Adams County forms new development council

by Matthew Weaver<br>Herald Senior Staff Writer
| August 30, 2007 9:00 PM

21 members selected for new board

ADAMS COUNTY - A new development council formed last week, designed to attract more businesses to Adams County.

During a meeting held the evening of Aug. 23 in the Othello Public Works building, bylaws were accepted and elections were held for the 21-member board of the new Adams County Development Council, said Adams County Commissioner Roger Hartwig.

Ritzville-based newspaper publisher Stephen McFadden is chair of the council; Othello City Administrator Ehman Sheldon is vice-chair.

The council purpose is to promote economic development within the county, Sheldon said.

Sheldon said the new council is a separate entity from the Adams County Economic Development Council, and declined to discuss differences between the two councils.

"We're going to be a lot more active," Hartwig said. "We (are) very much set on development and we have 21-board committee based on business, governmental and personnel. We are going to be very aggressive. We are going to encourage development in our community and Adams County.

"We're very glad to put this group together," he added. "I think it's going to be a very good group for the community."

Sheldon said it was decided a large number of people who are committed to economic development were necessary, which is the reason the entire committee is 21 members. The members represent the different areas in Adams County, he said, and promote economic development for the county.

The council will make the decisions on which directions the county wants to go, Hartwig said, whether it's getting ground ready for businesses or whether the community needs fiber-optics.

"These are the things we're going to discuss, make the decisions on," he said.

Sheldon said the incorporation paperwork has been filed with the state.

"Now the work begins," he said. "We need to develop a work plan strategy on how to market Adams County and how to assist and help economic growth."

The council's next meeting is Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at Ritzville Public Works. An executive committee meeting gathers at Othello City Hall Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. to put together the agenda for the meeting in Ritzville.

Sheldon said as far as he knows, the meetings are open to the public.

Sheldon said the committee plans to release further information about the council soon.