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.
May 28, 2014 –
Pioneer Pizza opened in May of 2014 and is located in the Pioneer building at 216 East Jewett Blvd in White Salmon, Washington. Business partners Christiaan Erasmus and Mike Foster are serving up delicious twists and new interpretations on both Pacific Northwest and Italian classics. Additionally, Pioneer Pizza offers a traditional pizza menu, pizza by the slice, plus wine and beer.
Pioneer Pizza received a $25,000 loan from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s Business Assistance Program to help start up the business. Funds were provided through an account specifically for microenterprises in Klickitat County. The restaurant features local ingredients from the Gorge and a great family atmosphere.
Christiaan and his wife Sarah own and operate Henni’s Kitchen & Bar, also in downtown White Salmon. For more information on Pioneer Pizza, check out their website or stop in for a slice!
The MCEDD Loan Program is available to entrepreneurs, start up businesses and existing businesses doing business in the five county (Sherman, Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania) Mid-Columbia area. This loan program is part of MCEDD’s efforts to strengthen and support the region’s economy.
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March 14, 2014 – Kim Brigham Campbell and her family harvest and sell salmon, steelhead, and other fish from the Columbia River, just as they and many other local Native American families have for generations. Until recently, they operated the business from home, relying on word of mouth to sell to a variety of individual and food service buyers who know them as providers of a quality product. As much an entrepreneur at heart as a fisher, Kim decided to open Brigham Fish Market to increase their marketing potential. To identify and secure financing, Kim contacted MCEDD. In addition to providing technical assistance through partnership with the CGCC Small Business Development Center, MCEDD provided a loan utilizing Oregon Investment Board and USDA Intermediary Relending funds that supported expanding this business.
Loan funds helped finance the purchase of land, building the storefront and buying the needed equipment to dry, can, and freeze this local fish to sell in their market and provide quality product to restaurants around the region. For more information, visit their website or stop into the storefront in Cascade Locks on WaNaPa Ave.
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