Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Many people from across the United States and the world have reached out to the CEDC to learn how they may help families through the unspeakable tragedy at NDW. Our local radio station, KLOG, is cataloging events, GoFund Me's, meal trains etc. If you would like to learn more, click on their "Featured" page - https://www.facebook.com/kloghometeam

Classic Hits 100.7 KLOG Classic Hits 100.7 FM and 1490 AM KLOG is #1 for Local News, Local Sports, Local Information.

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Divert Inc.'s brand-new facility at Mint Farm Industrial Park in Longview, Washington - City of Longview — and what a milestone it was for our region!

We had toured the facility while it was still under construction, so seeing it operational and celebrating with so many community partners was incredibly rewarding. What struck us most at the event was the sheer breadth of support in the room — representatives from across Washington and Oregon, state agency partners, and members of the Cowlitz Tribe all came together to celebrate this project.

Divert transforms inedible food waste into renewable natural gas, piped directly into the Cascade Natural Gas system. And now their Longview plant is preparing to bring another exciting product to market — a plastic-free, nitrogen-rich fertilizer, arriving at a moment when global fertilizer markets are under significant pressure due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

This is exactly the kind of innovative, sustainable industry that Cowlitz County is proud to welcome. Projects like Divert are a powerful reminder of what's possible when communities, tribes, and state partners align around smart economic and energy solutions.

Congratulations to the entire Divert team! We're so glad you're here! 🎉

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April 29th was , and our Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Longview, WA is officially open! We were thrilled to welcome customers, state and local officials, and members of the community to our ribbon cutting ceremony.

Our state‑of‑the‑art Longview facility is transforming unsold, non-donatable food into renewable energy and nutrient‑rich fertilizer, keeping valuable resources local and food waste out of landfills.

This milestone reflects Divert’s commitment to building resilient, circular food systems: partnering with leading retailers, manufacturers, and community organizations to reduce waste, support food donation, and strengthen the regional economy.

Read more from our press release here: https://hubs.ly/Q04f71Zx0

Keeping your business safe online doesn’t have to be confusing, and this upcoming workshop is here to help!

Join our partners at the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on May 21 from 1 to 3 pm at Longview City Hall for a practical, easy-to-follow session on cybersecurity basics for small businesses.

You’ll learn:
• The fundamentals of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model
• Simple ways to strengthen passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
• How to secure your Wi-Fi and devices
• Tips to recognize and avoid scams like phishing and fake emails

Featuring guest speakers: Michael Wallace from OLS Technology and Katie Kelley from Columbia Bank.

If you’ve been meaning to get a handle on your business’s online security, this is a great place to start.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/muayhmav