The region develops the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) every five years as a guide to understanding the regional economy and crafting goals, strategies and actions to create jobs, raise income levels, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life. The plan is compiled by MCEDD and follows the guidelines required by the US Economic Development Administration.
Find the 2022-2027 Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy here, including the full document and summaries in English and Spanish.
Vision
A bi-state Mid-Columbia region with a resilient, thriving, sustainable, rural economy that supports equitable access to diverse business opportunities that act in harmony with the area’s unique qualities, values, cultural and natural resources.
Goals
- Strong Businesses: Enhance business innovation, retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship through more accessible support services and capital, diversifying our industry mix, and enhanced coordination to address barriers to growth and sustainability.
- Robust Workforce: Cultivate a talented, multicultural workforce through diverse, family-wage career training aligned with industry needs while providing essential infrastructure supports for workforce participation in each community.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Ensure communities and businesses of the Gorge have reliable, resilient access to infrastructure, including attainable housing, high-capacity broadband, sustainable sources of energy, and emergency services, among others, to support future population demands and economic opportunities.
- Powerful Regional Collaboration: Increase collaboration and advocacy as a bi-state region to meet the economic needs of our communities with initiatives such as Connect Mid-Columbia, the Gorge Translink Alliance and the Gorge Regional Transit Strategy.