Grant EDC hosts annual banquet
Incoming president of the Grant County Economic Development Council Ron Covey presents outgoing president Juliann Dodds with an award for her service during the 2011 EDC banquet held at Big Bend Community College on Friday.
MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Economic Development Council changed directors, president on Friday.
Outgoing EDC president Juliann Dodds welcomed several new directors as well as incoming president Ron Covey.
"This event is our annual fund-raiser," said Dodds. "It's an overview of the year and also a thank-you to our members."
More than 100 guests attended the event, with wine tasting and a comedy performance by Jeff Dye of NBC's "Last Comic Standing."
The Grant County Economic Development Council helps businesses with site location, coordination with government agencies and educational institutions as well as identifying business incentives.
Dodds says the Grant County EDC is working on several projects including bringing retail stores and more data centers to the Grant County area.
"We were really fortunate the SGL plant broke ground this year," said Dodds. "Some of the projects take years."
Ron Covey officially became the new EDC president during the event and said he is ready.
"I'm really excited about stepping into the role of president," said Covey. "I've got some really great people and I'm sure it's going to be a successful year."
Executive Director of the EDC, Terry Brewer, said people can expect to see progress with new data centers in the coming year.
"We've been engaged with a number of clients on data center projects. I think we'll see at least a couple break ground this year," said Brewer.
Aerospace-related industry and a Canola seed crushing center in Warden are also on the list of EDC projects, according to Brewer.
"It's your EDC's goal to create higher-paying jobs, keep taxes low and strive to make Grant County a better place to live," said Robert Trask.
Dodds welcomed newly-elected directors Tim Culbertson, Bill Bonaudi, Ben Holling and Kent Jones, as well as Brian Kuest and Dale Pomeroy, who will serve a second term on the EDC board this year.
"Grant County is still moving forward," said Brewer. "We're not done yet but we do hope you'll hang in there with us for a while longer."
For more information about the EDC's projects, visit the web site at www.grantedc.com.