MCEDD Recent News Items

Hood View Services Auto Glass Repair Adds Towing Service

November 24, 2021 – Hood View Services, LLC is a mobile windshield repair service serving Hood River and the surrounding area. The company was established in 2019 and is owned and operated by Alexander and Danielle Stevens.  Alexander and Danielle are both long-time residents of the Gorge area. Alexander is the glass and repair technician and has over 15 years of experience in the automotive industry, and Danielle runs all of the financial and administrative aspects of the business. At this time, Alexander and Danielle are the only employees. With financing from MCEDD, Hood View Services, LLC plans to expand by adding a towing business to their existing mobile windshield repair service. They will provide services within a 60 mile radius of Hood River. The funding will be used to purchase two towing vehicles, as well as leasing additional space at their current location.  Hood View Services’ new space will be modified with two lifts to accommodate repairs and specialty work.  The business expects to add five full-time employees and one part-time employee within the next few months, with the new services operational as soon as January 1, 2022. Learn more about how MCEDD’s business loan program can support your business here.   [Continue Reading]

Life in the Gorge Photo Contest Open Now Through December 20th , 2021!

November 8, 2021 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is excited to announce our Life in the Gorge Photo Contest! The Columbia Gorge has a deeply rooted connection with visual storytelling, celebrating scenic beauty, and amplifying local experiences. Now MCEDD would like to see your visual stories! Show us what you love most about the Gorge by submitting up to five high-resolution photos. Winning entries will be featured in MCEDD marketing pieces – online and in print. Participants have five photo categories to choose from. Photo entry categories: Life in the Gorge Nature/Landscape Downtowns in the Gorge People/Community Gorge Business/ Industry One winner will be chosen in each of the five categories and will receive a $50 gift card to the locally owned business of their choice! Participants must be 18+ to participate, limit 5 entries per person, and photos must be taken by the participant between 2019-Present, and taken in the Columbia Gorge region (Hood River, Wasco, Sherman Counties in Oregon, Skamania and Klickitat Counties in Washington). Photo and model release forms must be attached to photo entries and can be found below. Entries must be received by December 20th, 2021, at midnight.  Submit all entries to Natasha@mcedd.org. Official Photo Contest Entry form MCEDD Photo Contest Flyer For more information or questions regarding photo entries contact Natasha Blaircobb at Natasha@mcedd.org Disclaimer: You retain your rights to your photograph; however, by entering the contest, you grant Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (and those authorized by MCEDD) a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion on the website, newsletter and commercial products, including but not limited to MCEDD publications. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. MCEDD will not be required to pay any additional fees or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD Offers Small Businesses Free Web Development Support

October 29, 2021 – A website and social media presence will help build your customer base, establish your business’ reputation, and make your product and location easy to find. MCEDD is offering a unique opportunity for a limited number of local businesses: free support from professional web developers to create your business website. Sites can be basic or have a shopping cart to sell goods and/or services. The website will be built on a platform that will allow business owners to manage the content once completed. For more details and to participate in this program, click here. Questions? Contact Cheryl Eniero at cheryl@mcedd.org.   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD Business Loan Helps Tibbetts Well Drilling Expand Services

October 29, 2021 – Tibbetts Well Drilling, LLC is a family-owned business located outside of Dufur, Oregon.  Jim Tibbets started his company in August of 2001, and more recently the business also employs Jim’s son, Trevor Tibbets. Jim and Trevor serve the surrounding nine counties with utility system construction, heavy and civil engineering construction, construction and water well drilling. With a loan from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Jim plans to expand to meet the current demands of the market. His goal is to purchase additional equipment that will allow him to fulfill a backlog of orders. He currently averages around 6 wells a year with a two-month winter weather furlough.   [Continue Reading]

2022 Annual Gorge Pass is Now Available!

October 29, 2021 – Just $40 for Adults and $20 for Kids under 17, the new GOrgepass will be good for 14 months, ending December 31st, 2022. The GOrgepass offers a low cost and hassle-free commute alternative, saving vehicle operating costs and significantly lessening emissions. In addition to everyday commuting, the pass will also take you to trails, pubs, events, skiing, museums, ice cream, parks, waterfronts, main streets and all things National Scenic Area! Each pass purchase also contributes to a special Equity Fund set up to donate to Gorge area Search and Rescue organizations, outdoor equity organizations, and providing free passes to the low-income and underserved populations in our community. Visit here to purchase passes and find great car-free trip ideas!   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD Projects Win 2021 AliceAnn Wohlbruck Impact Awards!

October 25, 2021 –   OIB Videography Project- coordinated by Ami Beaver The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) has developed a series of videos to highlight local businesses that received support and funding from the the Oregon Investment Board (OIB).  MCEDD contracted with a videographer, connected with existing clients, and developed a marketing plan to disseminate the videos once they were complete. The project increased visibility of the OIB in the local community, as demonstrated by increased traffic to the website and social channels. Additionally, the videos brought more attention to the local businesses featured in the series and increased application inquiries for the program. This project supports the MCEDD’s mission to create jobs and grow, develop, and retain business and industry within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area by raising awareness of support, services, and funding available for local businesses! Organization(s): Mid-Columbia Economic Development District; Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; Oregon Investment Board   GOrgePass Project– coordinated by Kathy Fitzgerald The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is the lead agency for the Gorge TransLink Alliance, the bi-state partnership of the five rural public transportation providers in the Columbia Gorge established in 2010 to promote coordinated regional transportation and a seamless system of travel for residents and visitors. The GOrge Pass is an integrated fare system that gives users unlimited rides for a calendar year on all fixed route transit services within the Mid-Columbia Gorge region. It is designed to enhance access to essential services, higher education, jobs, affordable housing, outdoor recreation, and shopping in a low-cost, efficient, and environmentally sustainable way. The GOrge Pass can be purchased online and accessed through the rider’s smartphone and the providers have also partnered with human service organizations to provide free passes to individuals who qualify for their programs. Employers in the MCEDD region can offer the GOrge Pass to employees, especially those with long commutes or downtown parking challenges. Organization(s): Mid-Columbia Economic Development District; The Link Public Transportation in Wasco County (MCEDD); Hood River Transportation District-Columbia Area Transit; Skamania County Transit; Mt. Adams Transportation Service (Klickitat County); Oregon Department of Transportation; Washington Department of Transportation; SW WA Regional Transportation Council   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD’s Annual Symposium is coming soon… SAVE the Date!

October 8, 2021 –   [Continue Reading]

Custom Fabric Supply and Boutique Shop Expands

September 29, 2021 – Ashley and Brandie Marzillo started Harper’s Unicorn in February of 2020.  Because both Ashley and Brandi love to be creative, their business has evolved quickly and branched out.  Their original business concept grew out of making custom items, like hair bows, for Ashley’s daughter Harper.  The demand for these products was immediate with friends and neighbors, and Harper’s Unicorn was born. The business began by making limited numbers of unique items with a personal touch, and soon expanded to include children’s apparel, which in turn led to developing into the specialized niche of “mommy and me” apparel sets.  Harper’s Unicorn started out selling items at local fairs and events and then began selling their products online.  With a loan from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Ashley and Brandie have purchased new equipment and have positioned themselves to respond to another trend in the industry – custom printed fabrics. Ashley and Brandie are excited to share their custom fabric designs with their growing local and national customer base.  Changes to the industry during COVID-19 have led to an increase in home-based fabric companies, which has led Harper’s Unicorn to invest in custom graphics and begin researching printers.  Business growth has been consistent with the release of new product lines and increased marketing efforts. The business’ website is currently in the process of being redone, and with the new fabrics and machines, Harper’s Unicorn is adding ready-to-sell inventory to it’s offerings. The business has outgrown its original home-based space, and now the partners are looking for a suitable store space in The Dalles where they can display their apparel in the front and feature custom fabrics retail in the back. They have plans to participate in a few events this season and will be running some live sales through their Facebook page. You can find Harper’s Unicorn online here.                                                                                     Sewing Machines and custom fabric-making machinery at Harper’s Unicorn! Custom Fabrics Harper’s Unicorn Owners Ashley (left) and Brandie (right) Marzillo   [Continue Reading]

It’s almost here! The 2021 Get There Challenge runs Oct. 4-17th

September 28, 2021 – Build skills, stay active, and make Oregon a better place! During last year’s Challenge, Oregonians saved 131,400 pounds of CO2 from going into Oregon’s air by reducing car trips and working from home. That’s equal to the weight of 3,285 beavers, Oregon’s state animal! It’s simple: when we reduce CO2, we get cleaner air, a better quality of life, and healthier communities. All things that make Oregon an amazing place to live. Let’s work together and make an even greater impact this year! Here’s how to get started: Create an account in the Get There tool or log in here. Complete achievements from Oct. 4-17. Get entered into weekly and grand prize drawings. Remember: If you unlock at least one achievement by Oct. 10, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for one of 20 Hydro Flask bottles. Get There prizes that you could win include: Two $500 cash cards $1,500 toward a custom Bike Friday folding bike Two $100 Black Star Bags gift cards 18 WiFi extenders Two $100 Columbia Sportswear gift cards One $100 Oregon E-Bikes gift card Ten $50 Ruffwear gift cards Six $50 Made in Oregon gift cards Four $50 Fred Meyer gift cards One Chrome Industries commuter bag In addition to these great prizes, local Gorge companies are also offering prizes to participants in Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties: Hoodie from Columbia Gorge Community College T-shirts, swag, and two one-day rentals from Oregon E-Bikes Two one-day lift tickets from Mt. Hood Meadows A one-year Gorge Pass from The Link Public Transit Learn more at GetThereOregon.org/Challenge. Get There is a program of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).   [Continue Reading]

GorgePass is for Gorge Kids!

September 1, 2021 – While kids under 12 need an adult with them to ride, teens and above can explore these various adventures below by bus – all reachable with the GOrge Pass: In The Dalles… Thompson Skate park: LINK Blue or Red Routes (Weekdays Only) – Request stop  North Wasco County Aquatic Center: LINK Blue or Red Routes (Weekdays Only) – Request stop Shannon’s Ice Cream Sorosis Park: LINK Blue Route (Weekdays Only) – Request stop Lewis & Clark Festival Park: LINK Blue or Red Routes (Weekdays Only) – Veterans Service Office Riverfront Trail: LINK Blue or Red Routes (Weekdays Only) – Veterans Service Office Chenowith Hill Trails: LINK Blue Route (Weekdays Only) – Request stop   Fort Dalles Museum & Anderson Homestead in The Dalles : LINK – Blue Route (Weekdays only) – Stop is on Trevitt & 15th one block west of Garrison National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles • LINK Blue or Red Routes (Weekdays Only) – Request stop   To purchase gorgepasses online, visit our Go By GorgePass page. To find more fun GorgeKids Destinations in Goldendale, Bingen/White Salmon, Hood River, Cascade Locks and Stevenson, visit here!   [Continue Reading]