Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation Receives $400,000 CARES Award
Federal resources will help Pendleton-based non-profit
For Immediate Release
July 2, 2020
Contact: Susan Christensen, 541-612-7142
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) has earned a $400,000 federal economic development award that would help the Pendleton-based private non-profit cover costs for staff, planning, training and equipment in support of rural and frontier communities hit hard by COVID-19.
The $400,000 award is part of the funding allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that Congress passed in March.
“Economic investment in communities statewide is more important than ever for Oregonians working hard to weather all the fallout from COVID-19,” Wyden said. “I am glad these federal funds are heading to this proven and pivotal non-profit in Eastern Oregon, and will continue battling for all the resources so urgently needed throughout our state during this public health and economic crisis.”
“Oregon’s nonprofits and their dedicated workers have long made countless contributions to the health and well-being of Oregonians in every corner of our state,” said Merkley. “The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation is a strong example of that important work, which is only made more important by the ongoing coronavirus crisis. I’m pleased that this funding is making its way to Pendleton to support this organization, and will keep working to bring our tax dollars home to support other vital nonprofits.”
“My Board of Directors and I really appreciate the hard work that Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley have done to help deal with this public health crisis, and the resulting economic fallout,” said GEODC Executive Director Susan Christensen. “We serve frontier rural communities that need the future plans of action based on what we are learning from COVID-19.”
A web version of this release is here.
GEODC To Distribute Small Business Relief Funding
Business Oregon Program Targets Operations Missed in Cares Act
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2020
Contact: Susan Christensen, 541-612-7142
GEODC To Distribute Small Business Relief Funding
Business Oregon Program Targets Operations Missed in Cares Act
PENDLETON, Ore. – The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) has been awarded $370,000 from Business Oregon to support small businesses in its seven-county region.
| County | Allocation (Max) |
| Gilliam | $7,500 |
| Grant | $25,000 |
| Harney | $25,000 |
| Malheur | $75,000 |
| Morrow | $30,000 |
| Umatilla | $200,000 |
| Wheeler | $7,500 |
| Total | $370,000 |
Business Oregon approved $5 million statewide in the second round of grants through the Emergency Business Assistance Grant Fund to help businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 but have not received federal CARES Act funding.
The program is for businesses with fewer than 25 employees and encourages providing access to sole proprietors and historically disadvantaged business owners.
Businesses may use the proceeds for any business-related operating expense, including the cost of reopening while abiding by state guidance.
“We are pleased to be able to coordinate with our community partners and support small businesses as they work through the reopening process,” said GEODC Executive Director Susan Christensen. “These grant funds from Business Oregon will support women, minority, disadvantaged, and sole proprietor businesses as they make their comeback.”
“Many businesses have been hit hard by COVID-19, and the Small Business Relief Fund was funded by the State’s Emergency Board and administered by Business Oregon to assist the most vulnerable, giving businesses support needed to come back from it,” said Ryan DeGrofft, Business Oregon Regional Development Officer for Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler counties. “By focusing on the businesses that did not receive CARES Act or other federal funding, we hope to provide an equitable road to recovery.”
Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation is a regional economic development non-profit sanctioned by the Department of Commerce to support job creation and economic growth by assisting to create, retain, and expand businesses. GEODC teams with local government to develop human and physical infrastructure to support these businesses and the communities they serve. We offer a variety of lending and grant-writing programs to assist with land/building acquisition, new construction, equipment/machinery, fixtures, inventory, supplies, and working capital.
FCC Rule on TV White Spaces Makes Room for Hybrid Rural Broadband
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2020
Contact: Susan Christensen, 541-276-6745
FCC Rule on TV White Spaces Makes Room for Hybrid Rural Broadband
PENDLETON, OR — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on Friday, February 28 to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on “TV White Spaces,” which will allow greater use of unutilized television channel frequencies for broadband purposes.
The rules, as proposed by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, clear away regulatory barriers to the wireless technology known as TV White Spaces that can be utilized in hybrid broadband networks. This is particularly well-suited for areas with low population density and challenging topography, including forests. The change will increase the pace, scale and cost-effectiveness of hybrid network broadband deployment in rural areas.
“This is an important step in realizing the full potential of advances in broadband technology in our rural communities,” said Susan Christensen, Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation Executive Director. “This will have a real impact on access for farmers and ranchers implementing precision agriculture, seniors accessing telehealth services, and students seeking an online education.” For more on TV White Spaces and how the new rules will impact technological upgrades, visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/white-space.
Loan Programs Benefit Low-Income Homeowners, Small Businesses
For Immediate Release
February 19, 2020
Contact: Susan Christensen, 541-276-6745
Loan Programs Benefit Low-Income Homeowners, Small Businesses
PENDLETON, OR — The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) has two open loan programs – one for home rehabilitation and one for small business owners. The Northeast Regional Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program was created to assist homeowners in Umatilla and Morrow counties complete essential home repairs. The loan interest free with deferred payment options.
The program is for owner-occupied homes with a low to moderate annual income, and the repairs cannot exceed 50% of the assessed Real Market Value of the property. Manufactured homes must have been constructed after 1978 to qualify.
Repairs can cover health and safety concerns through structural repair; upgrades to electrical, plumbing, and heating systems; roofing repair or replacement; weatherization upgrades; or handicap accessibility. “For many homeowners, a critical repair is just not in their budget,” said Susan Christensen, Executive Director of GEDOC. “These loans allow people to make their homes safer, more energy efficient and more accessible.”
The USDA Intermediary Relending Program (IRP), administered locally by GEODC, is available to help small business secure working capital through loans of $10,000 for up to 60 months and no payments for the first six (6) months. Rates start at 4% and loan fees at 0.5%.
Through the Intermediary Relending Program, USDA works with local partners like GEODC to ensure business lending is available to the small rural businesses providing jobs and services to rural Oregonians.
For pre-applications or more information about either of these programs, contact GEODC at www.geodc.net or by calling 541-276-6745.
Pendleton Secures $3 Million Federal Investment to Expand Operations at UAS Range
September 26, 2019
Contact: Susan Christensen, 541-612-7142
Pendleton Secures $3 Million Federal Investment to Expand Operations at UAS Range
Grant matches local, state funds to build new infrastructure
PENDLETON, Ore. – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced this week that it is awarding $3 million in grant funds to the City of Pendleton to support expansion of the Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Range. This investment will help provide the infrastructure needed to support the rapidly growing UAS industry in Pendleton, which now has the most active civilian UAS test range on the West Coast.
The Pendleton UAS project is within the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan of the Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC). The City of Pendleton partnered with GEODC to request and secure the funding.
“This is a perfect example of how Economic Development Districts around the country can partner and collaborate with their communities to create and retain jobs,” said GEODC Executive Director Susan Christensen.
As part of the award, federal funds will leverage investments from various local and state sources for a total investment of $6 million. EDA’s investment will support construction of additional T-hangars and a box hangar, as well as supporting infrastructure improvements on approximately 11 acres.
“Pendleton has shown strong leadership in building a new tech economy that creates good-paying jobs in Eastern Oregon around groundbreaking advances in Unmanned Aerial Systems,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “I heard firsthand when visiting with PAE ISR this summer just how much these new well-paid aerospace jobs fit rural Oregon. I appreciate the community’s work and have been proud to team up with local officials to support this EDA grant.”
Pendleton’s congressional delegation actively worked to support the City’s grant request and coordinated between EDA and the Federal Aviation Administration as the City worked through the lengthy application process.
“The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport plays a critical role in the region’s economy, especially for Pendleton,” said Congressman Greg Walden. “The UAS Range is one of the leading ranges in the world, and I was happy to work with local officials on securing this grant in an effort to further support development of the range. I look forward to seeing it pay off for the City of Pendleton and all of eastern Oregon.”
As the largest public airport in northeast Oregon, the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport provides three daily round trip commercial flights from Pendleton to Portland and hosts a test range in one of just six Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) sites established by the FAA. In addition to turnkey UAS flight test support, outstanding weather, 14,000 square miles of diverse testing environments, and superb logistical support for commercial drone developers, Pendleton has built new hangars, test pads, and additional infrastructure to attract these companies.
“There’s not a better place in the nation for a UAS test range,” said U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. “This grant for Pendleton is of extreme value to the industry, and to the economy of the region. I will continue to use my seat on the Senate’s spending committee, the Appropriations Committee, to support a strong Economic Development Agency (EDA) to strengthen rural Oregon and rural America.”
Through significant investment and an outstanding track record, the Pendleton UAS Range has secured numerous contracts from high-profile UAS companies and begun to reap economic benefits from activity at the range. Companies currently employ over 50 full-time employees with another 50 positions open and actively being marketed. A recent economic impact study commissioned by the UAS Range found that growth-related businesses could create 626 permanent jobs by 2040 and generate more than $106 million in total economic benefits.
GEODC and NEODD Wins National Recognition
Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) and Northeast Economic Development District (NEODD) are being recognized for its New Natural Resource Economy (NNRE) project, an effort to assist small firms in Eastern Oregon that are taking advantage of emerging opportunities in agriculture and natural resources. NNRE businesses are finding new ways to use natural resource and agricultural outputs – by developing new products such as organic wheat and lumber from juniper, and by finding new markets for traditional products such as direct farm-to-store marketing of meat and produce.
GEODC and NEODD, partnered with the University of Oregon’s Community Service Center to identify barriers facing NNRE businesses and ways to overcome them. They range from financing to the complexity of regulations to technical management problems.
GEODC and NEODD have been chosen for a 2017 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Innovation Awards are given nationally to honor economic development organizations for creative approaches to advancing regional community and economic development and improving quality of life.
The Innovation Award is presented to GEODC and NEODD in acknowledgement that the New Natural Resource Economy project is making a significant impact on Eastern Oregon.