MCEDD Recent News Items

2025 Youth Summer Transportation Program

June 24, 2025 – This summer, young people can ride the bus and earn rewards!  Gorge Transit’s Summer of Freedom program  invites middle and high school students (ages 17 and under) to take the bus, discover the area, gain some independence, and enjoy prizes.   How to Participate:   1. Must be in middle or high school (17 years or younger).   2. Visit your local library or transit office to sign up. In Hood River at: The Hood River Library  602 State St., Hood River, OR CAT Transit Center  224 Wasco Loop,  Hood River, OR In The Dalles at: The Dalles Library 722 Court Street, The Dalles, OR The Dalles Transit Center 802 Chenowith Loop Rd., The Dalles, OR 3. Ride the bus and collect a stamp    (1 stamp per ride).   4. After picking up your prize, you have 7 days to submit your stamped card at each location to claim your reward! BONUS PRIZE! We have partnered with the Library’s summer reading programs. They will have a special prize for youth who take a selfie/photo reading a book at a bus stop or on a bus.   [Continue Reading]

La Golosa Postres Y Mas Expands into Downtown The Dalles Restaurant Space

May 8, 2025 – Liiz D. Guzman has been operating her home-based bakery in The Dalles under a domestic kitchen license since 2023. When the business’ success meant outgrowing the capacity of her in-home kitchen, Liiz began working with the Columbia Gorge SBDC on available options for expanding her business into a larger space. She considered a food truck until she found an opportunity to take over a restaurant space in downtown The Dalles.  MCEDD’s business lending program was able to help Liiz purchase the existing restaurant’s equipment and assume the lease on the space.  La Golosa Postres Y Mas opened in May 2025 at its new location on 623 E. 2nd Street, The Dalles for dine-in or takeout! La Golosa Postres Y Mas LLC serves the traditional Mexican favorites of flan, tres leches and cortadillo, plus an array of seasonal favorites, trending treats, and savory snacks such as esquites, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, and nachos.  Handmade tortilla tacos and Cuban torta “subs” are daily favorites that round out the lunch menu. Follow the business on Facebook at La Galosa Postres Y Mas! Special orders are available! Call Liiz in advance at 541-769-0078.   Liiz D. Guzmán opera su panadería casera en The Dalles con una licencia de cocina doméstica registrada en el estado de Oregón desde 2023. La Golosa Postres Y Más LLC sirve los clásicos mexicanos: flan, tres leches y cortadillo, además de una variedad de platillos de temporada, delicias de moda y botanas saladas como esquites, hot dogs envueltos en tocino y nachos. Los tacos de tortilla hechos a mano y los sándwiches de torta cubana son los favoritos del día que completan el menú del almuerzo. El negocio ha tenido mucho éxito y La Golosa Postres Y Más ha superado la capacidad de su cocina en casa. Liiz comenzó a trabajar con el Columbia Gorge SBDC para analizar las opciones disponibles para expandir su negocio a un espacio más grande. Inicialmente se consideró la compra de un food truck hasta que se presentó la oportunidad de adquirir un restaurante existente en el centro de The Dalles. Como propietaria primeriza de un negocio que buscaba expandirse, Liiz solicitó con éxito el programa de préstamos comerciales de MCEDD para obtener ayuda para comprar el equipo del restaurante y asumir el arrendamiento del local. ¡La Golosa Postres Y Más ya abrió sus puertas en su nueva ubicación! ¡Síguenos en Facebook: La Galosa Postres Y Más! Servicio de mesa y comida para llevar disponibles en: 623 E 2nd St. en The Dalles. ¡Pedidos especiales disponibles! Llama a Liiz con anticipación para hacer tu pedido al 541-769-0078.   [Continue Reading]

New Indoor Facility in White Salmon Brings Year-Round Skateboarding to the Gorge Community

April 9, 2025 – In early February 2025, MCEDD funded a microloan to Mike Parziale to help open an indoor skatepark in White Salmon under the name Skatespace LLC. Mike has been operating Hood River Skateboarding LLC for the past two years as an outside contractor for Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation. He’s built a successful model utilizing the Parks and Recreation registration system, high school coaches, a summer camp manager and a program director. Mike was excited to transition to hosting activities in his own space and to bring a new community recreation space to White Salmon and the Washington side of the Gorge. The business plan calls for hosting an after school program at Skatespace as well as providing coaching, birthday parties, camps and clinics to build strong community connections. They will also provide open skate times for skaters to practice their skills individually. Skatespace has received wide community support from local businesses to date, including a much-appreciated lumber donation for the buildout from WKO Industries, paint and a painter from Page Paint in Hood River, neighborly cooperation from Everybody’s Brewing, and the many individual volunteers who have been helping with construction. The business’ website has links to its live gofundme campaign to raise additional funds for construction and operating expenses, a link to volunteer, and open registration for this summer’s skate camp.  Learn more at www.skatespace.com. Address: 145 E. Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, WA Email Contact: mike@skatespace.com   [Continue Reading]

UFO Drone Services, LLC, Offers Private-Sector Aerial Mapping and Imaging Services

March 12, 2025 – Partners Leslie Webster and Don Buckles have owned and operated their business, UFO Drone Services, LLC., since September of 2024 in The Dalles.  UFO Drone Services offers aerial mapping and imaging services tailored for agriculture, insurance adjustment and claims, environmental monitoring and construction management industries.  The company currently brings in steady monthly revenue, but not yet enough to support the partners with full-time employment. Both partners are committed to growing the business into a profitable operation over the next two years. To accomplish this, they have enrolled with the Small Business Development Center’s Small Business Management course for business planning and goal setting to master business financials, human resources, and marketing. Don has completed the FAA’s Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification and serves as the company’s lead pilot while Leslie is currently completing her pilot certification. The partners’ combined technical experience with remote piloting, photography, videography, and GIS mapping provides a solid skills foundation for their business. To grow successfully also requires capital, and as a start-up operation, UFO Drone Services qualified for funding under MCEDD’s business lending program guidelines.  MCEDD’s financial support has allowed the purchase of equipment upgrades and provided the working capital needed to make UFO Drone Services, LLC into a self-sustaining operation. To learn more about the company, visit  Don Buckles’ Linked In page. Email inquiries to: contact@ufodroneservices.us     [Continue Reading]

New Mexican Food Cart Opens in Hood River

February 24, 2025 – First-time business owner Jenny Gonzalez registered her business in March of 2024 and began serving T-Quito’s El Hambre’s signature flautas-in-a-cup, queso-tacos, Jalisco-dogs and birria tacos at the Hood River Lavender Farm, where she and her fiancé Misael Fermin continued to sell regularly on the weekends and during the 2024 Lavender Festival.  T-Quito’s menu was designed to be mobile-friendly and enjoyed on the go, with traditional Mexican favorites such as Chubby burritos filled with chile relleno as well as healthier, low-carb options, so that customers have a wide variety of choices. After the successful first summer season to build a local following, the business was ready to invest in a fully mobile kitchen. As a first-time business owner, Jenny was able to utilize MCEDD’s microlending program to finance the purchase of T-Quito’s custom-built vending trailer. Visit them across from the Hood River library, their regular location with some exceptions while the business is serving at festivals or catered celebrations.   Check out more photos of T-Quito El Hambre’s delicious menu offerings on the company’s Insta webpage at tquitoelhambre!       [Continue Reading]

Artisan Rum Distillery Brings Fine Spirits to Sandy, Oregon

January 21, 2025 – John HasBrouck founded Just a Distillery with friend and fellow veteran Greg Madsen in 2018 in Sandy, Oregon. Upon his retirement from Army service, John decided to develop his business after tasting some fabulous Ecuadoran rum. He became determined to create a similar fine rum using the pot still that he inherited from his great uncle. Read the story here. Just A Distillery has seen steady growth since its founding in 2018. The facility is licensed both federally and by the state of Oregon to manufacture rum, and the company also owns the trademarks “Just a Distillery Inc.,”, “Just Rum,” “Just A T-Shirt,” and “Just a Hoodie,” as the foundation for its branded merchandise. By 2022, the distillery had outgrown its original space. With its move into a larger facility, the business was able to open its public tasting room and retail outlet in January of 2023. In addition to rum tastings, events, and classes, Just A Distillery’s tasting room offers superb food and cocktails during open public business hours. The company’s current market distribution territory includes Oregon and Washington, with plans for expansion into California’s market as the next step. Financing assistance from the Mount Hood Economic Alliance (MHEA) was obtained to consolidate debt and free up cash flow so that the partners can focus on distribution sales and expansion, as well as creating and maintaining their stock of premium rum for market releases. MHEA assistance will allow this business to retain ten full-time jobs and will facilitate adding five new full-time positions in the next two years.   Just A Distillery 17020 Ruben Lane Sandy, OR 503-498-8710 https://justrum.com/   [Continue Reading]

Atlas Solutions, LLC, Acquires Long-time Hood River Tax Business Wendy B. Willow, LLC

November 15, 2024 – Wendy B. Willow LLC has been an established tax accounting firm in Hood River, OR, for well over twenty years, and this month the business has transitioned to new ownership! The new owners, Natasha Bacheller and her business partner Tenille Hilton, are continuing the business as Atlas Solutions, LLC. Natasha has both her BS and master’s degrees in accounting, plus twenty years of tax and accounting experience. Natasha has worked with Wendy B. Willow during tax season for the past 10 years, and Tenille has been Wendy B. Willow’s office manager since 2015.  Tenille brings her experience and passion for payroll and bookkeeping services to the partnership. With Wendy’s imminent retirement date, Natasha has had to fast-track her Washington business licensing while simultaneously working through her CPA qualification process. Funding assistance was sought from MCEDD to help with the purchase of professional licenses and professional liability insurance, a rental deposit, and other business-related purchases such as the acquisition of the client list and the purchase of laptops, software, filing cabinets, scanners and printers, as well as providing working capital to cover the initial start-up costs. Learn more about the business on the website, Atlas-Tax.com, and on the company’s Facebook page! 390 Evergreen Dr. # C10 North Bonneville, WA 98639 By appointment only… as we are often driving around the Gorge to our clients’ offices. Phone: 1-541-645-3956 Email: tenille@atlas-tax.com   [Continue Reading]

Oregon Economic Development Districts Honored with 2024 Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Award by OEDA

October 23, 2024 – October 21, 2024 Salem, OR — Oregon Economic Development Districts (OEDD) was the proud recipient of this year’s Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Award from the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA). OEDA’s Awards of Excellence in Economic Development recognize the state’s best economic development programs, projects, partnerships and impacts, and honor organizations and individuals alike for their efforts in moving forward life-changing economic development projects across Oregon’s rural and urban communities. Awarded for its exemplary results with the Rural Capacity Fund, OEDD’s members, including the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, were celebrated for the outstanding collaboration fostered both internally through the deployment of this fund, and between the state and private partners who made this fund possible. These collaborative efforts resulted in the mobilization of over $65 million in grant funds, and technical support for more than 230 rural capacity-building projects across Oregon. The Rural Capacity Fund was a concerted effort by Oregon’s 12 Economic Development Districts to provide essential technical support, project development services and grant-writing assistance to rural communities across the state. The fund was made possible through a $500,000 state investment from House Bill 2345, passed during the 2021 Legislative Session, and an additional $500,000 matching contribution from The Ford Family Foundation. Together, these investments fueled the development of critical projects in over 95 rural cities and communities, spanning 14 counties. Through this partnership, OEDD and its members successfully secured federal, state and private grant dollars to support projects related to housing, youth services, transportation infrastructure, downtown revitalization, water and wastewater improvements, flood mitigation, tourism and more. Jessica Metta, President of OEDD and Executive Director of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, expressed pride in the results of this collaborative effort. “Our districts work tirelessly to support underserved communities in their economic development efforts,” Metta noted. “This award is a testament to the strength that can be achieved through creative, public-private partnerships.” This recognition by OEDA emphasizes the vital role that Economic Development Districts play in rural areas, ensuring that even the most underserved communities have access to the resources, expertise and funding needed to get their local community and infrastructure projects off the ground. For more information on the Rural Capacity Fund and its impact, visit OEDD’s website.  * * * About Oregon Economic Development Districts (OEDD): OEDD serves as a statewide strategic platform for collaboration, information-sharing and resource mobilization across Oregon’s 12 EDA-recognized Economic Development Districts. Covering all 36 counties and the state’s 9 federally recognized Tribes, OEDD’s members focus on delivering tailored economic development services and support to Oregon’s diverse urban and rural communities. ### Oregon Economic Development Districts Media Contact: Heather Rockwell Phone: (541) 852-1523 Email: heather@mahoniapublicaffairs.com   [Continue Reading]

Sherman County’s Incentives for Housing Development

October 16, 2024 – In 2017, Sherman County faced the dilemma of  newly-hired employees in municipal and community organizations and in local businesses who couldn’t find local housing. In response, county officials set to work exploring options to spur the development of additional local rental housing. In 2017, Sherman County created the New Rental Housing Development Grant program to provide an incentive for construction of new rental housing, offering a grant of $10,000 per unit. In 2018, the County created the Housing Rehabilitation Grant program to support renovations of non-owner occupied housing, with the goal of bringing existing housing up to working family standards. Eligible applicants can receive up to $20,000 through this program. Between 2017 and 2020, the County approved about $175,000 in grants to nine applicants with these two programs. The projects included five rental projects expected to complete a total of 13 units and four rehab projects. With these successes, the County realized that there was more work to be done with incentivizing housing development.  In 2021, two more grant programs were added to their line. The Housing Property Preparation Grant offers applicants up to $20,000 in grant funding to responsibly demolish unsafe housing units, clean up any environmental contaminants on properties and prepare lots for housing redevelopment or sale. The New Housing Construction Grant provides a $10,000 grant for newly constructed housing units that will be owner-occupied or sold. The County received nine eligible applications to the four programs in 2021, with approximately $90,000 in grants approved to fund two rehab projects, one new rental housing project, and six new housing construction projects.  With the slowdown in housing development since Covid, only two applications have been approved in 2024. Incentive funding is still available if you are developing housing in Sherman County and are interested in the County’s grant programs! Applications can be found on Sherman County’s website. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) supports the County with the administration of these programs. Contact Michelle Colby (michelle@mcedd.org, 541-296-2266 ext. 1006) with any questions about the grants or eligibility requirements. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the applications in detail and reach out to Michelle prior to starting projects.     [Continue Reading]

Antelope Market & RV Park Loan Spotlight

October 9, 2024 – Antelope Market, LLC purchased four lots on two acres in downtown Antelope, Oregon in April of 2023. Owned by Brandie and Larry McNamee, the business is envisioned to be a combination convenience store, event space, and RV park that will operate during the spring, summer and fall tourist seasons.    The Antelope Market will provide grocery staples and convenience items along with souvenirs, goods for cyclists, and locally made artwork.  The re-construction plans for the Market include a large outdoor dining area and kitchen that will double as an event space.  The Market will cater to the multiple tour buses that bring kids to the Washington Family Ranch Young Life Center each week of the summer season.  Because the town is the Ranch’s only access route and is located almost an hour away, the Market and RV Park are a perfectly placed, convenient rest stop.  In addition to the youth groups, Antelope also receives a steady stream of auto, motorcycle and bicycle tourists enroute to and from the John Day River and National Monuments.  Brandie is also actively working to have Antelope officially designated as a Dark Sky tourism destination. The Market’s business plan includes the creation of the RV Park because overnight accommodations will be key to the Market’s success.  The Park’s plans include RV water and electrical hookups, five dry-camping spaces, ten cabins, plus options for tent camping. A shared bathroom and shower facility will complete the park’s infrastructure and amenities.      A-Frame Cabin Interior Pavilion with Showers. Brandie McNamee showing ADA Accessible A-Frame Cabins                   Larry McNamee is a 6th generation rancher and owns a small excavating business in addition to running the family ranch. Brandie is a CPA with grant writing experience that she has used to secure funds from Travel Oregon to make the historic A-frame cabins donated by the Washington Family Ranch to the Antelope Market ADA-accessible.  Antelope Market has also received grant funding from Cycle Oregon and Visit Central Oregon to construct the pavilion building that will house the shower facilities.  MCEDD’s loan funds have provided the business with grant matching funds for the capital improvements and immediate cash to complete the work that will be reimbursed by grant dollars.           Read more here: https://www.southwascoalliance.org/blog/revitalizing-antelope-caf-and-rv-park         [Continue Reading]