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SpanishJob Opening: MCEDD Executive Director (Apply by January 21)
January 6, 2020 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is seeking a new Executive Director. This position acts as the chief executive officer and is responsible for the overall management of the fiscal, personnel, and policy functions of the agency. The Executive Director is responsible to the MCEDD Board of Directors. Details and job description at https://www.mcedd.org/about/jobs-and-volunteer/ Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and list of at least three professional references by January 21, 2020 for first-round consideration. Submit applications to siri@mcedd.org or to 802 Chenowith Loop Road, The Dalles, OR 97058. MCEDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. [Continue Reading]MCEDD Seeks Budget Committee Members
January 3, 2020 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) has opened the process to nominate applicants for its budget committee. Applicants must be representative of the services provided by MCEDD. The MCEDD region consists of Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties. All positions are non-paid. MCEDD Budget Committee interest forms are available electronically here or at the MCEDD offices at 802 Chenoweth Loop Road in The Dalles. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on February 19, 2020 for consideration of appointment. All interest forms will be reviewed and provided to the MCEDD Executive Committee. Appointments are made by the Executive Committee and will be ratified by the Board at the MCEDD Board meeting in March. Appointments are made for a three year period. For more information, contact MCEDD at 541-296-2266. [Continue Reading]
New Vehicles and Enhanced Safety
December 30, 2019 – The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, which includes funds for replacement of two MCEDD Link public transportation vehicles in The Dalles! We are excited to continue expanding services. “One is already not functioning and another is on its way out. This will be essential to helping us maintain public transportation service in Wasco County,” said Jessica Metta, Deputy Director. The purpose of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. In addition to the vehicle awards, MCEDD is appreciative of support through the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO). SDAO has awarded grant funds to MCEDD through their 2019-2020 Special Districts Insurance Services Safety & Security Grant. MCEDD will receive matching funds (up to $3,050) to support the cost of new security cameras (total of 8) and installation on the new buses. These cameras will allow MCEDD to take a pro-active approach to ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers, help deter vandalism and theft, and allow for better decision making related to on-board incidents. [Continue Reading]
Mid-Columbia Backflow, LLC – Providing Testing, Maintenance and Repair
December 24, 2019 – Mid-Columbia Backflow, LLC specializes in residential and commercial backflow testing and landscape irrigation repair. The business was started in 2018 by Philip Agnor and is currently registered in Oregon and Washington. Public health officials have long been concerned about cross-connections and backflow prevention but it wasn’t until 1974 that Congress established the Safe Drinking Water Act (SOWA). The Act established that unprotected cross-connections had to be eliminated or protected in order to safeguard human health from contaminants in drinking water. Part of the Act included the installation and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. Mid-Columbia Backflow is a full service backflow testing company providing customers with a range of services related to backflow assemblies and landscape irrigation systems. In addition to being a certified backflow assembly tester registered with Oregon Health Authority and the Washington State Department of Health, Mid-Columbia Backflow, LLC is also a licensed, bonded and insured landscape irrigation and backflow testing company registered with the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. This unique combination of licenses provides the customer with the convenience of using one company to test and repair backflow assemblies and complete seasonally necessary maintenance of landscape irrigation systems. Jim Jans of Jans Backflow Testing approached Agnor to assist with yearly blackflow tests in 2019 and offered to sell his client list to Agnor in preparation for his retirement. With financing secured through Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and support from the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center, Agnor was able to purchase the local Hood River backflow testing business, which has been servicing Hood River County and Wasco County for the past 20 years. The purchase allowed Agnor to expand his customer base and service area. 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. For more information on MCEDD’s Loan Program, visit www.mcedd.org. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ DCVA Premise Isolation Backflow Assembly on commercial domestic water supply DCVA Backflow Assembly on residential irrigation system DCVA and Bypass DCVA Backflow Assemblies on commercial Fire Suppression System [Continue Reading]
We Have Moved! Find us at 802 Chenowith Loop Road, The Dalles
December 23, 2019 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) has consolidated its offices on the west end of The Dalles at the Transit Center. After more than a decade in a downtown space for its admin offices, the opportunity to consolidate arose in 2019 with a tenant moving out of the Transit Center. The consolidation brings a coordinated approach to all MCEDD programs and staff with one physical location. Find us at 802 Chenowith Loop Road, The Dalles, Oregon. [Continue Reading]
MCEDD Executive Director Selected as CEO for OR Wheat Commission/ OR Wheat Growers League
December 13, 2019 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) announces that its Executive Director, Amanda Hoey, has accepted the position as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Oregon Wheat Commission and Oregon Wheat Growers League. The position will allow her to further support vibrant rural communities in the region and throughout the state of Oregon. Amanda Hoey states “My family roots are in wheat farming. Those roots initially drew me back to this region to work with MCEDD and now they draw me to my next professional venture with Oregon Wheat. From enhancing resources for ag research to addressing policy challenges that would otherwise hinder farm profitability/viability, the work of Oregon Wheat is important to our rural communities. It is a position that I am very excited to take on.” Amanda noted that the success of MCEDD and the strength and experience of her team will allow for a smooth pathway as the MCEDD Board works through the hiring process. She stated: “This year we celebrated our 50th anniversary for MCEDD. We have grown into an organization that truly serves the entirety of the five county region. It has been a privilege to serve as its director and play a part in bringing MCEDD to a place where it acts as a resource for the five county area.” Amanda will work with MCEDD through February of 2020 to ensure a smooth transition. Amanda joined MCEDD in 2006 and was promoted to the Executive Director role in 2008. Under her leadership, MCEDD has diversified regional economic initiatives to include additional opportunities for access to capital and enhancing private-sector led regional industry development. She has also led the organization’s growth, expanding the regional transportation division and project management team to better serve the region and promote economic opportunity. She notes that it was a difficult decision to follow her professional passion to accept the position with Oregon Wheat but felt she was able to do so as she has confidence in the professional staff and board to continue to provide strong leadership and vision for the region’s economic future the work of the bi-state MCEDD organization. The MCEDD Executive Committee has appointed an Executive Transition Subcommittee responsible for the recruitment and selection process for the next Executive Director who will continue to provide strong leadership in partnership with the MCEDD Board and vision for the region’s economic future. The Committee has approved the release of the MCEDD Executive Director job announcement and is soliciting applications through January 21, 2020 for first round consideration. Information will continue to be updated on the MCEDD website (www.mcedd.org). MCEDD Board Chair, Bill Schmitt stated “Amanda did a great job and will be missed.” He noted his appreciation that “Amanda will be able to support us through the initial hiring process, engaging with MCEDD through February 2020 in order to identify qualified candidates that can continue the important work of the organization in business development, regional economic development planning and industry support.” Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) was established in 1969 by Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties to benefit from better access to economic development loans and grants, pooled technical assistance, marketing, and administrative resources, and a regional approach to economic development efforts. Over the years MCEDD’s membership has grown to include counties, cities, ports and chambers of commerce within the five county region. It is governed by a twenty-one member Board representing its members and the key economic interests in the region. MCEDD promotes the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry. More information may be found at: http://www.mcedd.org The Oregon Wheat Commission was established in 1947 and was among the first producer-funded commodity commissions in the United States. Today the OWC is a statutorily authorized special-purpose state agency with a mission to improve the profitability of Oregon wheat growers through research, non-branded marketing, and education programs. The OWC funds wheat breeding and production research, market development, and industry and public outreach. More information about the OWC may be found at https://www.owgl.org/owc. The Oregon Wheat Growers League is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1926 in Moro, Oregon. The OWGL is a vigorous, grass-roots organization dedicated to providing public and grower education on the economic importance of the wheat industry and a unifying voice at the local, state and national level on the public policy issues affecting Oregon wheat producers. The OWGL is a voluntary member-supported trade organization with both wheat producers and related industry members. More detailed information about the OWGL may be found at https://www.owgl.org/owgl. [Continue Reading]
Cascade Locks Corrosion Control Treatment Facility
November 22, 2019 – In 2017, the City of Cascade Locks received funding from the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund administered by the state to construct a treatment facility to reduce the corrosion potential of City water, thereby reducing copper concentrations that exceeded acceptable levels per the Lead and Copper Rule. Construction of the facility began in April 2019 and is now substantially complete. MCEDD has supported the City with grant administration and labor standards compliance for the project and will continue to do so until the project is fully closed out. The City is now working with Oregon Health Authority on the operational aspects of the new facility. The facility includes a new building with a chemical feed system to adjust pH and improve the buffering capacity of the water system. To learn more about MCEDD’s involvement in infrastructure development work related to water/wastewater click here. [Continue Reading]Webworks: Hood River
November 22, 2019 – Looking to take advantage of online tools to support your business? Join us for a workshop hosted by MCEDD and the Hood River Chamber of Commerce featured Nicole Bernard of NB Marketing. Wednesday, December 4, 12:00 pm at Hood River Chamber of Commerce (720 East Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR). Instagram 101 will give an overview of how to use this platform to market your business. Through the workshop, you will also get a brief overview of the variety of digital marketing tooolls available to your business and get a chance to share with the Chamber about future training needs. Join us to share ideas, ask questions, or explore what’s possible online! Refreshments will be provided. This event is free to attend, but please RSVP to Carrie Pipinich (carrie@mcedd.org or 541-296-2266). [Continue Reading]