Why Work Here?

 Located in Northern Oregon along the Columbia River, Morrow County is a collective combination of natural agricultural lands, abundant recreational activities, and vast forest, mountain, and river views. With a total population of roughly 12,000, Morrow County covers 2,049 acres of land which encompasses five incorporated cities, 11 unincorporated communities, and a ghost town.

The largest city in Morrow County is the City of Boardman. With a population of roughly 4,400, Boardman is known for its agriculture, food processing, livestock, and recreation opportunities. Due to its location adjacent to the Columbia River, Boardman residents and visitors enjoy river views with public access to sandy beaches, large grass parks, walking trails, and water activities with boat access through the Boardman Marina. Also located in Boardman is the SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture and Energy) Center; an interactive visitor and museum center which highlights the sustainability of the agriculture and energy industry. The center provides hands on exhibits of technology used by local industries and farmers to demonstrate the process of farm to table.

Also located in Boardman is the Port of Morrow, which serves the community with four industrial parks and is prominently known as a food processing center. The Port of Morrow (Port) is the second largest Port (behind the Port of Portland) and is likely the largest single owner of vacant industrial land within the State of Oregon. The Port contributes to the economic competitiveness of Oregon and the United States by serving as the main point for freight distribution, export, and value-added production of agricultural products (grains, root vegetables, cattle, and milk/dairy products) that are primarily grown in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Over the past several years, the Port of Morrow succeeded in diversifying the local/regional economy by accommodating state-of-the-art clean energy production facilities as well as high technology data centers. Economic sectors now served by the Port of Morrow include agriculture, food processing, livestock, transportation, warehousing, and freight distribution, information, advanced communications, energy, waste management, and recreation.

To the south of Boardman in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in central Morrow County, the County seat of Heppner offers small town living, affordable housing, a mild climate, and close access to outdoor activities. Locals enjoy recreation all year long, especially during the colder months when cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are possible. The City’s close proximity to the Umatilla National Forest and major Morrow County parks allow for activities to extend year-round to include hiking, golfing, fishing, camping, boating and more.

Just 33 miles south of Hepper is Morrow County’s OHV (Off Highway Vehicles) Park, which offers visitors 9,000 acres of recreational wonderland. The Park offers multiple camp site areas, children’s playgrounds, vast trails for quads, motorcycles and other off-road vehicles, fishing ponds, hiking trails, a golf area, mud pit, public shower and restroom areas, and on-site park staff. Other major Morrow County parks such as Cutsforth Park and Anson Wright Park also offer an abundance of RV camping locations, trail systems for hiking and off-roading, and many BBQ and picnic areas. 

The Organization

Operating from offices in the county seat, Heppner, Morrow County is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners serving overlapping four-year terms. The Commissioners serve as the Executive Branch and perform legislative and quasi-judicial functions of the County. Morrow County employs approximately 150 FTEs and operates on a FY 23-24 budget of approximately $90 million including a Capital Improvement Project budget with over $9 million for future buildings that include a new Circuit Court building, Public Health and Public Works renovations, and a Public Transit facility. County departments include: Assessment & Tax, Clerk/Elections, County Administration, District Attorney, Emergency Management, Fair, Finance, Human Resources, Justice Court, Juvenile Department, Planning, Public Health, Public Works, Sheriff, Surveyor, Public Transit, Treasurer, and Veterans Services.