MCEDD Recent News Items

Broadband Speed Survey Open Now!

June 22, 2022 – Accessible, affordable, and reliable internet is an essential piece of infrastructure for our communities. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District is working with broadband partners to support the needs of businesses, residents, and communities in the bi-state region through the creation of a Broadband Speed Survey. Your response to this survey will provide information on the internet service needs in the region and help us: clearly identify gaps in high-speed Internet service ensure that funding decisions are based on accurate service information learn about how we are using broadband today Please complete the broadband survey at: https://bit.ly/Speed-Survey Questions? Please contact Natasha Blaircobb at Natasha@mcedd.org or 541-296-2266.   [Continue Reading]

The Link Adds New Services for the Summer!

June 7, 2022 –   The Link is expanding it’s services this summer to support family summer activities!   See the map and the schedule on the Link’s page here.       [Continue Reading]

June’s Entrepreneurship Pub Talk

June 3, 2022 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is pleased to be hosting several Pub Talk-style events throughout the Gorge in 2022. With the support of a grant from Oregon Community Foundation, these events will bring together entrepreneurs and business owners to network, share and learn from each other.  Besides great networking and delicious appetizers, the events will highlight a small panel of businesses of different types and in different stages of development to share their experiences. Our second Pub Talk event will be held on Thursday, June 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Gorges Beer Co. on (390 Wa Na Pa, Cascade Locks).  MCEDD’s event partners for this talk are the Port of Cascade Locks , Skamania County Economic Development Council and the Small Business Development Center at CGCC. Our speakers will be: Hotel Stevenson  Landmass Wines   Gorges Beer The event is free to attend and all are welcome! 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,  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.   [Continue Reading]

New! Sign Up for Transit Text Alerts

June 2, 2022 – Do you ride public transit in the Gorge regularly? You can now sign up to receive text alerts to your phone about service notifications from The Link Public Transit, Columbia Area Transit, Mt. Adams Transportation, and Skamania County Transit. You can sign up for one, two or all of the providers to be notified directly about holiday closures, weather-induced service changes, or other important information impacting bus schedules. Sign up here for alerts to be sent directly to your phone. As always, msg & data rates may apply.   [Continue Reading]

The Link Public Transit Celebrates 25 Years of Service

May 10, 2022 –   On May 19th , 2022 The Link Public Transit celebrates its 25th anniversary! The public transportation service began in 1997 to serve medical rides in Wasco County. The Link was originally operated by the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments (MCCOG), moving from medical rides only to appointment-based dial-a-ride services and a shopping bus. In 2018, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) took over operation of The Link, expanding its service to include both dial-a-ride services and deviated fixed routes in The Dalles, shopping shuttles, and intercity buses between South County communities and The Dalles. In 2021, The Link began operating a Hood River route with  partner agency Columbia Area Transit, and joined partnering agencies in sponsoring the annual GOrge Pass. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, The Link will be offering free rides all day on Thursday, May 19th! Catch our Blue, Red, and/or Hood River routes between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Link will have a booth and a decorated bus at the transit tourism celebration event at Evoke Winery on the evening of the 19th from 5-7pm in Hood River. https://www.mcedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/LinkBus-at-2022-Cherry-Fest.mp4   Executive Director Jessica Metta noted, “We are so proud of the ways The Link has grown its transit service offerings for our community. We couldn’t do it without our dedicated bus drivers and dispatchers who work hard to serve the people of Wasco County every day.” For more information please visit The LINK’s pages at https://mcedd.org/link                   or call The LINK at 541-296-7595.   [Continue Reading]

Notice of Budget Committee Meeting

May 5, 2022 – A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District , Wasco County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, will be held at Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, 802 Chenowith Loop Road W, The Dalles, OR, 97058 . The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. A copy of the budget document will be available on or after May 11, 2022, online at https://www.mcedd.org/ or in person at 802 Chenowith Loop Road W, The Dalles, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee.   [Continue Reading]

Join the Wasco County Public Transportation Advisory Committee

April 26, 2022 – This Committee advises the Wasco County Commissioners and the county’s Public Transportation provider – The Link Public Transit! The committee considers how transportation funds should be spent and provides the Commissioners with information about the community’s special transportation needs, particularly related to how projects will benefit seniors and persons with disabilities. The Advisory Committee strives to represent all members of the community but is particularly focused on those with greater transportation needs such as: Elderly Low-income Living in small communities (e.g., in South County) Living with a disability Other user groups who may rely on public transportation   The County invites applicants to seek appointment who can represent these communities  either through their lived experience, work or volunteer activities. Visit the county’s website to download an application, or contact Kathy Clark to request an application be mailed or emailed. Committee positions are voluntary with a two-year term. Meetings are held quarterly, or approximately four times per year. Meetings are typically held in person at the Transit Center in The Dalles, with zoom options available. Applications will be accepted through May 19, 2022.   [Continue Reading]

Entrepreneurship Pub Talk Events

April 13, 2022 –   Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is pleased to be hosting several Pub Talk-style events throughout the Gorge in 2022. With the support of a grant from Oregon Community Foundation, these events will bring entrepreneurs and business owners together to network, share and learn from each other.  Besides great networking and delicious appetizers, the events will highlight a small panel of businesses of different types and in different stages of development to share their experiences.   Next Event Information Our next event will be Saturday, September 24, 11:30am at Maupin Civic Center (507 Grant Avenue, Maupin, OR) during South Wasco Connect.  MCEDD’s event partners: South Wasco Alliance, Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at CGCC. All events are free to attend.     Prior Events Our last event  in June was at Gorges Beer Co. (390 Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks). MCEDD’s event partners: The Port of Cascade Locks, Skamania County Economic Development Council and the Small Business Development Center at CGCC. All events are free to attend.   Our first event celebrated National Small Business Week on Thursday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bargeway Pub in The Dalles. MCEDD’s event partners: The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at CGCC.   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD & Regional Partners Offer Grant Writing Workshop!

April 11, 2022 – Intended for local government or non-profit staff or volunteers  working in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania Counties who  have questions about grant writing, planning, or management.       Register Here   [Continue Reading]

Final 2022-2027 Regional Economic Development Strategy Released!

April 7, 2022 – Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is pleased to announce the release of the final 2022-2027 Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The strategy was adopted by MCEDD’s Board of Directors at their March 17, 2022 meeting, and covers the District’s region that includes Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Washington.  Developed by the region’s stakeholders every five years, the CEDS serves as a guide to understanding the regional economy.  The document’s goals, strategies and actions are intended to create jobs, raise income levels, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life.  The draft strategy was developed over seven monthly meetings in 2021 with more than 100 participants throughout the series. Participants included local and tribal governments, regional partners, ports, chambers, legislators, state and federal partners, businesses and individuals. The strategy also incorporates economic data and additional feedback from online surveys and focus groups held with our Latinx and Native American communities. The final strategy incorporated comments received during the public comment period. Throughout the process, conversations explored the themes of resilience and equitable outcomes. A prioritized list of key infrastructure projects in the region is also included.  The complete strategy can be found at www.gorgeeconomy.org.  The document’s graphic design work improves its look, accessibility and usefulness. Shorter summary versions are available in both English and Spanish, designated by the icons at the bottom of the webpage.    The plan was compiled by MCEDD and follows the guidelines required by the US Economic Development Administration.   MCEDD has been developing and implementing a regional economic development strategy since its formation in 1969 in order to meet its mission to promote the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry within the five-county district. MCEDD will coordinate the implementation of this strategy in partnership with local stakeholders over the next five years. Contact Jessica Metta with questions or to request a hardcopy at 541-296-2266 x1001 or jessica@mcedd.org.   [Continue Reading]