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MCEDD Newsletter
JANUARY 2008
In This Issue
Solar & Wind
Biggs Bridge Closure
Tech Cluster
Oregon SBIR
GAOS updates website
Cherry Fest Design Contest
Grass Valley Market Reopens
Calendar of Events
Quick Links

 

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!!!!

 

Welcome to MCEDD's January newsletter! In an effort to help keep you informed of regional events related to economic development, we have included news from across
our five-county district.

Solar & Wind for Residential & Business

Ecologically it makes sense! With all the tax credits available from the state of Oregon, from the Federal Government, and from the Energy Trust of Oregon it NOW makes sense financially. Solar is Oregon's most abundant renewable energy resource.

Hear about all the details and protect yourself at today's prices, with today's incentives from future electric rate increases.

What: "Power Your Future" Solar and Wind for Residential and Business
When: January 10, 2008, 6:30 pm
Where: Sherman County Senior & Community Center, 300 Dewey St, Moro, Oregon
Topics: State and Federal Tax Credits, Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives, Property Tax Exemption, Solar and Wind Design, and more.
Host: Michael Smith
Sponsored by: Seraphim Energy Inc.
Biggs Bridge Closure
The bridge across the Columbia River at Biggs, OR was closed on January 2, 2008. Biggs is located at the intersection of Highway 97 and Interstate 84, just south of the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge.
  • The bridge will reopen before Memorial Day weekend 2008; a second closure will begin after Labor Day 2008.
  • Crews began work to replace the deteriorated bridge deck for the north and main spans. After Labor Day, crews will replace the bridge deck on the south side of the bridge.
  • Safety of motorists and crews continues to be the highest priority, requiring a closure of the bridge while the deck is being replaced.
  • During construction, detour routes will be available. Detour routes include US 197 Dalles Bridge via I-84 or State Route 14. Another option for eastbound traffic is to cross at the I-82 Columbia River Bridge. In addition, carpool match information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US97/BiggsBridge/travelerinfo.
  • Learn about your commute options and park & ride locations - visit the Traveler Information page.
  • Questions about carpooling or the closure of the US97 Biggs Bridge?
Contact:
By phone: 1-866-973-6879 (toll-free)
or
By E-mail: swWebInfo@wsdot.wa.gov 

Other Area Services:

Local Park & Ride Locations:

  • US 97 & Centerville in Goldendale - Approximately 19 parking spaces available
  • SR 14, Hood River Bridge in White Salmon
  • SR 14, Bridge of the Gods - Approximately 30 parking spaces available


Gorge Translink - Gorge TransLink is an alliance of transportation providers offering public transportation services throughout the Mid-Columbia River Gorge area and to more distant destinations, such as Portland and Vancouver. These services are available to everyone - regardless of age or income. You can find Gorge TransLink at: www.gorgetranslink.com/

Tech Cluster in the Gorge - "The Gorge Effect"

The Harvard Business School uses the following definition for a cluster - "a geographically proximate group of interconnected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, including product producers, service providers, suppliers, universities, and trade associations. Clusters arise out of the linkages or externalities that span across industries in a particular location."

See the January issue of "Oregon Business" to learn more about the growth and success the Gorge tech cluster and how it is effects the region. 


Oregon SBIR Summit - March 25-27, 2008 in Portland, Oregon

The Oregon Small Business and Innovative Research (SBIR) Summit, hosted by the Pacific NW Defense Coalition and the Portland State Business Accelerator will be in Portland on March 25-27, 2008. 

Find out more about SBIR and the Summit by visiting www.oregonsbir.org
GAOS updates website

The Gorge Artists Open Studios (GAOS) have updated their website.  All of the participating artists are now listed, some with photos. In addition, Gorge Artists received a $5,000 grant from the Oregon Artist Commission to promote the Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour on April 12-13, 2008. 
Cherry Fest Design Contest

The Dalles Chamber of Commerce is offering a cherry fest design contest. The theme is "Cherry Sunsation". Designs are due January 18, 2008. Send you design to Mary Stocks (mstdacc at gorge.net) at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce. The prize is $200.
Grass Valley Market Reopens!

After many hours of hard work the Grass Valley Market has reopened serving as part grocery store, coffee shop, restaurant, convenience store, community gathering place and liquor store for people in Grass Valley and the surrounding area. 

The store will be open 6 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 6 pm on Sunday.

Congratulations to owners Jim Short and Carol Thompson and all of those in the community who helped.
 
Calendar of Events

Janurary Events
February Events
March Events
MCEDD's Mission
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 iwth the five-county district.

email: mcedd at mcedd.org
http://www.mcedd.org

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.

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MCEDD | 515 East Second Street | The Dalles | OR | 97058