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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 November 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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Daily Round Trip Bus Service from The
Dalles to Hood River in Test
Phase |
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The
Hood River Transportation District (CAT) received a two year
grant from ODOT to run bus service between The Dalles and Hood
River.
Still in the test phase, there will be daily morning and
evening runs between the two cities, arriving by 8 am and
leaving after work. If CAT is able to obtain another vehicle
to support this service, a mid day run will be added. Once
week round trip service to Portland (MAX, OHSU and Clackamas
Town Center) will be starting
soon as well. For more information, contact Dan Schwanz at
541-296-7595 or 541-386-4202. Additional information and
schedules will be posted on the Gorge TransLink web site at
www.gorgetrans
link.com |
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3rd Annual Renewable Energy Seminar - Nov 3,
2007 |
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The
Washington
State University Learning Center and Seraphim Electric will
host a Renewable Energy Seminar on November 3 in Goldendale,
Washington. There
will be renewable energy talks in the morning, lunch will be
provided and a tour will occur in the afternoon.
Pre-registration is required; call the Learning
Center at
1-866-773-5620 or 509-773-5620, email: klickitatlc@wsu.edu to
register. Cost $20. |
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Gorge Artists Open Studios - Application Deadline
Extended |
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Gorge
Artists Open Studios is an annual self-directed art studios
tour that distinguishes itself from other tours by giving the
public an insider view of artists at work in their own
studios. The 2008 studio tour will be held April 12-13 2008.
Applicants will be juried by a panel of outside area arts
professionals. Gorge Artists Open Studios provides an
opportunity for artists to show and sell their work, build an
audience and communicate with the public. Studios or work
spaces must be located in Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River, Wasco or Sherman
County.
Contact the Gorge Artists Open Studios at 541-296-5134 or
visit their web
site. |
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Hood River listed as one of
the "Best Places to Live and Play: Mountain
Towns" |
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National
Geographic Adventure magazine
announced this year's top 50 adventure towns, state-by-state.
For the September 2007 issue, contributing editor Dan Koeppel
spent months tracking down and compiling a list of this year's
top adventure towns. With an ideal mix of terrain, activity,
and opportunity, each of the action hubs he found could
inspire a complete and total life change. A great guide to the
best mountain, urban, coastal, wilderness, and small towns in
every state, where you can live the adventure dream daily.
Click here
for the details. |
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Connect to your Career Job Fair - Nov 15,
2007 |
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There
will be a Job Fair and networking opportunity for high tech
employers and potential employees at Oak Grove Restaurant in
Hood River from 4 to 6 p.m.
on November 15, 2007. Sponsored by the Gorge Technology
Alliance, "Connect to your Career" is part of the GTA's
quarterly networking event schedule and is free to job
seekers. These provide an opportunity for GTA high tech
companies to interact with potential employees. For more
information contact Amanda@crgta.org or 541-296-2266.
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Gorge Technology Alliance Mtg - Nov 27,
2007 |
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The
Gorge Technology Alliance is hosting a presentation by Karl
Rozentals, President of R&R Sy- Tec, Inc. Mr. Rozentals
will be presenting a sales prospectus of his company to
potential buyers. Potential buyers and technology
entrepreneurs are invited to attend this detailed description
of an established Gorge technology business with significant
growth potential. The presentation will be followed by a
question-and-answer session and a demonstration of Sy-Tec
products. R&R Sy-Tec is a 35 year old firm that provides
infrastructure inventory and engineering services to utility
companies. The company is located in The
Dalles and provides both off and
on-site services to utility companies nationwide. The core
product is a database driven software application that is
typically bundeled with other value added services. The Gorge
Technology Alliance is sponsoring this event to provide
potential investors with a concise overview of a promising
local business opportunity. Meeting starts at 6:30 pm,
location TBA. For more information contact Amanda@crgta.org or
541-296-2266. |
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"One Stop Shopping" in Cascade
Locks |
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The
"One Stop Shopping" service for Cascade Locks residents will
be on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2-4PM in City Hall
(or as otherwise noted). Services will include: Food Bank, job
search and retraining, Veterans Affairs, Providence Mobile
Medical Unit, probation/parole, drivers permit exam, food
stamps, library, and mediation. Additional services being
worked on include child care and the GED program. Contact the
City of Cascade
Locks at 541-374-8484 if you have
questions. |
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Oregon Manufacturing Web
Site Launched |
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The
Oregon Workforce Investment Board (OWIB) launched a new Web
site designed to serve as an online information center about
what's happening in Oregon's dynamic
manufacturing center.
Referred to as "The Voice of
Oregon Manufacturing" the web site was developed as part of
the Oregon Manufacturing Workforce Strategy, the site provides
news and information on industry consortia and organizations,
education and training programs, best practices, links and
other resources related to manufacturing.
Users of the
site can:
· Find industry and labor groups, education and
training providers and other resource organizations.
·
Submit a news brief about their company, organization or
institution.
· Download reports, articles and studies
about manufacturing from a variety of sources.
· Submit
articles and links of interest to Oregon's manufacturing
sector.
· Locate other manufacturing-related Web sites
from around Oregon and
nationwide.
The Oregon Manufacturing Workforce Strategy
is part of the Oregon Workforce Investment Board's strategic
plan and its cluster approach to workforce and economic
development. It is funded with resources from the Governor's
Employer Workforce Training Fund. Visit http://www
.oregonmanufacturing.org for more information.
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Rural Cluster Potpourri Bus Tour a
Success! |
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MCEDD
hosted a Rural Cluster Potpourri bus tour throughout the
region on October 8. The group of 35 international visitors
were attending the annual TCI Global Competitiveness Institute
Conference being held this year in Portland. The whirlwind tour
spanned over 300 miles and included stops at Insitu, Custom
Interface, Google, Sherman County wind farms, Maryhill Winery,
Cascade Cliffs Winery and Vineyards, The Hatchery and White
Salmon Glassworks, Columbia Center for the Arts and The Pines
1852. |
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GGFN Community Food Assessment Workshop - Nov 7,
2007 |
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Gorge
Grown Food Network has received a $25,000 USDA Community Food
Projects Grant to conduct a comprehensive Community Food
Assessment for Hood River County. This is a huge undertaking
and they are looking for volunteers to help get it going!
On November 7, 2007, GGFN will conduct a Community
Food Assessment training workshop to get the process started.
The workshop will be from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Rockford Grange,
4262 Barrett Rd, Hood River, OR 97301.
Anyone who is
interested in food issues in Hood River County and the broader
Columbia Gorge region - from farmers to food pantries, from
consumers to restaurateurs - is invited to attend this
workshop and encouraged to participate in the Community Food
Assessment project. Drop-ins are also welcome; if you can't
make it for the full day, come for an hour or three! Visit the
GGFN web site for more information, www.gorgegrown.
com **Workshops will be in Spanish and English**
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OIB Offers Funds to Cascade Locks for Emergency Services
Facility |
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The
Oregon Investment Board recently offered a $150,000 loan to
the City of Cascade Locks to help fund construction of an
Emergency Services facility. The new Emergency Services
facility will provide adequate space for existing emergency
vehicles, classroom and training space, and storage and office
space. It will also include a multi-purpose training tower.
OIB funds were requested to fill the gap between available
funds and projected project costs. The project is an important
piece of infrastructure for the City of Cascade Locks and for
their ability to respond to emergencies. This project utilizes
a variety of local funds, state funds, private grants, and
anticipated OIB funds to provide the complete funding package
required for successful completion of this project. For more
information, contact Amanda Remington at 541-296-2266.
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Oregon Arts Commission - New Career Opportunity
Grants |
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The
Oregon Arts Commission announces a new program of Career
Opportunity Grants for individual artists. The program is made
possible by increased funds approved by the legislature for
the Arts Commission's 2007-2009 budget. The grants will enable
Oregon artists to advance their careers through the
development of artistic, business or professional skills.
Grant may be used, for instance, to improve an artist's
marketing program or to undertake training in new artistic or
production techniques. The grants, funded through the
Commission's Creative Oregon Initiative, will expand the
strengths and assets of Oregon's artists, who often work as
independent small businesses, to contribute to Oregon's
economy in urban and rural areas
Guidelines
and applications are available on-line at
www.oregonartscommission.org/grants; the first quarterly
deadline is November 14, 2007. Contact: Shannon Planchon,
503-229-6062, shannon.planchon@state.or.us or Christine
D'Arcy, 503-986-0087,
christine.t.darcy@state.or.us
Oregon recently became
only the second state in the nation to measure its Creative
Vitality Index, an important indicator of the economic power
of the arts in specific communities.
While 2007 data is
being prepared, the 2006 report is downloadable from
www.
or egonartscommission.org.
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Bill Clark Joins MCEDD as New Loan Program
Manager |
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Bill
Clark will be joining the MCEDD staff as Loan Fund Manager.
Bill has been living and working in the region since 1977.
Most of his career has been in commercial and consumer lending
and has been active in The Dalles community. He will be
working with loan applicants seeking funding to start or
expand businesses in the five- county region. Bill is looking
forward to helping businesses grow, creating more employment
opportunities and making a "difference" in the area. He
already knows many people in the region and will be making the
rounds to meet others in the next few weeks.
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"PubTalk" Meets in Hood River - Nov 13,
2007 |
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WHAT::
"PubTalk" is an informal event that provides ample time for
networking before the program. Typically, two early stage
companies present 10 minute pitches to the audience directly
after the keynote speaker. These companies are most commonly
seeking advisors or capital investment. As well-seasoned
executives, keynote speakers provide advice and guidance
related to many of the issues, challenges, and opportunities
less experienced entrepreneurs will face along the path to
success.
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 5:30-7:30. PM WHERE: Double Mountain
Brewery (Garage Room), 8 Fourth Street, Hood River.
WHO: ATTENDS
Entrepreneurs, investors, leaders of local companies, business
professionals, consultants, and service professionals.
AGENDA: 5:30
Networking - Drinks & Snacks 6:15 Keynote Speakers -
Building Your Management Team Brad Dezurick, Vice President
& General Counsel, Insitu Andre Young, CFO, Maritime
Services Corp. 7:00 Early Stage Company Presentations 7:30
Adjourn for More Networking
ADMISSION: $10 in
advance; $15 at the door; Admission includes program &
snacks
RSVP:
Contact Bill Fashing, Hood River County Office of Economic
Development, 541-387- 6863, bill.fashing@co.hood-river.or.us
by Nov. 12. Send checks to: HRCC, C/O Hood River County Office
of Economic Development, 601 State Street, Hood River, OR
97301. |
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Calendar of Events |
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November
Events
11/03/07-3rd Annual Renewable Energy Seminar, 9am to 12 pm
in Goldendale, WA.
11/07/07 - GGFN Community Food
Assessment Workshop, 9 am to 3 pm, Rockford Grange, Hood
River, OR
11/13/07 - "PubTalk", 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Double
Mountain Brewery, Hood River, OR
11/15/07 - Connect to Your
Career Job Fair, 4 pm to 6 pm, Oak Grove Restaurant, Hood
River, OR
11/27/07 - Gorge Technology Alliance Mtg, 6:30
pm, Location TBA. |
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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 layne@mcedd.org.
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You
are welcome to pass along this newsletter to anyone who may be
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