About The Plan

CEDS2021 Update CEDS 2021 Summary

The Strategy pages summarize the 2017-2022 plan, updated in 2021. Public outreach has begun for the five-year update to be completed in 2022. Find information here.

Vision:

The region envisions a thriving economy supporting diverse business opportunities that act in harmony with the area’s rural qualities, values and natural resources.

What is the Strategy?

Every five years the region develops the comprehensive economic development strategy 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. The latest update to the 2017-2022 plan was released in 2021.

How is the Strategy developed?

The 2022-2027 plan is currently in process! A series of (virtual) public meetings are being held monthly from March through December of 2021. MCEDD invites a diverse workgroup of over 100 local representatives from private, public, and nonprofit sectors to develop the strategy. The results are compiled by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and will be released next year as the guide for regional development over the next five years.

Geography

The region covered under this strategy includes Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington and Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties in Oregon. The region constitutes an area of 7,289 square miles and encompasses parts of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Strategy Steering Committee membership

Brian Tuck, Oregon State University
Buck Jones, Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission
Caitlin Blagg, Sherman County Medical Clinic
David Roth, Financial Planner
Gabriel Muro, Next Door, Inc
Jessica Metta, Gorge Technology Alliance/MCEDD
Kari Fagerness/Pat Albaugh, Skamania County EDC/Port of Skamania County
David McClure/Richard Foster, Klickitat County Economic Development
MCEDD Board of Directors

Final plan approval is made by the MCEDD Board of Directors.

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.