$2B Pumped Storage Project Takes Another Step Forward
May 24, 2018 – “A project with the potential to prime the economic engine of the eastern gorge looked a lot closer to reality after a major meeting on the subject last Tuesday. That project, a pump storage station on the site for the former Golden Northwest Aluminum smelter, has been a long-held goal of Klickitat PUD. Recently, it has attracted the attention of major players in the electricity market who have both the money and the know how to finance and construct the facility. Read more from the Gorgenewscenter here. The project is a regional priority in the Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Economic Development Strategy compiled by MCEDD. [Continue Reading]Access The Dalles Farmer’s Market with New Public Transportation Option!
May 17, 2018 – Since February, MCEDD has been operating the LINK Transportation Network providing public transit in Wasco County. MCEDD is improving this vital community service and is excited to announce a new offering: free Dial-a-Ride bus service to The Dalles Farmers’ Market, Saturdays from June to October 2018! To ride, call the LINK at 541-296-7595 to request a pick-up time and location. For best availability, schedule rides at least one day before. The LINK picks up riders at their door and brings them to The Dalles Farmers’ Market. Riders can stock up on delicious local fruits, vegetables and more while enjoying live music and the fun community atmosphere. Then the LINK takes riders home or to their location of choice. This transportation is offered completely free thanks to a grant from PacificSource. Learn more about The Dalles Farmer’s Market here. [Continue Reading]Census Tracts in MCEDD Region Nominated for Opportunity Zone Status
April 26, 2018 – The Governors of Oregon and Washington have nominated certain eligible census tracts for Opportunity Zone status. The nominations have been submitted to the US Department of the Treasury for consideration of official designation. The designation would potentially provide the opportunity to offer federal tax breaks to encourage development and job creation. In Washington, of the tracts nominated, three are located in Skamania County and two in Klickitat County.Explore the zones here: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/opportunity-zones/. In Oregon, of the tracts nominated, two are located in Hood River County, one in Sherman County and two in Wasco County. Explore the zones here: http://www.oregon4biz.com/Opportunity-Zones/ [Continue Reading]Good Medicine Expands Tea Wholesale Business with Financing
April 25, 2018 – In July of 2013, Nikol Clark and Randy Goetz purchased the commercial property at 1029 May Street in Hood River, OR. Known for decades as the “Klahre House,” the turn-of-the-century Craftsman building had housed The Next Door and its Youth Outreach programs. When Nikol and Randy took over, the building was ready for a new chapter. The couple saw the opportunity to create their dream: a combination Tea House and Wellness Center. The Good Medicine Lounge was born. For the next four years, the community around Good Medicine steadily grew, and the business activity grew and changed as well. The Wellness Center flourished with a wide variety of health practitioners finding a home in the cozy treatments rooms. The Tea House became a local gathering place, and a quiet retreat in the heights. Also in development was the Good Medicine Tea wholesale program and website store. As this side of the business began to come into its own, Nikol and Randy decided to embrace their wider sales and distribution network and devote the necessary time and resources to the success of Good Medicine Tea. They found a partner in Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), which financed a small business loan through the Columbia Gorge Oregon Investment Board fund in early 2018. The influx of capital has allowed Good Medicine Tea to take the necessary steps grow its wholesale and web sales programs. They have been able to support increased inventory to pursue larger customer accounts. These include exciting new partners such as Market of Choice grocery stores, which have taken on Good Medicine tea in all 11 of their Oregon locations, and Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort which brought Good Medicine Tea into all eight of their on-mountain dining outlets. With increased customer demand comes increased labor needs, and MCEDD’s funding has allowed Good Medicine Tea to retain their staff of four employees that have expanded their roles in receiving, production, order fulfillment, shipping, and sales. Good Medicine Tea can be found at a variety of Grocers and specialty retailers throughout Hood River, White Salmon, and the Central Gorge. Their tea can also be purchased from their website at www.GoodMedicineTea.com. Choose the Local Pick-Up option and come into Good Medicine to grab your order! Call Good Medicine at (541) 436-2540 to inquire about products, or wholesale accounts for your retail or food service business. 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]Bridge of the Gods Pedestrian/Bike Crossing Receives Support
April 25, 2018 – Oregonian 4/25/18: “Nearly the entire Northwest congressional delegation is backing a proposal from the Pacific Crest Trail Association to build a pedestrian-cyclist-only lane onto the side of the Bridge of the Gods in the Columbia River Gorge. Read the article here. The project is listed as a top ten priority in the regional economic development strategy. [Continue Reading]Pine Hollow Boat Ramp Receives Funding
April 19, 2018 – “The Oregon State Marine Board has approved a grant to the South Wasco Parks and Recreation District to repair the south boat ramp at Pine Hollow Reservoir.” Read more from Gorge Radio here. The project was a priority identified through the Wasco County Economic Development Commission and expressed as a past priority in the regional economic development strategy. Marine Board Awards Grant For Pine Hollow Boat Ramp [Continue Reading]Family Business Dream Becomes 20+ Year Business Reality: CARS
April 17, 2018 – What started as a way to get their classic cars restored and out of their driveway, turned into a business that has been serving The Dalles, Oregon and the surrounding community for over 20 years. Owners Randy and Karen Seufert began Columbia Auto Repair & Sales (C.A.R.S.) as a used car dealership and automotive repair shop. It eventually became a new trailer dealership and factory authorized repair facility for Continental Cargo and Great Northern trailer brands, both of which are made in Oregon. It further expanded to include classic car restoration and repair. Growing too large for their prior locations, C.A.R.S. purchased the former Griffith Motors location at 518 E. 2nd Street in The Dalles in November of 2012, with loans provided by the Oregon Investment Board and Mt. Hood Economic Alliance through Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. Columbia Auto Repair and Sales Staff With their new and improved location in downtown The Dalles, C.A.R.S. expanded to include a talented crew of mechanics, body restoration professionals and office and sales personnel. To help support this ongoing growth, Community Bank and MCEDD provided additional financing. At C.A.R.S. their business is you and your car and your trailer needs! Columbia Auto Repair & Sales is open weekdays 8 am to 5 pm. You can reach them at (541) 296-2094 or learn more at www.gorgetrailers.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. Contact the MCEDD Loan Fund Manager at 541-296-2266 or loanmanager@mcedd.org for more information on MCEDD’s Loan Program. [Continue Reading]Revolving loan fund program ‘significantly’ helps Gorge businesses
March 28, 2018 – Rural businesses on both sides of the Columbia River— from a brewery to an assisted living facility, from a Thai restaurant to a tribal fish market—are improving the local economy by hiring more employees and providing higher wages. These myriad small businesses have one thing in common: they were unable to obtain conventional loans. Instead, they financed the start-up or expansion of their business with assistance from the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD). Read more from the USDA profile here. [Continue Reading]Annual Economic Symposium: Save the Date for November 2, 2018!
March 22, 2018 – Mark your calendar for the annual Gorge Economic Symposium! Scheduled for Friday, November 2, 2018 at the Civic Auditorium in The Dalles, Oregon, this year’s event will focus on advancements in the region’s high tech industry. The Symposium is a half-day event focused on economic and employment trends in the regional economy. Aggregated regional data, as well as individual county data will be provided by economists Scott Bailey and Dallas Fridley, covering Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania counties. Additional information on tickets and keynote speaker will be available in April. [Continue Reading]Regional Infrastructure Priorities Adopted
March 22, 2018 – In March 2018 the MCEDD Board of Directors analyzed and adopted regional priorities for infrastructure needed throughout the five county region. Priorities were adopted as follows Washington Technical Assistance/Public Works Rank Project 1 White Salmon Slow Sand Filter Water System 2 Stevenson Wastewater System 3 Dallesport Industrial Park Improvement Projects 3 Cascades Business Park (North Bonneville) 5 Bingen Point Industrial Park Projects 6 Goldendale Energy Storage Project (previously John Day Pool) 7 Stevenson Shoreline Restoration 8 Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Runway Rehabilitation and Lengthening 9 Goldendale Municipal Airport Improvements 10 Skamania PUD Improvements: Undergrounding utilities, Stabler Feeder Upgrade and North Bonneville Substation Oregon Technical Assistance/Public Works Rank Project 1 Workforce Housing Projects Hood River: Update workforce housing plans; explore opportunities to relocate facilities; and evaluate construction excise taxes collected to date. Sherman: Enhance workforce housing incentives for construction of new units Wasco: Columbia Gorge Community College Student Housing and Skills Center 2 Biggs Water System 3 Deschutes Rim Medical Clinic Expansion 4 Mosier Well Repair 5 Bridge of the Gods Maintenance and Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements 6 Confluence Business Park Infrastructure (Hood River) 7 Dog River Pipeline Upgrade 8 Parkdale and Odell Treatment of Biosolids/Sludge 9 Mosier Fire Hall/City Hall 10 South Sherman Fire Hall For more information on the projects visit: https://www.mcedd.org/strategy/priorities/ [Continue Reading]- « Previous Page
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