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.

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
      • Public Transportation Options
      • Wasco County Transit Development Plan
      • Close
    • Contact
      • Staff
      • Stay Informed
      • Close
    Home   ::   Archives for Infrastructure Development

    Recent Post Archives :: Infrastructure Development

    MCEDD’s Attainable Housing Fund

    March 18, 2022 – Affordable Housing has been identified by all communities within the MCEDD region as a top priority issue! Did you know that MCEDD has resources in place that can help?   First identified in a 2013 study, the North Central Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the Oregon state legislature, dedicated $2 million in state funds to seed MCEDD’s Attainable Housing Development Revolving Loan Fund.  As the need for affordable housing continues to increase each year, MCEDD stands ready to provide supplemental funding as needed for housing projects in our north central Oregon counties!   To be eligible for this fund: Projects must be in the North Central Oregon region: Hood River, Wasco and/or Sherman counties. Projects must have support from the city or county in that region. Projects will provide quality workforce housing. (Housing at price ranges and rental levels that are affordable to workers and worker households in the region.) Funding will be in conjunction with commercial bank loans to fill lending gaps for Attainable Housing development projects.     This fund was designed to provide opportunities for working-class residents in the MCEDD region to live where they work.  Metrics that were used to identify the affordable market income at 60-120% median family income (“MFI”) can be found on MCEDD’s website, along with the complete policies and checklists for this program.     If you have or are considering a housing project that meets the criteria above, contact our Loan Fund Manager, Ami Beaver, at 541-296-2266 x 1004.    [Continue Reading]

    Sherman County’s Incentives for Housing Development

    February 22, 2022 – After hearing stories of new employees hired by Sherman County organizations that couldn’t find local housing, Sherman County set to work exploring options to spur the development of additional rental housing. In 2017, Sherman County created the New Rental Housing Development Grant program to provide an incentive for construction of new rental housing, a grant of $10,000 per unit. In 2018, the County created the Housing Rehabilitation Grant program to support renovations of non-owner occupied housing, with the goal of bringing existing housing up to working family standards. Eligible applicants can receive up to $20,000 through this program. Between 2017 and 2020, the County approved about $175,000 in grants to nine applicants with these two programs. The projects included five rental projects expected to complete a total of 13 units, and four rehab projects. With these successes, the County realized that there was more work to be done with incentivizing housing development.  In 2021, two more grant programs were added to their line. The Housing Property Preparation Grant offers applicants up to $20,000 in grant funding to responsibly demolish unsafe housing units, clean up any environmental contaminants on properties and prepare lots for housing redevelopment or sale. The New Housing Construction Grant will provide a $10,000 grant for newly constructed housing units that will be owner-occupied or sold. The County received nine eligible applications to its four programs in 2021, with approximately $90,000 in grants approved to fund two rehab projects, one new rental housing project, and six new housing construction projects. The County’s fund that supports the housing programs is close to depleted, but an infusion of capital is expected in January 2023. If you are developing housing in Sherman County and are interested in the County’s grant programs, applications can be found on Sherman County’s website. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) supports the County with the administration of these programs. Contact Jacque Schei (jacque@mcedd.org, 541-296-2266 ext. 1006) with any questions about the grants or eligibility requirements. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the applications in detail and reach out to Jacque prior to starting projects.     [Continue Reading]
    • « Previous Page
    • 1
    • …
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6
    • 7
    • …
    • 28
    • 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