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SpanishRegional Economic Symposium Celebrates 50 Years of Economic Opportunity
November 7, 2019 – The annual Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium hosted by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) took place on November 1, 2019 at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center. Presentations from the keynote speaker, regional economists and MCEDD’s Executive Director, Amanda Hoey, are available here. This year the annual, half –day event included a focus on 50 years of economic opportunity in the Gorge in celebration of MCEDD’s 50th Anniversary. David Anderson, the CEO of NW Natural, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Barbara Briggs moderated a panel of local business leaders from key industries in the Gorge. The panel addressed critical components of the regional economy from the last 50 years and discussed issues to explore to support the next 50 years in the Mid-Columbia. Panelists included: Paul Jones, WyEast Timber Services Megan Thompson, Cascade Cherry Growers/Sage Fruit Company Jeanne Carver, Imperial Stock Ranch Rudy Kellner, pFriem Family Brewers David Windsor, Cardinal Glass Industries, Inc. Mike Graham, Real Carbon Nicole Bassett, The Renewal Workshop Regional economists Scott Bailey (Washington) and Dallas Fridley (Oregon) took a look at economic and employment trends at the regional and county level, covering Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania counties. The 2020 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium is slated for Friday, November 6th. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Symposium Attendees arrive at Fort Dalles Readiness Center Keynote Speaker David Anderson, CEO NW Natural 2019 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium Amanda Hoey, MCEDD Executive Director 2019 Symposium Industry Panel 2019 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium Board chair Bill Schmitt and immediate past Board chair Ken Bailey Amanda Hoey recognizes Harold Hakke for hours of service MCEDD Board Members, Past and Present [Continue Reading]
Federal Street Lofts Project Celebrates Grand Opening
October 24, 2019 – Developer Travis Dillard hosted a reception to celebrate the grand opening of the Federal Street Lofts Project on October 10th. Guests were invited in to see the new loft-style apartments, which boast historic charm along with all the expected high-end amenities. This includes stainless steel appliances, washer / dryers, quartz countertops, restored double-pane windows, vaulted ceilings, abundant storage and more. Located at the unofficial center of downtown on E 2nd and Federal Street in The Dalles, the Historic Honald Building was constructed in 1910 by the Walther-Williams Hardware Company. The 10,000 square foot first floor is the current home to local businesses but the second floor had been unoccupied since the 1930’s. Dillard secured construction financing through MCEDD and Columbia Bank to complete the project. You can read more about the project here. MCEDD offers flexible financing for housing development and housing rehabilitation in Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties through the North Central Oregon Attainable Housing Development Revolving Loan Program. The fund is designed to spur 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 for more information on these MCEDD loan programs. [Continue Reading]
Farming, Fermentation and Hospitality: The Grateful Farmer
October 24, 2019 – Katrina (Trina) McAlexander is a third generation farmer, fermenter and nurse practitioner. She continues to build on the traditions her family started over 50 years ago at Mt. View Orchards, a 50-acre apple and pear farm nestled just north of Mt. Hood in the quaint town of Parkdale, Oregon. Mt. View Orchards continues to grow delicious, top-grade, environmentally sustainable fruit and is an important fruit grower in the Hood River Valley and Columbia Gorge region. Katrina cares deeply about growing fresh fruit for her community and with help from the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District Loan Program, has taken steps to broaden the scope of what the orchard has to offer. In 2016 Trina planted a vineyard and began plans to open the Grateful Vineyard Tasting Room. The Grateful Vineyard opened Memorial Day weekend of 2019 as the very first winery/cidery in Mount Hood and the southernmost vineyard in the Columbia River Gorge. In keeping with their mission of creating a restorative place for people to come and be refreshed in the heart of the orchard, the tasting room allows visitors to sample both wine and cider and also serves as a beautiful and welcoming space for indoor events. In addition to its offering of Grateful Vineyard wine and cider from their own Golden Row label, the tasting room also offers artisanal pizzas featuring seasonal fruit and vegetables, farm fresh eggs and other local ingredients. Trina identifies hospitality and generosity as two of the biggest core values of her family and their farm. Weaving together farming, fermentation and hospitality fills her life with joy and meaning and this is something she hopes to share with customers new and old. [Continue Reading]WebWorks: Maupin
October 23, 2019 – Looking to take advantage of the new high speed internet connections in Maupin? Interested in what it can do for your business or organization? Wednesday, November 6, 4:00 pm at Imperial River Company (304 Bakeoven Rd, Maupin, OR) representatives from businesses and service providers will share how they leverage the internet to conduct their business. Topics will include building a useful website on WordPress, social media strategies, and productivity tools overview. Bring a laptop or other device to use! 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]
Gorge Translink Alliance Wins 2019 NADO Photo Contest
October 23, 2019 – NADO Photo Contest winning photo submitted by the Gorge Translink Alliance Congratulations to the 2019 NADO Photo Contest winners and runners-up! This year, nearly 150 images were submitted from members across the country that demonstrated what makes their regions great places to live, work, and play. The Gorge TransLink Alliance won in the Sustaining Our Communities category. MCEDD is the lead agency for the Gorge TransLink Alliance, a partnership of five rural transportation providers in the Columbia River Gorge that was established in 2001 to promote a coordinated regional transportation system. The Alliance works with key community stakeholders to ensure that all community members have access to equitable and accessible mobility options. This photo captures a regular trolley rider as she disembarks at a bus stop near her home after enjoying a local festival down at the Hood River waterfront park. At 96 years old, she hasn’t driven a car for over 15 years, but continues to participate in community and social events thanks to the local and regionally connected public transportation system. The Hood River Pink Trolley is the result of a partnership with Providence Health and Services, the City of Hood River, and Columbia Area Transit. This partnership funds a weekend seasonal trolley service that meets the diverse needs of the community, bringing residents from low income areas to the local farmers market, families to the waterfront park, and visitors to a very busy downtown core. Public transportation connects the significant number of residents and visitors who do not or cannot drive—seniors, youth, disabled, low-income—to community vitality and opportunity. For a complete list of 2019 NADO photo contest winners click here. [Continue Reading]Newest Service from The LINK: Weekly South County Shuttle to Maupin, Tygh Valley, Dufur
October 17, 2019 – The LINK, Wasco County’s public transportation provider, is continuing to add new services to benefit the community. Starting Tuesday, October 22, The LINK will have a weekly shuttle that picks up riders in Maupin, Tygh Valley and Dufur for a few hours of shopping and appointments in The Dalles. “We will have specific stops in each community where you can meet the bus, but we can also pick up riders at their door if they call ahead and live close to the center of the communities,” says Charlotte Sallee, Transportation Operations Director for The LINK. Every Tuesday, the LINK will stop at Canyon Rim Senior Living at 8:30 a.m., Tygh School Community Center around 9:00 a.m. and in Dufur at Kramer’s Market at 9:25 a.m. The bus arrives in The Dalles around 10:30 a.m., will take riders where they need to go and then will leave The Dalles at 1:00 p.m. to make the return trip. The cost to ride is $5 from Maupin and Tygh Valley and $3 from Dufur. The LINK buses are ADA accessible and can seat 12 riders and 2 wheelchairs. Riders can call ahead to 541-296-7595 to ensure a spot or seating is first-come, first-served. Other new services with The LINK include a weekly shuttle from Celilo Village and Lone Pine In-Lieu Site to The Dalles every Friday, free service to The Dalles Farmers Market while the market was in season, and the deviated fixed route serving key stops in The Dalles. The LINK’s traditional service includes door-to-door service within The Dalles, Dufur, Mosier, Celilo and points between. The LINK Public Transportation is operated by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD). Learn more on The LINK’s pages at http://mcedd.org/linktransit or by calling The LINK at 541-296-7595.? [Continue Reading]Annual Report Highlights – Year in Review at MCEDD
September 27, 2019 – For 50 years MCEDD has supported economic vitality in the five county bi-state region, focusing on opportunities to build our economy and support business and entrepreneurs. This year, MCEDD continued to deliver high quality technical assistance, business assistance and industry support through its core programs, while also expanding service offerings. In this milestone 50th year, MCEDD: -Reached more than $9.5 million in funds granted and loaned through the Oregon Investment Board -Implemented the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and hosted a sold-out Economic Symposium to build connections across the region -Expanded the LINK transportation system, providing over 22,000 passenger trips Read the annual report to learn more about these and other milestones and accomplishments in fiscal year 2019. FY19 Annual Report [Continue Reading]WA Public Works Board Approves $85 Million in Infrastructure Loans
September 24, 2019 – The Washington State Public Works Board has awarded over $85 million in loans for pre-construction and construction activities for 30 projects across the state. Applicants requested more than $248 million for 74 different projects, and the board approved qualifying projects from a rated and ranked list until all available funds were exhausted. The City of White Salmon was awarded $750,000 in pre-construction funding for their domestic water system transmission main and the City of Stevenson was awarded $54,680 in construction funding for their sanitary sewer system project. To learn more about these and other projects click here. [Continue Reading]Thirsty Café Brings Joy to Cascade Locks Customers
September 24, 2019 – #gallery-2 { margin: auto; } #gallery-2 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-2 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-2 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Thirsty Café, located at 504 NW WaNaPa Street in Cascade Locks opened for business on July 1st 2019. The café features a variety of handcrafted espresso drinks, sweet and savory pastries and smoothies in a comfortable and cozy setting and is open 7 days a week. Thirsty started as a lifelong dream of a warm, cozy place to enjoy a latte where owners Michelle Sobaski and Shawna McCormick wanted to bring truth, hope and joy to their customers. Thirsty features the convenience of a walk up window and the comfort of a beautiful French farmhouse themed café. Hand lettering, Edison string lighting and plants on every table are just a few of the details that add warmth and welcome visitors. Michelle and Shawna hope their business will appeal to both local residents and visitors to the area. Thirsty Café brews coffee from Hidden River Roasters out of Camas, Washington. Michelle and Shawna received start up financing through the Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board, staffed by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), to bring Thirsty Café to their community. Read more about Thirsty Café here. [Continue Reading]