Jefferson County, Oregon Competitors

Perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley, 90 miles south of Portland and 40 miles north of Eugene, Benton County has easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural activities. Combined with outdoor recreation galore in the Cascade Range 80 miles to the east and the Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean 50 miles west, the county’s 90,000 residents like to say they “have it all.” Voters elect three County Commissioners and a Sheriff to four-year terms. The District Attorney is also elected to a four-year term and is a state official. The County Commissioners are assisted in their administrative responsibilities by the County Administrator, who is responsible for implementing County policy, managing operations, budget, and supervising Department Directors. With a ’21-’23 total budget of approximately $349.8 million and 564 employees, Benton County provides a breadth of services through its departments of Assessment, Board of Commissioners, Community Development, District Attorney, Fairgrounds, Records and Elections, Financial Services, Health Centers, Health Department, Human Resources, Information Technology, Juvenile, Natural Areas and Parks, Public Works, and the Sheriff’s Office. In addition to Oregon State University and local entrepreneurship, Benton County’s economy is driven by the tech and health industries and regional agriculture. Traditionally, county Ag has focused on grass seed, Christmas trees, wine grapes, seed crops, organic produce, lumber, sheep, cattle and dairy, but recent years have seen large upswing in hazelnuts and marijuana. The community’s passion for supporting a thriving local economy allow the county to boast chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, brewmasters and distilleries committed to locally grown ingredients with a strong focus on sustainability.

Hood River County, Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest. Positioned at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and the magnificent Cascade Range, the County is known for its unusual mix of geology and climate. Cascade Locks on the western edge of the county sits at just 60 feet above sea level while the county’s south border soars to the 11,235-foot summit of Mt. Hood—Oregon’s tallest peak. Hood River County (population 23,382) lies midway between the moist rain forest climate of Cascade Locks and the arid desert air of The Dalles. The area that is now Hood River County has been inhabited by native tribes such as the Wasco, Klickitat, and Warm Springs tribes for thousands of years. They fished salmon from the Columbia, gathered native huckleberries, and thrived off the area’s diverse natural habitat far before settlers began their westward explorations. Hood River was later discovered by Lewis and Clark on their historic journey west, and the area was a pivotal point in the famous Oregon Trail migration of pioneers. Hood River was named after the river tributary that flows from Mount Hood to the Columbia River. Originally a part of Wasco County, Hood River County gained its political separation on June 23, 1908 and its boundaries have remained unchanged. The Missoula Floods that rose at the end of the last ice age left the Hood River Valley fertile and hospitable for fruit trees and vineyards, and created a fishing and trade mecca in the Cascade Locks area. Hood River Valley is famed for apples and pears which producers ship in large quantities. Forestry, healthcare, manufacturing and technology are also major industries. The Columbia River Gorge has had federally protected status as a National Scenic Area since 1986. Its steep walls, coupled with a rapid average temperature change along this corridor, force strong winds to blow year-round through Hood River, which contribute to its reputation as a windsport mecca.

Polk County Public Works is an education management company based out of 820 Sw Ash St, Dallas, Oregon, United States.