Yahoo! first title sponsor of GCEDC fund-raiser

'Premier' event held Aug. 4, 5

GRANT COUNTY — Internet giant Yahoo! Inc., is still in the process of closing its deal to purchase Port of Quincy property, but the company will be the first ever title sponsor of the Grant County Economic Development Council's annual Duel in the Desert and Party on the Green.

Kevin Timmons, vice president of operations for Yahoo! made the $15,000 sponsorship commitment during a visit to Quincy in late April. Timmons also filed an environmental checklist revealing Yahoo!'s plans to construct an 110,000-square-foot data center at the Port of Quincy's intermodal park.

Council executive director Terry Brewer said in a press release the GCEDC has been working hard with Yahoo! since May 2005.

"It is rewarding to see them bring their project to Quincy and to have them as the biggest sponsor of our fund-raising event," he said. "A sponsorship commitment at this level shows how much Yahoo! values the EDC and the work we have done to help them locate here."

The Duel in the Desert and Party on the Green will be held Aug. 4 and 5, and is open to anyone who wants to attend. The event includes a golf tournament, two golf clinics, a sponsor's party, a silent auction and a formal dinner with a live band.

"This is the premier event in Grant County," council fund-raising committee chair Mark Fancher said. "Last year, we sold out the Party on the Green and had to turn people away. With Yahoo!'s sponsorship it's going to be an even better show this year and we are already on track to sell out again."

For more information about the Duel in the Desert and Party on the Green, call (509)764-6579. To order tickets, visit www.grantedc.com.

— Staff report