The Columbia River Gorge Technology Alliance (Gorge Tech Alliance, GTA) is a professional organization developed to support the high tech cluster of the bi-state Columbia River Gorge region covering the counties of Hood River, Wasco and Sherman in Oregon and Skamania and Klickitat in Washington.
In 2004, the regional economic development organization, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), began working with a broad coalition of small and large business owners, private individuals and public partners in the five-county region to implement a cluster development strategy. Through research and analysis of regional and global trends, the region’s competitive advantages and industry sector concentration and growth, MCEDD identified the high tech industry as a strong regional cluster.
The broad coalition working with MCEDD next created a work plan to strengthen and further develop the cluster. The primary action of this work plan was the creation of the Columbia River Gorge Technology Alliance, an organization to promote and support high tech businesses in the Columbia River Gorge. The GTA works to help start, grow, expand, and sustain high tech companies by engaging in activities related to its three main purposes:
- Encourage networking among technology businesses to promote and leverage each others capabilities, products, and services,
- Provide educational opportunities for members, and
- Brand the Gorge for high tech.
The GTA regularly brings the tech business community together for educational and networking events. The organization also brings together partners to address issues of importance to the tech cluster on an as needed basis. As a membership organization with almost 100 dues-paying members and sponsors in the tech sector, the GTA is the regionally recognized link to the technology community.
Mission Statement:
Promote the technology business sector of the Columbia River Gorge.
Vision Statement:
The Columbia River Gorge will be recognized for its robust technology business sector that brings valuable jobs to our communities and complements our environment.
