Reading this newsletter is a good thing, having  your news included is even better and easy.  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 MCEDD. layne@mcced.org

THANK YOU!!!!

 

On Tuesday, February 12th the Gorge Commission will hold a hearing to take public testimony on the Broughton Landing Project. It will be held at the Hood River Best Western Inn, Columbia Room, 1108 East Marina Way, Hood RIver, Oregon. The hearing is currently scheduled to begin at 9:30 am. Click here for more information.

 

The Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) will hold a combination annual and monthly membership meeting at 6:30 p.m on February 26th.  The meeting will feature the Portland US Export Assistance Center. To make this meeting valuable, please click here to take a survey and provide your opinion about specific topics that should be covered. Also let them know which country markets you are interested in learning more about. The meeting is free to attend and open to anyone. It will be held at the Hood River County Administration Building at 601 State Street, Hood River, OR. For more information visit the GTA website or contact amanda@crgta.org.

 

Sen. Rick Metsger (DEM) - District: 026
900 Court Street NE, Suite S-307
Salem,  OR  97301-4071
Phone: (503) 986-1726
Fax: (503) 986-1080
Email: sen.rickmetsger@state.or.us

Rep. Patti Smith (REP) - District: 052
900 Court Street NE
Suite H-276
Salem,   OR  97301-4062
Phone: (503) 986-1452
Fax: (503) 986-1561
Email: rep.pattismith@state.or.us

What:    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Washington State's Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) will host a public meeting to receive comments on proposed strategies to improve visibility in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. The agencies hope to gain a solid understanding of what people think about the proposal approach. 

When:    Wed, February 13th
               Two Sessions:   
                1:30 pm to 4:30 pm (Strategy Review & Public Comment)
                6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Strategy Review & Public Comment)

Where:    Best Western Hood River Inn, Columbia Room
               1108 East Marina Way
               Hood River, OR  97031

Contacts:   
David Collier, DEQ Air Quality Div., Portland, 503.229-5177
Robert Elliot, SW Clean Air Agency, Vancouver, 360.574.3068
William Knight, DEQ Communication & Outreach, Portland, 503.229.5680

Click here to access reports and the latest information about the Columbia River Gorge Visibility Project.

What:     A briefing session will share what is going on in the local entrepreneurial community.  It will also identify how local community business experts can "plug in" to make a positive difference in their own businesses as well as expand the impact of the entrepreneurial community.  Jim McCreight, President of the Museum Trustee Association, past Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) Director of Membership & Educational Programs & experienced entrepreneur will talk about OEN's statewide activities.  He will share success stories about how local leaders can work with economic and small business development professionals to plan "Pub Talk" an entrepreneurial networking and educational event. 

An update on local entrepreneurial activities and available resources for start up and expanding companies will also be provided.

When:    February 26, 2008, 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm
Where:   Starlight Theatre & Pub, 107 Oak St Hood River, Oregon
RSVP:      By Feb 22nd to Bill Fashing, Hood River County Office of Economic Development, 541.387.6863, bill.fashing@co.hood-river.or.us

 

The second phase of a study looking at establishing a system of mountain bike trails in the Wyeth Bench area east of Cascade Locks will be getting underway. The study is being conducted by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. 

Click here for more details. 

A workshop offered by CGCC Small Business Development Center will help determine what insurance your small business needs. Topics will include exposure to risk and options for obtaining small business insurance. The workshop is free and will be from 8 to 9 pm at The Dalles campus of Columbia Gorge Community College. Room 1.334.

SBIR/STTR provides funding for small and start-up companies with innovative ideas. Both Washington and Oregon are offering workshops to help companies considering applying for these funds.

Friday, February 15, 2008: Washington SBIR Seminar, Vancouver, WA. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; free of charge. Washington Technology Center is hosting seminars to learn more about SBIR funding. Seminar speakers will share tips for creating competitive proposals, tactics for growing a business with SBIR funding, and channels for using state researchers for collaborative projects. For more information click here.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008: Washington SBIR Seminar, Pullman, WA. 8 a.m. to noon; free of charge. Washington Technology Center is hosting seminars to learn more about SBIR funding. Seminar speakers will share tips for creating competitive proposals, tactics for growing a business with SBIR funding, and channels for using state researchers for collaborative projects. For more information click here.

Tuesday, March 25 through Thursday, March 27, 2008: OECDD SBIR/STTR workshops. For more information visit: http://www.oregonsbir.org.

The Mt Hood Cycling Classic is an International event, bringing Olympic class competitors to the Gorge. According to race organizer Chad Sperry, one of the many great attributes of the Classic is that it is a home grown event that "has grown far more rapidly than any other race on the pro circuit, far surpassing events that have been in existence 2 and 3 times longer than we have. We feel strongly that this success is in large part due to the overwhelming natural beauty of the area, the spectacular roads and venues, and the tremendous community support."

The economic impact on the community will be significant. Estimates are that they need 1500 to 2000 hotel rooms for the night. The entourage for this event is huge with professional, competitive athletes who have trainers, coaches, masseuses, equipment handlers, etc. Race organizers do a registration survey, and traditionally 75% of the athletes say they'd like to return to the gorge area for a vacation sometime beyond the event.

MCEDD supports the arts as one of our five regional clusters and provides information related to other entities offering assistance for artists. The Oregon Arts Commission is implementing artists' technical assistance training in Wasco county. In order to provide the best possible targeted training they are asking that you take a few minutes to complete their survey.

If you know other artists in the region who would be interested in participating in technical training, please contact Brian Wagner, Community Arts Development Coordinator at brian.wagner@state.or.us.

The survey will  close on Friday, February 14, 2008.

MCEDD supports renewable energy educational events as part of its renewable energy cluster. If you want to learn more about solar technology and the options available to local governments, plan to attend a workshop on March 5, 2008 hosted by the LOC, Energy Trust of Oregon, Oregon Dept of Energy, and Renewable NW Project.  The morning workshop, focused  primarily on local governments in PGE's service territory, will provide  information on ownership options for solar, purchasing green power, and the new 1.5 % for solar requirement for new public buildings.  The workshop will include first-hand information from local governments that have chosen to go green.  More information and registration will be available soon. 

Where: Tualatin Country Club, 9145 SW Tualatin Rd, Tualatin, OR

When: Wednesday, March 5th
             8:30 am to 11:45 am

Are you interested in creating jobs and growing beautiful scenic Columbia River Gorge economy? Come join the MCEDD team as the Director for bi-state, five county (Wasco, Sherman, Hood River, OR; Klickitat and Skamania, WA) economic development district. Competitive salary and excellent benefits. Wages 55-71K, DOE.  MCEDD offers excellent health and retirement plans, and leave benefits.  Position description and job qualifications can be downloaded at www.mcedd.org.Send resume and cover letter to sherry@mcedd.org. or mail to 515 East 2^nd Street, The Dalles, OR  97058 by 5:00 p.m. by February 29, 2008.

MCEDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA 

February Events

• 2/12/2008 - Broughton Landing Public Comment, 9:30 am, Hood River, OR
• 2/13/2008 - "Gorge Policy Day", Hood River, OR
• 2/14/2008- Oregon Investment Board meeting. 9 to 11 a.m. at the Port of Hood River
  
• 2/15/2008 - Washington SBIR Seminar, Vancouver, WA
• 2/16/2008 - Small Farm Direct Marketing Conference, Corvallis, OR
• 2/19-21/2008 - The Climate of Hydro Conference, Portland, OR
  
• 2/20/2008 - Washington SBIR Seminar, Pullman, WA
  
• 2/21/2008 - Insurance for Entrepreneurs, 8 pm to 9 pm, CGCC Campus, The Dalles, OR
  
• 2/26/2008 - GTA Annual & Monthly Mtg, 6:30 p.m. at the Hood River County Administration Building
  

March Events

• 3/5/2008 - Green Power Workshop, Tualatin, OR
• 3/11/2008 - "Pub Talk", 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Horse and Hound Pub, Hood River, OR
  
• 3/13/2008 - Oregon Investment Board meeting. 10 to 12 a.m. at the Port of Hood River
  
• 0/25-27/2008 - Oregon SBIR Summit, Portland, OR
• 3/25/2008 - Gorge Technology Alliance meeting.