‘La Pine has grown so much recently’: New businesses are in town, with more on the way

(Update: Adding comments video, from Lucas, Wetland's Taphouse partner)

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- La Pine is growing at a fairly rapid rate, with new businesses frequently springing up or arriving in town.

Hundreds of new homes, and more than a dozen new businesses add up to a boom for La Pine, which has the area's economic development director feeling very optimistic.

Sunriver/La Pine Economic Development Executive Director Patricia Lucas said Thursday, "La Pine is, I believe, the seventh fastest growing community in all of Oregon."

Lucas said there are 500 new homes being built in La Pine.

"Our growth is projected in the next five to eight years to go from its current 2,600 people to over 5,000." she added.

The population increase means opportunity for new businesses.  

"This year, the number of businesses that have opened that I've worked with are 11," Lucas said.

At least six more new businesses are expected next year. In all of last year, 41 businesses opened in La Pine. 

Wetlands Taphouse partner Corey Lachapelle agrees that La Pine has grown quickly of late.

"La Pine has grown so much recently," Lachapelle said. "I don't think people realize how much La Pine has actually grown. We need more entertainment. We need more places like this." 

Wetlands Taphouse opened two weeks ago.

Other new businesses include a cider house and a manufacturing company.

"In terms of development, I think La Pine has a lot to offer," Lucas said. "The cost of doing business is less, the cost of land is less, housing affordability is  -- the cost of houses are lower."

Lucas said the majority of businesses coming in are related to food and technology.  And she believes there's even more room for growth.