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.
September 25, 2020 – For 51 years MCEDD has supported economic vitality in the five county bi-state region, focusing on opportunities to build our economy and support business and entrepreneurs. This year, MCEDD continued to deliver high quality technical assistance, business assistance and industry support through its core programs, while also expanding service offerings.
Significant milestones and accomplishments in fiscal year 2020 include:
Supporting economic resiliency as a result of COVID-19 with information and resource sharing, trainings, loans and grants responses to a myriad of economic shocks in 2018.
Providing technical assistance for our members accessing federal economic disaster funding for public works projects.
Implementing the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, in coordination with our members, and hosting a sold-out Economic Symposium to build connections across the region.
Launching the Gorge Regional Transit Strategy to support the regional Gorge TransLink public transportation system.
Expanding the LINK transportation system, providing over 22,000 passenger trips.
Providing direct business assistance through our loan programs, providing almost $1 million in funding this fiscal year to businesses.
FY20 Annual Report [Continue Reading]
June 10, 2020 – Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District (NWCPUD) has developed a COVID-19 Small Business
Assistance Program to support businesses they serve in Wasco County that have faced adverse business
impacts as a result of COVID-19. The program will offer a temporary discount to NWCPUD business
customers based on their business type and financial need. The program assistance is limited to $600
per business and will run for 3 consecutive months after reopening between June 2020 and December
2020. NWCPUD is partnering with the Wasco County Economic Development Commission to support
program implementation.
Eligibility criteria for businesses:
1) In business January 1, 2020 within Wasco County
2) Active NWCPUD account
3) Between 1-10 employees. Employees can be the owners.
4) Impacted by COVID-19, with an emphasis on mandated closures or significant shifts in operations (ex.
restaurants that could not operate a dining room).
5) Must be a business or non-profit entity registered in Oregon. For non-profits, must be recognized by
the IRS and have no religious affiliation.
6) Agricultural producers are excluded.
To apply, please fill out the Wasco County EDC’s Wasco County COVID-19 Business Impact Survey here. [Continue Reading]
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