Not long ago, Jefferson County sat at the very bottom of Oregon's economic rankings — the most distressed county in the state. Today, it has climbed to eighth on the same list, with an active project pipeline that has grown from two economic development projects in 2024 to seven currently in progress.

Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, recently released updated data ranking all 36 Oregon counties by economic distress. The improvement in Jefferson County's standing has been widely noted by local officials and business leaders as evidence that deliberate investments in rural development are beginning to pay off.

Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Innovation — Side by Side

Brenna Fulks, the Jefferson County Area Director for Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), said the county's economic story challenges the common assumption that rural communities must choose between their agricultural roots and economic growth.

"For far too long, there's been this idea that innovation belongs in more urban centers, or that growth comes at the expense of our agricultural roots. Sometimes it's framed as a tradeoff, as if supporting one means stepping away from the other. Here, agriculture, manufacturing, research and innovation are not competing priorities. They exist side by side."

Fulks points to facilities like the Daimler High Desert Proving Grounds and Keith Manufacturing Co. — which has incorporated robotics into its operations — as examples of the high-tech economic activity that co-exists with the county's deep farming tradition.

Made in Jefferson County Tour Returns in June

To make that work more visible to the broader public, EDCO is reviving the Made in Jefferson County Tour this June. The tour will include stops at:

  • Keith Manufacturing Co. — A Madras-based manufacturer now integrating robotics into operations
  • Central Oregon Seeds, Inc. — Part of the region's strong agricultural seed production sector
  • Poland Organic Dairy — Representing the county's continued farming backbone

The tour is designed to connect residents, community leaders, and potential investors with the range of industries and businesses operating across Jefferson County. Tickets and event details are available at edcoinfo.com/events.

Momentum, Not Just Numbers

"That progress matters because it reflects something bigger than numbers," Fulks wrote in an op-ed published this week. "It signals momentum. It reflects businesses interested in investing here, communities working together and a growing recognition that rural communities can evolve without losing what makes them special."

The county's rise from worst to eighth on the distress index in just a few years is notable — though officials are quick to acknowledge there is still significant ground to cover. The focus now is sustaining the trend and ensuring that the economic benefits reach all corners of the county, from Madras to Warm Springs to Crooked River Ranch.