MCEDD Recent News Items

Deschutes River Beef Expands Local Markets

July 30, 2018 – Deschutes River Beef was founded in 2016 to begin direct marketing high quality grain finished beef to customers who want to know all there is to know about their food. Owner, Keith Nantz, has taken the opportunity to get in touch with the consumer side of the beef industry through his many activities with the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. MCEDD provided Diamond Lazy K Inc., DBA Deschutes River Beef, with an operating loan to continue growing sales and further the processing portion of the business. Keith states “We want to build upon transparency and a customer service mentality that strengthens our relationships throughout the process. Starting on the production side, the utilization of Management Intensive Grazing to regenerate the soils and the use of multi-specie cover crops for winter grazing are vital parts of a system that we believe needs continual studying and improving. Along with strong grazing practices comes the need for challenging paradigms surrounding animal handling and husbandry practices. Studying animal behavior gives us insights on how to interact with our cattle in a way that minimizes stress on the cattle, the people, and the equipment, but with new ideas comes fear of change and with fear of change comes fear of loss. We want to be strong advocates for holding onto our culture; and knowing our success comes from many generations before us paving the way gives us passion to ensure we don’t lose our incredible way of life in cattle country. On the other hand, we also want to pave a new path ahead that can have a strong economic impact and create a regenerative influence ecologically.” He notes that Timberline Lodge has been a great partner in Deschutes River Beef’s business and continues to be a strong supporter of their philosophies regarding a holistic approach. Take the time to travel up to the lodge and experience the connection between the grandeur of the mountain and the beef produced in its shadow.   [Continue Reading]

Explore The Dalles Shuttle Launches

July 27, 2018 – The Dalles Chamber of Commerce, The Army Corps of Engineers at The Dalles Dam and Gray Line of Oregon have launched an “Explore The Dalles” shuttle service on Saturdays. This is a pilot program and will continue on Saturdays through September 15, 2018. This service will connect at Hood River in the morning with the Columbia Gorge Express and return in the afternoon to connect with the service back to Portland. The service is provided with 35 seat “Park Coaches” with glass top roofs and large picture windows; they are modeled after 1930’s era “National Park Buses” used in Yellowstone and other park locations. Schedules and route maps are available at www.ExploreTheDalles.com.   [Continue Reading]

Substation Fire Resources: Open Houses July 30 and 31

July 23, 2018 – “The Substation Fire started on private land southeast of The Dalles, Oregon, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 and grew quickly. Driven by strong winds, the fire moved more than 18 miles in the first burning period and crossed multiple agency jurisdictions.” For more details on the fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5963 Local, state, and federal partners will hold two open houses to connect fire impacted families and communities with relevant federal, state, and local programs and information. Date: July 30 Time: 4pm-7pm Location: Fort Dalles Readiness, 402 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058 Date: July 31 Time: 4pm-7pm Location: Sherman County School, 65912 High School Loop, Moro, OR 97039   [Continue Reading]

Annual Report Summary Highlights Investment Board

July 16, 2018 – The annual report for the Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board is now available here. With approximately $450,000 in financing provided this year, the cumulative impacts of the programs are substantial. Sustained Impact: From a $4 million allocation, the Board has approved grants and loans (utilizing revolved funds) totaling more than $9.2 million. Leveraging:The Board has leveraged over $14.7 million in private funds and more than $13.3 million in public funds. Employment: Funds are provided through grants and loans to support infrastructure, business assistance, and workforce development to support job creation and retention. The Board has provided funding to projects to directly create or retain nearly 700 jobs.   [Continue Reading]

RARE Participants Contribute to Economic Vibrancy in Wasco County Oregon

July 10, 2018 – “RARE begins its 25th year with the fall class of RARE planners. Wasco County has benefited from more than a few RARE planners through the years.” Read about their contributions to the local area, including MCEDD! https://www.nwascopud.org/the-rare-effect-on-small-towns/   [Continue Reading]

Join our Team!

July 9, 2018 – MCEDD is seeking full and part time drivers for the LINK public transportation system. Pre-employment drug testing required. EOE. Details and application available on the employment page of our website (www.mcedd.org/about/jobs-and-volunteer/)   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD Board Openings

June 27, 2018 – The MCEDD Board recently welcomed Scott Clements to the full Board of Directors. Scott has previously served on previously served on the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians Financial Services Corporation. He currently serves on the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation Board. Interested in participating on MCEDD’s Board or Loan Board? Apply by August 20, 2018 here.   [Continue Reading]

Celebration Highlights New Transit Options in the Columbia Gorge

June 25, 2018 – In June the region celebrated the launch of many new public transportation options. Check out these ones! Columbia Gorge Express daily Portland to Hood River options Mount Adams Transit new cross-river services (White Salmon/Bingen to Hood River and Goldendale to The Dalles) runs four times a day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Columbia Area Transit new routes and the weekend Pink Trolley LINK Transportation free weekend transportation to The Dalles Farmer’s Market.   [Continue Reading]

Let’s Dream Big Beverage Company Becomes Reality with Financing

June 21, 2018 – Carrie and Bruce Nissen, Owners of LDB Beverage Company Bruce and Carrie Nissen came to Stevenson, WA with big ideas. They had run a cider company in Colfax, CA that was sold to MillerCoors in 2012. After integrating their company into the larger organization, the Nissens felt the need to jump into another adventure. They scouted the Gorge, settling on Stevenson and opened a 31,000 square foot beverage production facility leased from the Port of Skamania. Let’s Dream Big (LDB) Beverage Company was born. LDB focuses on producing hard ciders and other soft alcohol beverages as well as non-alcoholic sodas, waters, kombuchas, etc. for many beverage companies headquartered throughout North America. Since LDB’s arrival in late 2014, the bottling company has amassed over 60 beverage clients, with distribution throughout the US, Mexican and Canadian markets. It currently operates from 5 am to 10 pm, Monday through Friday with two shifts employing 30 people. The vast majority of the employees reside in Skamania County, WA. LDB was built to help small, medium and LDB Beverage Company Facility large companies with big ideas bring their products to market. That is why they are called LDB – Let’s Dream Big. Their facility is used to help small and medium companies who do not have a facility of their own and is also a test location for those larger companies who do not want to run their new products in their own existing facilities. The facility can package into bottles, cans and kegs and can process up to 2,000 cases per day. “It is great to see a new producer take a product to market, watching them see their Big Dream come to fruition,” notes Carrie Nissen. “We have now found our rhythm with customer flow and are able to focus more on employee development and community engagement.  Our new product, Little B’s Sparkling Apple Juice Drinks, is a perfect example of this transition. Named after Braeden and Brek, two children of the LDB family, this non-alcoholic beverage provides us with a much better vehicle to work with the entire Stevenson area community,” adds cofounder Bruce Nissen. Almost simultaneously with the start-up of the LDB bottling company, the Nissens started Jester & Judge, a brand of hard ciders.  Currently Jester & Judge’s ciders are sold in bottles, cans and kegs.  Jester & Judge’s line up of ciders include Pineapple Express, Blackberry, Columbia Belle (peach and mint infusion), Sharp Cherry, Passion Fruit and American Apple.  Jester & Judge also offers seasonal, limited and small batch ciders, such as Winter’s Courage, Nowhere Special and other new flavors as available.  The Nissens are making plans for a tasting room for the thirsty public at their 30 SE Cascade location in Stevenson.  Bruce and Carrie express that “the support of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), the Port of Skamania, Skamania Economic Development Council (EDC) and the Skamania Chamber of Commerce have been critical to our ability to put together our business and help it to thrive. We are very grateful for their existence and support.”  MCEDD and EDC both provided loans to assist the company in getting started and established in the Stevenson facility. More information about LDB Beverage Company and Jester & Judge hard ciders can be found at www.ldbbeverage.com and facebook pages for both LDB and Jester & Judge.  You can contact LDB Beverage at 509-651-0381 and info@ldbbeverage.com. 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.   [Continue Reading]

Census Tracts in MCEDD Region Receive Opportunity Zone Designation

June 5, 2018 – The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service recently designated Opportunity Zones, including 10 zones in the MCEDD region. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created Opportunity Zones to spur investment in distressed communities throughout the country. New investments in Opportunity Zones can receive preferential tax treatment. For Opportunity Zone resources and a map of zones click here.   [Continue Reading]