MCEDD Business Loan Highlights: FY16
June 7, 2017 – In fiscal year 2016, MCEDD made 10 loans totaling $810,930. These loan clients invested nearly $1.3 million of private funding into their businesses, outside of their normal business cash flow. MCEDD’s participation in these projects made it possible for businesses to invest in the region’s economy. The following are businesses supported through MCEDD financing this year: 15 Mile Ventures, LLC opened Freebridge Brewing in The Dalles with the help of a $200,000 loan from MCEDD. This new business created more than 10 new jobs. Erik Stenberg utilized a $20,000 MCEDD loan to open the Little Huckleberry Food Truck in Bingen. Erik plans to employ 2-3 people within the first two years of operation. Baseline Brewing, LLC dba Solera Brewery in Parkdale obtained a $65,000 MCEDD loan as part of the $275,000 capital stack needed to purchase a building next door to allow for business expansion. Maribel Marquez obtained a $20,000 MCEDD loan to open Taqueria La Fogata, a mobile food business in The Dalles. This business will employ 1-3 persons, depending on the season. Montira’s Thai Cuisine, LLC opened an Asian Market in The Dalles with a $50,000 MCEDD loan as part of its needed capital. Abundance Marketing & Design, LLC dba The Balch Hotel converted their lease-to-own agreement to purchase the hotel building in Dufur with the assistance of a $175,000 MCEDD loan. This loan also helped this loan client obtain $250,000 in traditional bank financing. This loan client anticipates employing 11 people within two years. CRG Freight, Inc. was able to consolidate debt and obtain working capital to increase cash flow and operate more efficiently with a $91,725 MCEDD loan. CRG Freight will also increase employment from 14 to 22 jobs within 2 years, which is a 57% increase in employment. A & R Market, LLC, which owns and operates the Maupin Market is a past MCEDD loan client that recently paid off its original MCEDD loan. A & R Market, LLC obtained a new $30,000 MCEDD loan to fund energy savings projects and to provide working capital to allow for more efficient operation of the business. Oregon Brineworks, LLC obtained a new $38,000 MCEDD loan to secure additional equipment to increase their overall production efficiencies and capacity. MCEDD also assisted Oregon Brineworks, LLC in acquiring a $40,000 operating line of credit through a bank. Two additional employees have been hired to help with the increased production level. Veronica’s Salsa, LLC obtained the equipment and working capital necessary to implement a huge expansion that increased production and employment and allows the business to operate more efficiently. This expansion project has more than doubled its employment from 8 to 20 jobs. [Continue Reading]Brownfields Funds Awarded
May 31, 2017 – Skamania County was selected for two brownfields environmental site assessment grants totaling $300,000. Read more at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/skamania-county-selected-300000-brownfields–assessment-grants [Continue Reading]Celilo Paddle Company Receives Small Business Loan
May 31, 2017 – In 2013 Sherry and Kevin Perry moved away from the big city in search of a place where nature was right outside their door. They found that place in the Columbia River Gorge. Fueled by their love of nature and a desire to add something great to their community, they dreamed up Celilo Paddle Company, a stand up paddle board rental shop operating right on the banks of the Columbia River. MCEDD staff worked with them to fund this dream, with financing provided through the Columbia River Gorge NSA Oregon Investment Board. Sherry and Kevin Perry, owners of Celilo Paddle Company, are proud to be serving the community of The Dalles with their stand up paddle board rental service. Celilo Paddle Company will be operating out of Riverfront Park and will be open during the summer months. Celilo Paddle Company provides a quality paddle boarding experience on the Columbia River and friendly service. You can find out more information by calling 541-705-0701 and at their website at www.celilopaddle.com. [Continue Reading]US EDA Invests in the Gorge
May 31, 2017 – The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) confirmed a 2017-18 partnership planning investment award to the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. As noted by EDA: “investments in planning, technical assistance, infrastructure and capacity building support business start-up and expansion to enable towns and cities all across the country to build strong, durable and resilient local economies that produce good wages for American workers.” [Continue Reading]Columbia Gorge Economic Development Strategy Available for Public Comment
January 31, 2017 – The MCEDD Board of Directors released the 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for public comment. The Board anticipates adopting the final strategy in June 2017. View the summary strategy: Summary Strategy View the Full Strategy MCEDD engaged a diverse workgroup of over 100 local representatives from private, public, and nonprofit sectors in developing the strategy. It includes actions plans on key goal areas including Housing, Entrepreneurial Environment, Workforce, Infrastructure, and Regulatory Environment. [Continue Reading]Investment Board Finances Business Transition: Beachwood Eatery
January 28, 2017 – Ken Catlin obtained a Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board loan through Mid-Columbia Economic Development District to purchase the 9th Street Sugar Bowl restaurant building in The Dalles and transition his successful mobile restaurant business into a brick and mortar location. Ken has more than thirty years of professional cooking and kitchen management experience.In April 2016, Ken and his wife Nancy opened Beachwood Eatery in its new location at 504 W. 9th Street in The Dalles. They employ 17 -20 people, dependin g on the time of the year. Their restaurant offers a family dining experience with an extensive menu for lunch and dinner, including appetizers and desserts. Ken plans to add breakfast in the near future. You can enjoy your food and drink in their comfortable restaurant or get it to go or have it delivered. Beachwood Eatery also has a full bar and lottery and is open 6 am to 9 pm daily. Follow Beachwood Eatery on Facebook for more information. [Continue Reading]Oregon Brineworks: Growing Local Business
September 28, 2016 – Oregon Brineworks is a growing business owned by Brian and Connie Shaw. This maker of naturally fermented foods, including pickles, garlic dills, beets, beans, kvass, kraut, slaws received an $110,000 loan from MCEDD to start up its business in 2012. Now two years later, Oregon Brineworks obtained a second loan of $38,000 to finance equipment need to support its growth. MCEDD loan funds were needed to purchase equipment, such as a barrel washer, cabbage shredder with accoutrements, mixing machine and a delivery vehicle. This additional equipment allows them to increase production efficiencies needed because they need to process a full years worth of pickles and other products during a short window of time during July, August and September of each year. In addition to creating local jobs, Oregon Brineworks sources its produce from family owned organic farms in Oregon and Washington whenever possible. They obtain over 90% of their ingredients for their high quality, organic, raw, no vinegar, pro-biotic, lacto-fermented vegetable products, from within a 100 mile radius. Oregon Brineworks is located at 3875 Heron Drive #400, Hood River, Oregon and their products can be found in variety of markets in the Hood River, Portland and beyond, or at their website. For more information on Oregon Brineworks, contact Brian and Connie at 541-354-1357. MCEDD manages the Oregon Investment Board, providing loans and grants in the National Scenic Area. Contact us at 541-296-2266 for more information. [Continue Reading]Cloud Cap Cycle and Board Shop Receives Microloan
August 28, 2016 – Cloud Cap Cycle & Board Shop, LLC obtained a $20,000 MCEDD loan in August 2016 to open a bicycle and board retail and repair business. Jason Barnes had been operating a part-time cycle repair and bike building business out of his barn. Cloud Cap Cycle & Board Shop’s new location at 4955 baseline Drive in Parkdale will sell bikes, snowboards, wakeboards, kiteboards, and paddleboards; service bikes at all price points; and tune snowboards. Jason and his wife, Kara, as Parkdale residents feel that Parkdale is the perfect place for a local bike shop. Cloud Cap Cycle & Board Shop is open year round, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 am – 6 pm. You can learn more about Cloud Cap Cycle & Board Shop at www.cloudcapcycle.com. [Continue Reading]Montira’s Asian Market Opens in The Dalles with MCEDD Financing
June 28, 2016 – Montira’s Asian Market opened for business in February 2016 at 623 E. 2nd Street in The Dalles. Owned by Montira Spitzer and Ken Sommerfelt, the market sells a wide variety of products from Asia. Montira’s Asian Market is also an Asian deli and a regional wholesale food distribution company for specialty food products, including Thai herbs, spices and produce native to Asian countries. The market specializes in dry, fresh and frozen Thai and other Asian groceries and the deli offers fresh to-go foods fixed daily, including soups, curries, salads and fruits and vegetables. This husband and wife team also operate Montira’s Thai Cuisine restaurant located at 302 W. 2nd in The Dalles. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s business assistance program provided financing to help start up Montira’s Asian Market. The MCEDD Loan Program is available to entrepreneurs, start up business 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]Grocery Market in Maupin Established with MCEDD Funds
March 28, 2016 – In July 2010, the Maupin Market opened in the former Graves Market building after Allison and Randy Bechtol purchased and completely remodeled the building, including new windows, roof, floors, interior layout and exterior facelift. Located at 507 Deschutes Avenue in downtown Maupin, the Maupin Market is open 8am to 8pm (8am to 7pm during the winter months), seven days a week. The Maupin Market offers groceries, fresh produce and many other items and has an OLCC liquor store and full service deli on premise. Allison and Randy obtained initial financing for this project with funding through CenterPointe Community Bank, Evergreen Business Capital (SBA 504 loan) and a $100,000loan from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. Recently, the Maupin Market obtain a second loan in the amount of $30,000 through Mid-Columbia Economic Development District to provide funds to upgrade to more energy efficient lighting in deli and display cases, and to provide working capital for more efficient operation of the business, especially during the slower winter months. The Maupin Market has around thirteen employees, which greatly helps the local economy and provides a much needed resource to Maupin residents and visitors. You can contact the Maupin Market at (541)395-2888 orwww.maupinmarket.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]- « Previous Page
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