Harney County Court hires grant-writing firm, sets data-driven priorities for infrastructure and housing

Harney County Court met in a May 15, 2026 special session to introduce Healthy Sustainable Communities (HSC) and finalize a contract for grant‑writing services to help the county identify and pursue funding for local projects.

John Linger, representing HSC, said the firm would start with a 60‑day data and outreach phase and requested county datasets including Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), assessor property data and census/ACS demographics. “When we pull that data…we're able to really understand what businesses, you know, what's happening in the county,” Linger said, explaining the package would be used both to target competitive grants and to support employer‑attraction efforts.

The presentation and subsequent discussion laid out several immediate priorities HSC is expected to pursue: completing and outfitting the fairgrounds' indoor event center, repairing or replacing the library heating system, addressing sewer infrastructure that could block two housing projects, and seeking grants for public‑safety equipment such as vehicles and generators. The court reported it recently received a $31,000 grant for asbestos abatement in the courthouse basement.

County participants warned the work will need to navigate key infrastructure and regulatory constraints. A committee member said a recently concluded state groundwater rule could “potentially curtail our groundwater irrigation use by 35 plus percent” in some subareas, a development they said could have long‑term economic consequences. The same participant also said the sewer systems serving Burns and Hines “lack capacity and have dilapidated infrastructure,” noting those limits must be resolved before housing developments can proceed.

The hearing explored local energy options tied to economic development. One participant proposed leaning into a biomass or cogen project at the old mill industrial site to address local power needs and support manufacturers; county leaders also discussed an existing biomass district‑heating system that now serves the Slater School building, the courthouse and a mental‑health contractor and noted a possible—but costly—extension of that line to the library.

Speakers discussed governance and process details HSC will support: forming an economic development advisory or ad hoc committee composed of municipal representatives, business owners and utility partners; establishing an internal process for departments to notify the court of grant applications; and building a prioritized grant pipeline that flags required local matches or timing constraints. Linger recommended outreach to Burns and Hines city managers, the fair manager, emergency management, the rural health clinic and the High Desert Partnership director to map existing grants and needs.

County officials and the HSC representative agreed on immediate next steps: HSC will send the QCEW and other data forms, staff will supply the requested datasets, and HSC will schedule introductory meetings with department heads to prepare a prioritized list of grant prospects. Participants confirmed the contract with HSC was signed and a copy would be provided to the court.

The court did not record any formal vote on an ordinance or bond during the session; the meeting closed after participants confirmed the contract and discussed scheduling follow‑up work. The county expects HSC to return with data and a recommended pipeline at a future check‑in meeting.