Baker City entrepreneurs Ted and Jodie Hausotter are expanding their business, Natural Structures. The expansion will be financed with a $350,000 loan package made possible through a partnership between the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD), Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) and Community Bank. 

Natural Structures is known throughout the United States for their commitment to supplying clients with the highest quality pool and water slides; shelter and pavilions; site furniture; park, play and athletic equipment. “They were an ideal applicant for the Oregon Business Development Fund,” states Lisa Dawson, Executive Director of NEOEDD.  “They are an innovative company that regularly demonstrates quality craftsmanship and ingenuity while always keeping an eye on the bottom line.”   

Over the last year, NEOEDD, in addition to packaging Oregon Business Development Fund loans for OECDD, has invested more than $1.2 million into business and community development projects in Baker, Union and Wallowa Counties through their US Department of Agriculture Intermediary Relending Program and a US Department of Commerce, Revolving Loan Fund. 

“We appreciate the partnership we have in the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District,” said Jeremy Gilpin, Community Bank, Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer.  “Many small businesses in Northeast Oregon have received financing as a result of our work together.”  Based upon available funding, NEOEDD can finance business acquisition, purchase of equipment, supplies, leasehold improvements and machinery, startup operating costs, permanent working capital and debt refinance.

For more information about NEOEDD loan programs, Dawson encourages potential borrowers to contact loan officer Greg Smith at 541-676-8208. 

Another useful tool is the loans Web page at (www.neoedd.org).  Potential borrowers can also receive information from the Eastern Oregon University (EOU) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) which is funded in part by the United States Small Business Administration.

Contact the EOU-SBDC Partnership at (541) 962-1532 or email ( sbdc@eou.edu ).