Lalm

Written sources indicate that in the 15th century there was millstone production at Lalm, although it is possible the production dates back to the Viking era. From Kvennberget—which translates roughly to the mill-hill—millstones were delivered around Norway and even internationally. Kvennberget gained protected status as a cultural treasure in 1987.

Until 1640 Tolstad and Kvennberget were krongods. Anyone was free to produce as many millstones as they could as long as the land owner received every fourth millstone as payment. Starting in the 1830s this business was popular for farmers as winter work. The population increased greatly during this time and it was difficult for the population to subsist on farming.

The business in Kvennberget lasted until the end of the 1870s. After the Østerdalsbanen railroad was built, millstones from Selbu took over the millstone market in eastern Norway.

At the same time iron was produced from bog ore to supply tools for the millstone production. Near Melingen there are indications of iron production. Also in the area around Mela there was pottery production since the area has a good supply of clay.

About a century ago the production of soapstone began at the farm Baarstad. Baarstad became a large employer for the surrounding area and the production lasted about a century until the soapstone supply was exhausted.

During the 1850s the roads in the district were improved and in 1896 the railroad was extended to Otta. This resulted in improved conditions for the soapstone business. In 1896 Norsk Kleber- og Skiferforretning was established and several other firms followed soon thereafter. The firms produced soapstone products as well as talcum. At the height of the activity in the business a steel mill was built by Østlandske Stenexport in the 1920s in Otta. The building was later converted to the Otta Dairy.

Gradually the soapstone production declined until it reached the current level. There is still limited production of soapstone for wood stoves and fireplaces. A/S Granit still produces wood stoves and fireplaces. The soapstone was until the fall of 1995 extracted mostly from Åsårberget, but the company is now extracting soapstone from both Bårstad and Nyseterberget.

On the southside of Ottaelva by the Eidefossen waterfall is A/S Eidefoss hydroelectric powerplant. The powerplant has produced electricity since 1917. The business was established in 1916 and the year after electricity production commenced. In 1920 a second generator was added and from then on the powerplant produced about 10 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. The first electricity production was transmitted to a power line from Vågåmo to Otta. In 1983 a repowered plant began production after an investment of 72 million Norwegian kroner. Currently the Eidefossen powerplant produces 72 gigawatt-hours annually. The powerplant is owned jointly by the five neighboring counties: Lesja, Dovre, Sel, Vågå og Lom eier A/S Eidefoss. Each county owns 20% of the shares in the company.