Reading this newsletter is a good thing, having your news included is even better. Just send us your economic development news, including activities, events and anything else of interest in the five county area by the third week of each month. Send it directly to Layne at: layne@mcced.org

THANK YOU!!

MCEDD Staff

Amanda Remington
Executive Director

Eric Nerdin
Loan Program Manager

Sherry Wickert
Finance/Operations

Jessica Metta
Project Manager

Alina Aaron
Project and Mobility Manager

Pat Hoffman
Administrative Assistant

Layne Sylvester
Assistant Project Manager

MCEDD Board Members

Barbara Briggs, Chairperson
Hood River County

Dr. Susan Wolff, Vice-Chairperson
Education Representative

Cliff Jett, Secretary/Treasurer
Cities of Sherman County

Paul Pearce
Skamania County

Dan Ericksen
Wasco County

Michael Smith
Sherman County

Rex Johnston
Klickitat County

Jan Brending
Cities of Klickitat County

Bill Dick
Cities of Wasco County

Don Stevens
Cities of Skamania County

Randy Holstrom
Cities of Hood River County

Chuck Daughtry
Oregon Ports

Rodger Ford
Washington Ports

Ray LaFond
Washington Chambers of Commerce

Tonya Brumley
Oregon Chambers of Commerce

Harold Haake
Utilities Representative

Ken Bailey
Agriculture

Martin Campos-Davis
Minority Representative

Nancy White
Technology Representetive

Dianne Storby
Healthcare Representative

Disclaimer

This newsletter is sponsored by MCEDD. The items contained herein are published as submitted and are provided for general information purposes only. This information is not advice. Readers should not rely solely on this information, but should make their own inquiries before making any decisions. MCEDD works to maintain up-to-date information from reliable sources; however, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions or results of any actions based upon this information. If you have any questions regarding any of these items, contact the organizational representative of that source.

This newsletter may contain links to websites that are created and maintained by other organizations. MCEDD does not necessarily endorse the views expressed on these websites, nor does it guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented there. Furthermore, visitors should be aware that other sites linked from this newsletter may use persistent cookies that track visitor viewing habits.

Welcome to the August edition of the MCEDD newsletter. Featuring highlighted regional
activities that are of interest to the five counties MCEDD serves.

MCEDD Annual Board Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the MCEDD Board of Directors is scheduled for September 10, 2009. The Board will recognize outgoing Board members and officers, elect new officers, and address district business.

MCEDD Annual Meeting
Thursday, September 10, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Ayutla Restaurant
630 E Simcoe Dr, Goldendale, WA

No host dinner available. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a disability that requires any special materials, services or assistance, please contact us at least 48 hours before the meeting. Contact MCEDD at (541) 296-2266 or email pat@mcedd.org.

Click here for a copy of the FY2009 MCEDD Annual Report.

Loan Client Profile - Zink Clothing

In March of 2007 Israel Ayala-Guevara attended a "How to Start an Oregon Business" class at the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center and was inspired to open his own company to provide DJ music services, screen printing services and an urban clothing line. With a start up loan from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Israel was able to purchase a new silk screening press and the necessary equipment and supplies to jumpstart his business: Zink Clothing.

Israel located his new company in The Dalles. He is currently a student at Columbia Gorge Community College pursuing a degree in Business Management. "I want to strongly encourage other Gorge area residents to seek out and use our local resources that are available to help build our dreams and transform our lives, so we can make the great Columbia Gorge a stronger community," Israel stated.

For more information on MCEDD's loan programs, visit the MCEDD website or contact Eric Nerdin, MCEDD Loan Fund Manager at 541-296-2266.

As a service to the regional business community and as a strong part of our economic development strategy for the region, MCEDD manages several business loan programs that provide an accessible, affordable source of capital for projects that create and/or retain jobs. These loan funds can be used to contribute to the financing needed by a business to purchase or build new facilities, purchase equipment, provide working capital or many other purposes.

Alina Aaron Joins MCEDD as New Project/Mobility Manager

Alina Aaron joined the MCEDD staff this month as the new Program and Mobility Manger. She has worked in both Oregon and Washington, within the transportation and human services fields providing a variety of services to special needs populations with a focus on removing barriers to self-sufficiency. Alina was most recently a Policy Analyst with ODOT's Public Transit Division. During her tenure at ODOT, Alina effectively provided management and strategic advice to rural key stakeholders.

Alina is a strong supporter of coordinating community-wide transportation service networks and diversifying local economies and is looking forward to her work with MCEDD. She'll be assisting the Gorge TransLink alliance and the Oregon Investment Board grants program as well as furthering other MCEDD initiatives.

Wind Power for Communities: A Workshop for Rural Oregon Residents

Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NW SEED) is pleased to present a workshop for rural landowners, public officials and community members interested in learning more about wind energy development.

September 24, 2009 | The Dalles, OR
Columbia Gorge Discover Center
5000 Discovery Drive
The Dalles, OR 97058
8:30am - 3:00pm

Follow this link for more information and registration.
** Space is limited, register early! **

The workshops will include an introduction to modern wind technology, the various scales of wind development and state incentives and policies effecting wind energy projects. Afternoon break-out sessions with subject matter experts focused on small/community wind projects and landowner participation in large-scale wind projects will also be offered.

Counselor's to America's Small Business - SCORE

Would you like to support your local businesses through a free mentoring program? Do you have valuable business expertise that a new start up business could use?

Join us as the Small Business Development Center, The Dalles, Hood River and Mt. Adams Chambers of Commerce bring together SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) members to help chart a path for a new Gorge chapter.

Thursday, October 8th
10:00 a.m.
The Dalles Civic Auditorium, 323 E. 4th Street

For questions, or to reserve your spot for this free event, call Mary Merrill at the Small Business Development Center at 541-506-6120.

David Eatwell Appointed to Oregon Investment Board

David Eatwell has been appointed to the Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board by Governor Kulongoski. He fills a Multnomah County position on the seven member volunteer board. David is the Economic Development Director for the West Columbia Gorge Economic Development Consortium. To read more, visit www.mcedd.org/OIB.htm.

MCEDD provides staffing for the Oregon Investment Board and their grant and loan programs.

Calling all Wasco and Sherman County residents - your input is needed!

The Gorge Grown Food Network, Wy'East RC&D and multiple local organizations are conducting a Community Food Assessment in Wasco and Sherman counties. Click HERE to take the survey.

A Community Food Assessment is a collaborative, participatory process that examines a range of community food issues and assets with the goal of improving food security, community health and education. This process will help to better understand the area's food needs and identify potential solutions to improve access, especially to fresh, locally-grown food, for people of all incomes.

In addition, there will be a Community Food Assessment meeting tonight, August 31, 7 p.m., Mid-Columbia Medical Center Conference Rm #1, The Dalles, Oregon.

PubTalk Starts a New Season

The new season will start on September 8 at 5:30 p.m. at White Buffalo in Hood River. PubTalk is an informal event with networking, pitches by two early-stage companies seeking advisors or capital investment and a keynote speaker. September's speaker is Terry Tsubota of PreneurVision Strategies International, LLC who will be discussing Avoiding Writer's Block - A Systematic Approach to Business Writing.

For more information, contact Bill Fashing, Hood River County Office of Economic Development, 541-387-6863, bill.fashing@co.hood-river.or.us

2009 Oregon Connections Telecommunications Conference -

It's time to register for the Oregon Connections Telecommunications Conference in Newport scheduled for October 29 and 30, 2009. The theme of the conference this year is the "Network Economy." The keynote speaker will be Dr. Robert Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in Washington, DC and author of the State New Economy Index Series.

Check the conference website at www.oregonconnections.info for current information and on-line registration. Early Bird registration at only $65.00 ends on September 17th.

OIB Awards Loan Funds to Full Circle

The Oregon Investment Board (OIB) recently approved a loan to Full Circle, LLC to complete tenant improvements and purchase equipment for the Madison Square Building in The Dalles. The commercial building was designed and built with the latest green building technology to support three new tenants: Taco del Mar, a small Northwest QSR Mexican restaurant franchise, The River Tap, a taproom showcasing beers and wines of the Columbia River Basin, and Mac Solutions, an Apple computer service and retail store.

MCEDD provides staffing for the Oregon Investment Board. For more information on grants and loans available through the OIB, visit http://www.mcedd.org/oib.htm

Oregon Governor Signs Transportation Bill

On July 29, 2009 Governor Kulongoski signed the Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009 (JTA). The bill provides an annual investment of $300 million to address deferred maintenance for roads and bridges. Additionally the bill provides more than $800 million in bond proceeds to relieve key bottlenecks, improve existing facilities and address safety concerns. The bill also continues the Connect Oregon program to improve ports, rail systems, transit and airports. Parts of the bill are also aimed at minimizing the transportation system's greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of electric vehicles.

The investments included in the transportation package are expected to create and sustain more than 6,700 jobs a year for a total of 40,000 jobs over the next ten years, beginning with the next construction season.

Click here for a map and project list.

	Oregon Statehood Wagon Train - Historic The Dalles Days
The Oregon Statehood Wagon Train has begun its travels through seven Oregon counties. The journey started in Huntington traveling along the historic Dalles Military Road. It will arrive in The Dalles on September 17th and will be encamped for five days at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center along the Riverfront Trail. Register to ride the wagon train at www.historicthedalles.org.htm .

Mobile Broadband: Entering the 4G Decade

This month's Gorge Technology Alliance meeting features a presentation by Peter Rysavy "Mobile Broadband: Entering the 4G Decade"

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
6:30 p.m.
CenterPointe Community Bank, Hood River

The presentation will cover broadband developments, bandwidth requirements of different applications, latest Wi-Fi developments; current cellular networks; definitions of first generation to fourth generation (4G) technologies, technology evolution over the next five years, network architectures, fixed-mobile convergence, femtocells; mobile platform developments, and applications best suited for wireless.

MCEDD provides project management services to the Gorge Technology Alliance

	Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program
USDA Rural Development has announced its enhanced Business & Industry guaranteed loan program (B&I-ARRA) available through the Federal Stimulus. The Business & Industry (B&I) guaranteed loan program supports rural business lending by providing loan guarantees to commercial lenders financing rural businesses. For more information visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/biz/BIarra_overview.pdf

Grant Highlights: August

TACS (formerly known as Technical Assistance for Community Services) will be offering three trainings in the coming months: Getting Federal Grants on September 30, Foundation and Corporate Strategies on October 22 & 23, and Advanced Grant Strategies on November 12. Visit the TACS website for more information and registration http://www.tacs.org/training/workshops. Assistance grants may be available to groups (3 or more) individuals from a community attending together.

Community Profile - Moro, Oregon

Nestled between two hills straddling Highway 97 in northern Sherman County lies the county seat of Moro. Moro is surrounded by wheat fields, a main industry of the County, and to the northeast by many large windmills. In the recent past Moro has suffered the loss of its lumber yard and hardware store, but is resilient and resourceful with plans to improve and expand its sewage system. With its completion, options for businesses that can locate or relocated in the City of Moro will expand.

A number of people have told of their experience being so impressed by their drive through Moro that after a mile or so they turn around and come back into town looking for a place to rent or buy. That in itself speaks well for the town and residents. Moro has a first class nationally recognized museum, a beautiful City Park with restrooms and a first class High School with similar sports facilities and businesses that are more than willing to cater to the public.

MCEDD provides a monthly profile to support a regional understanding of the Columbia River Gorge communities. This profile was provided by Larry Triebelhorn, Mayor of Moro.

By the Numbers - July 2009

Calendar of Event

September 2009 Events

Sept 1- MCEDD Loan Committee Meeting, 8 a.m., MCEDD Office
Sept 2- Oregon Investment Board Meeting, 9 a.m., MCEDD Office
Sept 2- MCEDD Executive Committee Meeting, 4 p.m., MCEDD office
Sept 8- Gorge Commission Meeting, Forum on Regional Economies, 10:20 a.m., Best Western Hood River Inn
Sept 8 - Pub Talk, 5:30 p.m., White Buffalo, Hood River
Sept 10 - MCEDD Annual Meeting, 4 p.m., Ayutla Restaurant, 630 E Simcoe Dr, Goldendale
Sept 11- Emerging Global Food Markets Discussion: Opportunities and Challenges for Oregon, Portland
Sept 15- MCEDD Loan Committee Meeting, 8 a.m., MCEDD office
Sept 15- MCEDD Transportation Summit Planning meeting, 1 p.m., Hood River. Contact alina@mcedd.org for more information.
Sept 16- Oregon Investment Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Port of Hood River
Sept 17- Wasco County Economic Development Commission Meeting, 10 a.m., Dufur City Hall
Sept 22- Gorge Technology Alliance Meeting, 6:30 p.m., CenterPointe Bank
Sept 24 - NWSEED Workshop, The Dalles, OR

October 2009 Events

Oct 2- CGBREZ Meeting, 10 a.m., Port of Hood River
Oct 6- MCEDD Loan Committee Meeting, 8 a.m., MCEDD office
Oct 7- MCEDD Executive Committee Meeting, 8 a.m., MCEDD office
Oct 8- SCORE Organizational Meeting, The Dalles
Oct 11-13- Oregon Economic Development Association Conference, McMinnville
Oct 13 - Pub Talk, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., White Buffalo, Hood River, OR
Oct 16- Oregon Summit on Entrepreneurship, Salem
Oct 20- MCEDD Loan Committee Meeting, 8 a.m., MCEDD office
Oct 21-Oregon Investment Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Port of Hood River
Oct 25-28- Oregon Public Transit Conference, Seaside
Oct 27-Gorge Technology Alliance Meeting, 6:30 p.m., CenterPointe Bank
October 27-29- Washington Workforce and Economic Development Conference, location
Oct 29-30- Oregon Telecommunication Conference, Newport

MCEDD serves Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties. We promote the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry within the five-county district.

You are welcome to pass along this newsletter to anyone who may be interested in regional economic development news in the Mid-Columbia area. Past editions of the newsletter are posted on the MCEDD website. To SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter, please send your name and email address to layne@mcedd.org.