Since then, Google has grown by leaps and bounds. From offering search in a single language, they now offer dozens of products and services, including various forms of advertising and web applications for all kinds of tasks in scores of languages. And starting from two computer science students in a university dorm room, they now have thousands of employees and offices around the world, one of them being The Dalles Data Center.

All of the services that providers like Google host live on a server somewhere. Google’s data centers are placed worldwide to provide high speed service and build in resilience to unforeseen issues like power outages and natural disasters. The Dalles facility was the first that Google built from scratch, starting construction in 2005 and completing the project in 2007. Now five years old, The Dalles campus is being updated internally with the latest in server and network technology and externally with a new campus entrance, an onsite kitchen, new security measures and an additional data center building.

When considering where to locate their data centers, Google looks for sites with affordable green power, affordable land, a good workforce and good fiber optic connectivity, such as the Q-Life Network in The Dalles. The Dalles campus is currently home to over 70 Google employees and around 150 jobs total, including contractors such as Menlo Worldwide Logistics, G4S Security and Bon Appétit Management Company.

The Dalles Googlers are always excited about new products the company launches, with examples including the newest Android devices, Google+ and several projects that are in the works but have not yet been publicly announced. They are also committed to community outreach, focusing on projects in technology literacy, bridging the digital divide, alternative energy innovation and entrepreneurship in the new economy. A few examples of community outreach that The Dalles campus has led include: helping to deploy a free wifi community network in the City of The Dalles; replacing and augmenting computers in the local elementary schools; and perhaps most notably, contributing a sizable investment in and significant involvement with school robotics programs in the five counties covered by the Gorge Technology Alliance (Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Skamania and Klickitat).

Google has been a strong supporter of the Gorge Technology Alliance, from grants to develop the GTA’s robotics program to sponsorship and Dave Karlson’s participation on the Board of Directors. “The biggest reason that myself and Google are involved in the GTA,” says Dave, “is because we feel it is important to build relationships with and have open communication between all of the technology partners here so that we can learn from each other and work together.” Learn more at google.com/thedalles.

About Dave Karlson, Site Manager, Google- The Dalles

Dave came to the Gorge in 1993 looking for a place that had the right balance of professional opportunities and outdoor lifestyle choices. He was an avid skier, having spent two years working at Snowbird in Utah prior to moving to the Gorge, and also wanted to learn windsurfing and get on his mountain bike more. Prior to Google, Dave worked for over 4 years as Systems Analyst for Mount Hood Meadows and over 8 years as Technology Director for what is now known as Columbia Gorge Education Service District (ESD) serving the schools of Hood River and Wasco counties. Having two young boys hasn’t kept him off the slopes; the family has had a season pass since Spencer, his oldest, turned 4. Now at 7, Spencer is skiing black diamonds and his 5-year-old brother Will is skiing green and blue! Dave and his family live in White Salmon, where he was recently elected to the White Salmon School Board and where his wife, Kate, volunteers at Whitson Elementary School in the reading and robotics programs.

Unlike subtractive manufacturing which cuts a part out of a larger piece of material, additive manufacturing is essentially a 3D printing process which combines metals, polymers and other advanced materials to create complex parts in one piece. This allows you to redesign or create parts or products with 50-90% less material use, resulting in cost savings and the ability to use superior base materials. This process also works easily with small or customized batches, just-in-time parts, prototyping, replacement part development and reverse engineering of parts or products that have become otherwise unavailable.

Founded last year and soon with nine employees, RapidMade was recently chosen to join Portland State’s Business Accelerator program and is a semifinalist for this year’s Angel Oregon. Their Portland location provides an advantage in terms of protecting IP and reducing fossil fuel costs associated with overseas production and gives them easy access for Gorge tech businesses looking to save material weight and waste.

RapidMade is a member of the GTA to build their Gorge connections and is looking to discuss how their service can save Gorge manufacturers time and money today. Learn more at RapidMade.com.

Erin Stone, President & Business Development Director, RapidMade LLC

Erin and her family moved to the family ranch in Sherman County 5+ years ago when her husband took a job with Wasco County. While her dad had grown up on the ranch, Erin grew up in Hillsboro and spent most of her career working out of New York, Chicago and L.A. after getting her MBA in Sustainable Business. Their 13 cows get extra attention from Erin’s four kids – including a set of triplets! They also keep them busy with lots of kids sports and activities.

Owner and primary GIS Consultant and Developer Margo Blosser started the company in the Gorge in 1999. While most of their customers have interests in the Gorge, clients range all the way to the Oregon Coast. Because she loves what she does and has been working in the mapping/ GIS industry for over twenty years, Blosser can always find solutions where others find obstacles and is highly motivated to provide excellent customer service.

Gorge GIS’s projects usually start with development of a spatial database as a foundation, next developing a spatial model and finally, creation of a beautiful map that communicates the desired message intuitively, whether via paper, web or mobile application. Spatial databases are simply databases with coordinate values such as latitude and longitude associated with it. When developing web maps, Gorge GIS also develops the Graphical User Interface, primarily with C# and Silverlight programming.

Blosser is pleased to announce the launch of a new brand called InterActive GeoSpatial to showcase their “Interactive GIS Web Maps” product line. One of their exciting projects in the works in this arena is the Gorge Towns to Trails Web Map. In concert with the National Park Service, Gorge GIS is developing a Web Map of all the hiking trails and other features in the National Scenic Area for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge. InterActiveGeoSpatial.com will soon be online with product examples. Web mapping has allowed Blosser to work more as a developer, utilizing lots of great programming technology including C#, Silverlight and SQL Server.

Gorge GIS is a member of the GTA for the networking opportunities and has benefited from informal advice about running a technology business from the plethora of successful business people in the Gorge. “Mostly, it is inspiring to be around a bunch of really sharp, energetic business owners, of which the Gorge has no shortage,” says Blosser. Learn more at GorgeGIS.com.

About Margo Blosser, Owner, Gorge GIS

CRI focuses on providing insurance solutions for both personal and business needs. Over the last decade CRI has worked diligently to provide a local professional option to the ever-growing technology business sector of the Gorge. CRI works with the leading insurance carriers in the technology industry and through these relationships has been able to provide industry-leading coverage for their local clients. In recognition of the importance of the technology industry to our local and world economy, CRI has taken steps to be a local leader in the technology insurance segment. Long-term client relationships with local businesses like Gorge Networks, Sagetech, Spidercam and Summit Projects (to name a few) have truly allowed CRI the experiences to understand the technology industry and the special needs of many GTA members.  

Being a member of the GTA has allowed CRI to stay in touch with the ever-growing and expanding local technology industry. CRI looks forward to the future of this industry for the Mid-Columbia, not only for the positive effect on the local economy, but also for the many wonderful and interesting people from the industry that now call the Gorge home. Learn more at columbiariverins.com.

About Scott Reynier, Vice-President

Scott knew it was time to leave Philadelphia for the Gorge after visiting his brother Ron, a Hood River attorney, in 1987 and 1988. Scott finally moved to Hood River in 1990 to work at Columbia River Insurance.  He enjoys most of the recreational activities the Gorge offers and often wonders how lucky we all are for living where we do. He previously spent 4 years on the Hood River City Council and remains humbled by that experience. In the last 6 years, he has given much of his free time to act as Tournament Chairman for the LPGA Safeway Classic that takes place in Portland each August. The event generated just over $6 Million for Oregon-based children’s charities during his tenure. Unknown facts: Scott is addicted to the chocolate chip cookies at the New York City Sub Shop and yes, he drives a mini-van just to accommodate his Great Dane “Hank.”

Member Marketing

• Issued a weekly promotional Member Spotlight
• Launched publication of Member Spotlights in the Gorge Business Review
• Developed new marketing benefits for Sponsors

Building Connections

• Launched GTA Happy Hours and Geek Lunches for more networking and educational opportunities
• Held monthly Featured Events with topics from Electric Vehicles to Mobile Apps
• Held Sponsor Appreciation Lunch at Google’s The Dalles Data Center
• Grew participation in GTA’s LinkedIn Group by150%
• Represented the Gorge tech sector at a meeting with Oregon Governor Kitzhaber and other events, meetings and trainings within and outside of the Gorge

Business Services

• Developed free website hosting for members
• Researched members’ workforce training needs and collaborative options to meet top priorities
• Launched quarterly Gorge real estate feature in GTA newsletter
• Issued monthly e-newsletter to over 450 recipients with information of interest to Gorge tech businesses
• Submitted the GTA’s R&D Center project for consideration during Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process

Youth Robotics

• Successfully applied for two Google grants for our Gorge Robotics organization/ program
• Loaned our robotics kits and laptops to schools and community groups in the Gorge
• Held Gorge Robotics Fest with Google on Sept. 17 to showcase and promote youth robotics in the Gorge
• Hosted three FIRST® LEGO® League Qualifying Tournaments with over 300 kids participating, expanded from one tournament with 100 kids in 2010

Partnerships

• Software Association of Oregon partnership continued to promote Gorge tech businesses statewide
• Associated Technologies Council partnership continued to provide group healthcare option
• Gorge Chapter of the Oregon Entrepreneurs’ Network partnership developed to provide discounted joint membership

Improving Your Organization

• Launched a new GTA website
• Developed reciprocal memberships with all Gorge Chambers in recognition of shared goals
• Improved organizational budgeting, reporting and financial policies
• Increased sponsorship dollars by 14%
• Increased membership numbers by 12%

Since 2005, Lee has been Insitu’s Commercial Real Estate Broker and Consultant, joining when they were around 60 employees and working closely to stay one step ahead of their growing needs. Lee negotiated leases for Insitu in all 26 of their facilities in the Gorge and Vancouver for a total of over 300,000 square feet of office, manufacturing and research & development space. He enjoyed the opportunity to help the company find spaces that allowed them to grow and stay in the Gorge. Recently, Lee also represented the Port of Hood River for the sale of three of their waterfront industrial lots to Hood Tech and Turtle Island Foods.

Lee is a member of the Commercial Association of Realtors, the Mt Hood Ski Patrol and co-founder of Gorge Wine Merchants and Current Commercial Real Estate. He also served on the Board of the GTA for a number of years and stays connected as a member for the networking and support the organization provides. The GTA is a “unique and valuable resource for the tech companies that are here,” says Lee. “It has always been valid and useful, and it’s improving continuously.”

Contact Lee at 541-399-3070 or lee.ast@gorge.net.

About Lee Ast, Owner

Lee fell in love with the Gorge while leasing shopping centers in Hood River and The Dalles from 1984 through 1990 and finally made the permanent move in 2004. “I have been lucky enough to live in Hawaii, San Luis Obispo, Las Vegas and Idaho and the Gorge is the best!” Lee played rugby for the U of O and continued to play in Hawaii and Idaho. Now that he just watches the sport, his favorite team is the New Zealand All Blacks: “New Zealanders are very fun to play against.” He’s also excited about the new restaurant Killer Burger which he helped bring to Bingen. Come check them out at the GTA’s Feb. 2 Happy Hour, 6pm!

Teams demonstrated their robot’s capabilities on the competition table, were interviewed by a robot design panel, presented their food safety project and were assessed on teamwork skills and FLL Core Values. All of the teams that competed did a great job and impressed the judges, referees and tournament volunteers with their knowledge and teamwork. After a full day of competition, the top teams were chosen to move on to the Oregon State Tournaments on January 14 or 15 in Hillsboro.  Winners for the three Gorge tournaments are below. All thirteen Champions and winners of the ACE (Advancement to Championship Event) awards will be competing in the State Tournaments.

Through support from the Gorge Technology Alliance (GTA) and Google, December 2010 was the first time a local qualifying tournament was held in the Gorge. This year, Google in The Dalles provided a grant to the Oregon Robotics Tournament & Outreach Program to fund kits and registration scholarships for public schools in the five counties of Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman. These funds resulted in an incredible increase in the number of FLL teams in the Gorge this year. “Last year, we had 14 teams at our tournament,” says GTA Executive Director Jessica Metta. “This year, that number exploded to 48 teams and we found ourselves needing to host not one tournament, but three!”

About 325 kids will be competing at one of the three events, traveling all the way from Sherman County to Stevenson and all towns in between. Jessica points out that the expansion to three events could not have happened without significant support from volunteers, the hosting schools, all of the parents and financial support from Google, Insitu, Innovative Composite Engineering and Turtle Island Foods.

In FLL competitions, teams use off-the-shelf LEGO robotics kits to construct working robots which compete on a 4-foot by 8-foot playing field. Each year, FLL defines a challenge that drives team activities. In this fall’s challenge, Food Factor: Keeping Food Safe, teams explored how to improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination. Each team participates in several rounds of judging including robot design and programming, teamwork, completion of the food safety research and of course – performance on the playing field!

For more information, contact Jessica Metta, Executive Director of the Gorge Technology Alliance, at 541-296-2266 or jessica@crgta.org.