|
|
| |
|
|
MCEDD Newsletter February
2009 | |
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
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
Link
Shadley
Project Manager
Jessica
Metta
Project 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
Lorena
Lowell
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 February edition of the
MCEDD newsletter.
|
 |
Loan Client Profile: Sandoval
Steel Janitorial Services
|
Marco
Sandoval has started his dream of being a small
business owner. With financing through
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District and
counseling from Mary Merrill, Small Business
Development Center, Marco has started Sandoval
Steel Janitorial Services in The Dalles. Sandoval
Steel Janitorial Services provides all aspects of
commercial janitorial services. Marco is looking
forward to building his business and one of his
first clients is MCEDD, which was looking for a
new janitorial service. If you need janitorial
service, contact Marco at 541-397-0552.
Visit the MCEDD website for more information about
the Loan Program.
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 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, or provide working capital.
|
|
MCEDD Board Meeting - March
23
|
|
The next Mid-Columbia Economic Development
District Board meeting will be on March 23, 2009
at 4 pm at Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood
River Campus, Room 302, 1730 College Way, Hood
River, OR. For more information call
541-296-2266.
|
|
Oregon Investment Board
Awards Grant to Gorge Tech
Alliance
|
The Oregon Investment Board
has awarded a $9,300 grant to the Gorge Technology
Alliance (GTA). Funding will assist the GTA in
conducting research about the impact of technology
to the regional economy, compiling a white paper
based on this research, creating marketing
materials, and developing new initiatives to
support the growing technology sector.
MCEDD provides staffing for the Oregon
Investment Board. For more information on grants
and loans availalbe through the OIB, visit http://www.mcedd.org/oib.htm.
|
|
Sherman County Housing Survey
Results Available Online
|
Thank you to Sherman County
landowners for participation in the recent Housing
Survey. The results have been tabulated and
indicate an immediate need for 38 new homes.
Follow up will begin with those that indicated a
housing need on the survey.
A copy of the report can be found on the
Sherman County website, click here
to go directly to the report.
|
|
Gorge Job Fair - March 14,
2009
|
Give Your
Business the Recruiting Edge - Meet Skilled
Workers in the Gorge - The 7th
Annual Columbia Gorge Job Fair will be held on
March 14, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the The
Dalles Civic Auditorium (323 E. 4th St, The
Dalles). Worksource partners are currently
accepting applications from employers who would
like to participate. Early registration fee is
$75.00 and must be received by February 27, 2009.
This is a great opportunity to maximize your
applicant pool while saving time and money.
For more information contact:
|
|
Skills Center Feasibility
Study
Business Community Input
Needed
|
Input from members of the business community
is needed to help determine the feasibility of
opening a branch or satellite skills center campus
in the Columbia River Gorge Region.
Washington State's Office of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction provided
funding statewide to determine the feasibility of
opening branch or satellite skills center campuses
in new areas. These studies will be reported to
the legislature with potential training programs
and capital funding needs identified.
Click here
to access the survey and provide your input.
For questions, contact Wendy Niehaus at
wendy.niehaus@esd112.org or
1-360-750-7514. |
|
Gorge Angel Conference
Accepting Applications
|
Angel
Conference Business Presenter -
Applications for Gorge area businesses to
present at the May 19, 2009 conference are being
accepted. It is recommended that you call
541-387-6863 for additional information and to
kick-off your run at the $100,000 prize. You can
download guidelines and an application for review
prior to your phone call by clicking here. Sponsorship
Opportunities still available -
Advertising options in the 2009 event
program are available. You can also still secure a
table sponsorship for the event. Call Robin at
541-296-8080 for more information and to reserve
your opportunity to promote your business and to
support entrepreneurship in the
Gorge. General conference information
available at: http://www.gorgeangelconference.com/
|
|
Regional Business Leaders
Needed for 24 County Workforce Board |
Business leaders in Hood
River, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler and Gilliam
Counties are invited to participate as Board
Members of the Oregon Workforce Alliance (OWA)
serving 24 counties in rural Oregon. Board Members
have an opportunity to share their voice in
coordinating workforce development activities;
learn about available workforce training and
education services and network with workforce
professionals and county commissioners.
OWA serves as a voice for rural Oregon by
coordinating workforce development leadership and
resources with federal, state and local workforce
agencies, organizations and programs. Two Board
openings are available for individuals from Hood
River, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler or Gilliam
Counties. For more information: www.tocowa.org, 541-928-0241 x 210
or
elisha@tocowa.org.
|
|
Workshop: Farmers' Business
Planning Courses to be offered this
Spring
|
Washington State University
County Extension offices will be offering a
popular course on creating a profitable
agricultural enterprise. The course features a
full line-up of local guest speakers, including
farm lenders, accountants, attorneys, insurance
experts, marketing specialists, and successful
farm entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://cultivatingsuccess.org/coursecalendar_WA.htm
|
|
Federal
Stimulus
|
The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act was signed into law on February
17th. Interested in learning more? Read the full
bill and track progress at http://www.Recovery.gov.
|
|
Tri-County Hazardous Waste
& Recycling Program funds regional Organics
Management Study |
|
The Tri-County Hazardous Waste &
Recycling Program in Wasco, Sherman and Hood River
counties just committed to fund a feasibility
study to determine the best solutions for managing
organics from the local solid waste stream.
Organics, which generally comprise 20-25% of the
solid waste mix, may include yard debris, pre and
post-consumer food waste, as well as agricultural
and forestry residue. The Tri County program
currently seeks a qualified consultant or
consultants to perform that feasibility study.
Interested people should contact David Skakel of
the Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling
Program at: (541)-506-2632 or
davids@co.wasco.or.us. |
|
Hood River PubTalk - March
10th
|
The next Hood River PubTalk
is scheduled for March 10th from 5:30 PM to 7:30
PM at the White Buffalo, 4040 Westcliff Drive,
Hood River Oregon. Call 541-387-6863 to RSVP or
for more information on making a business
presentation at the event. Businesses are given
the opportunity to make a ten minute pitch at each
PubTalk. Click here
for more information on the next
PubTalk.
|
|
|
Grant Highlights: Google-The Dalles, Community
Grants
|
With a commitment to playing a positive role
in the community the Google Data Center in The
Dalles has a community grant program designed to
help businesses, educational institutions,
community collaboratives, non-profits, and
individuals create and thrive in a sustainable,
knowledge-based economy. Click here
to find out
more. |
|
Calendar of
Events |
February
2009 Events
March
2009 Events
- March 4- MCEDD Executive Committee meeting,
4:00 p.m., The Dalles.
- March 5 -Geotourism "Get on the Map"
Community Forum led by RDI, 1 pm to 3 pm,
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Contact Lauren
at 503-803-8260 for more information.
- March 8
- Oregon
Raceway Park, Opening season race, Grass
Valley.
- March 10
- Hood River PubTalk, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm,
at the White Buffalo, 4040 Westcliff Drive, Hood
River. Call 541-387-6863 to RSVP.
- March 14
- Cascade Locks Fire Station, Open House,
1 pm, tour facility & refreshments.
- March
14 - 7th Annual Columbia Gorge Job Fair,
The Dalles Civic Auditorium, 10 am to 2
pm.
- March
18- Oregon Investment Board Meeting, Port
of Hood River, 10:00 a.m.
- March 19
- Wasco
County Economic Development Commission
meeting, 10:00 a.m. Dufur City Hall. Contact
Layne at 541-296-2266 for more information.
- March 20
& 21 - Regards
to Rural VI Conference, Salem.
- March 23 -
MCEDD Board Meeting, 4:00 pm, Columbia
Gorge Community College Hood River Campus, Rm
302, 1730 College Way, Hood River, OR. For more
information call 541-296-2266.
- March 24-
Gorge Technology Alliance meeting. Visit
www.crgta.org for more information.
- March 26-
USDA-RD Engineering and Environmental
Workshop, Redmond, 9 to 4:30. Contact John
Brugger at 503-414-3364 for more
information.
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
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.
| | |
|
|
|
| | | |
