MCEDD Announces Top 10 Priority Projects for 2023

by Cole Goodwin

The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) has announced the completion of the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update for 2023.

The annual report, includes analysis of regional economic data, establishes regional goals and strategies, develops an implementation plan, and identifies investment priorities and funding sources for Klickitat, Skamania, Wasco Hood River, and Sherman counties.

The full strategy is available for download as a PDF here.

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A map showing MCEDD’s service area.

“The annual comprehensive economic development strategy update process draws on the cooperation between community partners and MCEDD staff to develop a cohesive regional document that supports the regional economy,” read the MCEDD press release “It provides a mechanism for coordinating the economic development efforts of individuals, organizations, local governments, and private industry. Ultimately, the strategy process helps create jobs, fosters a more stable and diversified regional economy, and improves living conditions.”

The CEDS process is required for every region to qualify for federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) assistance under the EDA’s public works, economic adjustment, and most planning programs. It is also a prerequisite for EDA designation as an economic development district.

Among the major updates in the 2023 CEDS is an updated regional project priority list.

The top 10 priority projects for Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties in 2023 are

1. White Salmon Interstate Bridge Replacement and the Port of Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods Strengthening and Safety Improvements

2. Housing: Development of the 780 Rand Road Housing Development project in Hood River, quantity and quality of the housing stock in Sherman County, understanding the affordable housing need and supporting community partners in opportunities to address it in Wasco County

3. Columbia Gorge Childcare Center, led by Columbia Gorge Educational Service District

4. Broadband: additional solar-powered trailers to extend wireless signals in Sherman County and Q-Life’s colocation facility in Wasco County

5. City of Hood River’s Elevated Sewer Line Replacement

6. Aviation Maintenance Training Hangar and Industrial Park Development at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport

7. City of Grass Valley’s Wastewater Project

8. Port of Cascade Locks’ Business Park Infrastructure Development

9. Port of Hood River’s Lot 1 Infrastructure Development

10. City of Rufus’ Well #3 Feasibility Study and Upgrades

The top 10 priority projects for Klickitat and Skamania Counties in 2023 are

1. The Goldendale Energy Storage Project

2. Port of Skamania’s Cascades Business Park Development

3. City of Stevenson’s Cascade Ave Improvement

4. Port of Klickitat’s Business Park Development at Dallesport Industrial Park and Bingen Point Business Park

5. Skamania PUD’s Water System Upgrades for Carson’s Water Treatment and the Underwood Reservoir

6. City of White Salmon’s Buck Creek Water Distribution Line Replacement

7. Skamania County’s Wind River Road Stabilization

8. Klickitat Valley Health Hospital District’s Building Addition

9. City of Goldendale’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements

10. City of North Bonneville’s Lift Station Replacement

For more information about the CEDS update process, or to view the 2023 MCEDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, visit https://www.mcedd.org/strategy/.