La Pine economic development mgr. stepping down

Economic Development for Central Oregon announced Tuesday that La Pine Manager Gerry Albert will be stepping down from his position to assist his family with a complicated estate.

The matter arose due to the recent unexpected passing of his brother, the agency said.

“Our sincere sympathies are with Gerry and his family during this difficult time,” said Roger Lee, EDCO executive director.

Lee also noted that EDCO would be in contact with personnel firms within the region to conduct a professional search for his replacement.

“We are committed to helping La Pine and southern Deschutes County with improving their local economy and expanding job opportunities for local residents,” the EDCO official said.

In his 15-month tenure in the position, Albert was able to accomplish several milestones, including assisting the City of La Pine and Deschutes County in the execution of an agreement regarding sale of industrial property.

That agreement enabled the sharing of proceeds of county-owned industrial land in La Pine, as well as provisions on marketing the property to prospective job-creating projects.

Albert also worked actively with businesses at the Wickiup Junction on the north end of La Pine to plan and prepare for significant future highway improvements planned by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

He also played a supporting role for the City of La Pine in the creation of the community’s first urban renewal district.

“The La Pine economic development program was essentially a start-up, so I feel like much of the groundwork has now been laid to begin securing job-creation projects for the community,” said Albert. “Hopefully my work has set the table for good things to happen in the future.”

EDCO plans to work with the La Pine Economic Development (LED) Advisory Board, City of La Pine, and Deschutes County in finding a successor.