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/Mobility Manager

Pat Hoffman
Administrative Assistant

Layne Sylvester
Assistant Project Manager

MCEDD Board Members

Barbara Briggs, Chairperson
Hood River County

Rex Johnston, Vice Chairperson
Klickitat County

Cliff Jett, Secretary/Treasurer
Cities of Sherman County

Paul Pearce
Skamania County

Dan Ericksen
Wasco County

Michael Smith
Sherman County

Jan Brending
Cities of Klickitat County

Bill Dick
Cities of Wasco County

Don Stevens
Cities of Skamania County

Randy Holmstrom
Cities of Hood River County

Chuck Daughtry
Oregon Ports

Tony Bolstad
Washington Ports

Ray LaFond
Washington Chambers
of Commerce

Dr. Susan Wolff
Education Representative

Tonya Brumley
Oregon Chambers of Commerce

Harold Haake
Utilities Representative

Ken Bailey
Agriculture

Martin Campos-Davis
Minority Representative

Nancy White
Technology Representative

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

Loan Client Profile - Ponderosa Motel

Nam Sun Whitner and her husband purchased the Ponderosa Motel about five years ago, in 2008 self financed an expansion that included nine units, and recently partnered with MCEDD to support additional expansion. Loan funds through MCEDD will help finance phase two of the expansion of the motel which will include construction of seven efficiency apartment-type suite units, new laundry facility, and a new breakfast room. This project will help to increase the number of overnight accommodations in the Goldendale, Washington area. A significant portion of the Motel's business comes from clients on extended stays for work, such as road and windmill construction. In the future these units may also be rented out as apartments. This project is expected to create two new jobs within two years.

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.

	New Assistant Secretary of Commerce for EDA Confirmed
On September 10, 2009, John R. Fernandez was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Click here to read additional information. MCEDD is part of a national network of 369 economic development districts designated and funded by the US Economic Development Administration.

MCEDD Elects Officers

At its annual meeting in September, the MCEDD Board elected new officers. Barbara Briggs was elected to a second term as Chairperson. She serves as the representative for Hood River County. Rex Johnston, Klickitat County representative, was elected Vice-Chairperson and Cliff Jett, Cities of Sherman County representative, was elected Secretary/Treasurer. Special thanks were given to the 2008-09 officers: Barbara Briggs, Chairperson, Dr. Susan Wolff, Vice-Chairperson, and Cliff Jett, Secretary/Treasurer.

	MCEDD Board Appointments
At the annual MCEDD Board meeting, the following private sector representatives were reappointed: Ken Bailey Martin Campos-Davis Harold Haake Dianne Storby Nancy White Dr. Susan Wolff Jan Brending was reappointed by Klickitat County to represent the cities of Klickitat County on the MCEDD Board. Tony Bolstad was appointed by the Port of Skamania to represent the Washington Ports.

	MCEDD Loan Board Reappointments
The MCEDD Board reappointed Agi Bofferding and Scott Clements to its Loan Administration Board as private sector members. The Loan Board reviews loan proposals and makes decisions related to loan applications, loan portfolio client requests and loan procedures and policies for MCEDD's revolving loan funds.

Gorge Commission Hears from Economic Development

At the invitation of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, economic development professionals from throughout the region gathered to present their overview of the economic climate in the National Scenic Area. Click here for a full article covering the event.

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

	VOIP Phones - free to nonprofit
Packet 8 ST2118 VOIP Telephone and BPA430 Adapter Seven Packet 8 ST2118 VOIP Broadband Telephones and eight BPA430 adapters. All are in great condition and were used temporarily as office phones. Free to approved non-profit. Please contact Layne if you or someone you know is interested (layne@mcedd.org, 541-296-2266).

Counselors to America's Small Business

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.

BPA Transmission Projects

McNary-John Day Transmission Line Project -
BPA recently broke ground on the 79-mile-long McNary-John Day 500-kilovolt transmission line. The new line will allow BPA to provide transmission service to more than 625 megawatts of energy, including service for more than 575 megawatts of new wind energy. For more information, click here.

Big Eddy-Knight Transmission Project -
BPA is preparing an EIS on a proposed new 500-kV transmission line between BPA's existing Big Eddy Substation in The Dalles, Oregon, to a new substation (Knight Substation) to connect to an existing BPA line about four miles northwest of Goldendale, Washington. For more information, click here.

	Business Works - Fall 2009 Workshops
A variety of business related workshops are available this Fall at The Dalles and Hood River Campuses of Columbia Gorge Community College as well as online. Click here for more information or contact the Small Business Development Center at 541-506-6121.

Transportation Resources

MCEDD staff attended the Oregon Transportation Summit in September at Portland State University. The goal of the conference was to advance the practice of transportation planning and engineering by bringing together academic and practicing transportation professionals to help put research to work and move Oregon's transportation policy forward. Links to resources on discussion topics include:

The Moving Cooler report (on transportation and climate change)

USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood's Livable Communities Initiative and Interagency Partnerships

MCEDD provides regional mobility management services. Contact Alina Aaron at 541-296-2266 for additional information.

	Oregon Business Magazine Editor sees "Progress in The Dalles"
Robin Doussard, editor of Oregon Business magazine has been reporting on The Dalles for several years. In her September 20th Editor's Notes she marvels "at the patience and perserverance" of folks that have ambitious plans. Click here to read the full editorial.

Hood River and The Dalles PubTalks™

October Hood River PubTalk
Hood River PubTalk is an informal event that provides time for networking, early stage company 10 minute pitches and a keynote speaker. Presenting companies are commonly seeking capital investment and business advisors.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
5:30-7:30 PM
White Buffalo, 4040 Westcliff Drive, Hood River

Click here for more information on Hood River PubTalk.

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Give Your Great Business Idea Wings- The Dalles
PubTalk is a great opportunity for you to pitch your existing business or business idea for a possible Angel investment. The next PubTalk with openings is November 17, 2009 in The Dalles and we are looking for great business ideas. Give us a call so we can discuss your involvement in PubTalk. Contact Bill Fashing or Nick Kraemer, 541-387-6863.

Recruiting Regional Business Leaders

The Oregon Consortium and Oregon Workforce Alliance is recruiting regional business leaders in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler and Gilliam Counties to participate as Board Members to the Oregon Workforce Alliance (OWA) serving 24 counties in rural Oregon. OWA serves as the voice for rural Oregon by coordinating workforce development leadership and resources with federal, state, and local workforce agencies, organizations and programs. One Board opening is available. Click here for more information.

Grant Highlights:

Gorge Nonprofit Collaborative presents...5th Annual Gorge Nonprofit Day - October 27th
Collaborate! Celebrate! Educate!

A day-long workshop at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River to help non-profits learn more about grant research, grant writing, and the funders who make the grants. Meet representatives from local funders as well as the five largest funders in the state - Meyer Trust, Murdock Trust, Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and The Collins Foundation. Click here to learn more about this workshop.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Columbia Center for the Arts, 3rd & Cascade, Hood River, Oregon
Cost: $75 per person/$35 add'l person from organization.

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Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times

in Fund Development & Marketing

Kim Klein, Fundraising Consultant and Author

This workshop will provide an overview of what is really happening in fundraising. You will learn what needs to be in place to weather almost all circumstances; how to set up and maintain a disciplined and systematic fundraising program that is predictable and manageable; how to ask for money in person; and how to find new donors without spending a fortune. Click here to learn more.

When: October 8, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $165.00
Location: World Forestry Center, Portland, Oregon

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Dept. of Homeland Security Recovery Funds
DHS has announced the availability of more than $380 million in grants, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, under the following fire station construction and port and transit security initiatives:

The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP): $150 million to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism

The Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP): $72 million for capital projects, such as improvements to high-density tunnels, stations and bridges

The Fire Station Construction Grant Program (FSCG): $166 million for fire departments to build new or modify existing fire stations to enhance response capabilities and protect communities from fire-related hazards

For more information, click here.

By the Numbers - August 2009

Calendar of Events

October 2009 Events

Oct 6- MCEDD Loan Committee Meeting, 8:00 a.m., MCEDD office, The Dalles, Oregon
Oct 7- MCEDD Executive Committee Meeting, 8:00 a.m., MCEDD office, The Dalles, Oregon
Oct 8- SCORE Organizational Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Civic Center, The Dalles, Oregon
Oct 11-13- Oregon Economic Development Association Fall Conference, McMinnville, Oregon
Oct 13 - PubTalk™, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., White Buffalo, Hood River, Oregon
Oct 14-16: Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference, Wenatchee, Washington
Oct 16- Oregon Summit on Entrepreneurship, Portland
Oct 20- MCEDD Loan Committee Meeting, 8 a.m., MCEDD office, The Dalles, Oregon
Oct 21-Oregon Investment Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Port of Hood River, Hood River, Oregon
Oct 25-28- Oregon Public Transit Conference, Seaside, Oregon
Oct 27: Gorge Nonprofit Day, Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River, Oregon
Oct 27-29- Washington Workforce and Economic Development Conference, Spokane, Washington
Oct 29-30- Oregon Telecommunication Conference, Newport, Oregon

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.