26/2024

🎉 Exciting things are happening at La Grande Middle School with the opening of the new Wildcat Center! 🐾 This state-of-the-art facility is set to enhance student learning and engagement, providing a dynamic space for both academics and athletics. We are thrilled to see the continued investment in our community's future!

09/25/2024

Ready for your next adventure? 🚍✨ Discover the freedom of travel with Mid Columbia Bus Company - La Grande Charter Services! Whether it's a group outing, corporate event, or special occasion, we've got you covered. Check out all the details and let us help you make unforgettable memories! Link for more information in the comments below!

09/25/2024

Capturing the breathtaking beauty of Union County from above — where every peak and valley tells a story of stunning landscapes and boundless horizons. 🌄

Share your favorite views of Union County in the comments for a chance to be featured on our page!

Thank you Michael Hinckley for sharing your amazing capture with us!

09/24/2024

We are so excited to host the Chili Cook-Off at Union County Oktoberfest this year! There is going to be so much going on. Hope we see you this Saturday at the Union County Fairgrounds!

09/23/2024

🌟 Reminder! 🌟 Join us this Wednesday for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new Wildcat Center! Don’t miss it! 🎉✂️

09/23/2024

Exciting times at Conklin Insurance Agency Inc - State Farm Agent! Last Thursday, we celebrated the grand opening of their new office space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Here’s to new beginnings and serving our community better than ever! 🏢✂️

09/23/2024

Monday Board Member Feature: Damon Sexton

"My favorite part of any road trip we take is coming around the last bend out of Ladd Canyon and seeing Mount Emily standing over the valley and knowing I am home. My wife and I have raised our four kids in La Grande and have enjoyed all the friendships and community it has to offer. We have teenagers, so our life is filled with athletic events and extracurricular activities. We love being active and anything outdoors. Some of our family favorites are biking and running at MERA and skiing at Anthony Lakes.
As my kids have gotten older and I have settled into my role as a system administrator at Oregon Trail Electric, I decided that it was time for me to be more involved in the community that I love so much. As a new member of the Chamber Board, I appreciate the value of having a strong economic base and how it improves the quality of life for everyone in the area. Whether it comes to healthy local businesses, robust tourism, or tight knit social groups, I think the Chamber of Commerce has a role to play in advocating for and helping Union County be a place that we are all excited to be from. I am delighted to be able to be a part of that and I am looking forward to spending many more years in our beautiful county."

09/21/2024

Share your favorite wildlife moments in Union County by using for a chance to be featured on our digital channels.

Thank you Christina Williams for sharing your stunning capture with us!

09/20/2024

See you there next week!

https://tapthatgrowlers.net/unioncountyoktoberfest/

09/20/2024

Friday Business Feature: Dirty Girls Detailing

Trusting people with their personal vehicles has always been a significant concern for many. Raised in a family that built street rods, the mother-daughter duo Samie Watson and Suz Brazeau Red Hawk, founders of Dirty Girls Detailing, learned to respect and take care of vehicles from an early age. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Samie and Suz began cleaning each other's vehicles in their backyard. After tackling their own cars, they extended their services to friends, and word quickly spread around town, leading to a three-month booking. Their meticulous care for vehicles convinced them to provide cleaning services for those who didn’t have the time. Officially launching in June 2020, they quickly moved to their current location at 805 Grandy Ave due to high demand. After being booked out for months at a time, the duo became a trio by adding Samie’s older sister, Marcie West. They offer comprehensive interior detailing, undercarriage washes, deep exterior washes, and a 3 to 6-month ceramic coating for budget-conscious customers. Although they don’t offer paint correction or buffing, they recommend local experts who excel in those services. Dirty Girls Detailing prides itself on its unique approach and commitment to quality, ensuring vehicles are kept overnight for a thorough next-day walkthrough. Their mission, "Curing car depression one spa day at a time," reflects their dedication to making cars feel new again and fostering a renewed love for vehicles among owners. Success, for them, is not measured monetarily but by the love of cars and customer satisfaction.

09/18/2024

Chasing stars and winding roads—where the journey meets the cosmos in La Grande, OR.

Thanks for letting us share your amazing shot!

Comment your photos below for a chance to be featured on our page!

09/18/2024

📅 Exciting news! “The Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon Men of Union County" calendar is now on presale. Celebrate and support the amazing individuals making a difference in our community all year long. Order your calendar today! 🌟

Are you ready for this?
Are you ready to own what we consider will be the hottest (cutest) calendar for 2025?
Dive into a visual feast of 25 meticulously chosen images of 12 men of Union County.
This is beyond a calendar. Whether it graces your office, or your home this calendar is more than a timekeeper, its a statement piece. By purchasing this calendar, you are showing that you are supporting a local business & helping give back to your community, as well as being able to check out these cute, hunks each month!
You KNOW this will be the perfect Christmas gift for your friends, family or just for you!
You know YOU want one!
PRESALES of our
"Community Kindness Men of Union County Calendar"
are available NOW!
Call in the store to guarantee your 2025 calendar.
This is our main fundraiser of the year.
Calendars will be available at our Calendar launch on Friday 4th October 6pm in The Cavern at Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon's non profit thrift store.
We want to say a big thank you to all of our sponsors.
You can also go to our website to purchase right now. https://ckthriftstore.com/products/men-of-union-county-calendar-2025

09/17/2024

Our Directors Circle member, Brooks Painting & Contracting, has you covered for all your painting projects. 🎨

09/16/2024

🚴‍♂️🎉 Relive the excitement of last Friday’s Cycle Oregon Rally with us! A big thank you to all the riders and volunteers who helped make this day so memorable and fun!🏞️💨

09/16/2024

Monday Board Member Feature: Mandi Collins

"I moved to Union County just shy of 10 years ago with the intention of making this our permanent home. With the desire to spend my life here, my goals include promoting events, commerce, and community, and hopefully encouraging others to join our wonderful valley to work, play, and raise their families.

I have worked in insurance for 16 years, starting as a receptionist and working my way up to agent/account manager. I joined Wheatland Insurance Center, Inc. in 2015, and I love working for a locally owned agency that started and has grown in Northeastern Oregon. I specialize in commercial and farm insurance, including bonding, crop insurance, and workers' compensation. My upbringing includes strong ties to the logging industry and growing up on a small hobby farm (with goats, sheep, and chickens). This background, coupled with my B.S. degree in Agricultural Business Management from Oregon State University, has given me a better understanding of the clients I work with and the livelihoods I am helping to insure.

I volunteer where needed for events and activities in our community, and I hold positions with several organizations, including Union FFA Alumni & Supporters as Board President, Den Leader for Cub Scouts, Peewee Basketball and Soccer Coach, Director of the UC Chamber Board, and with Oregon FFA on the Alumni Council as the State Secretary/Treasurer. I encourage everyone to volunteer, even if you can’t make the time commitment to hold a permanent position. Take the afternoon to help as an extra body for a community event, attend the banquet, cook in a cook shack, and most importantly, bring your friends and family along to join you. I am trying to show my son the importance of community involvement and volunteerism, and seeing is learning. There is a good chance you will meet him if you attend a chamber event.

My spouse and I have been together for 15 years. Our story started in Pendleton and continues in his hometown of Union. We both appreciate the qualities of our little town and are thankful we get to raise our family in such a wonderful community."

09/14/2024

🌲📸 Show us the beauty of Union County! Share your favorite moments and hidden gems from around the area using or dropping them in the comments below for a chance to be featured on our page. We can’t wait to see your stunning photos and discover Union County through your eyes! 🌟✨

Thank you Robyn Dix for sharing your beautiful photo!

09/13/2024

The Chamber is going Pink! So excited to become a more sustainable office! Thank you The Compost Chick for bringing your services to Union County.