Newsletters Archives
Next Lincoln County EDC Board Meeting
Thursday, February 16, 2012
3:00 pm
Lincoln Co. Commissioners Chambers
Lincoln Co. Courthouse, Davenport, WA
Minutes
Visit Lincoln County Washington Web Site
February 1, 2012
Last chance! Today is the last day the survey for our Economic Development Strategy will be on SurveyMonkey! If you have not taken it, please CLICK HERE, enter your zip code, and answer 4 simple questions, and help plan Lincoln County’s economic future!
Reminder: The EDC is hosting a FREE technology seminar on Feb.9. The focus will be the evolving use of smart phones, tablets, websites and online applications to gain greater business efficiency and increased revenue. We will be supplying WiFi to the building that night and encourage people to bring their electronic devices. This event is aimed at keeping Lincoln County competitive in an increasingly high tech business environment. Guest Speaker: Fred Houck, IT Professor, Community Colleges of Spokane.
PDF 8-1/2x11 flyer for anyone willing to hang it in their window or on their employee bulletin board. Please help spread the word!
January 31, 2012
The following is a summary of the larger projects and programs that the Lincoln County Economic Development Council was involved with in 2011.
EDC Board
• Added four new Board Members, increasing the volunteer board size from 7 to 11.
• Supervised EDC operational and program costs and monitored grant funds from the Department of Commerce and the Lincoln County Economic Development Fund.
• Contracted with Lincoln County to act as the Lincoln County Convention & Visitors Bureau in the administration of their lodging tax dollars (second year).
• Administered the Lincoln County Economic Development Fund grant process on behalf of the County’s commissioners.
• Finalized the process to become a foreign trade zone in partnership with the Moses Lake Port District.
• Responsible for preparing the County’s first strategic economic development plan.
Economic Development
Strategic Plan
Because a current economic development plan is required in order to apply for several government grants and because community-based planning provides the basis for improving our quality of life, the EDC began preparing a County plan late last year.
The plan was selected as the senior project for students from Eastern Washington University studying Urban & Regional Planning. Students spent three months researching past and present economic data and then created, utilized and analyzed a community vision process, a requirement for the document. Their involvement allowed us to utilize the services of a neutral party without the expense of hiring an outside consultant.
Next step will be to take the information collected by the students and EDC staff and turn it into goals and objectives with options on how we can achieve them.
Chamber of Commerce
Partnerships
This past year, the EDC committed to working more closely with the County’s six Chambers. In doing so, we learned that they are completely dedicated to their communities, however too few are burdened with too much (usually community events.) We also learned that the Chambers are by far the EDC’s best resource for business news within their communities.
The EDC would love to see a more business-focused Chamber system because that very communication enables us to be more effective in serving their businesses. In 2012, we plan to offer Chambers assistance with their tourism promotion and website and social media tasks with the goal being to allow them more time to expand on their commerce missions. Most Chamber and event leaders that we have worked with agree that increased collaboration can be beneficial to us all.
We continue to assist with three large projects:
The Sprague Emergency Response Center. This year the EDC assisted the County and the Fire District with their CDBG application and post award process, including performing the cultural and environmental assessments for the project.
The Cattle Producers of Washington’s USDA-approved slaughter facility. This year CPoW moved the planned facility from the Barr Regional Bio-Industrial Park to the Odessa Industrial Park and moved forward with fund raising. In March, representatives from CPoW, the Odessa PDA, the EDC and Lincoln County’s commissioners made a trip to Olympia that resulted in preliminary approval of a $1.2 million loan by the state’s Community Economic Development Board (CERB.)
NoaNet’s Broadband Enhancement Grant (2010). We continued to assist NoaNet with the pre-construction process in order to expedite the installation of high-speed fiberoptic cables in our county. We also pressed to relocate the project's ribbon cutting/strategic planning kick-off from Spokane to Davenport. That event introduced the state’s broadband office and several others involved in broadband build-out and promotion to Lincoln County.
Other
The EDC developed a free property listing resource to help Lincoln County's commercial and industrial property owners and real estate agents sell or lease vacant properties. We have advertised the list on the west side of the state and in the Spokesman-Review. It is also linked to our homepage at www.lincolnedc.org. If you have a property to add, let us know. There is no charge.
The EDC partnered with WSU Extension’s Leadership Specialist to develop a workshop on how to effectively recruit and retain volunteers in the 21st Century. We took the workshop on the road to six Lincoln County locations.
The EDC supported the Davenport Chamber’s Brown Bag Business Lunch Series by providing the program for three of their events.
The EDC hosted mayors meetings in February and June.
The Lincoln County Economic Development Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that operates exclusively for social welfare purposes specifically related to economic development. The EDC strives to facilitate countywide communication regarding economic development; to create a favorable climate for business recruitment and development; to help private-for-profit businesses grow and provide jobs; and to market Lincoln County's tourism and recreational opportunities on behalf of and for the Lincoln County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
To find out more about EDC services or to become a member, contact Margie Hall, Executive Director, at 509-725-1170 or edcmargie@centurylink.net.
January 25, 2012
Update of GWMA speaker visits to the area
Click below for an updated schedule of meetings where Paul Stoker plans to speak with cities and other groups to discuss the Hydrologic Model, the Municipalities Project and the future role of the GWMA. Please note that there have been a number of changes due to rescheduling meetings that were cancelled last week because of the winter storm and also to allow for trips planned to Olympia on February 1, 2, 14 and 15 to meet with legislators.
Updated Schedule
January 2, 2012
Technology Seminar Date Changed to February 9th.
Two months ago, I signed a contract with the Community Colleges of Spokane to bring a technology seminar to Lincoln County on Thursday, January 12. I have since come to realize that January is busy with several established banquets and meetings. To ensure that we do not interfere with these events WE HAVE CHANGED THE DATE TO THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 9. The seminar will be at 6:00 pm at Davenport Memorial Hall and is free and open to the public. The focus will be the evolving use of smart phones, tablets, websites and online applications to gain greater business efficiency and increased revenue. We will be supplying WiFi to the building that night and encourage people to bring their electronic devices. This event is aimed at keeping Lincoln County competitive in an increasingly high tech business environment. Please help us spread the word!
I apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and especially to the Editors who announced the event in their newspapers.
Sincerely,
Margie
December 9, 2011
Transportation efficiency key to Washington’s energy future.
The 2012 Washington State Energy Strategy released today addresses solutions for economic growth, jobs and climate
OLYMPIA Dec. 9, 2011 – The Washington State Department of Commerce today released the 2012 Washington State Energy Strategy, the first comprehensive analysis and recommendations for meeting the state’s future energy needs since 1993. “Today, some $16 billion leaves our state economy annually to service our energy needs, and that’s just one of the economic issues we must grapple with as we think about our energy future,” said Commerce Director Rogers Weed. “Our transportation system is both our largest and least efficient energy user - source of 45% of greenhouse gases and more than half of our energy expenditures. It represents real opportunities to improve efficiency and keep more dollars and jobs in Washington.”
In ddition to addressing the transportation sector, the Energy Strategy recommends ways the state can expand on its history of leadership on efficiency and energy innovation in buildings, and diversify Washington’s energy mix with distributed energy. The strategy reflects Washington’s commitment to remaining a leader in energy efficiency, sustainability and innovation and to building a clean energy economy.
The Commerce Bill, passed by the 2010 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire, called for the state to implement a comprehensive energy planning process. Commerce was charged with leading the effort. Over the last year and a half Commerce examined a wide range of energy policy actions with the assistance of a formal Advisory Committee and aTechnical Experts Panel. The Washington State departments of Transportation and Ecology, the Utilities and Transportation Commission and a number of other state agencies, stakeholder groups and general public were active participants in developing the Strategy.
The Strategy released today represents the combined input from all of these participants. The 2012 Washington State Energy Strategy documents are available at www.commerce.wa.gov/energystrategy.
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Washington Small Business Credit Initiative to spur $300 million in new lending
Department of Commerce wins $19.7 million from U.S. Treasury to launch new programs that will help small businesses get financing to grow and hire
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Commerce today announced that help is on the way for our state’s small businesses seeking new sources of financing to grow and create jobs. Commerce was recently awarded $19.7 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury to launch the Washington Small Business Credit Initiative - three new programs designed to spur investment and lending to businesses throughout the state.
“About 95 percent of Washington businesses are small businesses and they need help right now to grow and provide the jobs that will accelerate economic recovery in every community around the state,” said Gregoire. “With the Small Business Credit Initiative, we are removing a big barrier to their success by opening more pathways to financing that’s been scarce during this recession.” MORE
FREE On-line Microsoft Computer Training
Free sign-up through WorkSource for on-line Microsoft computer classes has been extended for another year.
If you or your employees need to improve skills in Word, Excel, Outlook or PowerPoint, you have an opportunity to do it right now - for free.
The Washington State Employment Security Department has contracted with Microsoft to bring free e-classes to ANYONE who wants to improve their skills in order to get a job or to advance in the job they have.
There are five learning plans and over 1,000 different classes to choose from. Take as many as you want at your own pace and at the skill level you need. Once registered, you can access free classes for one year. Link to the WorkSource website at http://www.wa.gov/esd/e-learning/default.htm to learn more about the program, to view the classes being offered and to register. Lincoln County residents are served by the Colville WorkSource office - when registering, click on the Colville section of the map.
Please spread the word. We all benefit from a skilled workforce!
November 21, 2011
The EDC welcomes new Silver Business member Ramm Hardware of Odessa!
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Update on Keller Ferry and Seven Bays Marina: The National Park Service has released its Prospectus for marina services at Keller Ferry and Seven Bays Marina. Those interested in reading the NPS Prospectus will find it here:
http://concessions.nps..gov/laro001-12.htm
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Available Properties List Going in Spokesman This Weekend: The EDC has placed a classified ad in this Sunday’s Spokesman Review to advertise our Available Properties List. If you have a commercial or industrial property for sale or lease within Lincoln County we will add it for FREE. We need the info by email before 5 pm Wednesday to get it online by Sunday. (See the link below for an idea of what to submit.) Our goal is to increase economic vitality by putting businesses into our empty buildings. Spread the word! http://lincolnedc.org/Properties.html
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Poster Will Promote Events: The EDC is producing an all-County event poster to promote our larger summer events. Posters will be free of charge and will be distributed throughout the greater region in stores, businesses and restaurants. The poster will list large events that fall between March and October. We will be hitting this hard in December so if you don’t hear from us, call!
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Save the Date: January 12 On Thursday, January 12 at 6:00 pm, the EDC will host a free seminar aimed at keeping Lincoln County competitive in an increasingly competitive (and increasingly high tech) business environment. The seminar will focus on business use of smart phones, iPads, netbooks, websites, cloud computing, apps that provide for greater business efficiency and similar business intelligence. It will also address the burning question: What does 100-times-faster broadband really mean to me or my business? Adjunct Professor Fred Houck, Community Colleges of Spokane Business and Community Training, will present and then take questions. You are encouraged to bring your own personal electronics. [It turns out that we will be a test group for CCS as they have since decided to add this class to their curriculum. What does that tell you?]
October 26th
Seniors from EWU's Urban & Regional Planning Dept. will be in Lincoln County to get your input on THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
WEDNESDAY IN DAVENPORT:
At Davenport Family Foods, Safeway and the Post Office from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
LIVE SIGN-UP FOR 1 YR. OF FREE ONLINE MICROSOFT CLASSES
Employment Security's Bill Kinyon will review the free online classes available from our regional WorkSource office, thanks to a contract with Microsoft that EXPIRES OCTOBER 31. Bill will be at the Davenport Chamber's meeting at the Avista Building on Wednesday, Oct. 26th at noon.
At 12:30 EWU students will speak to the group about their senior project: What should the economy of Lincoln County look like in 10 years? The public is invited to attend either or both.
THURSDAY IN WILBUR:
At Sandy's Family Foods and the Post Office on Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
We will announce visits to Almira, Creston, Harrington, Reardan and Sprague over the next two weeks; will be meeting with local Chamber groups; and will be mailing surveys out with utility statements in five communities. Please find a method that works for you and give us your input!
LAST WEEK:
The EDC's list of Available Commercial & Industrial Properties was advertised in the Spokesman Review real estate section on Sunday, Oct. 16. Please let us know if it lead to any calls on your property. Listings are free to L.C. property owners.
EARLIER THIS MONTH:
I was a guest at a one-day Workforce Council conference on October 6. Economic development specialists were invited to a one-year update on their Retooling Washington's Workforce Program. If workforce issues affect you, I encourage you to go to www.wtb.wa.gov/OctoberForum.asp and review both the State's Retooling Washington's Workforce program and the materials and notes from the conference.
The Dept. of Commerce released their quarterly report on our State's export activity:
Catalog of commercial & industrial properties
October 5, 2011
There are a few updates to the list of commercial & industrial properties for sale or lease in Lincoln County compiled by the Economic Development Council. MORE
Effective Fundraising and Grant Research Workshop
Originally scheduled for September 17th, this workshop was rescheduled for Saturday, November 5th - from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. at the Community Hall in Sprague, WA. Sponsored by WSU Extension, this is a great opportunity to learn tips on fund raising for non profits and receive some suggestions for grant writing. RSVP to Krisan at 509-690-8400 or krisan@wsu.edu to reserve a place in the class. $10 registration fee paid at the door. Light lunch served and workbooks provided. PDF Flyer
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