At the Huck Truck in Bingen, WA, you will find simple, everyday food prepared by an inspired chef. From the brioche rolls and corn tortillas to the salad dressing and various aiolis, everything is made "in-truck." Owner-operator Erik Stenberg maintains a regular menu of hot sandwiches, tacos, salad, and a creamy polenta plate, while incorporating variations to some of these items depending on what he is foraging in the woods or growing in his kitchen-garden.

After years of food-based adventures in growing, preparing, selling, and sharing quality food, Erik and his wife Jessie sought a path to share their skills and passion as small business owners. With support from the Small Business Development Center they created a solid business plan, designed their dream mobile kitchen, and secured funding from MCEDD and from a private lender. The Huck Truck opened its windows to customers at the end of May in 2016 and continues to serve the people of Bingen and the surrounding communities for lunch six days a week.

Best known for the crispy pork sandwich, which comes with roasted jalapeno aioli, Blue Bus kraut-chi, and fresh cilantro, the Huck Truck also has a loyal following for its lunch burger, which has been called "the best burger anywhere in the Gorge." Another customer favorite this winter has been the wild mushroom soup, packed with dill and with up to five varieties of mushrooms picked nearby in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

The Huck Truck is open this winter season Monday through Saturday, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, and is also available for catering private parties and office lunches. Phone call or text orders are welcome, and the website can be viewed here! 

The MCEDD Loan Program is available to entrepreneurs, start up businesses and existing businesses doing business in the five county (Sherman, Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania) Mid-Columbia Area. This loan program is part of MCEDD's efforts to strengthen and support the region's economy. Contact Eric Nerdin at 541-296-2266 or [email protected] for more information on MCEDD's Loan Program.  

Join us at the next two Columbia Gorge Comprehensive Economic Development session and help in the planning for our region's economic future!  Strategies and Resiliency Thursday, January 19, 2017   Bingen, WA    The meeting will be followed by a tour of Insitu. Space is limited RSVP today!        Measuring Success        Thursday, January 26, 2017        The Dalles, OR   This meeting will be followed by a tour of  the Oregon Cherry Growers.    Optional networking begins at 8:30 am. Sessions are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. All sessions will be followed by a community tour.  RSVP to attend: Contact Sherry at [email protected] or 541-296- 2266. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District develops a long-range regional economic development strategy, with participation from local communities to create jobs, raise income levels, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life, while protecting the environment.

The Gorge Night Sky project is focused on educating the community about light pollution, Dark-Sky standards and energy efficient LED options.  After its very successful symposium held in August, the project turned its focus on developing an educational unit with the North Wasco County School District.

The Gorge Night Sky project team developed a 24-page booklet with information on light pollution, LED technology, and tips on how to be more efficient with lighting. The booklet also contained worksheets for students to answer lighting questions.

On December 2nd approximately 40 students, ranging from first to eight grades, from the North Wasco Virtual Academy and the Talented and Gifted group participated in the program.

Students received printed copies of the booklet, discussed the Gorge Night Sky project, light pollution, and LED technology, and then traveled to the Goldendale Observatory. There they took a tour of the Observatory and saw the dome and telescope. They also heard presentations from Jonathan Lewis (Hire Electric), Travis Hardy (Northern Wasco PUD), and Troy Carpenter (Goldendale Observatory, WA State Parks & Rec) who wowed the students with his endless knowledge of all things astronomy-related, telescopes, spectrometry, and his amazing collection of light bulbs.

To learn more about the Gorge Night Sky Project contact Jacque Schei at 541-296-2266 or [email protected]. 

Almost 400 students aged 9 to 14 from schools all around the Gorge showed off their robotic talents over two weekends in the Gorge. Sixty-five student teams worked over the past several months as part of the international robotics competition known as FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) to compete in one of the Columbia Gorge Qualifying Tournaments.

 

Tournament organizers and teams this year faced a challenge with the weather conditions over the second weekend. Ultimately, one event was canceled and as second had a delayed start. To accommodate the teams affected by the weather, tournament organizers are planning an unofficial scrimmage in January. Those teams will also be placed in a lottery and four or five will be randomly chosen to advance to the State tournament.

   

From the three full days of competition held, the overall top teams were chosen to advance to the Oregon State Tournaments on   January 14  or 15 in Hillsboro. The fourteen teams from the Gorge heading to Hillsboro include:

Additional top awards were given to a number of teams for their outstanding performances in specific areas of the competition:

Contact Jessica Metta at [email protected] to learn more.

 

MCEDD provides project management services for the Gorge Technology Alliance.  Contact Jessica Metta at 541-296-2266 or [email protected] for more information.

MCEDD provides grant writing, administration and project management support to the Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association.  For more information contact Carrie Pipinich at 541-296-2266 or [email protected].

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

Cost | $50

Registration by calling CGCC at (541) 506-6011 or on-line here.

************************************************ 

Tour Operators, Guides and Outfitter Training

Travel Oregon is hosting a two-day training for tour operators, guides and outfitters on January 10-11, 2017 in Cascade Locks. The training focuses on the unique marketing and operational needs of outdoor travel businesses. Learn high-impact marketing and communication strategies, how to navigate land-use permits, and how to setup successful operations. The training is intended for currently operating guides, outfitters, tour operators (inbound), and tourism businesses looking to develop or expand upon their outdoor recreation tour product.

January 10-11, 2017 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day)
Location: Cascade Locks Marine Park Pavilion | Port of Cascade Locks, 395 SW Portage Rd, Cascade Locks, OR 97014
Fee: $30.00 (Fee includes two-day training, associated materials, lunch and refreshments both days. Parking is free on-site)

More information here!  Register here! 

Columbia Gorge Regional Airport - Flex Hangar Project Invitation to Bid

Sealed bids for the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Flex Hangar Project Lot 3 will be received by the City of The Dalles c/o City Clerk, City of The Dalles, 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058, until 2:00 p.m. local time on the 5th day of January, 2017, plainly marked "Flex Hangar Project".

All proposals will be publicly opened at 2:00 p.m. local time on the same day in the City Offices, Conference Room, 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058.

A copy of the bid document may be obtained for a non-refundable fee of $25.00 from the City Clerk located at the same address as above or by calling (541) 296-5481.

A copy is also available online at www.TheDalles.org under RFPs and Bids.

Bid documents will be available until 5:00 p.m. January 2nd, 2017.