The 2020 spending bill passed by Congress will include $2 million in funding for rural business development grants targeted for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The bill gives priority for the grants to “National Scenic Areas that have been devastated by wildfires,” a nod to the damage suffered in the Eagle Creek Fire two years ago. The funding is intended to be used by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District to create revolving loan funds to help support local Gorge businesses as they recover and grow following the fire. The 2020 spending bill has been signed into law by the president. A bipartisan group of Northwest senators and representatives worked on the getting the funding for some time. Local officials had been seeking the funds, noting they were promised years ago upon the formation of the Scenic Area.