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SpanishWorkforce Training Funds for Oregon Businesses
January 17, 2019 – East Cascades Works is seeking responses from employers in Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties in Oregon with workforce training needs. Grants of $5K to $25K with a 1:1 employer match. Details are available here. [Continue Reading]
Loan Fund Supports Private Practice in Hood River
December 19, 2018 – After graduating from Pacific University with a PhD in clinical psychology, Dr. Lauren Justice set her eyes on beginning her long-time dream of opening a private practice in Hood River. With the help of a loan through the Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board (a fund staffed by MCEDD) for this start-up, Dr. Justice was able to open her doors to individuals and couples in October 2018. As a Psychologist Resident, Dr. Justice is currently working toward her independent licensure under the supervision of Dr. Mark Burton, a clinical psychologist in the Portland, OR area with over 25 years of experience. Over the course of her training, she gained experience that has equipped her to work with a wide range of client needs. Dr. Justice has previously worked as a clinical supervisor, behavioral health coordinator, yoga therapist, and counselor in primary care settings, non-profit community mental health clinics, integrative medicine clinics, and university counseling. She now brings that range of experience to the individuals and couples that walk through her door at her office on 501 Portway Avenue in Hood River, OR. Dr. Justice strives to help her clients resolve problems in their mind, body, relationships, and lifestyle. She will work with individuals to improve their understanding of the source of their distress and refocus on what they value most. Depending on a client’s preference, therapy with Dr. Justice may draw from traditional treatment approaches or it may utilize yoga therapy and mindfulness techniques. Dr. Justice enjoys guiding individuals and couples interested in finding the best way to overcome difficult relationship patterns, health-related problems, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Her mind-body approach, along with her background as a published yoga researcher and behavioral health specialist, can help clients get back on track toward improved health and wellness. In addition to her practice, Dr. Justice stays active as a certified yoga instructor and researcher. She has published, presented, and continues to conduct research promoting the use of yoga as a mental health practice. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy and Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, as well as other journals addressing yoga practice, physical therapy and alternative medicine. She has also presented on these topics at professional conferences for the American Public Health Association and the International Association of Yoga Therapist’s annual Symposium on Yoga Research. Dr. Justice currently teaches yoga classes that explore yoga philosophy and mental wellness at Trinity Natural Medicine in Hood River. When Dr. Justice is not focusing on her professional passions, she can be found on Northwest trails with her husband and their dog, Rhubarb. As a native Oregonian, She feels fortunate to make a home and grow her business in an area and community that helped to shape her. Dr. Justice’s professional office is located at 501 Portway Avenue, Hood River, OR. More information about Lauren Justice, PhD is available on her website at www.laurenjusticephd.com. [Continue Reading]US Department of Energy awards Goldendale Pump Storage Project Technical Assistance Award
December 17, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Energy announced the Goldendale pump storage hydro-power (PSH) project as one of only two pump storage projects awarded a Notice of Opportunity for Technical Assistance (NOTA) to perform a techno-economic study on the project. [Continue Reading]Regional Projects Make Headway
December 7, 2018 – White Salmon Aquifer: Permitting is nearly complete to allow White Salmon’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program to begin. City officials are hoping for water quality permits from the Washington Department of Ecology to be issued in time for operations to start in the first quarter of 2019. Read more from Gorge Radio here. Port of Hood River Lot 1: The Port of Hood River Commission got a sneak preview of a draft report on an infrastructure framework plan for Lot 1 on the Waterfront. Read more from Gorge Radio here. [Continue Reading]USDA Funds Water Infrastructure for Mosier, Oregon
December 6, 2018 – Mosier, Oregon will receive $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) to help improve its water system. USDA-RD Oregon State Director John Huffman made the announcement: “It can be a struggle for any city to finance a large infrastructure project, but it is especially challenging for very small towns like Mosier,” said Huffman. “These water system improvements will ensure this rural community has access to a safe, reliable source of drinking water for decades to come.” USDA notes that “Mosier currently depends upon a single well to provide water to 269 households; 4 small businesses; a sewage treatment plant; and a school with 228 students and 28 staff members. Additionally, the community is planning to build a combined fire station, city hall, and community center, which will also be connected to the municipal water system. However, the town’s water infrastructure does not have the capacity to meet increasing demand and lacks a backup water supply and systems. With the help of a $763,000 loan and a $659,418 grant from USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Program, Mosier will drill a new well that will serve as a backup water source. Additionally, the town will install a new telemetry system to improve system efficiency and build a new pump station to provide backup power and redundant pumps. The new station will also expand the system’s capacity, ensuring sufficient utilities are provided to both the existing customers and anticipated new residents. Overall, this project will provide a sustainable groundwater supply, backup systems, and expanded capacity to ensure the 455 residents of this growing community continue to have access to the drinking water they need.” [Continue Reading]Enterprise Zone Opportunities Expand in Wasco County
November 29, 2018 – The Joint Wasco County Enterprise Zone received confirmation of redesignation. The updated zone builds on the City of The Dalles’ 30 year foundation by allowing other areas within the County to participate. With the new 10 year term, the cities of The Dalles, Dufur, Maupin, and Mosier and the communities of Tygh Valley, Wamic, and Pine Grove all have commercial and industrial areas now included in the Enterprise Zone. The zone provides a short term property tax abatement to support business investment into communities. Learn more here. [Continue Reading]
Feast Market Expands with MCEDD Financing
November 26, 2018 – In June of 2012 Jenessa VanDeHey and Shawn Simmons opened the doors to their business, Feast Market & Delicatessen, in a former service station in White Salmon, WA. Sourcing local and organic ingredients, Feast had been serving the community fresh deli salads, sandwiches and soups. However, after six successful years of business, Feast Market began to outgrow this space. When the Historic Goodwill Lodge building, located in the heart of downtown White Salmon, became available for lease, the couple jumped at the opportunity to expand their business. The expansion to this new space tripled their size, giving them the ability to seat about 100 guests and allowed the expansion of their menu with farm-to-table style dining experience in the evenings, in addition to their famous deli fare during lunch hours. Feast Market is open seven days a week from 10:30 am to 9 pm with set times for lunch, dinner and the market and deli. Feast Market is more than just a deli and a restaurant, though. Jenessa and Shawn enjoy working closely with local farmers and purveyors to source the products sold in the market section of their establishment. In addition to their menu offerings, Feast Market offers fresh, local, sustainable meat, seafood and a variety of local products, such as farm fresh eggs, cheese, raw milk, fermented goods, and preserves. With the assistance of MCEDD business financing, the dream of expanding into the new location became a reality. New refrigeration equipment for the market and all leasehold improvements were purchased in order to create the new Feast Market in the Historic Goodwill Lodge building. This grand new venue boasts exposed beam ceilings, a warm and inviting gathering space and marketplace. With the expansion, Feast Market now has a full bar of wine and spirits, espresso, a happy hour menu, and patio seating with a glorious Mt. Hood view. You can find Feast Market at 151 E Jewett BLVD in White Salmon, WA. More information about Feast Market is available on their website at www.feastmarket.org. To inquire about Feast products, catering services, or reservations please call (509)-637-6886. The MCEDD Loan Program is available to entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and existing businesses doing business in the five county (Sherman, Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania) Mid-Columbia Area. This loan program is part of MCEDD’s efforts to strengthen and support the region’s economy. [Continue Reading]Food and Beverage Analysis: Take the Survey
November 13, 2018 – Columbia Gorge Community College’s Food and Beverage Survey is underway. The college has retained a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study of the industry to help determine whether the college should establish new workforce training specific to these industries. Employers are encouraged to participate. Take the survey here [Continue Reading]Annual Symposium Materials Now Available
October 29, 2018 – The annual Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium hosted by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) took place on November 2, 2018 at the Civic Auditorium located in The Dalles. Presentations from the regional economists and MCEDD’s Executive Director, Amanda Hoey, are available here. This year the symposium included a focus on the high tech industry in the Columbia Gorge. The President and CEO of Insitu, Esina Alic, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Jessica Metta with the Gorge Tech Alliance moderated a panel of private industry leaders from different portions of the tech industry in the Gorge featuring: Tabitha Colie, Seeq Greg Davis, Overwatch Imaging Tom Furey, Sagetech Dave Karlson, Google Andy Mack, Zepher Details on the 2019 Symposium will be posted in early 2019. This year’s event sold out in advance, so we encourage you to purchase tickets once the event is announced. [Continue Reading]