Where: Enterprise, Oregon.
Problem: The city of Enterprise was out of compliance for its water pressure and needed funding, public support, and a rate adjustment. Enterprise also requested assistance with economic development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable projects for its downtown revitalization.
Solution: RCAC targeted funding options for a drinking water project, conducted a series of public education meetings to gain support, secured $5.5 million, and assisted city leaders with a rate adjustment.

Enterprise is at the base of the Wallowa Mountains in northeast Oregon and has a population of 1,800. As the seat for Wallowa County, the town serves as a hub for businesses, services, and culture in the local region.

For the past two years, RCAC has worked with Enterprise city leaders to address a problem with the drinking water pressure system; left unattended, this could increase the risk to public health. In addition, the city had problems with its aging water distribution system.

RCAC helped city leaders organize a One Stop funders meeting to explore fund¬ing options that would help the city solve its water pressure and distribution challenges. The funding options included the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) program, which offered the best financing package available at the time. RCAC facilitated a series of four public meetings with the city, regulatory and funding agencies, and city engineer to educate the community about the importance of addressing the town’s inability to comply with state water regulations. The meeting also focused on the best financing package available, and impacts on water rates.

There have been positive outcomes of RCAC’s work in Enterprise. City residents have demonstrated increased public support for the maintenance its water system requires. City council members eventually approved proceeding with the project, and secured $5.5 million under the SRF program, including $750,000 in principle forgiveness. The council also passed a $13 rate adjustment. The drinking water project is under construction and will bring Enterprise into compliance for water pressure, improve the distribution system, and ensure the community has safe and reliable drinking water for the future.

RCAC is also applying the Building Rural Economies (BRE) program to support entrepreneurship, new businesses, and catalytic project development in Enterprise. RCAC has worked with economic development stakeholders to develop a value chain which identifies value-added business opportunities around the OK Theater in downtown Enterprise. RCAC is working with the theater’s new owner to develop a business plan for transforming the property into a community events center.

City of Enterprise leaders have said that RCAC assistance has been critical in helping the community move forward with the water project, and in helping to create an environment for business opportunities and downtown revitalization.