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Madras, Oregon
Madras
welcomes you to the heart of Jefferson County, where
U.S. Highways 26 and 97 meet. Scenic vistas, fresh air
and friendly faces make this place one of Oregon's best
kept secrets. The fabric of life in Madras is as varied
as the colors of a bolt of Madras cloth from which the
town got its name. Whether it be rockhounding, fishing,
pleasure boating, rafting, water-skiing, golfing, hiking,
culture sampling or just getting away from it all, there's
something for everyone. We are proud of the harmony
and diversity of our community and the warmth and friendliness
of our residents. Again, Madras welcomes you.
Tourism:
Tourism has become an important industry in the county
as central Oregon has emerged as a favorite destination
for travelers. U.S. Highway 97 and 26 bring thousands
of travelers through Madras annually. The Cove State
Park and the Deschutes River draw hundreds of thousands
of visitors to the Madras-Culver area as well. Summer
season tourism and a rapidly growing local population
help keep the community's retail outlets vibrant.
Economy:
The Madras Industrial Park, which includes 300 acres
of air and industrial land co-owned by the City of Madras
and Jefferson County, is located north of Madras. There
are also 120 acres of privately owned land within the
park. It is the hub of industrial activity in the county,
and presently includes 28 businesses that employ over
1,500 people. With over 1,000 workers, Bright Wood Corp.
is the largest employer in the county. Bright Wood,
a wood remanufacturing plant, is the centerpiece of
the Industrial Park. Other major employers at the park
include Keith's Manufacturing -- producers of "walking
floors" used by industry around the world -- which employs
108 people, and Mid Columbia Box, which employs 80.
The Madras Industrial Park is a state designated Enterprise
Zone. Qualifying businesses can receive three to five
year property tax abatement by locating there. For details
on the Industrial Park, contact the chamber at (541)
475-2350.
Other major employers in the county include these education,
medical and governmental entities: the Madras bases
509-J School District, with roughly 360 employees; Mountain
View Hospital District with 175; and Jefferson county
with 150 employees. Other top industrial employers include
Seaswirl Boats in Culver, which has 205 workers, and
Warm Springs Forest Products with 200. The county's
industries are served by the Madras-Jefferson County
Airport, located north of Madras near the Industrial
Park, and the Burlington Northern rail line, which runs
through the heart of the county, through Madras, Metolius
and Culver.
Agriculture and livestock production have long been
staples of the Jefferson county economy. In 1995, the
sales of crops and livestock accounted for $48.8 million.
The county was once known as the mint capital of the
world, and although mint output has gone down over the
past years, it's still one of the county's primary crops.
In the mid- 1990's, though, the county's top money crops
included vegetable and flower seeds, grass and legume
seed, garlic, mint, potatoes and grains. Through the
North Unit Irrigation district, the county has roughly
58,000 acres of farmland that have irrigation water
rights.
Population:
Click here
to see population numbers from the latest census for
Madras and other Oregon cities.
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