GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- A big change could soon be coming to Grants Pass. Right now city officials are negotiating the sale of a 227-acre property to TMB Racing LLC, a horse racing company owned by Dutch Bros co-founder Travis Boersma.
"When I first heard about it, I thought what a change it's going to be for all of us down here," said Mary Anne Morrison. She is a Morgan horse breeder and trainer. She is also one of the biggest horse lovers you can meet.
Years ago, she use to show horses at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. She hopes a new horse facility and some changes at the Fairgrounds will bring that back.
"I think it's a great thing to have anything to have to do with horses getting going in Grants Pass again," Morrison said. "How it's going to benefit all the horse owners here."
It's not just horse owners or horse racing fans talking about this new facility. You could say it's the whole community.
"We will see an increase jobs, because more people will be coming here all year round training their horses," said Josie Molloi. She is the CEO and President of the Chamber of Commerce.
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Molloi is already hearing positive feedback after Grants Pass Down's fall season. "They are staying here and doing different attractions," said Molloi.
There is some concern though, and you can find it on the internet — in addition to the most recent Grants Pass City Council meeting.
"Mostly what I've seen is people upset and concerned about the manure," said Morrison. People's biggest concern is 'what is going to happen with all of it?'
"You know we have such a demand for our horse manure for organic farmers that compost it. I don't think that's going to be a concern at all." said Morrison.
It's still a work in progress. Nothing has been finalized, but Morrison is really happy and thankful.
"They could have chose to go buy an island somewhere out in the South Pacific, but they chose to bring their money here. To keep it local and have a horse operation," said Morrison.
