After just a few days of public crowdfunding, the group seeking to purchase Mt. Bachelor ski area from corporate ownership raised more than half its funding goal to cover administrative costs.

Meanwhile, Powdr Corp., a Utah-based company that has owned the ski area since 2001 and put it up for sale in August, has received multiple inquiries, said Stacey Hutchinson, Powdr Corp. vice president communications and government affairs. Inquiries have been forwarded to the company’s agent.

Calling itself Mt. Bachelor Community Inc. the local group launched a website and a GoFundMe page this past week. Donations ranged from $10 to $1,000, all going toward a $35,000 goal to pay for legal fees, insurance and supplies.

The donations are not tax-deductible or refundable. The group plans to look elsewhere for funding to invest in purchasing the ski area, according to its website.

Community kick off

Mt. Bachelor Community Inc. is planning to host a kick off event at 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at Drake Park in Bend. For more information go to mtbachelorcommunity.com.

“The response has solidified what we already believed to be true,” said Chris Porter, a La Pine High School teacher who with Dan Cochrane, a Bend real estate appraiser, are leading the charge. “The Mt. Bachelor community of enthusiasts have once again gone above our expectations and shown their support not only through their voice, but now through their financial donations to see this endeavor has the resources it needs to succeed.”

The group emerged after Powdr Corp. announced in August that it was going to sell the ski area along with two other ski resort properties in Colorado and British Columbia. It already sold Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Vermont, the largest mountain resort in New England, to a group of local passholders, the Associated Press reported.

The price to buy Mt. Bachelor is not available, but the estimate is about $200 million. The local group hopes to raise capital to purchase the property through a public offering that allows for community ownership.

In initial statements, the group stated the mission is to preserve the natural areas around Mt. Bachelor, to promote an eco-friendly and sustainable business practice in operations and to create social and economic opportunities for the local community, including jobs and business support.

The group is considering establishing a public benefit type of corporation, but still is in the early stages of planning.

“This is an exciting development for the Mt. Bachelor community,” said John Hogan, a member of the group. “I know my contribution to the GoFundMe is going to make a difference —and I hope everyone who is considering giving to the movement feels the same way.”