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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. Save the date for the 2020 Columbia Gorge Economic Symposium, which will take place on Friday, November 6. In the meantime, please take the survey to give us your feedback and help us plan for next year’s event!
Keynote Speaker: David Anderson, NW Natural CEO
David Anderson is NW Natural’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He is also a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Anderson previously served as NW Natural’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President of Operations and Regulation, and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Before joining NW Natural, Mr. Anderson was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TXU Gas. He previously held executive positions within TXU Corporation (formerly Texas Utilities) including Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, and Vice President of Investor Relations and Shareholder Services.
Panel Discussion: The Future of the Gorge
Innovation and adaption to new conditions
A panel of local business leaders from a variety of key industries in the Gorge will address critical components of our regional economy from the last 50 years and things to explore to support the next 50 years in the Mid-Columbia. This year’s panelists have been split up into two groups based on the specialized sectors that characterize their business operations:
Innovation in Adding Value to the Region’s Natural Resources
Paul Jones, WyEast Timber Services
Megan Thompson, Cascade Cherry Growers/Sage Fruit Company
Jeanne Carver, Imperial Stock Ranch
Rudy Kellner, pFriem Family Brewers
Advancing Manufacturing Sectors and New Technologies
David Windsor, Cardinal Glass Industries, Inc.
Mike Graham, Real Carbon
Nicole Bassett, The Renewal Workshop
Industry Trends and Forecasts: Data, Data, Data
Presentations will also be delivered by regional economists Scott Bailey and Dallas Fridley, covering Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania counties. These presentations will take a data-driven look at current economic and employment trends at the regional and county level and explore forecasts for the Gorge economy going forward.
Scott Bailey, Washington Regional Economist
Dallas Fridley, Oregon Regional Economist
Driving the New Energy Economy (David Anderson)
Historical Economies and Trends (Amanda Hoey)
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