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Part of being local business owners is being a part of the local community. For Frank Platt and his wife Monica, owning and operating Midstate Power Products has provided the perfect opportunity to stay connected with family, friends and acquaintances in Redmond, while continuously getting to know new people as well.

As a Kubota dealership, Midstate Power Products offers a full line of outdoor power equipment, including everything needed within the agricultural and construction industries, both of which the Platts have personal experience with.

Having grown up on his parents’ Central Oregon hay and cattle ranch, Frank, 53, has lived in Redmond for most of his life, attending the Redmond School District through high school graduation. Once out of school, Frank followed his interest into the construction world, learning the ins and outs of earth moving while working in excavation.

It was during this period of his life that he set his sights on his future wife. Frank met Monica while she was visiting Central Oregon from Portland with some friends for a weekend getaway. The two connected and began a long-distance relationship that eventually drew Frank away from his hometown to the valley, but only for a short time. The two lived in the Portland area for less than a year before deciding to create a new life back in Redmond.

Driven by the appeal of building something of their own, together the Platts opened Red Cloud Specialty Contractors.

“I really just wasn’t satisfied with working for others,” explained Frank. “I wanted to do it for myself and to get ahead in life.”

Outside of ranching, construction was what Frank knew, and there wasn’t much money to be made in ranching or farming at that time, leading the young couple to the decision to build a construction company.

Out of high school less than 10 years, Frank worked hard to build what began as a tiny operation into something substantial.

“It was a one-man show to begin with — it was Frank with one dumptruck, one backhoe and one trailer,” recalled Monica, adding that while she did the books for the small operation, she was focused on her own job as payroll accountant for Bend-La Pine Schools.

Four years later, the company had grown, and so had the Platt family. When their son, Kyle, was born, Monica opted to dedicate her time to motherhood and to Red Cloud.

“At the time, in 1996, it made sense,” said Monica. “That was a big growth period for Central Oregon so it was a good time for us to be postured for that growth. It also freed Frank up to do a lot of other stuff with the business. By then it had grown and we had our own employees.”

In 1999 the family grew again, as they welcomed a daughter, Claire, into the mix.

While their family and business life was reflective of the American dream and together Frank and Monica had found a successful path, once again the couple decided to change course.

“We grew that company into a pretty substantial business, but we were ready to do something different, to make a change,” said Frank, noting that they sold Red Cloud in 2005.

Their inspiration to change brought Frank full circle, back to a life of farming. The Platts purchased a property near Smith Rock and dedicated the next couple of years to rehabilitating the land, creating a small farm. While they never built a home on the land, it was, nonetheless, a successful hay farm.

But change soon hit the horizon once again in 2011, when Frank’s older brother offered him a chance to buy the Kubota dealership he owned in Redmond.

It was an opportunity that fit.

“Frank was like a duck to water with it,” said Monica. “For one thing, he already knew how everything works. Then, it’s one thing to know how the tractors work, but the main thing is just being able to talk to people about it.”

Frank, Monica declared, is a natural at that.

For Frank, it was important to step into his brother’s shoes because it was the only way to keep the business in the family. It was also the only way he would likely ever have a chance to own a Kubota dealership.

Kubota is not adding any new dealers, explained Monica. Therefore the only way to become one is to buy an existing dealership, such as Midstate Power Products.

“We took it over and expanded it to a full-line dealership,” said Frank. “We do agricultural — the hay tools — and we also do the full construction line.”

The process, Frank conceded, has included some growing pains. It has also included some significant physical growth, which saw the Redmond company move to its current location about two years ago, and also led to the purchase of a Kubota dealership in Klamath Falls last year. Beyond the two stores, the Platts also own a full-service Kubota repair and maintenance shop in Burns to serve the Eastern side of the state.

If history were to repeat itself, this would likely be the time the Platts change courses again. But, it seems, this business is the end business for this local couple. That is not to say, however, that they aren’t still making plans.

“We have gotten to where we want to be with the offerings, so now it’s about making sure we build up the infrastructure to support what’s there,” said Monica.

Much like the major overhaul they gave the old, dilapidated building in Redmond when they moved locations, the Klamath Falls store is set for a facelift. But beyond appearances, it’s really all about the service.

“It’s about wrapping each store up to where the service is the best it can be, because that is what it is about,” said Frank. “It’s all about the customers for sure. We take good care of our customers.”

Not only are the Platts vested in their customers, they are also extremely dedicated to their community, giving back more than many might realize. As a presenting sponsor for the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, not only does Midstate Power Products bring a significant financial contribution to the fair, but also donates tractors for the five-day event, helping streamline the management of the largest county fair in the state. From garbage pullers to people movers and from rodeo grounds to 4-H, Kubota tractors make things happen at the fair.

“I’ve been coming to the Deschutes County Fair for probably 50 years,” said Frank. That personal connection from attending the festivities as a kid and while growing up, translated into supporting the fair later as a business owner.

“It’s an important thing to be a part of,” said Frank.

The school district is also important to the Platts.

“There will be 19 Platts that have been through the Redmond School District from Frank’s family once Claire graduates next year,” said Monica, reflecting on the impact the schools have had on the family.

The Platts appreciate being able to support the schools, and have made contributions to the agricultural and shop classes as well as to the sports teams.

“This community has been good to us, so we just want to do something in return,” said Frank.