Supporting Multiple Segments of Harney County
Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative exists to help rural Harney County businesses succeed and to help build a thriving business environment. As a Business Oregon Rural Opportunity Initiative Community, the partners are supporting many segments of the Harney County small business community:
- economic development with the Burns Paiute Tribe;
- providing training and assistance to frontier rural small business owners;
- providing education and mentorship through *CO.STARTERS to local entrepreneurs;
- building the Idea to Ownership pipeline and connecting students with small businesses for internship opportunities through the Harney Internship Program.
*CO.STARTERS is a cohort learning program where "entrepreneurs learn together and from each other." Since 2022 177 budding entrepreneurs and small business owners have become CO.STARTER graduates.
Providing Support Beyond Harney County
A $410,000 Business Oregon Economic Equity Investment Program (EEIP) grant to High Desert Partnership catalyzed significant rural economic development across eight counties. Over 6 months, the program supported 115 small businesses, distributed $251,840 in direct grants to 68 businesses, and leveraged an additional $174,955 in funding. The initiative created 49 full and part time jobs while focusing on entrepreneurship and business development through three key pillars: classes/workshops, technical assistance, and grant funding.
This second round of funding provided critical infrastructure, equipment and supplies for entrepreneurs. Notable success stories include Katelyn White owner of Princeton Producers and Jessica Bass of Lazy Mule Farms & Daved Wilson who launched Wilson Dirt Work.
Supporting the High Desert Biomass Cooperative as it Grows
The Biz Harney Opportunity Collaborative is also supporting the High Desert Biomass Cooperative with technical assistance and the development of the High Desert Biomass Stewardship Agreement. This agreement with the Forest Service contributes to the growth of High Desert Biomass Cooperative and its ability to service Harney County. In addition, this agreement has ecological, economic and social benefits including:
- helping reduce fire fuel in the forest;
- supplying small diameter lumber to the High Desert Biomass Cooperative enabling it to heat multiple buildings in Harney County and;
- feeding the natural resource stewardship economy with the creation of jobs to harvest this lumber.
Shop Harney and the Gift Card that Could
Fall 2020 with the pandemic wreaking havoc on the Harney County rural economy, the need to support and lift up Harney County businesses drove a search for and implementation of a community directed gift card program—Shop Harney. Each card purchased keeps local dollars in the local community, while also highlighting and supporting some of the businesses Harney County has to offer. This is one successful example of Biz Harney partners working together and spreading a spirit of entrepreneurism and culture of innovation.
As of 2025:
- 2467 Shop Harney cards purchased
- The cards purchased are worth $188,807
- 79 Harney County businesses accepting Shop Harney
