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SpanishComprehensive Economic Development Strategy update for 2020 Completed
March 31, 2020 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) announces the completion of the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy update for 2020. The report, updated annually, provides a framework to support economic vitality for the Mid-Columbia region, which includes Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington and Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties in Oregon. The strategy includes analysis of regional economic data, establishes regional goals and strategies, develops an implementation plan, and identifies investment priorities and funding sources. The annual comprehensive economic development strategy update process draws on the cooperation between the MCEDD Strategy Committee, community partners, and MCEDD staff to develop a cohesive regional document that supports the regional economy. It provides a mechanism for coordinating the economic development efforts of individuals, organizations, local governments, and private industry. Ultimately, the strategy process helps create jobs, fosters a more stable and diversified regional economy, and improves living conditions. The CEDS process is required for every region to qualify for federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) assistance under the EDA’s public works, economic adjustment, and most planning programs. It is also a prerequisite for EDA designation as an economic development district. Among the major updates for the 2020 CEDS was the development of an updated regional project priority list. View the project list here. [Continue Reading]
Willow + Bark Boutique – Clothing and Accessories for Everyday Living
March 30, 2020 – Traci Griffiths opened Willow + Bark Boutique with the goal of providing excellent customer service to everyone who comes through the door. Located in the historic Legion Building on 2nd street downtown The Dalles, the boutique offers a variety of clothing styles and sizes for women from all of walks of life. Griffiths hopes the boutique will appeal to customers shopping for everyday looks as well as those who are shopping for special events. Willow + Bark Boutique sells jewelry, accessories, shoes and gifts in addition to women’s clothing. “I want my customers to leave feeling confident and pretty,” says Griffiths. She sees her customer as a woman who is brand conscious and wants quality clothing that is seasonally appropriate without having to travel to Portland. “My mission is to provide excellent customer service and a beautiful place for women to shop for high quality clothing and accessories for everyday living,” she added. Griffiths grew up in the retail industry. Her parents owned and operated a large department store in downtown The Dalles where she started working after school. She learned all aspects of the retail store from the sales floor to buying and business operations. Eventually, she opened her own store in Gresham where she sold gifts and home accessories as well as jewelry and cards. Willow + Bark, located at 203 E 2nd St, The Dalles. With financing help from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Griffiths was able to purchase additional signage, inventory and fixtures for the boutique and expand its footprint. Willow + Bark Boutique operates an online shop at willowandbarkboutique.com and can also be found on Instagram with the handle willowandbarkb. Currently, Griffiths is offering free shipping and local delivery. 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]
Temporary Changes to Office Access
March 18, 2020 – To protect the public and our staff by slowing the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), our office and lobby are closed to in-person services at this time. Please contact us at 541-296-2266 for remote options. Information about temporary changes impacting the LINK Public Transit is available here. [Continue Reading]
Message from MCEDD on COVID-19
March 13, 2020 – Over the coming weeks as the COVID-19 pandemic moves through our communities and deeply affects our economy, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District will be working with other regional economic development and workforce entities to mobilize a bi-state team and resources to assess and respond. MCEDD has been building economic resiliency tools over the last few years, with specific resources for businesses and individuals on our website here. During the Eagle Creek Fire recovery, our business loan program provided important relief for our region and we will be considering how we can make these resources more available. As the operator of The Link Public Transit in Wasco County, we have increased the cleaning of our buses throughout the day and are working with our team to keep our riders and drivers safe. We are also encouraging telework where possible for our employees and limiting in-person meetings. We are deeply dedicated to ensuring everyone’s safety and well-being while serving our community without interruption. We are closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), along with guidance from state and local government health and emergency management authorities in our bi-state region. Resources that we find helpful are available below and will be updated as new resources are identified or become available. Washington state recommendations for workplaces and employers can be found here and resource lists for businesses and workers are located here. Oregon employer information and resources can be found here. The CDC’s complete list of preventative actions for homes, businesses and communities is available here. The World Health Organization’s direction for preparing your workplace for COVID-19 is available here. [Continue Reading]
MCEDD Announces Jessica Metta as New Executive Director
March 13, 2020 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) announces Jessica Metta as its next Executive Director. The position was most recently held by Amanda Hoey, now serving as CEO for Oregon Wheat. The MCEDD Board held an open application process and unanimously approved Jessica’s hiring at their March 12 meeting. Jessica joined MCEDD in 2008 as a Project Manager, was promoted to Deputy Director in 2017, and has been serving as Interim Executive Director since March 1. Her most recent duties with MCEDD included serving as the Executive Director of the Gorge Technology Alliance and managing the transportation division for MCEDD. Prior to MCEDD, Jessica was a Planner with the Columbia River Gorge Commission. In addition to her work experience, Jessica brings additional credentials to the position. She received her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University and her Bachelor’s in Geology from College of Charleston. In 2018, she was elected as a City Councilor for the City of Hood River. “I was impressed by Jessica’s dedication to the communities throughout the region and commitment to MCEDD’s mission. The Board is pleased to promote her to the Executive Director position” stated MCEDD Board chair, Bill Schmitt. That sentiment was shared by Amanda Hoey, the immediate past Executive Director, who also reflected upon the trajectory of MCEDD during its 50 year history and future opportunities. She stated, “I am excited for the potential of MCEDD to continue to grow under Jessica’s leadership. I congratulate the MCEDD Executive Committee in conducting a thorough hiring process to ensure the organization has the best individual to work with the MCEDD team and carry forward our regional initiatives.” MCEDD’s Executive Director 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. “Since starting in 2008, I have appreciated the important role that MCEDD serves in working for the economic success of the Columbia River Gorge,” adds Jessica. “I look forward to working more closely with the Board and many regional partners on our goals, as well as leading MCEDD’s wonderful staff towards more success. My first order of business will be working with partners to address our regional economic needs in relation to COVID-19.” 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 [Continue Reading]
Skamania County Receives EDA Award for PUD Project
February 28, 2020 – The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $7.4 million grant to Public Utility District No. 1 of Skamania County to upgrade an electrical power substation to support the energy needs of commercial and industrial customers. The EDA grant, to be matched with more than $1.8 million in local investment, is expected to save 175 jobs and spur nearly $2.5 million in private investment. MCEDD assisted the PUD in working with EDA staff and developing their application. Read the full press release here. The project is a regional priority in the Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy compiled by MCEDD. Every five years the region develops the comprehensive economic development strategy as a guide to understanding the regional economy and crafting goals, strategies and actions to create jobs, raise income levels, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life. [Continue Reading]C & E, LLC Develops Housing in The Dalles
February 28, 2020 – Charlie Foote and Ed Devlaeminck formed C&E LLC in September of 2018. Charlie has been a local Realtor with Windermere Real Estate Columbia River Gorge since 2014. Ed owns Devco Mechanical, which has been providing licensed plumbing and heating services to businesses and families in The Gorge for over twenty years. C&E LLC is currently rehabbing multiple existing homes and about to build a new home on a rural property. They also purchased a property on 4th street in The Dalles and with the help of the North Central Oregon Attainable Housing Development Revolving Loan Funds, the project is addressing a segment of the market that has been under served. C&E LLC plans to rehabilitate the existing property into six units. There will be two studio units, three 1-bedroom units, and one 2-bedroom unit. The units will range from 274 sq. ft. to 552 sq. ft. Through the North Central Oregon Attainable Housing Development Revolving Loan Program, MCEDD offers flexible financing for housing development and housing rehabilitation in Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties. The fund is designed to aid in addressing the regional attainable housing challenge by spurring development of housing at rates affordable to those who live and work in the region (generally 60-120% of median family income). MCEDD also has a Business Loan Program that 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. Both of these loan programs are part of MCEDD’s efforts to strengthen and support the region’s economy. Contact MCEDD at 541-296-2266.? [Continue Reading]Opportunity 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]
