MCEDD Recent News Items

The Link Public Transit Celebrates 25 Years of Service

May 10, 2022 –   On May 19th , 2022 The Link Public Transit celebrates its 25th anniversary! The public transportation service began in 1997 to serve medical rides in Wasco County. The Link was originally operated by the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments (MCCOG), moving from medical rides only to appointment-based dial-a-ride services and a shopping bus. In 2018, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) took over operation of The Link, expanding its service to include both dial-a-ride services and deviated fixed routes in The Dalles, shopping shuttles, and intercity buses between South County communities and The Dalles. In 2021, The Link began operating a Hood River route with  partner agency Columbia Area Transit, and joined partnering agencies in sponsoring the annual GOrge Pass. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, The Link will be offering free rides all day on Thursday, May 19th! Catch our Blue, Red, and/or Hood River routes between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Link will have a booth and a decorated bus at the transit tourism celebration event at Evoke Winery on the evening of the 19th from 5-7pm in Hood River. https://www.mcedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/LinkBus-at-2022-Cherry-Fest.mp4   Executive Director Jessica Metta noted, “We are so proud of the ways The Link has grown its transit service offerings for our community. We couldn’t do it without our dedicated bus drivers and dispatchers who work hard to serve the people of Wasco County every day.” For more information please visit The LINK’s pages at https://mcedd.org/link                   or call The LINK at 541-296-7595.   [Continue Reading]

Notice of Budget Committee Meeting

May 5, 2022 – A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District , Wasco County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, will be held at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, 802 Chenowith Loop Road W, The Dalles, OR, 97058 . The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. A copy of the budget document will be available on or after May 11, 2022, online at https://www.mcedd.org/ or in person at 802 Chenowith Loop Road W, The Dalles, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee.   [Continue Reading]

Join the Wasco County Public Transportation Advisory Committee

April 26, 2022 – This Committee advises the Wasco County Commissioners and the county’s Public Transportation provider – The Link Public Transit! The committee considers how transportation funds should be spent and provides the Commissioners with information about the community’s special transportation needs, particularly related to how projects will benefit seniors and persons with disabilities. The Advisory Committee strives to represent all members of the community but is particularly focused on those with greater transportation needs such as: Elderly Low-income Living in small communities (e.g., in South County) Living with a disability Other user groups who may rely on public transportation   The County invites applicants to seek appointment who can represent these communities  either through their lived experience, work or volunteer activities. Visit the county’s website to download an application, or contact Kathy Clark to request an application be mailed or emailed. Committee positions are voluntary with a two-year term. Meetings are held quarterly, or approximately four times per year. Meetings are typically held in person at the Transit Center in The Dalles, with zoom options available. Applications will be accepted through May 19, 2022.   [Continue Reading]

Entrepreneurship Pub Talk Events

April 13, 2022 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is pleased to be hosting several Pub Talk-style events throughout the Gorge in 2022. With the support of a grant from Oregon Community Foundation, these events will bring entrepreneurs and business owners together to network, share and learn from each other.  Besides great networking and delicious appetizers, the events will highlight a small panel of businesses of different types and in different stages of development to share their experiences. Next Event Information Our next event will be Thursday, June 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Gorges Beer Co. (390 Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks). MCEDD’s event partners: The Port of Cascade Locks, Skamania County Economic Development Council and the Small Business Development Center at CGCC. All events are free to attend. Prior Events Our first event celebrated National Small Business Week on Thursday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bargeway Pub in The Dalles. MCEDD’s event partners: The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at CGCC.   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD & Regional Partners Offer Grant Writing Workshop!

April 11, 2022 – Intended for local government or non-profit staff or volunteers  working in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania Counties who  have questions about grant writing, planning, or management.       Register Here   [Continue Reading]

Final 2022-2027 Regional Economic Development Strategy Released!

April 7, 2022 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is pleased to announce the release of the final 2022-2027 Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The strategy was adopted by MCEDD’s Board of Directors at their March 17, 2022 meeting, and covers the District’s region that includes Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Washington.  Developed by the region’s stakeholders every five years, the CEDS serves as a guide to understanding the regional economy.  The document’s goals, strategies and actions are intended to create jobs, raise income levels, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life.  The draft strategy was developed over seven monthly meetings in 2021 with more than 100 participants throughout the series. Participants included local and tribal governments, regional partners, ports, chambers, legislators, state and federal partners, businesses and individuals. The strategy also incorporates economic data and additional feedback from online surveys and focus groups held with our Latinx and Native American communities. The final strategy incorporated comments received during the public comment period. Throughout the process, conversations explored the themes of resilience and equitable outcomes. A prioritized list of key infrastructure projects in the region is also included.  The complete strategy can be found at www.gorgeeconomy.org.  The document’s graphic design work improves its look, accessibility and usefulness. Shorter summary versions are available in both English and Spanish, designated by the icons at the bottom of the webpage.    The plan was compiled by MCEDD and follows the guidelines required by the US Economic Development Administration.   MCEDD has been developing and implementing a regional economic development strategy since its formation in 1969 in order to meet its mission to 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. MCEDD will coordinate the implementation of this strategy in partnership with local stakeholders over the next five years. Contact Jessica Metta with questions or to request a hardcopy at 541-296-2266 x1001 or jessica@mcedd.org.   [Continue Reading]

Hood River County Energy Council Work Plan Survey Released!

March 24, 2022 – The Hood River County Energy Council wants your input on its 2022-2025 Work Plan! The work plan that will guide Energy Council and staff efforts for the next three years is now in it’s final draft.  This plan was prepared by the Energy Council through the leadership of its subcommittees and includes input from community partners.  Priorities and key projects are identified in the following categories: Buildings Transportation and Land Use Community Scale Solutions Overall Energy Council   View the draft work plan here. Key projects have been identified for each category.   The survey will remain open through April 5, 2022.   [Continue Reading]

Wasco County Transit Development Plan Proposals Are Open for Public Comment from March 28-April 8

March 22, 2022 – Public Comment will be available both Online and In-Person! Our online open house format can be accessed via a website link that will be available through the Link’s webpage and Facebook page.   The open house site will include: all of the information compiled by the project. interactive maps that show the existing routes and proposed changes. a survey to provide feedback on the recommendations.   In addition, MCEDD will host a live,  in-person evening event for the public.   Maps that show existing routes and proposed changes will be displayed. The transportation experts who prepared the Plan will host a live zoom presentation to answer any questions. Where:  MCEDD/ The Link Transit Center   802 Chenowith Loop Road The Dalles, OR 97058 When: Tuesday, April 5th, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.  If you wish to attend remotely, Zoom information is available upon request by contacting jill@mcedd.org in advance. If you need translation services, please contact MCEDD at least 48 hours in advance. To learn more about the Wasco County Transit Development Plan, visit https://www.mcedd.org/transportation/wasco-county-transit-development-plan/ or contact Kate Drennan.     [Continue Reading]

MCEDD’s Attainable Housing Fund

March 18, 2022 – Affordable Housing has been identified by all communities within the MCEDD region as a top priority issue! Did you know that MCEDD has resources in place that can help?   First identified in a 2013 study, the North Central Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the Oregon state legislature, dedicated $2 million in state funds to seed MCEDD’s Attainable Housing Development Revolving Loan Fund.  As the need for affordable housing continues to increase each year, MCEDD stands ready to provide supplemental funding as needed for housing projects in our north central Oregon counties!   To be eligible for this fund: Projects must be in the North Central Oregon region: Hood River, Wasco and/or Sherman counties. Projects must have support from the city or county in that region. Projects will provide quality workforce housing. (Housing at price ranges and rental levels that are affordable to workers and worker households in the region.) Funding will be in conjunction with commercial bank loans to fill lending gaps for Attainable Housing development projects.     This fund was designed to provide opportunities for working-class residents in the MCEDD region to live where they work.  Metrics that were used to identify the affordable market income at 60-120% median family income (“MFI”) can be found on MCEDD’s website, along with the complete policies and checklists for this program.     If you have or are considering a housing project that meets the criteria above, contact our Loan Fund Manager, Ami Beaver, at 541-296-2266 x 1004.    [Continue Reading]

New, Flexible Small Business Lending Resources Now Available

March 10, 2022 – Entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and existing businesses now have access to additional flexible lending resources through the Oregon and Washington Investment Boards. $1.9 Million in new funds, awarded from USDA Rural Development, have increased the pool of funds available to support businesses within the boundaries of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area for post-pandemic recovery. The Oregon and Washington Investment Boards were created to provide economic development loans and grants in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  The funding criteria includes creation of jobs and supporting investments that strengthen and diversify the Columbia River Gorge economy. Prior to 2021,  these Boards have received and distributed some $8.1 million in funds to support the economy in the Mid-Columbia region. This additional $1.9 million, awarded by the USDA in 2021, is now available for small business loans anywhere within the boundaries of the National Scenic Area, including urban areas. Businesses within the National Scenic Area portions of Clark, Skamania and Klickitat Counties can apply to the WIB.  Businesses in the National Scenic Area portions of Multnomah, Hood River and Wasco Counties can apply to the OIB. “We are excited to have more money available for business lending in the region to fulfill the need in our communities.”                 – says Kevin Waters, Executive Director of Skamania County Economic Development Council     Loans can be used to contribute to the financing needed by a business to purchase or build new facilities, purchase equipment, or provide working capital. Almost any legal business including sole proprietorships, LLCs, Corporations, and partnerships can apply. Loans support start-ups, established businesses, and businesses from most sectors. Loans must be fully collateralized, and loan amounts range from $1,000 to $250,000. Staff are available to support the application process, making it easy and accessible.   The Washington Investment Board (WIB) funds are managed by the Skamania County Economic Development Council, and the Oregon Investment Board (OIB) funds are managed by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District.   For Washington loans, contact Kevin Waters (509) 427-5110 or kwaters@skamania-edc.org. For Oregon loans, contact Ami Beaver at 541-296-2266 x1004 or ami@mcedd.org.     [Continue Reading]