THE GORGE — The community is invited to participate in the regular update of the Regional Economic Development Strategy for the Mid-Columbia region. Led by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), the strategy will outline a five-year plan for a region that spans Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington, alongside Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties in Oregon.
Monthly meetings will be held starting in July to bring together participants from around the region to identify economic development strategies based on current trends. The goal is to pinpoint areas best suited for growth to sustain the region’s economy, reduce unemployment, and create family-wage jobs.
Information gathered at these events will be combined with regional data and research to develop the final plan: MCEDD’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for 2027-2032.
The first monthly event will take place on Thursday, July 23, from 9-11 a.m. at the Hegewald Center in Stevenson. This session will focus on sharing the region’s latest economic and demographic data and trends to ground the Strategy in a clear understanding of the current economic landscape.
Each session throughout the planning process will conclude with a tour to complement participants’ understanding of local communities and economies.
• February: Developing Ways to Measure Our Success (Gilliam County)
Everyone is invited to participate in one or all of the upcoming events. To register, visit mcedd.org/ceds or contact Jennifer Wright at jennifer@mcedd.org or 541-296-2266.
About MCEDD
MCEDD has been developing and implementing a regional economic development strategy since its formation in 1969. Its core mission is to promote the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development, and retention of business and industry within the sixcounty district. To learn more about MCEDD or this planning process, visit www.mcedd.org/ceds.
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