Serving the Mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington, providing regional economic development and business assistance.Mid–Columbia Economic Development District

Mid Columbia Economic Development District strives to promote the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania Counties

MCEDD is organized as a government non-profit in Oregon as an ORS-190 and in Washington through RCW 39.34.010.

Home   ::   Archives for Economic Development Strategy

Recent Post Archives :: Economic Development Strategy

MCEDD’s Regional Innovation Hub Report Released

October 25, 2023 – To propel entrepreneurship, innovation and ongoing prosperity, the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) recently completed a Regional Innovation Hub plan to assess how the region can better serve innovators and especially traded-sector businesses. Funded by a grant from Business Oregon, MCEDD contracted with ECONorthwest over the past year to work with a team of regional partners in developing the plan. The final report was released in October. In this report, the forces generating rapid economic development in the Mid-Columbia Region across diverse sectors were analyzed. The region’s advantageous geographic location and climate support both traditional and innovative agricultural activities. Key sectors such as unmanned aerial systems, healthcare, fermentation, value-added agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism have all grown. Some of the challenges to nurturing this ongoing growth have been identified as a lack of local investment capital, a shifting climate, and limited industrial and commercial land. The Hub will directly tackle the identified challenges by cultivating a collaborative culture amongst entrepreneurs, showcasing the region’s assets to potential investors, strengthening connections to statewide resources, and linking to venture capital providers. It will also reinforce partners that are best positioned to broaden the resources and support for local businesses. The next step will be to seek implementation funding from Business Oregon and others to address the gaps, primarily through new positions at MCEDD, that will be focused on this work. The outcome would not be a physical space but rather individuals who can better connect innovators with resources. Read the full report here!     [Continue Reading]

Community Revitalization Town Hall Meeting on September 12th

August 23, 2023 – The City of The Dalles, the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District and the Port of The Dalles extend a special invitation to all community partners to attend a Community Revitalization Town Hall Meeting where we will be celebrating successful local projects that were funded through the Brownfields grant that was awarded to the City two years ago. We will also be providing information on the next steps for properties needing renovation:  what are the eligibility requirements and how can you get your project or property into the program. The meeting will be held at the City of The Dalles Council Chambers (313 Court Street) from 4 – 5 PM on September 12th. A walking tour through downtown that will visit a number of properties where revitalization is in progress will follow the town hall. To date, the City’s program has supported the revitalization of fourteen properties in The Dalles and three properties in greater Wasco County. The meeting will include several successful case studies including the following: Recreation Building and Last Stop Saloon – Property owner Todd Carpenter (invited) Tonys Building – Josh Chandler, Columbia Gorge Urban Renewal Agency Director (invited) Former Model Laundry Building at 205 Washington – Property owner Tony Zilka (invited)             Sigman’s Flowers Building at 200 E. 2nd – Property owner Michael Leash (invited)                             We hope you are able to come celebrate with us! Please feel free to forward this invitation to others you believe to be interested in the revitalization of our community.   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD

802 Chenowith Loop Rd,
The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone: (541) 296-2266

Stay Up To Date On Our Latest News and Events