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McKED formalizes Gilliam County membership, offers loans and grant help
Summary
Jessica Meta, executive director of the Mid‑Columbia Economic Development District (McKED), briefed Gilliam County commissioners on May 6 about McKED services—business lending, grant administration and regional coordination—and invited county participation in a regional economic development strategy and priority project list.
Jessica Meta, executive director of the Mid‑Columbia Economic Development District (McKED), told Gilliam County commissioners on May 6 that the county is now officially part of McKED and eligible for the district’s business lending, technical assistance and regional coordination programs.
Meta reviewed McKED’s three focus areas: business lending (flexible loan funds to help businesses that do not qualify for traditional bank loans), technical assistance (grant writing and administration, project management), and regional coordination (broadband, transit and the federal Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS). She said McKED has historically partnered on projects including housing loans, EV charging grants and regional transit passes and that it can act as a direct EDA (Economic Development Administration) partner for grant applicants.
Meta said the organization has loan funds available and noted recent examples such as Hotel Morrow and small businesses in the district. She encouraged the county to participate in the CEDS community sessions and offered to include Gilliam County projects on the annual regional priority list that helps competitiveness for state and federal grants.
Commissioners discussed potential collaboration on housing, broadband and transit projects and asked McKED to follow up with a newsletter and local outreach. McKED staff also said they can administer grants and provide technical support for infrastructure projects so local jurisdictions with limited staff can progress on water, wastewater and broadband applications.
Next steps: McKED will share materials and a tentative schedule for the CEDS community meeting in Gilliam County and follow up about available loan programs and grant‑administration support.
