After more than 60 years of operation, the Wells Fargo branch on SW E Street in Madras will close its doors on June 24, 2026 — leaving Jefferson County without a single national bank branch and sending residents 30 miles to Redmond for in-person service.

New state data confirms what local economic development leaders have been working toward for years: Jefferson County is no longer Oregon's most economically distressed county. The county has climbed to 8th on the statewide index — a shift driven by job growth, new investment, and targeted development work.

Theo's Longhouse Strong Coffee celebrated the grand opening of its Madras warehouse last Saturday with Native American drummers, community celebration, and years of persistence. Founder Theo Perez built the business to support the Warm Springs Reservation longhouse, and is now inviting the public to buy beans on weekends.

Jefferson County has gone from the most economically distressed county in Oregon in 2023 to eighth on the state's ranking — and the county's active project pipeline has grown from two to seven. A new Made in Jefferson County Tour this June will spotlight the businesses driving the turnaround.

New data from Business Oregon shows Jefferson County has improved from the third most economically distressed county in the state to the eighth — a significant shift driven by employment gains, business growth, and regional momentum.

New data from Business Oregon shows Jefferson County has made significant economic strides, jumping five spots in the state's distress rankings. Local officials and economic development leaders point to rising business interest, new projects, and regional momentum as key drivers.

Jefferson County has climbed from Oregon's most economically distressed county in 2023 to eighth place in the latest Business Oregon rankings, reflecting a surge in business activity and development projects. EDCO is bringing back the Made in Jefferson County Tour in June, and the Event Complex just received $62,500 in new grants.