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County hears MCEDD priorities: water, bridge, broadband top Wasco’s 2026 list; C‑PACE financing offered as a tool
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Summary
MCEDD presented Wasco County’s prioritized 2026 projects — led by critical water system work in Maupin, Pine Grove and Wamic, and the Sixth Street Bridge in The Dalles — and outlined C‑PACE as a privately financed program MCEDD can administer to help commercial property owners fund energy, water and seismic upgrades.
The board received Mid‑Columbia Economic Development District’s prioritized list of community enhancement projects for 2026 and a briefing on Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C‑PACE) financing.
MCEDD Deputy Director Andrew Danies told commissioners the Top‑10 list includes numerous critical water‑system upgrades in Maupin, Pine Grove, Tygh Valley and Wamic, plus the City of The Dalles’ Sixth Street Bridge replacement and countywide broadband expansion via QLife. Danies said the EDC prioritized projects by community readiness, economic impact and funding timelines and that many rural priorities require long lead times and multiple funding sources.
Danies also explained C‑PACE, a financing mechanism authorizing a voluntary benefit assessment lien to secure privately underwritten loans for eligible commercial and multifamily building improvements, such as solar, energy efficiency, EV charging and water conservation. He emphasized that C‑PACE liens are non‑accelerating (a default permits collection of past‑due amounts rather than full balance), remain subordinate to property taxes, and transfer with the property on sale. MCEDD has helped Hood River and Sherman counties implement similar programs and offered to draft County guidelines and an administrative work plan should Wasco opt in.
Why it matters: The prioritized projects list highlights persistent rural infrastructure needs, especially water systems that support fire protection and community resilience. C‑PACE offers an option for building owners to finance improvements that otherwise might be unaffordable, while the county’s role is primarily ministerial — adopting program guidelines and recording voluntary assessments.
What’s next: The board acknowledged MCEDD’s recommendations; if the county decides to pursue a C‑PACE program, staff will work with MCEDD on a resolution, guidelines and an administration agreement.