Community Solutions, Inc. (CSI)

"Companies that understand their links with the communities they operate in, and their impact on the environment, are most likely to prosper in the long-term ."
- Sir Digby Jones, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry

Community Solutions is the for-profit subsidiary of Wallowa Resources. Its mission is to...

...provide capital, business services and technical support to create and support businesses that generate benefits to the community and the environment.

Community Solutions participates in opportunities that generate family wage jobs, productive lands and sustainable natural resources.

Following the sale of its first business start-up in November 2007 (Community Smallwood Solutions, see below), Community Solutions transitioned from a single-purpose organization to one assisting in diverse business development opportunities. Community Solutions operates through four Primary Strategies:
     • Assess community entrepreneurial and business opportunities.
     • Provide business services for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
     • Act as an entrepreneur or partner.
     • Manage public assets as opportunities become available.

Since the sale of CSS, Community Solutions has developed an impressive portfolio of New Projects:
     • Campground Management: In a joint venture with Wallowa County and the USFS, Community Solutions will manage over 100 local campsites in Upper Joseph Creek and along the Imnaha River.
     • Small Scale/Micro Hydro: Community Solutions is working with local landowners on the design of two micro hydro projects.
     • Baker County Small Woodland Owners: The Baker County Small Woodland Owners have contracted Community Solutions to do a feasibility study on possible business opportunities in forest products industry that fit the Baker County resource base.
     • Wallowa County/Energy Trust Biomass Cogeneration: Community Solutions is conducting a feasibility study on the potential location of a Biomass Cogeneration plant in Wallowa County with funding from the State Renewable Energy Feasibility Fund. The Energy Trust of Oregon has awarded Community Solutions additional funding for this project.
     • JayZee Lumber: Community Solutions is working on a potential expansion project with JayZee Lumber. Further work is pending until the company determines their desired rate of growth.

Forest Certification Services

Wallowa Resources has examined a number of prospects for forest owners and wood processers to add value to local products including certification and labeling of wood products as "FSC certified". To advance this opportunity Wallowa Resources has become a partner and North American representative for Soil Association Woodmark. Woodmark is accredited by Forest Stewardship Council to conduct certification audits on forests and chain-of-custody audits for forest product businesses. WoodMark’s specialty in group certifying small, private forest owners was especially appealing to Wallowa Resources.

Community Smallwood Solutions (CSS)

In 2003 with the local timber economy in a downward spiral, Community Solutions marshaled local investors, the USFS and the Ford Foundation to establish the Community Smallwood Solutions, Inc. (CSS), the post-and pole plant in Wallowa. CSS grew, adding log supplies from local landowners, developing new markets for wood products and increasing their employees from four to fifteen. Last fall CSS was sold to Upstream 21, a Portland-based investment company that buys small, locally owned companies, with the commitment to sustain employees and support local communities and the environment. Contact Tadd Kuppinger, General Manager, at tadd@communitysmallwood.com. Visit www.communitysmallwood.com for more information.

Renewable Enegry Solutions (RES)

Following the sale of Community Smallwood Solutions in November 2007, WR Community Solutions Inc identified renewable energy as one of three areas it could concentrate on to stimulate new business investment, jobs and income in Wallowa County. Over the course of 2008, it became evident that the renewable energy sector represented a significant opportunity. To fully capitalize on this, WR Community Solutions Inc partnered with two other private entrepreneurs to create Renewable Energy Solutions LLC (RES). WR Community Solutions Inc retains a 10% membership stake in RES.
Based in Wallowa County, RES specializes in renewable energy projects and business solutions for rural residents and communities.
RES utilizes Wallowa County’s rich forest and water resources by focusing its consulting efforts on biomass inventory and evaluation, integrated biomass utilization strategies, micro- hydroelectric systems, biomass heat and power facilities, and solar electric systems. RES projects are characterized by small environmental footprints and large economic and social benefits.
Municipal clients include Wallowa County, Baker County, and Imbler School District; non-profits include Total Land Care Malawi and Sustainable Northwest. Project partners have included Washington State University and CARE International.

Wallowa County Economic Action Team (EAT)

In 2005, Wallowa County was selected as the 2006 Rural Design Assistance Team (RDAT) community. The RDAT program us coordinated by North Carolina State University. For the past 40 years, this program has been assisting America's rural and urban communities. A multi-disciplinary team guides communities in assessing their current circumstances and provides recommendations tailored to their unique location.

Wallowa Resources served on Wallowa County's organizing committee for the Rural Design Assistance Team and continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Wallowa County Economic Action Team. Over 1,000 residents of Wallowa County (14% of the population) participated in various workshops and meetings with the RDAT Team. The Economic Action Team and its various subcommittees are now working to implement priority activities derived from recommendations put forth in the Team Report. Although all the recommendations made by the RDAT may not be implemented, all are based on input received from County constituents.

Stewardship Contracting

Wallowa Resources has worked hard to secure and expand local employment opportunities in forest restoration on national forest and other lands. One method to employ local contractors in restoration work is stewardship contracting. This concept moves away from contractors providing a single management service across several locations toward contractors providing several management services in a single location, ideally close to home. Stewardship contracting is an innovative tool that can help us better manage our national forests and landscapes through providing work to local contractors.

Wallowa County Business Facilitation (WCBF)

WCBF's mission is to assist people in transforming their passionate ideas into viable new or expanding businesses. WCBF was founded by citizens who want to:
     • promote local entrepreneurship and innovation
     • empower the individual to fulfill a dream
     • assist in the startup, improvement, or expansion of businesses in all sectors, including agriculture, forestry, tourism, and value-added manufacturing
     • increase the capacity within our community to meet the challenges of changing economic and social conditions.
Wallowa County Business Facilitation employs a half-time, Wallowa County based business coach (Myron Kirkpatrick, who started work in January 2001).

Wallowa Resources was a founding sponsor of Wallowa County Business Facilitation in 2000-2001. Wallowa Resources helped secure initial funding. Both its Executive Director and Deputy Director served on its Board of Directors. For more information, visit http://wallowacountybusiness.org

Wallowa County Hay Growers Association

The Wallowa County Hay Growers Association was formed in March 2003. The Association promotes the availability and sale of weed-free and premium forage products produced by local farmers. The Association also provides a central, simple point of contact to many local hay growers for various customers, including brokers, exporters, ranchers, horse owners, and backcountry enthusiasts. The participating growers have adopted the standards set forth by the North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA). For more information on NAWMA and it standards, go to www.nawma.org

In 2002-2003, Wallowa Resources, through its Lower Grande Ronde Noxious Weed Management Program, worked with the association and the Wallowa County Extension Service to develop the standards, the system for certification, and the Association's web site: http://www.certifiedwallowacountyhay.com

Country Natural Beef / Oregon Country Beef

Country Natural Beef / Oregon Country Beef is a unique and true cooperative that links cow-calf ranchers directly with consumers. CNB / OCB provides a simple, stable and profitable means for its members to produce for its own niche market. By striving to market livestock in a sustainable manner, members take care of and respect the customers, communities and lands which sustain us. CNB / OCB's "Graze-well / Raise-well" principles are certified by third party inspections from the Food Alliance.

Wallowa Resources provided Oregon Country Beef (in particular Doc and Connie Hatfield) contact with ranching families in Wallowa County in the late 1990's when the growth in demand for OCB exceeded their production capacity and the coop was seeking additional members. As demand grew, Oregon Country Beef partnered with ranchers in other states including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and New Mexico to form a larger cooperative called County Natural Beef. 76 ranching families now participate in the co-op in eight western states and Hawaii. Find out more at www.oregoncountrybeef.com

This video, featuring WR Executive Director Nils Christoffersen, highlights Wallowa County's Enterprise School - the first public school in Oregon to switch from a heating-oil system to one based on woody biomass.

Community Development Links

Bronson Log Homes
The Food Alliance
Forest Stewardship Council
Forest Stewardship Council United States
Jayzee Lumber
Oregon Country Beef
Upstream 21
Wallowa County Business Facilitation
Wallowa County Hay Growers Association
Woodmark Forest Certification.

Articles

Renewable Energy Projects to Receive Recovery Act Funding (Dec. 2009)
Smallwood Venture Anticipates Growth (2007)
Small Diametr Materials: Final Report (2005)
Assessment of Treatability of Small Diameter Grand Fir Posts (2002)
Little Buildings at Winter Olympics Show Big Promise (2001)