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 newest plan was released in 2017.
How was the Strategy developed?
The plan is compiled by Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD). MCEDD engaged a diverse workgroup of over 100 local representatives from private, public, and nonprofit sectors in developing the strategy. Public meetings were held in each county from 2016-2017.
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
- CEDS Staff: Amanda Hoey, MCEDD Executive Director
MCEDD Board of Directors
Final plan approval is made by the MCEDD Board of Directors.