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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.
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Welcome
to MCEDD’s April newsletter! In an effort to keep you informed
of regional events related to economic development, we have
included news from across our five-county district. Have a
great month!
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MCEDD loaned $1,979,255 to small businesses last
year |
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One
of MCEDD’s most successful economic Development Strategies
over the years has been our small business loan programs. In
1980 MCEDD received a $300,000 grant from the Economic
Development Administration to start our first Revolving loan
fund. Since then we have continued to operate, expand and add
to these programs. MCEDD now operates 7 loan funds and another
one for the Oregon Investment Board.
These programs
are called revolving loan funds because the repayments of the
loans are used to loan again and again to continue to create
more jobs. This last year alone we made 26 loans totaling
$1,979,255 to small businesses. The total cost of these
projects was $4,731,212. This investment into our region by
these businesses would not have been possible without MCEDD’s
loan participation. These businesses will create 57 new jobs
and save 9 jobs in the Mid-Columbia.
These businesses
included almost all sectors of business including
manufacturing, wholesale, retail, contracting, service and
food processing. In upcoming issues of the newsletter we will
include articles to introduce some of these businesses to you.
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Competitiveness Institute participants to tour the
Gorge |
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Portland
is the site for the 2007 TCI Global Competitiveness
Conference. TCI is a not-for-profit alliance of cluster
practitioners. Its mission is to improve living standards and
the local competitiveness of regions throughout the world, by
fostering cluster-based development initiatives.
MCEDD
will be sharing with these practitioners successes of rural
clusters in the Columbia River Gorge. Our region was selected
as a tour location and MCEDD has begun planning stops related
to four of the five clusters: wine, renewable energy, arts and
high tech. The tour will take place on October 8, 2007.
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Learn
more... |
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Columbia Gorge Job Fair |
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Meet
skilled workers in the Gorge at the 5th annual Columbia Gorge
Job Fair. Space is limited to the first 70 businesses, so
register today. For a registration fee of $50, a table, space
and lunch will be provided. The deadline for registration is
April 4, 2007.
The event will be held on Saturday,
April 14, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hood River
Expo Center. The Expo Center is located at 405 Portway Ave,
Hood River, Oregon
Oregon contacts The Dalles -
1.877.241.6806 Hood River - 541.386.6020 ext. 227
Washington contacts White Salmon - 509.493.1210
Toll-free - 1.800.511.7388 |
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Oregon Rural Needs and
Issues |
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Please
join Jim Azumano, Oregon Governor's Office of Rural Policy, on
April 12th and provide your thoughts and ideas for a new Needs
and Issues process for Rural Oregon.
9:00 to 11:30
a.m. in Rufus at Bob's Texas T-Bone
2:00 to 4:30 p.m. in
Cascade Locks at the Port of Cascade Locks Pavilion
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Renewable Energy Projects in Sherman and
Klickitat |
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Rock
Creek Substation- Klickitat County
Rock Creek Substation is under construction and will be
complete in fall 2007. For more information see:
http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/PlanProj/Wind
Klondike
III/Biglow Canyon Wind Integration Project- Sherman
County
BPA will interconnect the Klondike III and Biglow Canyon
wind projects in Sherman County. A record decision was signed
on Oct 5, 2006. Construction has begun on the John Day
Substation and construction of the transmission line will
begin May 2007. For more information see:
http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/PlanProj/Wind
Lyle
Falls Fish Passage Project- Klickitat
County
BPA is preparing an environmental impact statement for the
proposed Lyle Falls Fish Passage Project. The project
addresses the modification and upgrade to the existing fishway
located on the lower Klickitat River. The draft EIS is
scheduled for release in May 2007 with a public meeting to
follow shortly thereafter. |
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For more information
on Lyle Fish Passage
Project... |
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Airport Support |
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The
Port of The Dalles has agreed to loan the City of The Dalles
Airport at Dallesport funds necessary to complete work on the
new water well to serve the airport and industrial site. The
Airport has received approval of the new approach requested a
long time ago, seems everything dealing with an airport takes
lots of time, and that approval might pave the way for the
golf course that is still an important part of the airport
economic efforts. |
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Gorge Artist Open Studios Tour April
14-15 |
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The
Gorge Artists Open Studios (GAOS) self-guided tour will be
held April 14-15th, 2007 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5
p.m. GAOS will allow you to see artists in their natural
habitat and will be a tremendous opportunity to see both the
natural and man-made beauty of the Gorge.
The
self-guided tour map and directories are available at the
MCEDD office or on the GAOS website
(http://www.gorgeartistsopenstudios.com) for $15.00. The guide
allows the admission of 2 people to the event. There are 34
participating artists in the tour. Artists reside throughout
the Gorge in Wasco, Hood River, Klickitat, and Skamania
counties. |
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Learn
more... |
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Gorge Technology
Alliance |
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The
Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) has released its white paper
"Technology and Economic Growth in the Columbia River Gorge."
The paper presents findings from a study completed by the GTA
regarding how high tech companies are shaping the Gorge. This
is part one of the GTA's research.
The GTA also
announced that it will be offering networking memberships for
individuals that are currently employed and want to become
more connected with others in the industry and for those
seeking employment in the high tech industry. This is in
addition to their regular member offerings, for businesses and
organizations. |
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Visit the GTA
website to learn
more.. |
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Port of Klickitat hires Director of
Marketing |
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The
Port of Klickitat recently hired Jim Donnelly as their new
Director of Marketing and Public Affairs. This is a new
position with the Port. Jim's focus will be on marketing port
properties and developing general communication with the
public and other agencies. You can reach Jim at
jdonnelly@portofklickitat.com or 509-493-1655.
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OIB provides grants and
loans |
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In
1986, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act
established a bi-state, six-county region shared by the states
of Oregon and Washington. In conjunction with this Act,
Congress earmarked Oregon and Washington $5 million each for
the purpose of making economic development loans and grants.
The Oregon Investment Board (OIB) is responsible for
the administration of the Oregon Development Plan as presented
in the October 1999 Plan Update, within Multnomah, Hood River,
and Wasco, the Oregon counties lying in the Columbia River
Gorge National Scenic Area. Proposals submitted for funding
consideration should show that the project would help to
strengthen and diversify the economy of the region.
If
you have a potential project, contact Steve Schafroth (loans)
or Amanda Remington (grants) at 541-296-2266.
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To learn more or get
an
application... |
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CGCC receives funding for renewable energy
training |
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The
State of Oregon will provide $59,850 for renewable energy
technology training at Columbia Gorge Community College. The
college, in cooperation with Mid-Columbia Council of
Governments, received one of five new workforce grants from
the state. The funds will allow for completion of additional
lab curriculum and creation of on-line classes to deliver some
of the coursework for the college's new program.
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SBIR/STTR Assistance for Oregon
Businesses |
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SBIR/STTR
Workshops
Full-day
workshops are planned in Portland, Eugene, and Bend to give
businesses the tips to successfully compete for Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program grants. The Greenwood
Consulting Group, Inc., http://www.g-jgreenwood.com, will
share their tips for developing a winning Phase I proposal and
also provide a follow-up critique of draft proposals at no
additional cost.
Successful Phase I grants award
$75,000 for a feasibility study. Phase II grants provide up to
$750,000 for commercialization of new technology.
Workshop cost is $100 and limited to 50 participants
at each location. Training materials and lunch are included.
The Oregon SBIR Grant Workshops are scheduled from
7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on:
Tuesday, April 10 in Portland
Wednesday, April 11, in Eugene
Thursday, April 12 in
Bend
Registration and details are at
http://www.bizcenter.org/sbirworkshops. Register by April 6,
2007.
Matching
Funds Grant Program
OECDD
is launching a Phase 0 Grant Program for Oregon entrepreneurs.
This will provide up to $3,500 in matching funds on a
one-to-one basis to defray costs to prepare SBIR and STTR
grant proposals.
For more information and to download
an application, visit:
http://www.bizcenter.org/Services/7530/6198/7572
Web
Clearinghouse
OECDD,
in conjunction with the OSBDCN, has created a web-based
SBIR/STTR clearinghouse for information about the two
programs. The website serves as a toolkit for businesses to
learn more about the two programs, connect with resources, and
learn basic proposal writing techniques. This website can be a
resource for both Oregon and Washington businesses.
For more information visit:
http://www.bizcenter.org/Services/7530/6198/7548
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Q-Life RFP |
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We’ve
posted an RFP for a Broadband Wireless WiFi project in The
Dalles, Oregon – the project will be done in two phases; a
pilot ‘proof of concept’ and then expanded to city wide. The
RFP is being released by QLife Networks. The RFP can be viewed
at:
http://www.ci.the-dalles.or.us/QLifeWirelessRFPFinal3-20-07.pdf
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View
RFP... |
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Farewell reception for Anne
Berblinger |
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A
farewell reception for Anne Berblinger to honor her exemplary
service and contribution to economic and community development
in Oregon will be held on April 10, 2007 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale.
Suggested
donation for the reception is $20. Please make the
contributions payable to: Oregon Economic Development
Association, PO Box 325, Salem, OR 97308, Memo line:
Berblinger reception
Also, the OEDA Spring Training
will be held at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale on April 10
and will focus on Business Retention & Expansion and
Economic Gardening. For full details on that event and to
register, please go to: http://www.oeda.biz/development.htm
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Klickitat County Horizon's
Program |
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The
Horizon’s Program is a project designed to build community
leadership to reduce and eliminate poverty. Five communities
in Klickitat County were accepted for the program, which began
with study circles to talk about local poverty issues. The
next step is attending a leadership training,
LeadershipPlenty. Those attending will then instruct at least
25 other local community members, building local leadership to
work on issues brought out through a visioning process. After
this process, up to $10,000 will be available for these
communities on specific project goals.
At this point
all five Klickitat County communities have or will soon choose
a short term project to work on locally while community
members are being trained at LeadershipPlenty. The projects
range from community clean up days, to starting community
newsletters, to hosting a youth mentor workshop.
For
further information please contact the Klickitat County WSU
Extension Office, 509-773-5817.
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Sherman County Tourism
Tour |
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On
Tuesday, April 3rd at 12:45 p.m., a tour will leave the
Sherman Senior Center in Moro carrying members of the Sherman
County Tourism Working Group around the north part of the
County to view landmarks, historical sites and interesting
places. The purpose of giving the local folks a tour of their
own County is to highlight the wonderful resources that they
sometimes take for granted, and to build material for
itinerary recommendations to real tourists. The Tour will
return to the Senior Center about 3:30 p.m. for a debriefing
session.
Interested parties can RSVP to Melva Thomas
Melva Thomas scaa@sherman-county.com 541-565-3416 by this
Thursday March 29th.
A final meeting of the Sherman
County Tourism Working Group will be held at the Senior Center
at 5:30 – 8:30 PM on April 30th.
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Hood River Pub Talk |
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Join
the Hood River Pub Talk on Tuesday, April 3rd from 5:30 to
7:30 p.m. at Horse and Hound Pub in Hood River. Pub Talk is an
informal event that provides time for networking, a
presentation by a keynote speaker, and pitches to the audience
by two early stage companies. These early stage companies are
most commonly seeking advisors or capital investment. Horse
and Hound is located at 403 Oak Street in Hood River (look for
the British Flag).
5:30 p.m. networking
6:30 p.m.
Keynote speaker, Andre Rowe, Cube Management LLC
7:00 p.m.
early stage company presentations
$10 in advance or
$15 at the door. To RSVP contact Bill Fashing at
bill.fashing@co.hood-river.or.us or 541-387-6863
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Upcoming Events |
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4/3/07-
Sherman Tourism Tour, 12:45-3:30 p.m.
4/3/07- Hood
River Pub Talk, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Horse and Hound Pub
4/6/07 – Mid-Columbia Workforce Housing Summit. 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. at the Best Western Hood River Inn. To register or
for more information visit
http://www.midcolumbiahousingauthority.org
4/12/07-
Rural Needs and Issues. 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Bob's Texas T-Bone
in Rufus, 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Cascade Locks Pavilion.
4/12/07-
Oregon Investment Board meeting. 10 a.m. at the Columbia Gorge
National Scenic Area office in Hood River, 902 Wasco Ave.
4/14/07- Columbia Gorge Job Fair. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
the Hood River Expo.
4/14/07 to 4/15/07 – Gorge
Artists Open Studio self-directed tours – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit http://www.gorgeartistsopenstudios for locations to
purchase tickets/directories or for more information.
4/24/07- Gorge Technology Alliance meeting- 6:30 p.m.
at Columbia Center for the Arts.
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Submit your News! |
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Reading
this newsletter is a good thing, having your news included is
even better. Send it to us! Items are required by the third
week of each month. Please send items to amanda@mcedd.org.
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