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.

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Gorge Pitch Fest

April 28, 2023 – Wasco County Innovation Initiative partners were pleased to announce the launch of a small business pitch competition on June 14, 5:30 p.m. at the Granada Theater in The Dalles. The competition invited entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and compete for a chance to win funding and exposure. Twenty-eight small businesses from Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman Counties submitted responses to the call for businesses interested in pitching. The group included businesses with different focuses from light manufacturing to  food production to software.  The six businesses that were selected as finalists include: Ada Analytics –provides an artificial intelligence powered platform for the cryptocurrency market that delivers real time insights to help investors make informed decisions.  The founders are working together to develop a user friendly platform that will support actionable insights for crypto investors.   Ankhiale Outdoors –helps people find themselves outside. Their team has developed a prototype cold weather tent and apparel that will help customers stay comfortable for winter season camping and is working to scale up their product. Bad Nutrition –makes chia seed pudding for the rule breakers of the world. Their product is focused on delicious flavor and inherent nutrition, making healthy food that appeals to the average consumer. Monkey Brittle – is an organic snack made from dried bananas, nuts and raisins.  It tastes just like banana bread but is light and airy with a crunch! Propel Flow – Consulting for businesses who want to utilize AI to “Propel the Flow” of business. Woodsy Craft Co –  is focused on creating DIY craft kits for friends and family to enjoy together.  These kits started out as retail at the Workshop and they are looking to scale to wholesale production more efficiently On June 14th at 5:30pm, these six finalists had the opportunity to pitch their business idea to our panel of four judges; James Martin of Sunshine Mill Winery, Lee Weinstein of Weinstein PR, Gregory Price of the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center, and Jessica Metta of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. Woodsy Craft Co was announced as the grand prize winner for $7,000 and also won the crowd favorite for an additional $500! The second place prize went to Bad Nutrition, and third place was awarded to Monkey Brittle. Over 100 people came out to learn about these innovative business ideas and to vote for their favorite! Wasco Innovation Initiative partners involved in this event include Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Columbia Gorge Small Business Development Center, Port of The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College, Business Oregon, the Wasco County Economic Development Commission, and The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. This event is hosted partially thanks to a grant received from Business Oregon’s Rural Opportunities Initiative program and is supported by the sponsors noted below. Email planning committee chair: Carrie Pipinich at carrie@mcedd.org. Información del evento Pitch Fest en español aquí. Event Photos! Ryan Huggins presents Monkey Brittle. Katie Potter presents Propel Flow. Sophia Malek presents Bad Nutrition. Ray Hsu presents ADA Analytics. Ron Entriken presents Ankhiale Outdoors. Alyssa Schroppel and Lindsey Brady present Woodsy Craft Co. Judges from left to right: James Martin, Lee Weinstein, Jessica Metta, and Gregory Price. Woodsy Craft Co Wins the Grand Prize! Final Prize award winner with the judges!   [Continue Reading]

Broadband Action Planning in Klickitat & Skamania Counties

March 29, 2023 –   The Washington State Broadband Office and WSU Extension are leading a statewide effort to develop broadband action and digital equity plans at the County level  that will include local concerns, challenges, and opportunities into the statewide planning process.  This is a requirement that the state of Washington must meet in order to access federal funds that are designated for broadband deployment as well as meeting digital equity and inclusion requirements. This effort by the state of Washington will provide access to approximately $900 million in infrastructure funding that will be disbursed from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration over the next five years. These funds were provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. MCEDD is working in partnership with Klickitat and Skamania Counties to support their participation in this statewide broadband planning effort!  MCEDD will be coordinating county-level Broadband Action Teams and conducting outreach to partners around broadband infrastructure availability and needs.  This outreach and planning will support the utilization and adoption of broadband technology for the whole community and will provide tremendous economic benefits at all levels: personal, business and community services including health, fire, emergency and education. Broadband planning sessions with the Community Councils in Klickitat and Skamania Counties are scheduled through April and May.  If you are a Washington Gorge resident interested in participating in this process, feel free to reach out to Carrie at Carrie@mcedd.org for further details.   [Continue Reading]

MCEDD

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

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