Goldendale - Volunteering for a Better Future - Upd. October 4, 2004

Gorge Business Journal interviewed Dennis Goodrich, President of the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce and owner of Goody's, last week for his insights on business in Goldendale.

GBJ: How's business?
DG: Slow, but we're still here. We lost between 400 - 500 jobs since the aluminum plant closed in the Spring of 2003. The Calpine Power Plant is nearing completion (it will be complete in October), but they can't afford to run. The price of gas versus the price of electricity doesn't make it feasible right now.

I'm guessing half of those laid off left town. Some stuck around for a while for the employment benefits and educational opportunities.

Downtown Goldendale starting to comeback after a downturn.

GBJ: What are you doing to counteract the downturn?
DG: We've formed an Economic Development Board with the city, city council, and some business people. We're currently looking heavily into tourism and encouraging light industrial businesses to move to Goldendale.

GBJ: How are these efforts funded?
DG: There are two distinct sides of Klickitat County. In the past, the county collected hotel/motel tax to spend on tourism for the county. Recently, the City of Goldendale decided to collect this tax instead and earmarked the money to pay for a tourism event coordinator. The county is supportive of this effort and is helping to facilitate the transition (by January). The Klickitat Valley Tourism Board is generously offering to kick in (money) to help make this happen.

GBJ: How does this new Economic Development board plan to work with MCEDD (Mid-Columbia Economic Development District)?
DG: MCEDD is always been a great asset to anything we (the city) do. The board hasn't come to the point to ask for assistance yet.

GBJ: How did the board decide choose to direct it's efforts?
DG: Last year, the Chamber held a series of community meetings. This led to a Citizen's Forum that meets to decide what direction the citizens want to see happen in the city.

GBJ: What does Goldendale have to offer businesses that are planning to relocate?
DG: A ready, capable, work force, inexpensive property, an industrial park with utilities already in place, very low power rates, good highway access, and small town beauty. We're conveniently located between Spokane, Seattle, Yakima and Portland. We've become a great area for motor sports - many areas no longer accommodate those types of activities.

GBJ: Who are the area's largest employers?
DG: The county, Rabanko (waste management) in Roosevelt, the city and the Klickitat Valley Hospital.

GBJ: How are the downtown businesses doing?
DG: There's a lot more activity downtown than there has been in several years. A lot of people are getting involved. They realize that appearances matter and there's a sense of community pride. There are more retail storefronts in use than two years ago.

GBJ: What is the city lacking?
DG: Clothing stores, movie houses, larger stores.

GBJ: What's your prognosis for the future of the city?
DG: I think the Goldendale area has gone through a lot of change. We have a lot of open spaces and proximity to natural attractions. I think we'll attract sporting events and manufacturers looking for a break from (large metropolitan areas).

There's a real community pride. Volunteerism is exceptional. It turns out all they needed was to be asked.

Websites:
Goldendale Chamber of Commerce
Klickitat County
Rabanko
City of Goldendale, Washington
Klickitat Valley Hospital

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