Electrical contractor to keep Prineville flag flying

Rosendin Electric, an employee-owned company and one of the largest electrical contractors in the U.S., has employed hundreds of workers for Prineville data center projects in recent years and is now purchasing the former Rimrock Lanes as a community commitment after the bowling alley on SW High Desert Drive closed earlier this year.

Each day, the American flag flew proudly outside this establishment from a pole that also serves as an AT&T cellphone tower, but the rope that once raised ‘Old Glory’ became unusable, company officials said Wednesday.

Rosendin employees reached out to the Prineville nonprofit Friends of the Flag, who kept the flag flying for years, to get the rope replaced and raise the Stars and Stripes proudly again.

“We continue to place a high priority on our Prineville community involvement,” said Glenn Patterson, project executive at Rosendin Electric, “We share in the patriotism of the community and we’re glad to help get the American flag flying again as soon as possible.”

For nearly a decade, Rosendin, a San Jose, Calif.-based electrical contractor nearing its centennial, has held a presence in Prineville, working on the first data center building in the area and subsequent projects.

With a history of hiring local labor, Rosendin recently became a member of the Crook County Chamber of Commerce and has been a strong contributor to holiday fundraisers and multiple organizations including Crook County 4-H, the Crook County School District and the new Splash Pad at Stryker Park.

As local data centers continue to expand in the area, Rosendin is cementing itself as a long-term community partner, the company said in a news release Wednesday.

Company representative Gwen Carr said the bowling alley building will be used to expand its pre-fab warehouse space beyond two buildings leased at the Baldwin Industrial Center. She said the company has more than 250 field workers and nearly 100 office staff in the community.

The Prineville Band of Brothers, a group of veterans and current members of the military, along with the help of Crook County Judge Seth Crawford, has continued to manage the maintenance of the flag. A flag-raising celebration will take place at the base of the pole this Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Rimrock building on High Desert Drive.

“Seven years ago, Rosendin Electric and our community partners worked with us to light the flag so it could be flown 24/7,” said Judge Crawford. “Rosendin has once again stepped up to our community and our large population of veterans. Crook County is blessed and proud to have their continued support.”