Enterprise Facilitation Comes To Maupin

Here first hand from Dennis Ross, Mayor of Maupin about how Enterprise Facilitation has changed this community.

Maupin help residents with new business ideas develop those passions into viable businesses that fuel community economic development?

In Maupin’s case, we have to turn the clock back to before Denny Ross became Mayor. Ross visited Joseph, Oregon in 2000 on another matter and happened to read a newspaper article about Dr. Ernesto Sirolli’s “enterprise facilitation” method of stimulating economic development in rural communities. For more about enterprise facilitation go to www.sirolli.com.

Knowing that Maupin was struggling economically, Ross called The Sirolli Institute and inquired about the enterprise facilitation process.

“I was just amazed at the simplicity of the concept. The Sirolli folks told me that, for them, economy was simply communities of people doing beautifully what they have a passion for doing. The better they are at it, the better the economy,” said Ross.

The City of Maupin Oregon with a year-round population of about 490 residents (5,000 if you include the entire school district), Maupin is one of six incorporated cities in Wasco County, about a two hour drive east of Portland Oregon along the banks of the Deschutes River.

The “north county” cities of The Dalles, Mosier, and Dufur have a larger population as a whole, a result of their proximity to the Columbia River and quick access to metropolitan areas. The entire county has a population of approximately 23,791 people (2000 Census data).

With a total city area of only 1.4 square miles, the city of Maupin is actually situated on both sides of the Deschutes River. U.S. Highway 197 is one of the few spots, north of Madras, where vehicle crossing is possible. The nearest major highway is Interstate 84, 39 miles north. The nearest major city is The Dalles, also 39 miles north. Portland is 95 miles to the northwest, Salem (the state capital) 100 miles west (as the crow flies.)

Demographically, Maupin’s median age is 44 years. Median family income in the city $38,854, per capita income $17,626 (2000 Census data.)

Maupin’s economy is based almost entirely on its one major asset – the Deschutes River. Important access points for whitewater rafters, kayakers, anglers, and bird watchers abound along the river and the community truly values its greatest natural resource.

But it wasn’t always a recreation-based economy. Until the mid-1980‟s Maupin enjoyed a wood products industry base and was known as a “mill town” like many other Oregon rural communities.

“Were a recreation town that can’t get away from the fact that we were a mill town. The mill closed in the mid-80‟s and Maupin would be dead now if the river wasn’t here, it’s our greatest resource. Were a young recreation town struggling to settle into becoming a recreation-based economy. Our problems revolve around jobs and affordable housing,” said Rob Miles, owner of the Imperial River Company, a lodge and recreation provider located right on the Deschutes River.

Although log home construction provided jobs in recent years, the recent recession put a damper on the construction industry leaving seasonal-dependent tourism jobs as residents‟ only options. Some residents commute the 39 miles to The Dalles for work but, again, the recession has made jobs harder to find.