Something's happening here - upd jan 2005

Gorge area business interest has gone wild

Like a Buffalo Springfield song from the 60's, we keep hearing a familiar refrain … There's something happening here. But far from paranoia, this refrain indicates good things come to those who wait.

For decades communities in the Columbia River Gorge suffered from uncontrollable destinies. The logging industry had to contend with spotted owls. The fishing industry had to contend with unexplained drops in salmon runs. The aluminum industry had to contend with foreign imports.

But, something's different now. There's a virtual explosion of activity. Existing businesses are expanding, new businesses are opening, and businesses from outside the area are clamoring… yes, clamoring, to move here. It's a phenomenon. It's a bit of a mystery. It's wonderful.

"For whatever reason, businesses are recognizing the viability of this region", says Scott Hege, Executive Director of The Port of The Dalles. "There's been a fervor of activity."

Hege isn't alone in his enthusiasm. Communities throughout the region are seeing steady increases in the number of inquiries from local and national firms.

Bill Fashing, Hood River County Economic Development Coordinator, is busier these days as well.

"In the last six months there's been a definite increase over last year," said Fashing. "There are a variety of things brewing."

The Hood River Chamber of Commerce has seen a small but steady increase in calls over the last few months, according to Genevieve Scholl. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has been inundated.

"I spend all my time on the phone (responding to business inquiries) now," said Susan Huntington, Executive Director of The Dalles Chamber. Huntington has been answering vastly more calls from local, regional, and national businesses over the last few months.

Smaller cities on both sides of the river aren't being left out.

"I've been getting many more calls since the (Bingen) downtown revitalization project," said Jan Bending, City of Bingen.

What it is ain't exactly clear

As the song says, it's not clear why there's been such a uptick in interest in the gorge. There are arguably obvious reasons, such as the quality of life, cost of living, relatively low utility costs, abundant telecommunications infrastructure, and sheer beauty of the area. But there's more.

"Being positive causes positive things to happen," said Scott Hege. "There's a can-do attitude."

And this, more than anything, might explain why existing businesses are expanding and national businesses are asking lots of questions. Additionally, perhaps we've hit some critical mass that puts us on the map. Home Depot certainly thought so, when they decided to open a store in The Dalles.

Even some of the old competitions are diminishing. Mike Doke, Marketing Manager for the Port of Hood River, noted that much of the light industrial land in Hood River is spoken for.

"We have offers on the entire site of the new Wasco Business Park even though the price for the land is four times that of similar land in the region," said Doke. "We encourage businesses who can't find land here (in Hood River) to try other gorge locations, such as The Dalles and Stevenson. We want to keep them in the gorge."

Yes, there's something happening here. And, the gorge is ready.

A closer look

The Port of The Dalles Business Activity  
October 1, 2004 - January 19, 2005

This is a count of the inquiries to the Port of The Dalles during this period. Although much of this will never come to fruition, it gives a sense of the types and amount of interest.

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