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SpanishOpportunity Zones Tool Now Available
January 30, 2020 – U.S. Economic Development Administration and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business have announced the launch of the USA Opportunity Zones tool. This new web-based tool will help more than 390 EDA-designated Economic Development Districts across the nation, as well as local economic and community developers and investors, target private investment to economically-distressed areas where private investment may be eligible for capital gain tax incentives under the bipartisan Opportunity Zones initiative. As economic development practitioners build their five-year comprehensive economic development strategies, incorporating Opportunity Zones is a new and promising tool for enabling economic growth. The USA Opportunity Zones tool is easy to use, with multiple reports from the perspective of the zone itself, the congressional district, and the economic development district and state in which it resides. This will provide unique context to users. [Continue Reading]Rural West Initiative Workshop
January 30, 2020 – Keynote address, Gov. Kate Brown March 19-20 | Fort Dalles Readiness Center | 402 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058 Reimagining The Rural West Initiative – panelists and attendees will explore how rural communities manage their natural assets, including how to plan for wildfire risks and mitigate the increasing impacts of tourism. Participants will share new collaboration models and innovative strategies to address challenges in connectivity, affordable housing, and safe drinking water. Additionally, participants will evaluate how trends in agriculture are creating opportunities and challenges for this vital economic sector.? For full details and registration information click here. [Continue Reading]
Unemployment Insurance Workshop
January 30, 2020 – WorkSource Columbia Gorge and ESD are hosting a free workshop on the effects of unemployment insurance on businesses. Workshop topics include labor market updates for Skamania and Klickitat counties, updates to unemployment insurance and impacts on business, shared work and more! ?For more information contact Leticia Valle. The workshop will take place at WorkSource White Salmon, located at 107 W Jewett Blvd, WA 98672. UI Workshop 2.20.20 [Continue Reading]
TVRFPD Receives Funding
January 30, 2020 – The Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District has been awarded a $9,240 matching grant from The Ford Family Foundation. “I appreciate the guidance and help from MCEDD which allowed us to obtain funding for critical upgrades to our facilities and secure resources for our fire impacted communities,” said Terry Stark of the Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District. This much needed funding will allow for facility renovations, address safety concerns, decrease response times, and provide improvements for cost efficiency and effectiveness. The project will include matching dollars through the community fire fund managed at Wy’East Resource Conservation & Development. [Continue Reading]
Year In Review
January 30, 2020 – From coffee shop to bottle shop, from disposable paint palettes to backflow testing, 2019 saw loan fund investments across the region in businesses both new and established. As a service to the regional business community and as a strong part of our economic development strategy, MCEDD manages several business loan programs that provide an accessible, affordable source of capital for projects that create or retain jobs. These loan funds can be used to contribute to the financing needed by a business to purchase or build new facilities, purchase equipment, or provide working capital. Through our business financing assistance MCEDD has made over 314 loans to businesses in the area with over $17.5 million loaned and the creation or retention of 2,200 jobs. Click here to read more about some of our loan clients from the past year. Dog River Pet Supplies, located at 1118 12th Street, Hood River. On Site Supply House, located at 1260 Tucker Rd, Hood River. [Continue Reading]Public Transportation Survey Open for Wasco County
January 22, 2020 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District is updating Wasco County’s Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan, which is focused on the transportation needs of seniors, low income individuals, individuals with disabilities and Limited English Proficiency individuals. All Wasco County residents are invited to take a survey to help share what is important to you in meeting these transportation needs so we may spend our limited resources wisely. Click here to take the survey in English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCTransPlanE Click here to take the survey in Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCTransPlanS Survey Deadline: February 14, 2020. For more information, contact Kathy Fitzpatrick at 541-296-2266 or kathy@mcedd.org. [Continue Reading]Job 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]