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Welcome to MCEDD's October
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
awarded $750,000 for IRP loan program |
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Mid-Columbia Economic Development
District applied for and will receive $750,000 through
USDA's Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) to help create
105 jobs for Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties. The
focus of the MCEDD IRP loan program is job creation through
the financing of business expansion or start-ups or for job
retention projects. These loans to small businesses help to
diversify and grow the economy of the region. The funds will
add to MCEDD's existing loan program which has made 154
loans to businesses totaling $9,393,586. Those businesses
have created or retained 963 jobs in the Mid-Columbia
region.
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Click here for more information
about MCEDD loan programs |
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Employer
Assisted Homeownership Benefits Forum Oct
10th |
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Many of you attended the
Mid-Columbia Housing Summit earlier this year. As a follow
up this Forum will provide information about programs
available to assist with employee home ownership. Employers
(both large and small businesses) are invited to attend
along with lenders and government officials. The forum will
be at the Hood River Inn on Wed, October 10th from 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm. There is no cost for this forum, which includes
lunch. Space is limited, so register now. Sponsored by:
Fannie Mae, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Freddie
Mac, Hood River Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Columbia Economic
Development District, Mid-Columbia Housing Resource Center,
Oregon Housing and Community Services
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Click here to
register |
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$28,190 in
Oregon Investment Board (OIB) Grant Funds
Awarded |
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The Columbia River Gorge National
Scenic Area OIB awarded grants totaling $28,190 in
September. Funding was provided to North Wasco County School
District #21, Gorge Artists, and the Columbia Gorge Center.
N. Wasco County School District #21 was awarded a
$10,000 grant for "Project Lead the Way," a program of
pre-engineering courses offered at The Dalles Wahtonka High
School. Through "Project Lead the Way", the school district
provides students with the knowledge necessary to pursue
engineering or engineering technology programs in college.
The OIB grant will cover the costs of equipment and some
travel costs to assist project staff and students in
securing partnerships and mentorships with local high tech
businesses.
Gorge Artists, Inc received a $10,000 grant
to increase marketing efforts for the 2008 Gorge Artists
Open Studios Tour. This is the second year of the Gorge
Artists Open Studios Tour, which will be held April 12- 13,
2008. A two day event showcasing local artists' studios,
providing artists with an opportunity to sell their work and
visitors an opportunity to engage in conversations with the
artist. In preparation, artists participating in the tour
are invited to engage in workshops designed to help them
develop marketing and sales skills and improve their basic
business practices.
Columbia Gorge Center (CGC) was
awarded $8,190 grant to develop a marketing plan for the
products they fabricate and services they offer. Currently,
CGC fabricates aprons, bags and fire starters and offers
assembly, custodial maintenance, and document shredding
services. Grant funds will be used to hire a consultant to
develop the marketing plan. The marketing plan will be
included in a full business plan by CGC staff with support
from the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business
Development Center. If you have any questions about the
Oregon Investment Board call Amanda Remington at (541)
296-2266.
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Click here for more information
abut OIB |
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"BreezeBy"
- New Electronic Tolling System on Hood River - White Salmon
Interstate Bridge |
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BreezeBy, the Port of Hood River's
new electronic tolling system is almost ready to go! If all
goes well, testing will end around the first part of
November and all commuters will have the opportunity to
BreezeBy the toll plaza in the OUTSIDE bypass lanes. Once
BreezeBy is operational for everyone, only vehicles with
BreezeBy transponders may use the bypass lanes. Transponders
are good in ALL lanes, however, so you may choose the
shortest line when you arrive at the toll plaza.
If you
are currently using tickets, you may continue to use them
(they do NOT expire) but you must drive through the center
toll plaza lanes only. If you would like to turn in any
unused tickets to the office, the value of the remaining
ticket book will be placed into your BreezeBy account. There
is a 20% unlimited discount for all transponder users, for
both personal and commercial accounts
The Application,
Credit Card Authorization Form, Terms & Conditions, and
Privacy Policy are available on the Port's website, along
with "Frequently Asked Questions":
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Click here for more
information |
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Wasco
County Infrastructure Inventory |
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MCEDD has a contract with Mount Hood
Economic Alliance to complete an infrastructure inventory
for Wasco County for OECDD. OECDD is gathering this
information across the State to prepare a report and funding
request for the February 2008 session of the Oregon
Legislature. This report will provide critical information
on the size and scope of infrastructure and capital
improvement needs of counties, cities, ports, tribes,
special districts, associations, and non- profits over the
next 20 years. Project lead is Amanda Remington. Contact her
at Amanda@mcedd.org or 541-296-2266.
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Click here for more information
about the Mt Hood Economic Alliance. |
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The Dalles
and Hood River Featured in Recent "Business is Good"
Tour |
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THE BUSINESS IS GOOD! TOUR stopped
in 18 host communities across the state, beginning with
Astoria on September 10, and ending in Portland on September
28. The Tour, spearheaded by Oregon Business
magazine, brought together business leaders from across the
state and is designed to cast a spotlight on people,
industries and communities and their unique contributions to
Oregon's economic vitality. The 18 host communities were
selected from 40 proposals submitted to Oregon
Business. Two Gorge communities were highlighted on the
tour. On September 25th The Dalles hosted a business leaders
breakfast, followed by a tour of the wind energy training
program at Columbia Gorge Community College. Then it was on
to lunch in Hood River were the focus was on value-add
agriculture and sustainable small business, followed by a
tasting at Full Sail Brewing Company and tour of local
orchards. A relaxed dinner provided a chance to network with
local officials.
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Click here for more
information |
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Forest
Service Announces New Biomass Grant
Opportunity |
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The USDA Forest Service, State and
Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the
Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for forest
product projects that increase the use of woody biomass from
National Forest System lands. The woody biomass utilization
grant program is intended to help improve forest restoration
activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter
material and low-valued trees removed from forest
restoration activities, such as reducing hazardous fuels,
handling insect and diseased conditions, or treating
forestlands impacted by catastrophic weather events. These
funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and
others turn residues from forest restoration activities into
marketable forest products and/or energy products. DATES:
Pre-application Deadline: Close of business November 2,
2007. Full application Deadline: Close of business February
1, 2008.
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Click here for more
information |
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Regards to
Rural Conference - Oct 25-27 |
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Rural Development Initiatives, Inc.
(RDI) fifth annual Regards to Rural Conference - a gathering
to Inform, Inspire, and Celebrate. . . all that is Rural!
The 2007 conference will open on Thursday evening, October
25 and conclude Saturday afternoon, October 27, 2007 at
Skamania Lodge. Learn, share, create, and take home
innovative ideas and hands-on tools that you can immediately
put to use in your community. The Registration Deadline is
October 12, 2007. SPACE IS LIMITED. Scholarships are
available.
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Click here for more
information |
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Showcase
of Regional Industry Clusters |
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Participants from the 2007 TCI
Global Competitiveness Conference held in Portland on
October 8, 2007 will hear interesting success stories as
they tour the Columbia Gorge region. This day-long tour in
the Columbia River Gorge will examine efforts to create new
opportunities for economic growth in a National Scenic Area.
Coordinated and staffed by MCEDD, the tour will make stops
in both Oregon and Washington and will meet with Cluster
practitioners in what would seem to be unrelated industries:
wine, arts, renewable energy and high tech. Stops will
include visits to local wineries and renewable energy
facilities.
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Click here for conference
information |
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Ford
Family Leadership Classes Start |
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The first Wasco County Ford Family
Leadership Class and Sherman County's second Class started
this September. Offered by the Ford Family Foundation, Ford
Institute Leadership Program provides training on leadership
development, effective organizations and community
collaborations. The program classes span over four years
with all training provided in the community. The program is
designed to help communities that are already helping
themselves.
The Leadership Development course involves
60 hours of training for a diverse group of about 25
experienced, emerging and potential leaders from the
community. The sequence of five training events takes over
five years to complete.
A round of applause to
Sherman and Wasco County and the program participants for
their efforts.
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Click here to learn more about the
Ford Family Foundation |
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The Clean
Technology Forum comes to the Gorge - 10/9 |
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When and Where: Oct. 9th
noon-1:30 at the Dalles Civic Auditorium
What:
How to be more efficient with data storage and data servers
by focusing on the topic of virtualization. With a diverse
panel of highly accomplished individuals, the knowledge
shared will be very valuable and thought provoking.
Who: Anyone interested in learning about
technology and sustainable / efficient business
practices.
This forum is part of a series happening
in Portland and Bend presented by the Software Association
of Oregon. Thanks to the Gorge Technology Alliance for their
support. Event and annual forum sponsorships available.
Contact: Bryce Yonker - bryce.yonker@sao.org - 503 228 5443
Cost for non SAO members $35; $20 to SAO members.
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Click here to
register |
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Sherman
Development League Announces Grant Application
Deadline |
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The Sherman Development League is
pleased to announce the availability of grant application
forms for projects and/or programs in Sherman County
beginning September 5, 2007. Grants will be available to 501
(c) (3) and other non-profit organizations. Grant recipients
from 2006 are not eligible to apply for another grant until
their current grant requirements have been met and the final
report completed and approved. Modest, short term loans are
also available to for-profit entities and businesses.
Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2007, and
grant awards will be announced by February 1, 2008. To
receive appropriate forms for your project, please send a
letter of request, which includes a brief description of
your project, whether this is a capital expenditure,
one-time program or pilot project, emergency assistance or a
loan request and identifies the type of organization
requesting funding. Mail to: Sherman Development League P.O.
Box 11 Moro, OR 97039 Questions? Contact Melva Thomas at
541-442-5488 melvath@hughes.net Sherman Development League,
Inc., serving Sherman County to enhance and develop the
social, cultural and educational environment and provide a
high quality of life for its residents.
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USDA Rural
Development Value-Added Grant Awards
Announced |
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Nationwide, 162 grants were awarded
totaling $22.7 million. Two of those were to Sherman
County's Alley Community Wind Farm $80,300 and Brown
Community Wind Farm $80,300. A total of 14 Oregon applicants
received grants totaling $1,677.499. Oregon's awards were
second only to Wisconsin with 15 grants, and fourth in the
nation in total dollars awarded (only Wisconsin, Minnesota,
and Texas received more).
Overall,14 of Oregon's 15
applicants were successful. Five of the Oregon awards are
for planning on-farm renewable energy generation - 4 for
wind studies, and one for a geothermal project.
"From wine to wheat to wind, from berries to beef,
Oregon's agricultural producers are an innovative group, and
the team here at Rural Development is delighted to be able
to help make their concepts a reality," said Mark Simmons,
USDA Rural Development's State Director for Oregon.
The VAPG program makes matching grants available to
farmers, ranchers, foresters & fishers for either
planning or working capital purposes to implement
value-added ventures. Value-added ventures are marketing or
processing projects that will increase the value to the
commodities they harvest. On-farm renewable energy
generation projects are also eligible. The goal is to
increase the producer's share of revenue from the
commodities they produce.
The next round of
applications for VAPG assistance is likely to be announced
at the beginning of 2008. "It's not too soon for producers
to start thinking about how our program could assist them,"
said Simmons. Producers and producer organizations
interested in finding out more should call the USDA Rural
Development Oregon State Office at 503-414-3366 or visit
their web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/or
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Click here for more
details |
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MCEDD
Annual Meeting - 2007 MCEDD Annual Report
Available |
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With the momentum provided by new
staff hires in 2006 and 2007, MCEDD continues to increase
it's impact on the region. The MCEDD annual meeting was held
on September 26 at the White Salmon Pioneer Center. A copy
of the Annual Report is available at the MCEDD office or by
contacting pat@mcedd.org.
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Calendar
of Events |
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October Events
10/08/07-Showcase of regional industry clusters. TBA.
10/09/07 - Clean Technology Forum, Noon, The Dalles at
the Civic Auditorium.
10/10/07 - Employer Assisted
Homeownership Benefits Forum, Hood River Inn, 11:00 to 1:00
pm.
10/11/07- Oregon Investment Board meeting at 10:00
am, US Forest Service office, 902 Wasco Ave, Hood River.
10/18/07 - Cascade Locks Action Team meeting at noon,
Charburger Restaurant in Cascade Locks.
10/20/07 -
Deadline to apply for 2008 Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour.
10/23/07 - Gorge Technology Alliance meeting, 6:30 pm,
"The Connected Executive", location TBA.
10/25 through
10/27- Regards to Rural IV at Skamania Lodge.
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your News! |
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