Adams County economic council meets
Cities support new group's efforts
ADAMS COUNTY - The newly formed Adams County Development Council hosts a membership campaign kickoff luncheon next week.
The luncheon starts at noon Jan. 3 at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church, located at 640 E. Elm St., in Othello. The event is open to the public.
Othello-based Farm House Buffet caters the meal.
Council Chairman Stephen McFadden, also the publisher of the Ritzville-Adams County Journal, explained the purpose of the luncheon is twofold.
"First and foremost, it's to introduce our new organization to the business community," he said. "Secondly, to try to begin to build some excitement around the notion of economic development in Adams County."
While neighboring Grant, Benton and Franklin counties have experienced tremendous amounts of growth in manufacturing and high-tech type industries, Adams County hasn't really seen such growth, McFadden said.
The new council was incorporated with the state in August as a non-profit, he noted.
The council has been going through the formative steps to establish its board of 21 members, McFadden added, and working with the state's Department of Community Trade and Economic Development to set benchmarks and goals as prescribed by the department for the state contract.
The council is an associate development organization for all intents and purposes in the eyes of the state, appointed by the Adams County commissioners, McFadden noted.
"If you create a public-private partnership for economic development, it would be a non-profit entity such as ourselves working with the local government entities and the state to promote our region for economic development," McFadden said.
The county worked with the state for funding for a county-wide action plan, completed by a Vancouver consulting firm and including pull-out chapters for each city and town and the Port of Othello.
The idea was to determine the communities' goals.
"We heard similar things in almost every community," McFadden said. "They wanted more jobs, better paying jobs, more housing so that more people can come here. They wanted a skilled work force, which many different types of business communities are struggling with."
McFadden said the council's priorities are business retention and expansion.
"We want to find ways to help existing businesses in Adams County stay in Adams County," he said. "If there's a business in Adams County that would like to grow and is trying to figure out how to do that and obtain the support they need, we can play a role in that."
McFadden is hoping for a room full of Adams County leaders and business community representatives expressing interest and desire to help the council promote Adams County as a good place to do business.
"I certainly want them to feel there is a viable organization now in place that will be working on many fronts for economic development," he said.
Board members will be available for attendees to ask questions.
"We want their feedback too," McFadden said. "We're just now beginning as a newborn organization where there are active economic development groups in every county around us who have been at it for a long, long time."
Speakers at the luncheon include Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville; Washington State University Center to Bridge the Digital Divide Director Bill Gillis and George Sharp, marketing manager in the state's Community Trade and Economic Development Department's education and outreach division.
"We have countywide participation and support in this effort," McFadden said. "All of the cities and towns have voted as city council to be partners with us in this effort, and our board representation is broad and diverse as well."
To RSVP by Friday or for more information, call McFadden at 509-659-1020 or e-mail mcfadden@ritzvillejournal.com, or call council Vice Chairman Ehman Sheldon at 509-488-5686, or e-mail esheldon@othellowashington.us.