Bluewood Seeks More Energy

DAYTON - Ski Bluewood is looking for financial support through donations or grants to get power lines or another power source out to the ski area to lessen the noise, make the ski lifts faster and provide summertime entertainment.

Mike Stephenson, an owner of Bluewood, told the Economic Development Steering Committee in Dayton last Friday there has been great snow and lots of skiers and snowboarders this January and February.

He added that he would like to continue to expand the ski resort and rebuild it from the ground up to improve it and make sure everything is in working order.

"We want to make sure it will be there 40 years from now," Stephenson said.

The power systems at the resort need to be replaced with three-phase power. His dream would be to extend power lines to Bluewood and keep its diesel system as a backup source of power. This would cut down on the amount of noise during operation as well as cut down air pollution.

However, the high cost of extending power lines that far into rural country is very cost prohibitive, he said.

"There's lots of reasons to bring power up to the mountain," Stephenson said. "But it's expensive."

He said the business is looking at other power sources that may not cost so much, including gas or propane turbines or even biodiesel.

The business is also looking into the possibility of obtaining grant money to install the new power system. Stephenson said grant writing and looking for organizations who could provide the necessary funds is very foreign to him. But, more power is needed.

Stephenson said he receives the most critical comments about the noise created by the current electrical system as well as the slow pace of the lifts up the mountain.

Before the resort can expand, "we need more power first," Stephenson said.

"Private businesses don't usually get grants," said Jennie Dickinson, the manager of the Port of Columbia.

Dickinson said there may be a way to tie in the power needs to environmental or agricultural causes, especially if Bluewood went the biofuel route.

"We can certainly look into it," she said.

Those in attendance also suggested trying to obtain grant money related to economic development or forestry. Dickinson added that Bluewood is the largest private business employer in the county.

"We would like to be a bigger employer," Stephenson said. "We'd like to expand."

It is a possibility that with more power Bluewood could play host to hikers, wine events, open-air concerts and entertainment and mountain bikers during the summer months.

"It's beautiful up there in the summertime," Stephenson said. "But you fire up the generator and there goes the atmosphere."

Dickinson and a couple of other members of the committee agreed to help Bluewood find funding sources through grants or donations through social networking.