Our History

In 1992, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated GEODC as a federal Economic Development District serving Gilliam, Grant, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler counties. In 2001, Harney and Malheur counties were added, and GEODC assumed responsibility for the EDA revolving loan fund. Every five years, GEODC is responsible for convening local stakeholders to produce a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the EDA.

GEODC has administered an EDA Revolving Loan Fund since the late 1980s. GEODC enhanced its portfolio of loan products by borrowing over $4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to administer the Intermediary Relending Program. In addition, several small Revolving Loan Funds exist, each serving all or a portion of the GEODC region.

In May 2014, GEODC changed from a 501(c)(4) to a 501(c)(3) to seek a broader range of funding sources, including private foundations, and to provide tax deductions to the full extent of the law as charitable contributions.

GEODC has a diverse loan portfolio ranging from breweries to recreational RV parks and works closely with lending institutions in the district to provide gap financing. Since 2018, twenty-nine businesses have accessed loan funds totaling $3.9 million through GEODC.