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Participate in Updating the Region’s Economic Development Strategy!
March 25, 2021 – You’re invited to participate in updating the region’s economic development strategy! Click here to register for the full series. The community is invited to participate as partners begin the regular updating of the Regional Economic Development Strategy for the Columbia River Gorge. Led by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), the strategy will outline a five-year plan for the regional economic development covering Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties in Oregon and Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington. This strategy is updated every five years and serves as a guide to understand the local economy, strengthen partnerships, and improve overall quality of life. Monthly meetings will be held starting in March to bring together participants from around the region to identify economic development strategies based on current trends and areas best suited for growth to sustain and diversify the region’s economy, reduce unemployment and create family wage jobs. Information gathered at the monthly events will be pulled together with data and research to develop the final plan, the Mid-Columbia Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2022-2027. MCEDD coordinates implementation of the regional strategy in partnership with local stakeholders. The first of the monthly events will be Wednesday, March 31st, 8:30am to 10:30am using Zoom. This session will be focused on COVID-19 impacts and what resilience looks like for the region going forward. In total, there will be seven sessions to develop a draft plan, with a specific focus on equitable economic outcomes and resilience. These sessions will be public, and attendance is encouraged across the five-county region. The schedule is as follows, with sessions beginning promptly at 8:30 AM: March 31, 2021: Economic Impacts of COVID-19, Resiliency: Present assessment of economic impacts of COVID-19 and set resiliency tone. April 28, 2021: Demographics and Data: More overarching economic data looking at longer-term trends to help us plan for the future. May 26, 2021: Sector Focus Areas, including more in-depth industry cluster analysis and discussion of sector resilience. June 30, 2021: Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats July 28, 2021: Vision and Goals September 1, 2021: Strategies October 6, 2021: Measuring Success, and Implementation November 5, 2021: Annual Gorge Economic Symposium, with draft presented. Everyone is invited to participate in one or all of the sessions. To register for the sessions, please click here: https://forms.gle/wVNQGsheMurgV4xc7 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. To learn more about MCEDD or this planning process, visit https://www.mcedd.org/strategy/our-region/ or contact Jane Allen at jane@mcedd.org. [Continue Reading]
Custom Frame and Print Shop to Open In Hood River Heights
March 25, 2021 – Terry Henderson and his four-legged friend in front of Picture This Frame & Print, 1106 12th Street, Hood River. Picture This Frame & Print is opening its doors at 1106 12th Street in Hood River with the help of a working capital loan from Mount Hood Economic Alliance (MHEA), a fund staffed by MCEDD. The gallery will focus on custom picture framing, scanning and large-format fine-art printing. Terry Henderson started working at Boulder Street Gallery in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1980 and bought the business in 2000. He was in the process of steadfastly growing the business when he met the love of his life, Jennie. Together, they built the business and grew it from that small gallery to a footprint more than twice the original size, featuring the work of 28 artists and adding high quality, large format printing to their roster of services. In 2019 Jennie developed a lung disease that caused the Henderson’s to sell their property and home to move to sea-level. The Henderson’s chose the Gorge to live and relocate the business because their daughter and her family live in The Dalles. Days before their move to Oregon, Jennie was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and died in the arms of her loving husband. “I want so much to do what we were going to do, in her honor, and that is to continue hers and our legacy in business helping people,” Terry said. Terry will continue to apply his skill and experience to working with the customer to design the perfect complement of frame and materials for the customer’s artwork, keepsake, or photography. Scanning and printing will be the primary niche for the business. Terry has a scanner from Denmark that is able to scan large original art and reproduce on canvas up to 4 foot by 8-foot giclee prints with his 12-color archival printer. In the past, he has had customers from all over the country request his services. Artists prefer his system because it produces a perfect replica of the original. Terry also hopes to draw walk-in customers requesting a large canvas of their own file such as a wedding photo. Picture This Frame & Print will offer in person services from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment on Mondays, as well as offering online services. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District operates a number of business loan programs, including funds through the Mount Hood Economic Alliance. The MCEDD Loan Programs are available to entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and existing businesses doing business in the Mid-Columbia area. [Continue Reading]Dog River Pet Supplies Expands Retail Space, Offerings
February 24, 2021 – Dog River Pet Supplies opened its doors on Valentine’s Day 2019 with the intention to bring raw and natural pet foods, holistic remedies and expert nutrition advice to Hood River pets and their owners. Molly Lewis and Sean Kelly were able to open the doors with the help of a loan through the Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board (OIB), a fund staffed by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. The couple created a warm and welcoming space through a great deal of hard work, and with an additional infusion of capital from the OIB they are increasing their retail space, expanding their current inventory of supplies for dogs and cats and introducing products for wild bird and small animal enthusiasts. This new line of products will include items like bird feeders, houses and bulk bird seeds, wind chimes and other backyard habitats and accessories. Look for more small animal feed for rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, too! Customers will also see new lighting, paint, lovingly refinished floors and some new display shelves and fixtures. Dog River Pet Supplies will continue to focus on a “customer first” philosophy that offers quality pet foods and supplies, researched personal advice, loyalty programs, and easy returns. You can find Dog River Pet Supplies on Instagram @dogriverpetsupplies, or on Facebook, but better yet, stop by the store for supplies and conversations. Located at: 1118 12th Street, across the street from Pine Street Bakery, on The Heights in Hood River. Phone number: (541) 490-0646. 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]
Oregon Investment Board Releases Video Series Featuring Local Businesses
February 10, 2021 – Kenya Kramer welcomes the viewer into her boho boutique, Terra Cotta, in The Dalles. Oregon Investment Board (OIB) contracted with Immense Imagery in The Dalles to produce a video series featuring small businesses from Cascade Locks to The Dalles. In the series, business owners share their experiences with OIB and seek to educate the viewer about economic development loans for projects benefiting counties lying in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The first two videos in the series are available to watch on OIB’s YouTube channel and the OIB will continue to release videos over the next few months. You can read press about the project here. [Continue Reading]
Wasco County Economic Development Commission Openings
January 28, 2021 – The Wasco County Economic Development Commission is accepting applications for two open positions on the commission. Position 1 represents North Wasco County with a focus on the Mosier area. This is a partial term through the end of 2021. Position 3 represents South Wasco County with a focus on the Maupin area historically. This is for a full four-year term. Applicants from anywhere in Wasco County will be accepted. The Commission consists of eleven members representing geographic and economic interests in the County. The Commission provides economic development leadership throughout Wasco County. It keeps the Board of County Commissioners apprised of economic development opportunities and needs throughout the County; collaborates with local entities to accomplish projects focused on job creation, community capacity and bringing further investment into Wasco County; and provides leadership on countywide economic development efforts. Staff support for the Commission is provided by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. In order to apply, candidates are asked to submit an interest form by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021, for first round consideration of appointment. Details available here. [Continue Reading]
Commute Options Partner Program Expands to Hood River County
January 27, 2021 – MCEDD has worked with the eastern Oregon-based nonprofit Commute Options since 2010 to offer Wasco and Sherman county employers an effective employee benefit tool that helps large and small employers address employee commute issues and enhance job satisfaction. This year the Commute Options Partner program has expanded to include employers based in Hood River County. Contact Kathy Fitzpatrick, MCEDD Mobility Manager, to find out more. What is the Commute Options Partner program? The Commute Options Partner (COP) program changes personal travel behavior, improving health, saving money, and reducing parking needs. Joining the Commute Options Partner (COP) program gets you a wide variety of benefits. Commute Options will provide you a customized transportation options plan, process and pay for incentives to employees, host Challenges and events, and provide presentations, brochures, posters, training materials, and a website promoting non-drive alone commuting choices. We can talk to you about bicycle commuter and business energy tax benefits, bike parking installation, transit options, carpool coordination, bicycle commuter safety, and The Oregon Friendly Driver training. Employees at your business track their trips walking, biking, carpooling, vanpooling, riding the bus, and teleworking using the Get There Oregon website to earn a $20 gift certificate of their choice for every 45 points they log. Commute Options Flyer [Continue Reading]
Pharaoh’s Family Farm Grows Legacy for Next Generation
November 20, 2020 – Pharaoh’s Family Farm is a new business introducing DairyGrow, an organic OMRI certified premium fertilizing compost. Pharaoh’s Family Farm is a family business with Pharaoh Skinner at the helm. Her business concept came from the realization that a narrowed focus could allow her family of four to build a sustainable future with a product that is both locally-sourced and mindfully-produced. “Our mission is to create a sustainable future and a legacy for the next generation,” Pharaoh said. Pharaoh’s Family Farm contracts for the Stevenson Farmers Market as well as participating occasionally as a vendor selling her family farm’s bounty. Pharaoh has leveraged the knowledge gained from her two-acre mini-farm in Stevenson to introduce DairyGrow to the retail market. With funding support from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Pharaoh will purchase the bags and secure a lease from the Port of Skamania in North Bonneville for her operation. Pharaoh’s takes a long-term view of the farm by generating soil fertility through natural cycles. Their first product, DairyGrow, is an organic, non-GMO compost, free of heavy metals, litter debris, fillers, seeds, pathogens, and sewage. It is totally clean, safe to touch, and free of exotic imports. “Many composts and potting soils include nutrients and fillers harvested and mined to the detriment of delicate ecosystems. Not ours. Our DairyGrow helps us too because we use it,” Pharaoh said. The family behind Pharaoh’s Family Farm “Our farm operation is a lot of work, but we approach this work knowing how important it is. We have farmed our Columbia Gorge-area land since 2015. In the years since settling here, we have started growing our family. We always knew how special it was, but along the way, we realized we didn’t want to keep it to ourselves. Our journey has led us to bringing DairyGrow to share with you. The joys of our hard work reward us every day, and we love what we do,” she added. Pharaoh’s Family Farm is starting with a small operation but has plans to grow into a national market and diversify their product line to include products targeted at the organic backyard gardener. You can learn more about DairyGrow at DairyGrow.com. [Continue Reading]
MCEDD Mobility Manager Awarded 2020 Public Transportation Hero Award
November 18, 2020 – Congratulations to Kathy Fitzpatrick, who was awarded the 2020 Public Transportation Hero award by the Oregon Transit Association. The Oregon Public Transportation Awards are intended to recognize those individuals and agencies that have made significant contributions to public transportation in Oregon. Kathy accepted the award, but noted that she was accepting on behalf of the five transportation providers that she serves: The Link Public Transit, Sherman County Community Transit, Columbia Area Transit, Mt. Adams Transportation Service, and Skamania County Transit. “These five transit agencies are the everyday heroes, making sure that our families and neighbors can access medical appointments, groceries, school, work–many times bringing food and prescriptions to the door of those who are especially vulnerable.” Kathy said in an award acceptance video. You can watch the video here. [Continue Reading]
