Thursday, May 08, 2008
WHAT ABOUT THE PROPERTY ALFA LEISURE BOUGHT IN OREGON?
RV Business
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Oregon’s Douglas County is trying to figure out what their options are with a chunk of land in in TriCity, after RV manufacturer Alfa Leisure Inc. suddenly closed down its operations in Ontario, Calif.
Alfa Leisure bought the 30-plus acres of land in southern Douglas County with plans to put their entire operation there, according to a report by KPIC. County officials got the word this week that the company had ceased operations.
Helga Conrad, the Umpqua Economic Development director, said they were stunned when they heard the news.
"I was totally surprised and tried calling the owner of the company and he has not returned my calls,” said Conrad. “Unfortunately, the RV industry is really taking a big hit these days so I think this is just a casualty in the RV industry. I don't know what their future plans are. We have not had a discussion so its premature to say anything about the company at this time."
Conrad said the land is a significant parcel that is highly desirable as an industrial site.
"I would imagine that if they don't have any plans, that they will release the land,” she said. “There's only been two payments. If they think the RV industry is coming back in any way shape or form and they want to form a separate company in Oregon I don't know. I need to have those conversations with the company and I have not had that yet."
There were some tax incentives for building on that site, but county officials say it only applies to Alpha Leisure, so any new deals with another company would have to be renegotiated.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Oregon’s Douglas County is trying to figure out what their options are with a chunk of land in in TriCity, after RV manufacturer Alfa Leisure Inc. suddenly closed down its operations in Ontario, Calif.
Alfa Leisure bought the 30-plus acres of land in southern Douglas County with plans to put their entire operation there, according to a report by KPIC. County officials got the word this week that the company had ceased operations.
Helga Conrad, the Umpqua Economic Development director, said they were stunned when they heard the news.
"I was totally surprised and tried calling the owner of the company and he has not returned my calls,” said Conrad. “Unfortunately, the RV industry is really taking a big hit these days so I think this is just a casualty in the RV industry. I don't know what their future plans are. We have not had a discussion so its premature to say anything about the company at this time."
Conrad said the land is a significant parcel that is highly desirable as an industrial site.
"I would imagine that if they don't have any plans, that they will release the land,” she said. “There's only been two payments. If they think the RV industry is coming back in any way shape or form and they want to form a separate company in Oregon I don't know. I need to have those conversations with the company and I have not had that yet."
There were some tax incentives for building on that site, but county officials say it only applies to Alpha Leisure, so any new deals with another company would have to be renegotiated.
