For 17 years, Redmond Economic Development, Inc. staff worked to create and sustain a strong connection and friendship with the founder and CEO of Tigard-based Huntair who was considering a Central Oregon relocation. Later this entrepreneur founded BasX Solutions, a manufacturer of modular clean room solutions for medical and manufacturing. Not only was BasX’s location to Redmond the gain of a significant employer, but it also repurposed the largest vacant building in town, a former Walmart.
Team Effort
- City of Redmond quickly accommodated a change of use from commercial to industrial and approved a five-year exemption on property taxes for renovations to the building and equipment allowed by the Greater Redmond Enterprise Zone.
- Deschutes County provided a cash incentive (forgivable loan) from their Economic Development Fund, which is supported by the county’s general fund for job creation
Community Benefit
- Nearly 200 jobs created and nearly $5 million in capital investment.
- 103,000 sf commercial building repurposed to industrial (usually the other way around)
- BasX boosted community confidence to achieve one of its ambitious economic development goals: create 10,000 “new century” jobs by 2025.
- Project provided positive PR for Redmond and helped spawn interest from other companies that have been considering the community for their operations. BasX Solutions was recognized as the “fastest growing company” in 2016 by the Portland Business Journal.
- Industrial vacancy rates have plummeted in the Redmond market which is putting increased pressure for new construction – something the town has not seen much of for nearly a decade.