Aerospace manufacturer coming to La Pine, promoting growth and development in southern Deschutes County
Claire Elmer
(Update: Comments by company owner, economic development official)
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — After 25 years in Wilsonville, Western Metrology is making a big move to Central Oregon — bringing aerospace manufacturing to La Pine for the first time.
The precision parts manufacturer has begun work on a new 15,200-square-foot facility in La Pine’s industrial park. Owner Tom Zitzelberger told KTVZ News Tuesday that the decision was rooted in his family’s personal connection to the area.
“My wife and I originally were planning on retiring in La Pine,” he wrote. “La Pine reminds me of the small towns that I grew up in. As our business grew, we started looking at ways to eventually retire here and still support our company.”
Western Metrology specializes in machining parts for the aerospace industry. The new facility, set for completion by the end of December, will offer room to expand and allow the company to add two to three more employees next year.
Patricia Lucas, executive director of the Sunriver and La Pine Economic Development Program (SLED), said Western’s move supports SLED’s ongoing efforts to grow the region’s manufacturing base.
“One of our targeted sectors in south Deschutes County, and specifically in La Pine, is advanced manufacturing,” Lucas said. “We’re thrilled they’ve decided to locate their business here. They’ll be creating family living-wage jobs, which we’re really excited about.”
The 330-acre La Pine Industrial Park was developed jointly by the city and Deschutes County to attract innovative and traded-sector businesses. Lucas said the park’s affordability and the city’s business-friendly approach make it an appealing place for companies looking to grow in Central Oregon.
“We help them find a site or a building,” she said. “They may need help with financing, workforce development or tax incentives. We try to figure out what they need and structure a package to assist them in the best way we can.”
With Western Metrology on the way and more sites ready for development, La Pine’s industrial park could soon become a new hub for manufacturing and job creation in Central Oregon.