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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 March 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 goes Green! |
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MCEDD
purchased 22 Green Tags to offset the environmental impacts of
its energy consumption. Green Tags support the development of
clean renewable energy. |
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Learn more about
Green
Tags.... |
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Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour April
14-15 |
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The
Gorge Artist Open Studios (GAOS) tour will be held April 14-15
throughout the Gorge (Skamania, Klickitat, Wasco and Hood
River counties). GAOS is a self-directed tour of “artists in
their native habitat.” The tour features original works by
more than 30 artists living and working in the Columbia River
Gorge. Participating artists have opened their spaces for the
public to view how and where they work, and to ask the artist
directly any questions about their art.
MCEDD supports
GAOS's efforts as part of the arts cluster of the Gorge.
Tour guide books are available for purchase beginning
March 1, 2007. Guide books sell for $15 each and admit two
people to the tour. Visit the website
(http://www.gorgeartistsopenstudios.com) to learn more or to
purchase guidebooks. |
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Visit the GAOS
website |
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Biggs Bridge Closure |
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Concrete
is not yet falling into the river, but the Biggs Bridge deck
is rapidly failing. Load restrictions have been put in place,
and may need to be lowered in the near future. Washington DOT
is managing the repair project and plans a complete closure
after the Labor Day weekend in September through the week
before Thanksgiving. They will then open it up for traffic
until the week after Christmas when it will close again
through May. These are estimated dates.
We believe
there are about 50 employees who live on the Washington side
who work in Oregon, and at least 8 who live in Oregon and work
in Washington. The closure will have a severe impact on many
low to moderate wage earners who must make an additional 40
mile detour around the closure. Several employees in the Biggs
and Rufus area have stated they will quit.
MCEDD is
working with ODOT and WADOT to try and find some solution. The
most practical solution offered to date is to find about
$25,000 to help Mt. Adams Transportation lease two busses and
provide a ‘park and ride’ type service for employees and
perhaps carry agricultural parts back to Washington for the
farmers during the hay season.
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Cascade Locks prepares for a new EMS
building |
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The
City of Cascade Locks has received a $500,000 Oregon Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) to help support the
construction of a new fire hall. Grant administration for the
CDBG project is being provided by MCEDD.
The proposed
fire hall will be located at 100 SE WaNaPa in Cascade Locks.
It will include a vehicle bay to accommodate emergency fire
vehicles, classroom and training space, office space, storage
space, and a multi-purpose training tower.
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Learn
more... |
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Audubon Society Supports Wind
Energy |
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National
Audubon Society President, John Flicker, has written a column
stating that Audubon "strongly supports wind power as a clean
alternative energy source." Learn more about the reasoning
behind and implications of these remarks.
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Read
on... |
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Grass Valley Wastewater |
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The
City of Grass Valley in Sherman County has asked MCEDD to help
them develop a feasibility study for a wastewater system. The
new water distribution system project has been completed and
this is the next logical step to move current residents off
from septic systems and prepare Grass Valley to participate in
the economic revival of Sherman County.
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Guerilla Marketing for
Artists |
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MCEDD
will provide a Guerilla Marketing class to The Dalles Art
Center in March. Contact link@mcedd.org if your organization
could use a hand in low cost and effective marketing
strategies. |
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Gorge Businesses Celebrate the National Scenic Area and its
20th Anniversary |
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*Information
provided by Friends of the Gorge* Since 1986, Congress has
provided over $90,000,000 to the Columbia Gorge as a result of
the National Scenic Area Act. Over $18,000,000 directly
supported the Gorge Economy - much more if you count the
spin-off benefits!
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
believes it is important for Gorge businesses to recognize and
support the two purposes of the National Scenic Area: 1.) to
protect and enhance Gorge scenic, natural, cultural and
recreation resources and 2.) to encourage appropriate economic
development in the urban areas as it is consistent with the
first purpose. Over 70 leading Gorge businesses signed up in a
recent campaign to show public support for the National Scenic
Area. The motto of the campaign is: The Columbia River Gorge,
a great place to live, work and play. If you would like to
stand up for our scenic Columbia River Gorge and be part of a
newspaper ad showing your support for the National Scenic Area
on its 20th anniversary please contact: Peter Cornelison, Hood
River, email peter@gorgefriends.org or call 541-386-5268.
If you would like to view the businesses that have
signed up to support the Gorge please visit our website:
www.gorgefriends.org"
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Read
on... |
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Sherman County Tourism |
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MCEDD
and Rural Development Initiatives are helping Sherman County
prepare a Sustainable Tourism and Livability plan. The first
county wide meeting was February 28 and follow-up meetings
will be scheduled this spring. One of the first steps is
identifying what makes Sherman County unique. There are many
sites and landmarks of interest to visitors including the four
emigrant roads that cross Sherman County, the surviving apple
tree dated to the first wagon crossing, various rock
inscriptions and historic buildings. A tour will be organized
later this spring to highlight the importance of these
historic treasures. |
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Upcoming Events |
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EVENT
3/8/07
– Oregon Investment Board meeting. 10:00 a.m.
3/27/07
– Gorge Technology Alliance Meeting. 6:30 p.m. This month will
feature a discussion with Mark Flaming on cell phone banking.
Networking starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit http://www.crgta.org or
contact Amanda Remington at amanda@crgta.org for more
information.
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
4/14/07
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. |
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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 needed by the third week
of each month. Please send items to amanda@mcedd.org.
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