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.
December 30, 2014 – Fun Country Powersports is a family owned and operated business in The Dalles that focuses on powersports sales, service, and parts. Their products are diversified to include off- and on-road vehicles for recreation in all seasons as well as agricultural clients looking for the latest tools to support their own businesses.
In 2009, the business was 40 years old, and in need of an upgrade to their facility to support the strong growth in their sales and services. In order to get the project done quickly so that they could continue to provide the positive experience their customers had become accustomed to they approached Mid-Columbia Economic Development and the Columbia River Gorge Oregon Investment Board about a loan to finance construction for their expansion. After the project, they more than doubled the space available for product and their service center and have continued to grow their business.
Visit Fun Country’s website, or their storefront in The Dalles on West 2nd Street, to learn more about their business!
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October 28, 2014 – Distilleries in the Gorge are starting with the assistance from MCEDD financing.
August 2014: Chris Taylor and Roy Slayton came together around the idea that they could produce quality spirits, using locally sourced ingredients in the Columbia Gorge. Working together to start Camp 1805 Distillery down on the Hood River Waterfront they are sharing the process from grain to glass with their customers. Currently, Camp 1805 is producing white whiskey, rum, and vodka. They are barrel aging whiskey and rum and working on gin as well as other spirits for the future. Roy and Chris came to MCEDD and the Oregon Investment Board as they were looking at financing the start up costs for a micro-distillery. The two entities provided loans to Chris and Roy that have enabled them to purchase the equipment they needed, improve their tasting room space, and have working capital to start up the tasting room and move their business forward. If you would like to learn more, visit their website or their tasting room at the Hood River Waterfront.
October 2014: Skunk Brothers Spirits was developed by two brothers with a passion for hand-crafted spirits and an idea to get back to their roots and make something uniquely Northwestern. This small batch craft distillery, set to open in Stevenson, is focused on high quality Moonshine, hand-crafted spirits, and liqueurs. They are looking to utilize local ingredients to make unique products and their hand-crafted corn whiskey and other spirits. In addition, the Donoho family is looking to create a tasting room Gorge visitors and residents alike can relax and enjoy while experiencing their products. To put together financing, Skunk Brothers came to MCEDD and the Skamania EDC, who worked in partnership to enable them to purchase additional necessary equipment, and provide working capital to get through renovation of their tasting room and beginning batches of their products. For more info on Skunk Brothers, visit their Facebook page!
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