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

en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish

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.

Menu
  • About
    • About MCEDD
    • Our Area
    • Board of Directors
    • Policies
    • Meetings
    • Media
    • Employment, Volunteer & Contract Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • Close
  • Financing
    • Business Loans
      MCEDD provides loans to businesses and individuals. Our financing can help you start, grow and expand your business.
    • Housing Loans
      MCEDD offers a fund specifically to encourage the development of attainable housing in our three Oregon counties.
    • Oregon Investment Board
      The Investment Board provides financing in the National Scenic Area for small and growing businesses, nonprofits and economic development activities.
    • Mt Hood Economic Alliance
      A source of gap financing loans for businesses in Clackamas, Hood River and Wasco Counties.
    • Incentives
      Resources to help your business prosper. From training to relocation incentives, explore how your business may qualify.
    • Success Stories
      Businesses are growing and expanding in the Gorge with support from our financing programs. See how we measure up in supporting local businesses!
    • Close
  • Strategy
    • 2022-27 CEDS
      Every five years the region develops the comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) as a guide to understanding the regional economy and crafting goals, strategies and actions to create jobs, raise income levels, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life.
    • Data Resources
      Facts and figures on the regional economy. Data on where we are thriving and where we still have work to do.
    • Priorities
      In addition to initiatives and action plans, we also prioritize regionally significant infrastructure projects. See regional priorities and the status of development.
    • Get Involved
      Get involved in plan updates, future development or action plan teams.
    • Close
  • Industry Development
    • Services for Governments
      MCEDD provides county economic development, grant writing services, infrastructure project administration and planning.
    • Business Services
      To support businesses create and retain jobs, MCEDD provides loans for the financing needs of businesses with favorable rates, terms and requirements.
    • Industry Sectors
      MCEDD has been a leader in the development of industry clusters including arts, wine, high tech, renewable energy, healthcare, & more.
    • Infrastructure
      MCEDD prioritizes regional infrastructure project and supports development of strong communities to support growing businesses. From broadband to transportation to water/ wastewater projects, learn more about regional activities.
      • Cover of the Hood River Energy Plan
      • Special Projects
        MCEDD supports a variety of special projects that align with the regional economic development strategy. Learn more about one of those projects: The Hood River Energy Plan.
      Close
    • Preparedness
      • Economic Resiliency GuidesEconomic Resiliency Guides
      • Covid 19 ResourcesCOVID-19 Resources
      • Business TrainingBusiness Trainings
      • Business Resliency ProfilesBusiness Resiliency Profiles
      • Close
    • Transportation
      • The LINK Public Transit
      • Go By GOrge Pass
      • Gorge Translink Alliance
      • Gorge Regional Transit Strategy
      • Connect Mid-Columbia
      • Commute Options
      • Wasco County Transit Development Plan
      • Close
    • Contact
      • Staff
      • Stay Informed
      • Close
    Home   ::   Archives for Industry Development

    Recent Post Archives :: Industry Development

    Mid-Columbia COVID-19 Economic Needs Assessment Project

    May 27, 2021 – In early 2021, MCEDD conducted a COVID-19 economic needs assessment to determine local needs and priorities for recovery, understand the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify opportunities for future collaboration around these issues. The assessment was developed in partnership with six economic development districts across the state of Oregon with support from University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy, Research, and Engagement. MCEDD conducted 17 interviews with 25 stakeholders across the region. Interviewees were chosen to reflect key industries and community organizations that support economic and workforce development. During the pandemic, MCEDD and Governor Brown’s Regional Solutions Coordinator convened the Mid-Columbia Economic Resiliency Team (MCERT), a group of local, regional, and state partners from Oregon and Washington, to share information, identify resources and coordinate efforts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic economic response. The findings in this report build not only on the interviews noted above, but also the conversations had during these meetings. The goal of this assessment was to apply a “listen to learn” framework to discover what community leaders feel are priority concerns and what actions will be needed to support an equitable recovery. This report summarizes those findings and makes recommendations for future action through existing and new partnerships. To read the full report, please click here: MCEDD COVID-19 Economic Needs Assessment   [Continue Reading]

    Participate in Updating the Region’s Economic Development Strategy!

    March 25, 2021 – You’re invited to participate in updating the region’s economic development strategy! Click here to register for the full series. The community is invited to participate as partners begin the regular updating of the Regional Economic Development Strategy for the Columbia River Gorge. Led by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), the strategy will outline a five-year plan for the regional economic development covering Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties in Oregon and Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington. This strategy is updated every five years and serves as a guide to understand the local economy, strengthen partnerships, and improve overall quality of life. Monthly meetings will be held starting in March to bring together participants from around the region to identify economic development strategies based on current trends and areas best suited for growth to sustain and diversify the region’s economy, reduce unemployment and create family wage jobs. Information gathered at the monthly events will be pulled together with data and research to develop the final plan, the Mid-Columbia Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2022-2027. MCEDD coordinates implementation of the regional strategy in partnership with local stakeholders. The first of the monthly events will be Wednesday, March 31st, 8:30am to 10:30am using Zoom. This session will be focused on COVID-19 impacts and what resilience looks like for the region going forward. In total, there will be seven sessions to develop a draft plan, with a specific focus on equitable economic outcomes and resilience. These sessions will be public, and attendance is encouraged across the five-county region. The schedule is as follows, with sessions beginning promptly at 8:30 AM: March 31, 2021: Economic Impacts of COVID-19, Resiliency: Present assessment of economic impacts of COVID-19 and set resiliency tone. April 28, 2021: Demographics and Data: More overarching economic data looking at longer-term trends to help us plan for the future. May 26, 2021: Sector Focus Areas, including more in-depth industry cluster analysis and discussion of sector resilience. June 30, 2021: Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats July 28, 2021: Vision and Goals September 1, 2021: Strategies October 6, 2021: Measuring Success, and Implementation November 5, 2021: Annual Gorge Economic Symposium, with draft presented.   Everyone is invited to participate in one or all of the sessions. To register for the sessions, please click here: https://forms.gle/wVNQGsheMurgV4xc7 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. To learn more about MCEDD or this planning process, visit https://www.mcedd.org/strategy/our-region/ or contact Jane Allen at jane@mcedd.org.   [Continue Reading]
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • …
    • 8
    • Next Page »

    MCEDD

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

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    Stay Up To Date On Our Latest News and Events




    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us

    Copyright © 2023 · Mid Columbia Economic Development District

    Copyright © 2023 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in