The business tool kit provides a centralized resource of multiple points of contact and programs available in Wasco County to help start, sustain, grow or strengthen business. It contains specific information related to grants/loans, utilities, workforce/education, demographics, tax incentives, transportation and other programs available to assist your business.
Wasco County Economic Development Commission also developed handouts to help you through the process of siting a business in The Dalles or unincorporated Wasco County. Click here for The Dalles handout or here for the Wasco County one.
Wasco County Financial Incentive
| Agency | Program Description | Contact | Phone | Website |
| Mid-Columbia Economic Development District | Gap loans and financing for companies creating new jobs. MCEDD can help determine which loan program (or combination of programs) best suits your needs. | Eric Nerdin | 541-296-2266 | Visit MCEDD website |
| Oregon Investment Board (OIB) | Loans and grants in the National Scenic Area. Grants are generally made to nonprofit organizations and local government agencies. |
Amanda Hoey | 541-296-2266 | Visit OIB website |
| Mount Hood Economic Alliance | MHEA provides gap financing through grants and loans. MHEA focuses on the creation and retention of jobs. |
Mary McArthur | 503-228-5565 | Visit MHEA website |
| City of The Dalles | Wasco County's Enterprise Zones: areas in which businesses may benefit from favorable tax credits and other incentives. | Dan Durow | 541-296-5481 x 1128 | |
| Port of The Dalles | Real estate incentives, fee waivers or reductions, and financing options for Port properties. | Andrea Klaas | 800-901-7678 | Visit Port website |
| Region 9 Workforce Response Team | Employer Workforce Training Funds. | Robin Cope | 541-296-8080 | |
| Gorge OEN | The mission of Gorge OEN is to foster business growth and employment opportunities. Gorge OEN produces PubTalk and the Gorge Angel Conference which brings entrepreneurs together to explore, exchange and nurture start up ideas; connect with service providers and business colleagues and introduces investors to promising ventures. |
Robin Cope | 541-296-8080 | Visit Gorge OEN website |
State/Federal Financial Incentives
| Agency | Program Description | Contact | Phone | Website |
| Oregon Business Development Department | Visit www.oregon4biz.com to learn more about financing and incentives available in Oregon, including: Oregon Business Development Fund, Oregon CAP, Oregon Commercial Mortgage Program, Oregon Community Development Block Grant, Oregon Industrial Development Revenue Bond Program. | Carolyn Meece | 541-298-4140 | Visit OBDD website |
| USDA Rural Development Business and Cooperative Programs | In partnership with the private sector and community-based organizations, USDA provides financial assistance and business planning. BP helps fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs and/or promote a clean rural environment. The financial resources of BP are often leveraged with those of other public and private credit source lenders to meet business and credit needs in under-served areas. |
Click here for a contact list. | Visit USDA website | |
US Dept of Treasury - New Market Tax Credit Program |
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program permits taxpayers to receive a credit against Federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in designated Community Development Entities (CDEs). Substantially all of the qualified equity investment must in turn be used by the CDE to provide investments in low-income communities. |
Visit CDFI Fund website |
Business Development Resources
| Agency or Institutions | Program Description | Contact | Phone | Website |
| CGCC Small Business Development Center | A team of experienced technology business executives are available to provide emerging technology growth companies with business consulting services free of charge. Learn more. | Mary Merrill | 541-506-6121 | Visit SBDC website |
| Port of The Dalles | Information about Port of The Dalles properties, businesses, and development. | Andrea Klaas | 800-901-7578 | Visit Port website |
| Columbia Gorge Economic Development Association | Business resources and statistics including information on utility rates, average home prices, demographics, taxes, water and sewer capabilities, and more. | Andrea Klaas/ Amanda Hoey | 541-296-2266 | Visit CGEDA website |
| The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce | The Chamber is composed of citizens and businesses who invest time and money in joint efforts to advance civic, industrial, commercial, agricultural and general interests of the area. | Dana Schmidling | 541-296-2231 | Visit The Dalles Chamber website |
| The Dalles Business Team | This team of volunteers helps guide companies through the regulatory process in Wasco County and make connections to local entrepreneurial expertise. | Dana Schmidling | 800-255-3385 541-296-2231 |
Visit The Dalles Business Team website |
Education
| Agency | Description | Website |
| Columbia Gorge Community College | Offering customized training programs. Innovator in workforce training with the first Renewable Energy Training program on the West Coast. | View website |
| North Wasco County School District | Serves approximately 3,000 students in Kindergarten through grade 12. Located in The Dalles. Supports unique educational programs focused on community-based learning objectives. | View website |
| Dufur School District | K-12 district of approximately 280 students in Dufur. Small classrooms provide individual attention for students. | View website |
| South Wasco County School District | Serving all of South Wasco County, with school locations in Maupin. Small school environment to facilitate learning. | View website |
| Mosier Community School | Charter school in Mosier sponsored by North Wasco County School District | View website |
Utilities
| Utility | Provider | Description |
| Telephone | Local Provider: CenturyLink Long Distance Provider: Consumer's Choice |
100% Digital Switching |
| Electricity | Northern Wasco PUD 541-296-2226 |
Service: 3 phase 60Hz |
Wasco Electric Co-op 541-296-2740 |
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Natural Gas |
Northwest Natural 541-296-2229 |
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| Internet | Local Service Providers: 4 |
Full range of Services: Dial-up, T1, Microwave Reliability of Internet Service Providers: 99.998% Open acces fiber loop underconstruction |
Demographic Information, Wasco County
| Category | Data | Source |
| Population | 23,712 | U.S. Census Bureau (2006 estimate) |
| Median Age | 39.9 years | U.S. Census Bureau (2000) |
| Civilian Labor Force | 13,275 | Oregon Employment Dept. (2006) |
| HS degree or higher- persons 25 years or older | 82.1% | U.S. Census Bureau (2000) |
| BA degree or higher- persons 25 years or older | 15.7% | U.S. Census Bureau (2000) |
Housing Prices, Wasco County
| Location | Median Homes Sales Price, 2006 | Source |
| The Dalles | $170,000 | Mid-Columbia 2006 Residential Highlights |
| Mosier | $311,100 | Mid-Columbia 2006 Residential Highlights |
| Dufur | $189,400 | Mid-Columbia 2006 Residential Highlights |
| Tygh Valley | $97,500 | Mid-Columbia 2006 Residential Highlights |
| Wamic/Pine Hollow | $141,300 | Mid-Columbia 2006 Residential Highlights |