Cluster Development Project Makes Major Strides - upd June 2005

A large contingent of gorge business owners and economic development people met in May to share progress on five initiatives known as 'industry clusters'. The five clusters, Wine, High Tech, Art, Natural Health Care & Renewable Energy, were selected by Mid-Columbia Economic Development (MCEDD) in 2004. For information on clusters and how these industries were selected, please see prior article.

Group leaders from each of the clusters gave a overview of the workplans developed by the group. These workplans reflect goals to nurture the industries in the gorge, brand the gorge as a hotbed of activity for these industries, influence regulations and political actions, and promote communication within the region. Here's a recap:

High Tech, presented by Mark Flaming, consultant

The Columbia Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) (see prior article) was the natural choice to lead the technology industry cluster. The group consists of a variety of firms using or manufacturing high tech goods and services. The goals of this group are:

1. Nurture technology businesses and entrepreneurs
2. Create a campaign to brand the gorge as a place for lifestyle entrepreneurs and high tech businesses
3. Develop human resources and education
4. Create signature high tech projects

Natural Health Care, presented by Dr. Robert Schwartz, ND

The gorge has a growing community of natural healthcare providers, such as Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, massage therapists and health food stores. The goals of this group are:

1. Create a strong, well-informed base of natural health care providers
2. Develop public understanding of natural health care
3. Develop the infrastructure of the Gorge for more Natural Health Care Business
4. Promote the Gorge as a destination for health and healing

Wine, presented by Kris Goodwillie of Wind River Cellars and Christie Reed of Mt. Hood Winery

The Wine and Arts clusters find that they have a lot of common ground to cover and have started sharing information between the clusters. The goals of this group are:

1. Nurture Existing Vineyards and Wineries
2. Decrease interstate barriers
3. Facilitate wine business start ups
4. Develop and add value to Columbia Gorge Wine Growers
5. Encourage Gorge-wide Tourism

Arts, presented by John Mayo of Steel and Wood Assemblies

The Arts cluster has a database of 600 artists and are working with the Wine cluster to promote the gorge as a destination for culture. The goals of this group are:

1. Nurturing existing artists, museums, galleries and studios
2. Brand the Gorge as a place for Art
3. Involve Gorge community in Arts

Renewable Energy, presented by Paul Woodin of Western Wind Power and Merline Berg of Wy'East Resource Conservation and Development Area.

According to these presenters, renewable energy will become a mainstream economy for rural communities. The goals of this group are:

1. Improve the market for renewable energies
2. Develop Gorge as a renewable energy community entrepreneurs and high tech businesses

To view cluster workplans or view a PowerPoint slideshow discussing the Columbia Gorge cluster project, please see mcedd.org/activities/clusters.htm.

Contact:

Lee Curtis or Kate Dugan
Mid-Columbia Economic Development
541.296.2266
kate@mcedd.org
www.mcedd.org

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