Comprehensive economic development strategy supported by Commissioners

Davenport, WA - August 2, 2010
At their regular meeting on August 2, Lincoln County Commissioners agreed to support the Lincoln County Economic Development Council (EDC) as the EDC begins preparation of a countywide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The EDC is preparing the strategy, known as a CEDS, to support a grant application submitted by the Odessa Public Development Authority to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA.) The Economic Development Administration requires that grant applicants have a CEDS in place in their region and that it be supported by that region’s elected officials before they will award any funding. The Odessa Public Development Authority is the first in Lincoln County to submit an application to the EDA, triggering the preparation of the document, but once complete the CEDS will open the door for other Lincoln County entities to apply for EDA’s Federal funding as well.

The EDC’s Board, a group of volunteers who are committed to economic development throughout Lincoln County, will be responsible for overseeing the preparation and maintenance of the CEDS. Like a comprehensive plan, a CEDS requires community participation and the EDC will be seeking input from Lincoln County’s citizens as well as from County staff, community organizations, the Workforce Development Council for Eastern Washington, and the county’s health, education, and social services leaders. EDC staff will research and prepare the CEDS and there will be no cost to the county.

One of the Economic Development Administration’s investment targets is expanding physical infrastructure to attract new industry and generate long-term, private sector jobs and investment, making it a good fit for the Odessa PDA’s Barr-Tech Bio Industrial Park. According to Odessa PDA President Steven Powell, the application seeks funding to extend a three-phase power line from the nearest grid structure to the 40-acre site. The resulting infrastructure will allow the export of renewable energy back to the grid from the industrial park’s green energy tenants.

If you would like more information about the EDC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy or would like to contribute input, please contact the EDC office either by email to edcinfo@centurylink.net, by phone at (509) 725-1172 or by mail to P.O. Box 1304, Davenport, WA 99122.