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2020 Economic Symposium November 6, 2020
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) will be hosting the 2020 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium on Friday, November 6th in a virtual format. With the impacts on the regional economy from COVID-19, this year’s annual event will focus on economic and employment trends, recovery and resilience. A keynote presentation on recovery from Anne Kubisch, President of the Ford Family Foundation, sets the tone for the event. Following presentations include a panel of local business leaders in key industries reflecting on adaptations due to COVID-19 and their future outlook, plus Oregon and Washington statewide and local economists sharing data and forecasts at the county, regional and statewide level.
The Symposium will also help kickoff MCEDD’s major update for the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, to be adopted in early 2022. This year’s event will be virtual and free for all to attend. Everyone is welcome to join the Symposium on Friday, November 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. via Zoom.
Please register for the event here: Register
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We’d like to say a huge thank you to Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership and The Dalles Chamber for sponsoring this event!
Please register for the event here: Register
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2019 Economic Symposium Summary
On November 1, 2019 the region joined together for networking, a detailed understanding of what industries are driving economic vitality in the region (Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington) and a robust discussion around 50 years of the Gorge economy. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of MCEDD and the annual symposium in this milestone year took an in-depth look at MCEDD’s past and future serving the region and the industries driving economic vitality for the future of the Columbia Gorge. Thank you to event sponsors NW Natural, The Dalles Chamber of Commerce, US EDA and Columbia Gorge Community College. Presentations and materials are posted below.
Driving the New Energy Economy (David Anderson)
Imperial Stock Ranch (Jeanne Carver)
Data, Data, Data (Dallas Fridley/Scott Bailey)
Preparing for the Next 50 Years (Dan Spatz)
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2018 Economic Symposium Summary
On November 2, 2018 the region joined together for networking, a detailed understanding of what industries are driving economic vitality in the region (Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington) and discussion on the importance of the tech sector. Thank you to event sponsors NW Natural, US EDA and Columbia Gorge Community College. Presentations and materials are posted below. We will post information on the 2019 Symposium soon. In the meantime, take the survey to help us plan for next year’s event!
2018 Tech Panel
Industry Employment and Payroll in the Columbia Gorge (Scott Bailey/Dallas Fridley)
Economic Development Strategy Overview (Amanda Hoey)
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2017 Economic Symposium Summary
2017 Symposium Panel
The 2017 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium took place in November 2017. Thank you to event sponsors NW Natural, US EDA and Skamania Economic Development Council. Over 100 attendees were able to network and learn more about the region’s economy. The event included a keynote from Jason Spadaro, SDS Lumber, and featured a panel discussion on the current and future reality for the Gorge’s forest and wood products sector. See the Agenda and Speaker Bios for more information. Copies of the presentations are available below.
Keynote Presentation– Jason Spadaro, SDS Lumber
Gorge Industry Employment and Payroll– Dallas Fridley, State of Oregon Regional Economist
Klickitat and Skamania Data– Dallas Fridley
Gorge Economy– Dallas Fridley
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2016 Presentations
Gorge Economy– Dallas Fridley, State of Oregon Regional Economist and Scott Bailey, State of Washington Regional Economist
Columbia Gorge – Oregon – Dallas Fridley, State of Oregon Regional Economist
Columbia Gorge Labor Market – Scott Bailey, State of Washington Regional Economist
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2015 Presentations
The Gorge Economy – Dallas Fridley, State of Oregon Regional Economist and Scott Bailey, State of Washington Regional Economist
Columbia Gorge – Oregon – Dallas Fridley, State of Oregon Regional Economist
Columbia Gorge Labor Market – Scott Bailey, State of Washington Regional Economist
State of the States: Oregon Labor Market and Economic Forecast – Nick Beleiciks, State of Oregon Employment Economist
State of the States: Washington Labor Market – Paul Turek, Washington State Economist