Grant EDC works to lure new stores
CBH Columbia Basin Herald Local News
MOSES LAKE - Grant County residents wanting more shopping and dining choices could get their way in the near future.
It's because members of the Grant County Economic Development Council's retail task force are preparing for a May trip to Las Vegas where they will promote the area to dozens of retailers and developers.
The task force will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers' 2013 RECon, a convention for members of the shopping center industry. More than 30,000 people attend the event each year making it the largest industry convention, according to the ICSC web page.
The convention provides networking, deal making and educational opportunities for retail real estate professionals from around the world.
This year's convention is held from May 19 to 22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Allan Peterson, head of the retail task force, said a group of about six to eight people will represent Grant County at the convention.
Emily Braunwart, accounting and communications manager for the EDC, will represent the development council in Las Vegas. Peterson said representatives from the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and the City of Moses Lake will also attend the convention.
Representatives from Warden and Ephrata are also planning on going, he said.
Peterson said it's important for Grant County to be represented at the convention since major national and regional chain businesses, including restaurants and department stores, will be there.
"Retailers and developers all go there," he said. "We want to represent Grant County and the opportunities here."
Peterson said the retail task force has been working hard for many months to prepare for the event. While at the convention, the group will staff two booths and make contact with representatives from various companies, he said.
"We targeted about 20 companies we would like to see come here," said Peterson.
Peterson said the task force compiled information on various aspects of Grant County to present to the selected companies.
"We've gathered things that might not show up on an internet search," he said. "Like the recent industry that has come and the jobs and wages they're paying, for example."
Peterson said the group will also highlight the area's central location and the expected population growth as well.
"These are all things that are unique and good for us," he said.
Braunwart said the task force chose to focus on retailers that would complement the companies already in Grant County.
"We want to help the economy grow, not necessarily replace what is already here," she said. She said the main goal of visiting the convention is to establish relationships with retailers and developers.
"Then we can have the open communication to find out what the strong points of Grant County are and what we need to work on to really entice the bigger retailers to come to this area," Braunwart said. "It's a great place and we want to grow the community."
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