Business View Civil & Municipal l November 2022

24 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 HERMISTON, OR A n abundance of outdoor beauty, available jobs and new investments and resources in both the community and its infrastructure are what make Hermiston, Oregon a desirable place to live, work and play. And it is why Hermiston, as its tagline indicates, is where “life is sweet.” The growing city of Hermiston with a current population of more than 17,000 according to the 2020 U.S. Census has a historically strong agricultural industry. While parts of that industry are still thriving, Hermiston has built a reputation of employment opportunities in the logistics and data center sectors in recent years, according to City Manager Byron Smith. But to attract new workers, it has also made investments in the local district, its parks and recreation department, and an expanding retail center downtown. “We’ve made decisions to help attract new employers and residents here,” Smith says. “Whatever it takes to support families is what we want to do.” A gem within a state renowned for its natural beauty