Coalition Forms to Promote High-Tech Business in the Gorge - March 17, 2004

Representatives from local companies have formed the Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) to promote technology business within the Columbia River Gorge. Members of the coalition include aerospace, manufacturing, telecommunications, electronics, clothing, materials, and software businesses – all of whom are located in the Columbia River Gorge.

Members of the GTA also include Hood River County and the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD). “At MCEDD, we promote regional economic initiatives and one of our top priorities is to help foster a high-technology cluster in the mid-Columbia region,” said Lee Curtis, Executive Director of MCEDD. “I think the formation of the Gorge Technology Alliance could be a key step toward building the synergy for this cluster."

The GTA will meet regularly to address the issues shared by many of its members, and by joining forces will amplify resources to reach a resolution that may have been impossible for a single business acting alone. Leveraging each other’s strengths, products, and services will strengthen the technology sector here, ultimately improving the local economy with the growth of high-quality jobs in the region. "The Gorge Technology Alliance might be able to help lead projects that result in branding the gorge as an ideal place to grow technology businesses," said Mark Flamming, owner of Lava Gear.

The GTA encourages anyone in the region who has a vested interest in the GTA’s charter, or who may benefit from its work, to come to the next meeting. The group meets the third Tuesday of every month in the downstairs community room of The Hood River Hotel.

For more information, visit www.gorgetechalliance.org, or contact Steve Sliwa at steve.sliwa@insitugroup.net.

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