About
Supporting Our McKenzie Communities
Here for You... Because of You
The Board of Directors of McKenzie Community Partnership is made up entirely of volunteer McKenzie residents and we also employ a team supporting the community on the ground and online.
The McKenzie Community Partnership (Previously the McKenzie Community Development Corporation) might have a new name—and a new website—and a new headquarters location… but we have redoubled our commitment to be here for the people of the McKenzie Valley for the long term. We serve the unincorporated rural communities along the 60-mile McKenzie Highway from the Springfield Urban Growth Boundary to the river’s headwaters. The MCP is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit, first incorporated in 1995 as the Blue River CDC and our long term goals are to foster and support community, environmental, and economic resiliency in the McKenzie River area as we all recover after the 2020 wildfire.
Featured Projects
In the aftermath of the Holiday Farm Fire we are supporting projects that help our communities' recovery, and rebuilding efforts.
Our Board
The Board of Directors of McKenzie Community Development Corporation is made up entirely of volunteer McKenzie residents.
Jeffry Dehne
President
Jeff is a life-long McKenzie resident who resides on a family farm started generations ago. After military service in the 1970’s Jeff returned to the McKenzie to continue the work on the farm, and volunteer in the Valley. For many years and until very recently Jeff led the Walterville Grange. Currently, he is President of the McKenzie CDC and serves on the Tourism Committee of the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce.
Jane Wilson
Treasurer
Jane is our newest member and has taken over as Treasurer from Larry Brown.
Madison Kleiner
Secretary
Madison operates and manages the McKenzie General Store and the Obsidian Grill, a local family business. After graduating she moved to McKenzie Bridge to have a lifestyle full of intention and connection. Madison created and managed the grassroots organization of the Blue River Relief Center, located at the McKenzie School. The Relief Center operated for more than four months providing food, clothing, water, and other essentials for families devastated by Holiday Farm.
Carol Tannenbaum
Director
Carol is a retired research scientist. In retirement, Carol owns and operates McKenzie River Lavender in Walterville. Each summer during the lavender bloom she welcomes many visitors to her farm for a festival. Through her farm Carol has been involved in the McKenzie tourism for many years. She is current Chair of the McKenzie Chamber Tourism Committee, serves on the Travel Lane County Board and works in support of outdoor recreation and tourism in the Valley.
Chris LaVoie
Director
Chris owns and operates McKenzie Mountain Resort in Blue River, most of which was destroyed by the wildfire. Chris has been on the CDC Board for many years lending his support to promote the economy, enhance the environment, and support McKenzie Communities. Chris’s business acumen and perspective as a long-term resident are invaluable to the reconstruction discussions and deliberations.
Deborah Blair
Director
Deborah is a resident of the McKenzie Valley and commutes from Leaburg to Eugene for work.
Community Stories
Tiffany Lemmerz
Blue River #mckenziestrong
Partnerships
United Way
McKenzie River Trust
Eugene Cascades & Coast
Oregon.gov
EWEB
Oregon Department of Transportation
Travel Oregon
Weyerhaeuser
Suulutaaq, Inc.
Lane County Oregon
The Ford Family Foundation
