Gorge Owned (GO!) Business Network
GO! is the only Gorge-wide non-profit business network building awareness about the value of local ownership and sustainability. Our work is focused around encouraging residents and visitors to shift their spending dollars from national chains to locally owned, independent businesses. To achieve this, we are creating a consistent “GO local” brand. We are helping residents save time and money by learning how to save energy, reduce waste and simplify the supply chain. And we are bringing people together from different cities, counties and states to share best practices and make business connections. GO! is a project of the Columbia Gorge Earth Center.
MISSION: GO! Business Network is a membership-based organization with a mission to advance Gorge-owned businesses, non-profits and community members with a commitment to a sustainable and prosperous community.
GO! is a member of the national Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). With more than 80 networks made up of more than 20,000 independent business owners across the U.S. and Canada, BALLE is the nation’s fastest-growing business organization focused on local ownership and sustainability.
GO! members are business owners, non-profits and community members:
- Who live in Hood River, Klickitat, Sherman, Skamania, or Wasco counties.
- Own companies that are privately held.
- Have full autonomy to make their own independent decisions.
- Believe ownership matters.
- Believe individual businesses are more successful when they collaborate with like-minded businesses.
Gorge Owned Business Network Board of Directors
- Becky Brun, Founder and Director, GO! Business Network
- Michael Barthmus, Owner, Doppio Coffee + Lounge, Board Member
- Jenny Cohen, Co-Owner, Waucoma Bookstore, Board Member
- Lisa Mullis and Christine Fisher, Co-Owners, Blue Marble Creative, Board Members
- Aaron and Suzanne Baumhackl, Co-Owners, Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, Board Members
- Todd Collins and Jaco Klinkenberg, Co-Owners, Wet Planet Rafting and Kayaking, Board Members
A dedicated Steering Committee helped launch GO! in 2010. The Steering Committee included the above-mentioned board members and:
- Bruce Bolme, retired engineer, Gorge Grown Food Network, River Hours
- Marsha Holliston
- Susan Place, Green Living Journal
- Stu Watson, Freelance Writer, co-owner, Nora’s Table
- Johanna Wyers, Insitu
- Craig Trummel, Law Office of Craig Trummel, White Salmon
- Ron McDonald, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, High Prairie Garlic
Watch and Listen
Becky Brun and Jenny Cohen on "Talk of the Gorge"
Learn more about GO! Founder Becky Brun and the vision behind GO! in her recent interview on the “Localite with Jon Compton“ and her radio interview on “Talk of the Gorge” with Rodger Nichols.
