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College Reaches UAV Training Milestone
June 28, 2019 – Columbia Gorge Community College recently announced that they are now the first institution in the Pacific Northwest offering “Trusted Operator Program ‘Level One'” certification training for commercial UAV pilots. Read more: https://www.cgcc.edu/news/college-achieves-unmanned-flight-training-milestone [Continue Reading]Ziegenhagen Builds Business
June 28, 2019 – Ziegenhagen Enterprises, LLC is a 16 year old construction business located in The Dalles, Oregon. It is owned by husband and wife, Scott and Sarah Ziegenhagen. With an increasing line up of contracted projects for 2019, Scott contacted MCEDD about financing to purchase equipment and to obtain additional working capital. The equipment, including concrete form boards and welding equipment, will allow the business to grow and take on more projects that Scott enjoys doing. With approval for a small loan, Ziegenhagen Enterprises is poised to have a strong year and complete some great projects, including a 1750 sf custom home, a 36’ x 36’ shop, a 30’ x 40’ shop, and a fitness area at Sorosis Park. Scott’s reputation in the industry has allowed him to operate primarily by word-of-mouth from satisfied customers. Ziegenhagen Enterprises LLC can do all phases of construction from the initial design (under 4,000 sf), site excavation, foundation, framing, siding, roofing and finish work. He also does concrete driveways, walkways, patios, and steps to include stamped and decorative finishes. Scott can do whole building demolitions. He particularly enjoys the concrete work and designing and building garages, shops, and houses. For inquiries about projects, contact Scott at (541) 296-3420. 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. [Continue Reading]Downtown Hood River Parking and Transportation Survey
June 27, 2019 – The City of Hood River is gathering public input on transportation and parking options in and around Downtown Hood River. Please take a few minutes to fill out their survey to share your preferences and help shape how the City will invest in parking and mobility improvements in Downtown over the coming years. The survey is open until July 15, 2019. Survey More information: http://ci.hood-river.or.us/Downtown_Parking_Study [Continue Reading]Gorge Opportunity Zone Resources
June 26, 2019 – On June 21, 2019, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) hosted a regional convening on Opportunity Zones to spread awareness, share opportunities and encourage collaboration around a new program established through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Through the law, Opportunity Zones, or recently designates low income census tracts, offer new federal capital gains tax advantages to investors willing to finance projects and enterprises in these areas. With designated Opportunity Zones in all five of MCEDD’s five county region, MCEDD recognized the importance of keeping communities updated about the program and recent rulemaking. The Hegewald Sunshine room in Stevenson was bursting with a packed house of attendees representing public and private sectors from MCEDD’s five county region. Attendees learned the 101 on Opportunity Zones and got up to speed on developing rules from Melissa LaFayette of the National Development Council. Stephen Brooks shared information around an Opportunity Zone project outreach initiative Brooks is developing with support from Pacific Northwest foundation funders. Nicknamed the “Oregon Model” but open to Washington and Idaho projects, the initiative provides a platform for project proponents within Opportunity Zones to prepare and share information and connect with investors. Dave Brown with Obsidian Opportunity Fund, talked about the implications of Opportunity Zones from an inventor perspective and addressed some of the challenges of using this model. Presentations and Resources Presentation by Melissa Lafayette, West Coast Field Director with National Development Council Novogradac (accounting firm). Novogradac’s OZ resource center has articles about OZ and a listing of Opportunity Funds Presentation by Stephen Brooks, Director for the Oregon Opportunity Zones Initiative Basic Opportunity Zones FAQ . Community Strategy The workshop finished off with a question for participants to chew on, “How can we use this financing vehicle to move forward regional economic development priorities?” Before close out, local community project developers within Opportunity Zones pitched their projects to attendees. MCEDD reminded the audiences of the five counties adopted community economic development priorities and encouraged conversation on how Opportunity Zones could be leveraged to support these already prioritized projects. MCEDD encourages interested parties to reach out to learn more. Presenter contact information, presentations and additional resources from the event can be shared out upon request. To identify whether your project is located in an Opportunity Zones, search by address through the Economic Innovation Group website. [Continue Reading]
WebWorks: Sherman County
June 25, 2019 – Looking to take advantage of the new high speed internet connections in Sherman County? Interested in what it can do for your business or organization? Tuesday, July 2nd, 6pm at the Wasco Event Center (903 Barnett Street, Wasco, Oregon) representatives from local businesses and the Small Business Development Center from Columbia Gorge Community College will talk about how they are already using the internet to conduct their business. Presenters will include Morrow County Grain Growers talking about precision agriculture and Evergreen Holdings LLC discussing broadband impacts on their operations. 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]Symposium Tickets Now Available
June 25, 2019 – Tickets are now available for the 2019 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium. Last year’s event sold out, so register now to secure your space. Join us at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center on Friday, November 1, 2019. Purchase tickets for the Symposium here. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of MCEDD, this year’s symposium will focus on a discussion around 50 years of the Gorge economy. David Anderson, NW Natural CEO, will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Aggregated regional data as well as county data will be provided by economists Scott Bailey and Dallas Fridley, covering Hood River, Wasco, Sherman Klickitat and Skamania counties. [Continue Reading]Gorge Opportunity Zones Convening June 21st
June 18, 2019 – WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY ZONES? FIND OUT JUNE 21st! Workshop will look at new federal tax incentive and how it can work in the Mid-Columbia If you’ve heard about the new Opportunity Zone tax incentive and still aren’t sure how you can participate, you’re not alone. An upcoming workshop is planned to help clear up those questions. “Opportunity Zones” starts Friday, June 21, at 8:30 a.m. at the Hegewald Center, 710 SW Rock Creek Dr., Stevenson. The event is organized by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District as part of its mission to promote economic growth. The Opportunity Zone program was established through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and was designed to provide tax incentives to investors who fund businesses in underserved communities. Investors can defer paying taxes on capital gains that are invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds. In turn, those funds are invested in distressed communities designated as Opportunity Zones by each state’s governor. In the Mid-Columbia counties of Hood River, Klickitat, Sherman, Skamania and Wasco, 10 opportunity zones census tracts have been identified, five in Oregon and five in Washington. This workshop will bring in authorities who will discuss Opportunity Zones from several different perspectives. Melissa LaFayette of the National Development Council will provide an overview of the topic including: Opportunity Zones 101, locations of opportunity, Opportunity Zones as a tool for housing and business development. Qualified Opportunity Fund operators will explore how investors can participate and what funders are looking for in projects. Stephen Brooks of the Oregon Model will discuss project awareness and community connections, including mechanisms to promote projects and the social impact of Opportunity Zone investing. RSVP is required. RSVP to marla@mcedd.org or 541-296-2266. [Continue Reading]
The Dalles Completes Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
May 24, 2019 – In 2015, the City of The Dalles embarked on a Progressive Design-Build project to upgrade their wastewater treatment plant. Since January of 2017, MCEDD has been supporting the City in management of labor standards for the project to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations during the construction. The goals of the project were to provide residents with sustainable and reliable treatment facilities that were in full compliance with state and federal regulations. After four years of planning, design and construction, the project is complete. The many upgrades to the plant, which included a cogeneration facility, will allow the City to treat peak wastewater flow rates while promoting sustainability by lowering operating costs and generating clean energy. The upgrades have also increased plant capacity from a peak flow rating of 7.7 mgd to 13.2 mgd (the projected capacity for the year 2037). To learn more about the details of the upgrades, the Progressive Design-Build process, and estimated project energy savings, click here. [Continue Reading]