Serving the Mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington, providing regional economic development and business assistance.Mid–Columbia Economic Development District

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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.

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      MCEDD provides loans to businesses and individuals. Our financing can help you start, grow and expand your business.
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      MCEDD offers a fund specifically to encourage the development of attainable housing in our three Oregon counties.
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      The Investment Board provides financing in the National Scenic Area for small and growing businesses, nonprofits and economic development activities.
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      A source of gap financing loans for businesses in Clackamas, Hood River and Wasco Counties.
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    • map of the MCEDD bi-state service areaAbout The Plan
      From vision to implementation, explore how and why the plan was developed.
    • Data & Analysis
      Facts and figures on the regional economy. Data on where we are thriving and where we still have work to do.
    • SWOT
      Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats. This analysis helps guide the identification of regional priorities
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      Learn about the primary initiatives in Housing, Financial Capital/ Entrepreneurial Environment, Workforce, Infrastructure, Regulatory Environment
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      MCEDD provides county economic development, grant writing services, infrastructure project administration and planning.
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      MCEDD has been a leader in the development of industry clusters including arts, wine, high tech, renewable energy, healthcare, & more.
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      MCEDD prioritizes regional infrastructure project and supports development of strong communities to support growing businesses. From broadband to transportation to water/ wastewater projects, learn more about regional activities.
      • Cover of the Hood River Energy Plan
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        MCEDD supports a variety of special projects that align with the regional economic development strategy. Learn more about one of those projects: The Hood River Energy Plan.
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    Home   ::   Strategy   ::   SWOT Analysis

    SWOT Analysis

    MCEDD conducted a SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats) analysis. The analysis is included within the strategy and available below. Scroll down for further detail.

    Strengths

    Weaknesses

    Opportunities

    Threats

    Scenic Beauty, Recreation, Brand and Tourism Industry

    • Designated National Scenic Area (NSA)
    • Strong tourism industry
    • Four season recreation
    • Natural diversity

    Insufficient Housing Stock

    • Insufficient housing for local employees
    • Housing stock quality, availability concerns
    • Affordability gap

    Growth of Value-Added Ag and Ag Tech Businesses

    • Value-added sector coord.
    • New food processing
    • New specialty crops
    • Ag tech and research

    Housing Shortage Impacts

    • Availability/ affordability reduces ability to attract and retain workers
    • Impacts businesses’ decisions about expanding

    Central Location:

    • “Center of the Hub”: geographic advantage in being centrally located in the Pacific Northwest
    • Access to urban areas

    Education, Skilled Workforce:

    • Advanced education
    • Quality/funds for pre K-12 and higher ed
    • Limited skilled labor
    • Workforce training

    Expanding Tourism

    • Year round, into less traveled areas
    • Preserves rural character
    • Brand: market as world class destination

    Education Quality/ Opportunity and Workforce

    • Educational system challenges
    • Skilling up and meeting employer’s needs

    Regional Collaboration

    • Bi-state cooperation
    • Spirit of collaboration
    • Strong sense of community
    • Strong local leadership and regional entities
    • Active industry alliances

    Transportation

    • Mobility: gaps in public transportation options
    • Gaps in bike/ped infrastructure
    • Capacity of roads, bridges, airports, rail, etc. maintenance, expansion.

    Synergy Across State Lines

    • Coordination between business sectors
    • Enhance industry associations
    • Support effective regional teams

    Regulations

    • Restrictions imposed by NSA constraints
    • Length of time for permitting decisions
    • Federal agency impact and natural resource management

    Availability of Transportation Systems/Modes

    • Interstates, highways: east/west, north/south
    • Airports
    • Rail service
    • Columbia River access
    • Bicycle/pedestrian/transit

    Regulatory Environment:

    • National Scenic Area tegulations
    • Slow land use decisions
    • Impacts on development

    High Tech; Unmanned Systems

    • Continued increase in high tech businesses
    • Support for unmanned systems applications
    • Supply chain development

    Impacts of Continued Population Growth

    • Limited infrastructure capacity to accommodate
    • Need for further planning
    • Overuse of resources
    • Degradation of popular destination areas

    Natural Resources and Climate:

    • Natural resource base
    • Climate
    • Air quality

    Infrastructure

    • Utility limitations
    • Broadband capacity regionally

    Leverage Natural Assets

    • Wood and forestry products innovation
    • Renewable energy
    • Fishing industry

    Natural Disasters/Hazards

    • Wildfire, ice storms and other natural disasters
    • Aging emergency response systems

    Culture:

    • 10,000+ years of indigenous culture
    • Evolving demographics

    Disparities Between States

    • Differences in regulations
    • Differences in funding

    Connectivity

    • Market and use the increased high speed fiber optics in region
    • Further investment in broadband accessibility

    Water Access, Regulations

    • Drought impacts
    • Impacts of water regulation
    • Access issues
    • Aquifer concerns

    Diverse Industry Sectors and Growing Business Sectors

    • Diverse industries; growing industry sectors (unmanned systems, value added ag, mfctr, fermentation, wearables, health)
    • Strong agricultural base

    Aging Population:

    • Meeting the needs of an aging population

    Focus on Local

    • Further development of the locally based economy
    • Buy local education and programs

    Infrastructure Limitations

    • Bridges, highways, roads
    • Transit capacity/gaps
    • Overused infrastructure
    • Water/wastewater
    • Limited existing buildings and industrial land

    Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Spirit:

    • Available talent with diverse skill sets
    • Educational attainment
    • Unique educational programs supported by businesses
    • Access to education

    Lack of Business Expansion Space

    • Available and attractive commercial and industrial spaces.
    • Lack of shovel ready Land availability

    Address Public Transportation

    • Utilization of new technologies
    • Expanding fixed routes
    • Expanding regional transit connections
    • Biking/trail systems

    Industry Diversification

    • Loss of any major employer
    • Concentration risk

    Infrastructure:

    • Telecommunication and broadband capacity
    • Infrastructure to support industrial and commercial development
    • Abundant, clean power
    • Water

    High Poverty Rate/Economic Disparity

    • High poverty rate
    • Disparities between communities
    • Inequities

    Business/Talent Attraction

    • Leverage Gorge brand to attract aligned businesses
    • Potential to attract business talent
    • In-migration

    Funding

    • Declining state and federal funding
    • Connection to regional priorities
    • Shrinking local government budgets

    Additional Strengths:

    • Business climate
    • Access to capital
    • Business incentives
    • Access to healthcare
    • Access to local foods
    • Low crime rates

    Additional Weaknesses:

    • Recreational facilities at/exceed capacity
    • Coordination and capacity
    • Scale of economy
    • Emergency preparedness
    • Lack of population diversity

    Additional Opportunities:

    • Housing innovation: Leaders in attainable housing
    • Streamline processes
    • Healthcare
    • Enhance infrastructure
    • Expand education partnerships
    • Short sea shipping
    • Community land trusts or land banking
    • Leverage presence of a nearby national laboratory to further R/D
    • National environmental leaders

    Additional Threats:

    • Poverty; wage stagnation
    • Commodity prices
    • Retaining local property ownership: outside ownership and increase in non-local property owners
    • Aging population
    • Drugs/legalized marijuana
    • Railroad safety
    • Pollution
    • Overuse of natural resources and “loving the Gorge to death”
    • Transition of economy to rich, vacation play zones
    • Need for more incentives/packages to entice business development
    • Youth out-migration

    MCEDD

    802 Chenowith Loop Rd,
    The Dalles, OR 97058
    Phone: (541) 296-2266

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