MCEDD Recent News Items

MCEDD Wins 2022 NADO Impact Award for our 2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update

November 28, 2022 – Executive Director Jessica Metta traveled to Pittsburgh, PA in October for the annual NADO (National Association of Development Organizations) Conference, where she was presented with the Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award for MCEDD’s 2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update, specifically the Strategy’s focus on equitable outcomes and resilience for the Mid Columbia Region.  Jessica is pictured here with NADO Executive Director Joe McKinney as he presented the award   [Continue Reading]

Gorge Regional Transit Strategy Seeks Public Input!

November 15, 2022 – This possible future map of a coordinated Regional Public Transit is now in the planning stages where public input is being sought.  Please take the 10 minute survey to help shape the future of transit in the Gorge.  Please let us know what you want and need from a regional transit system!  https://bit.ly/gorgetransit2022?   [Continue Reading]

Yo Treats Frozen Yogurt Shop Purchases Building from City of Estacada

November 9, 2022 – Timbertown Treats, LLC, dba Yo Treats, opened as a self-serve frozen yogurt shop in September of 2018 at 401 SE Main Street in Estacada, Oregon.  This previously unoccupied building was purchased by the city of Estacada’s Urban Renewal Agency with the intent to renovate it to meet the needs of two local businesses, lease for two years, then sell to the building’s tenant. The Agency’s purchase of the building included a significant down payment on the purchase price by Yo Treats with the first right to buy the building after the two-year lease period.   The business was forced to close just a few months before the two-year lease expired due to the impacts of COVID-19.  As the pandemic continued, owner Donnell Evans was able to adjust Yo Treats’ business model to accommodate online ordering with curbside pick-up to remain open. As guidelines continued to change, more drastic changes were needed.  After meeting with the local health inspector, Donnell remodeled the shop and completely changed her business model from a self-serve concept to a product that would be made by employees.  This was a huge change for customers who were used to adding their own toppings and customizing treats themselves.  Business was slow, but Yo Treats was able to stay open and serve the community.  Then in late summer 2021, Estacada was evacuated due to wildfire threat.  Yo Treats closed for two weeks during the evacuation and then experienced further delays in re-opening due to the nature of their product, which requires a week to thaw under refrigeration after delivery.   The City of Estacada worked with Donnell to extend her lease in the face of these challenges, but the original terms of the purchase deal were past due, and the City needed to move forward with selling the property. Donnell began to search for lending to purchase the building, but the business’ performance did not meet the financial requirements needed by conventional lenders. Donnell was referred to the Mount Hood Economic Alliance (MHEA), whose funding assistance has allowed her to successfully purchase the building from the City and fulfill the terms of both her business plan and her contract with the City.     [Continue Reading]

MCEDD Financing Supports B&B on the Washougal River

October 10, 2022 – Red Letters Enterprises, Inc. obtained a MCEDD loan in July, 2022 to refinance business credit card debt left over from construction during the pandemic, and to fund the next phase of landscaping and improvements for Angel’s Rest Bed and Breakfast and Lavender Farm on the Washougal River. Angels Rest is a post and beam lodge style home with 3 guest suites and an inn-keeper apartment on 1.66 acres with 300 feet of river frontage. Red Letters Enterprises, Inc. has employed Mike and Diana Richards since it was formed in 2007. Mike is a licensed general contractor in Washington and Red Letters Enterprises, Inc. does residential remodel projects in addition to the bed and breakfast venture. In addition to the debt refinance, MCEDD’s funds are providing working capital for vineyard and lavender plantings, an ADA accessibility ramp, and other improvements.   [Continue Reading]

Service Changes for The Link Beginning October 1, 2022

September 28, 2022 – The Dalles to Hood River InterCity Express Service Route will be operated by CAT (Columbia Area Transit) on all days beginning on October 1, 2022. Our South Wasco County Route has been expanded and will now operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with additional stops added at Wamic and Pine Hollow.  The new changes to our routes and schedules can be found on the Link’s webpage at www.mcedd.org/link.   [Continue Reading]

Get There Challenge 2022: October 3rd – 16th

September 14, 2022 – This year marks the 10th anniversary of Commute Options’ Get There Challenge! Get inspired to be healthier and more sustainable by driving less, while saving money and time on the road, not to mention winning some cool prizes! To participate, commuters will log transportation option trips via public transit, bike, walking, carpooling and remote work days.  Trips logged will unlock achievements for your chance to win weekly and grand prize drawings, like $500 cash cards, $1,500 toward a Bike Friday custom folding bike, and gift cards to various Oregon stores! In addition to the statewide prizes offered, the Mid Columbia Region has the following prize awards for local participants in the Challenge!   Oregon E-Bikes:  2 packages of 2 E-Bike Rentals     Mt Hood Meadows:  2 Ski Lift Tickets     The Link Public Transit and Columbia Area Transit:  Annual 2023 GOrge Passes   Columbia Gorge Community College:  Hooded Sweatshirt   [Continue Reading]

Les Dalles Boutique Offers Specialized Mastectomy Supplies and Fittings

September 12, 2022 – Les Dalles Boutique is a women’s intimate apparel shop located at 500 Washington Street in The Dalles. The retail business offers women’s undergarments, pajamas and swimsuits. Les Dalles Boutique occupies a unique, specialized niche not only for The Dalles but for the whole Mid-Columbia region. The shop offers mastectomy supplies, and owner Nicole Cowart is a Certified Fitter mastectomy (CFm).  With this licensing the shop offers personalized fitting services with specialized mastectomy bras.  Nicole is currently in the process of becoming a certified Medicare service provider so that the business can bill Medicare directly for mastectomy supplies. Once established as a Medicare provider, Nicole plans to expand medical consulting services to include helping clients navigate through the insurance requirements for durable medical equipment, advanced directives, and insurance forms. The retail shop’s business plan also calls for growth into unique gift products such as chemical-free deodorants and soaps, handmade candles, jewelry, specialty makeup bags with the Les Dalles Boutique logo, and printed t-shirts. Les Dalles Boutique also offers Avon products. OIB funding will expand the current space to include private fitting rooms and a consult space in addition to the current retail shop space. The loan assistance will also provide working capital for the business and will fund the development of Les Dalles Boutique Brand Products such as make-up bags, candles, jewelry and the Les Dalles Bra line as outlined in the company’s five-year plan.   [Continue Reading]

Two Hood River County Energy Council Initiatives Move Forward this Fall

August 27, 2022 – MCEDD has been working with the Hood River Energy Council to fulfill the mandates of its newly adopted Hood River County Energy Plan. There are two initiatives that are ready to launch to the public this September! Solarize Hood River Campaign MCEDD and the Hood River County Energy Council are working with a coalition of nonprofits to provide home and business owners in Hood River County with an opportunity to go solar together! During this eight-week campaign, our community can learn about solar energy and energy storage through a series of five educational workshops. Interested residents can sign up to install solar or solar+storage at their home from a list of highly qualified solar contractors. Find workshop dates and more information here. Creating Equitable Access to Weatherization MCEDD, the Hood River County Energy Council, Energy Trust of Oregon, and The Next Door, Inc. have launched a survey that seeks to learn more about energy efficiency and renewable energy perceptions, needs, and barriers among low-moderate income and Latino/a/Hispanic communities in Hood River County.  Ultimately, this outreach project aims to improve access to existing resources and to identify additional ways to help all Hood River County residents access renewable energy and improve energy efficiency to save on energy bills and improve home comfort. The open survey period for Hood River County residents runs from September 12th through October 3rd! Links to the online community survey: Home Energy, Comfort, and Assistance Survey – English Encuesta sobre Energía, Confort y Asistencia para el Hogar – Espanol There will also be two $50 Safeway Gift Cards raffled out among participants who complete this survey!   If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out to us using the contact information below. If you would prefer to receive a print copy of the survey, please email us below. Eve Elderwell (she/ella), Program Manager (bilingual)   Equity and Outreach Training Services   The Next Door, Inc.   eve@nextdoorinc.org; (808) 769-8061  Lindsay McClure, Project Manager  Mid-Columbia Economic Development District   Lindsay@mcedd.org; (541) 490-4225   About the Hood River County Energy Council: The Energy Council is a community-led advisory body that supports the implementation of the Hood River County Energy Plan.  This plan aims to help residents save money on energy bills and improve home health and comfort. The Energy Plan promotes energy efficiency, solar energy, and backup storage systems, among other solutions.    [Continue Reading]

Gorge Wine Library Expands as 3-Year Anniversary Approaches

August 25, 2022 – The Gorge Wine Library will host it’s 3-year anniversary celebration on September 10th from 6-9 pm with live music and lite bites! The Gorge Wine Library opened at 306 Court Street in The Dalles in October 2019, with a mission to offer an enhanced and unique wine tasting experience with a variety of local wines and beers made in the Columbia Gorge Region.  The small 700 square foot space on Court Street allowed seating for six to eight patrons at one time.  In 2021, owners Lorraine and William Kupchin personally financed a move from the Gorge Wine Library’s original location to a much larger space at 506 East 2nd Street.  The new location’s seating capacity will hold 48 to 50 patrons. Showcasing wines from the Columbia Gorge region by offering wines from over ten local wineries, the Gorge Wine Library carries three to six varieties from each of the ten wineries represented. Options for pairing wine with local produce, cheese and meat are available to enhance the wine tasting experience. In addition to the wines, a small selection of five local beers is also offered. For complete information, hours, wine list, wine club, location, see the company’s website at https://www.gorgewinelibrary.com. The Kupchins have requested financing assistance from MCEDD to fund an expansion into the previously unused back space of the Gorge Wine Library’s East 2nd Street location.   With this expansion, the business will create jobs, increase downtown appeal and improve our local economy.   Plans for the additional 2,750 square feet include a private event space, a scotch and whisky bar, additional seating and two billiard tables.  Both karaoke and open mic nights are also planned for the new space.  The Kupchins are active in The Dalles downtown community and this space also hosts Chamber events, yoga classes and community meetings. Upcoming events can be found on the business’ Facebook page.            [Continue Reading]

MCEDD Wins Regional Innovation Hub Planning Grant

July 25, 2022 – The State of Oregon is in the process of implementing it’s 10-Year Innovation Plan.  The anticipated goals of the successful implementation of the State’s 10-year Innovation Plan include:   Good, high-paying jobs Improved quality of life Global competitiveness Economic Resilience Educational attainment Access and opportunity The Plan aims to orient the economy around better paying jobs with higher growth potential, help the state weather future economic challenges, and encourage participation among populations presently underserved in the innovation economy. As a component of this plan, Business Oregon has awarded 11 Regional Innovation Hub designations. Hubs will facilitate networking, serving to connect a network of service providers and their collaborators throughout the designated region in order to assist Oregon’s innovation-based companies in achieving growth. Hubs will partner and collaborate with a variety of innovation-related stakeholders in the region, especially including underserved entrepreneurs in their partnerships. MCEDD is excited and pleased to use this award to help address innovation-based entrepreneurial needs throughout the Mid-Columbia Region. The state funding will be used to encourage collaboration and community partnerships, create and expand existing innovation-based entrepreneurial services, and keep the Gorge moving forward toward a larger vision for our innovation ecosystem.   [Continue Reading]