Palouse Knowledge Corridor Economic Development Efforts Earn Recognition

Palouse area individuals and programs honored for impact

Leaders in Latah and Whitman counties have been honored for efforts to improve the economic vitality of the Moscow-Pullman area. The Inland Northwest Partners, an economic development organization, awarded Palouse-area economic development organizations three 2007 Hometown Awards for individual, community and partnership programs.

The recognition emphasizes the success area economic development leaders have had in exemplifying the slogan the “Palouse Knowledge Corridor.” That theme emphasizes the vast human capital that both counties possess through their status as university communities, and positions the area as an attractive location to grow knowledge-based businesses.

The Inland Northwest Partners awards, given annually, recognize local communities and individuals for outstanding economic development efforts in the Inland Northwest. The following are the individuals, organizations and communities that were honored for their commitment to the economic vitality of the region:

The Community Award

Moscow, Idaho, was honored with the Community Award for its Moscow Fiber Project. The city earned an Idaho Rural Community Development Block Grant to extend fiber optic connectivity into Alturas Technology Park. The Moscow Fiber Project creates a citywide fiber optic network, using as a nucleus the existing Avista fiber network, which serves many public entities including the city, Moscow School District, Gritman Medical Center, Alturas Technology Park, University of Idaho, Latah County, State of Idaho and potentially many other entities both public and private.

The Partnership Award

The Port of Whitman County was honored with the Partnership Award for its work on behalf of its communities to improve the economic vitality and lives of the citizens throughout the county. A few of its most recent projects and accomplishments include acquiring more than 50 acres to expand the Pullman Industrial Park, earning a $1 million Aviation Grant to reconstruct the taxiway at the Port of Whitman Business Air Center, and receiving an Innovation Partnership Zone designation and $1 million grant.

The Hometown Hero Award

Tammy Lewis, Palouse EDC managing director for Whitman County, was honored as a Hometown Hero for her tireless work over the past three years to improve the economic vitality of Whitman County. One of her recent recruitment successes involved convincing the owner of Micro Medical Machining and former Colfax resident to bring his California business “home”. Lewis has also coordinated the effort to market the Pullman/Moscow area as a Knowledge Corridor, and helped to develop and conduct Housing Forums and Business Plan Competitions to improve economic development in the area.

The Inland Northwest Partners (INP)

The INP is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the long-term vitality of a two-state region through its core offering of educational meetings, programs and seminars. More than 300 business and community leaders from eastern Washington and northern Idaho are members. The INP is also part of a regional marketing effort known as the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA), a consortium of nine economic development groups. For more information, visit http://www.inlandnorthwestregion.com or http://www.inwp.org.

***

Inland Northwest Partners recognizes
communities and individuals with awards

Inland Northwest Partners, a regional non-profit economic development organization, today honored local communities and individuals with awards for outstanding economic development efforts in the region.

For more than 20 years, Inland Northwest Partners has recognized deserving individuals and organizations with its Hometown Awards. The Hometown Awards, voted on by members of the organization, recognized winners in the community, partnership, hometown hero and lifetime achievement categories at the organization’s annual meeting today.

The Community Award
Cheney, Wash., was honored for its planned Cheney Research and Industrial Park, which included earning an Investment Award of $1.48 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) to install sewer, water, roads and telecommunications at the site. The 38-acre industrial park will create 400 jobs and $64 million in capital investment. In conjunction with this award, Don MacDonald, Cheney’s public works director, was recognized for his instrumental role in writing the grant and managing the application process, and the sale and formation of the PDA.

Moscow, Idaho, was also honored for its Moscow Fiber Project. The city earned an Idaho Rural Community Development Block Grant to extend fiber optic connectivity into Alturas Technology Park. The Moscow Fiber Project creates a citywide fiber optic network, using as a nucleus the existing Avista fiber network, which serves many public entities including the city, Moscow School District, Gritman Medical Center, Alturas Technology Park, University of Idaho, Latah County, State of Idaho and potentially many other entities both public and private.

The Partnership Award
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the Lake City Development Corporation (LCDC) were honored for spearheading the economic vitalization within the Coeur d’Alene Urban Renewal Districts. LCDC’s primary responsibilities within the districts include strategic and master planning, public/private partnership development and community education regarding urban vitalization. Examples of successful project partnerships include Riverstone Mixed-Use Development, Kroc Community Center, Coeur d’Alene Downtown Public Library and Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center.

The Port of Whitman County, was also honored for its work on behalf of its communities to improve the economic vitality and lives of the citizens throughout the county. A few of its most recent projects and accomplishments include acquiring more than 50 acres to expand the Pullman Industrial Park, earning a $1 million Aviation Grant to reconstruct the taxiway at the Port of Whitman Business Air Center, and receiving an Innovation Partnership Zone designation and $1 million grant.

Hometown Hero Award
Darrell Kerby, mayor of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, was honored for his work in the redevelopment of downtown Bonners Ferry and for being the primary impetus behind the community’s economic development program. Kerby is a community leader who has served in local government for the past 28 years: 20 years on the Bonners Ferry City Council and eight years as mayor of Bonners Ferry. This year, he was named “Mayor of the Year” by the Association of Idaho Cities. In addition to his job as mayor, he is the CEO and President of Pace-Kerby & Co, an independent insurance agency and real estate brokerage.

Tammy Lewis, Palouse EDC managing director for Whitman County, was also honored as a Hometown Hero for her tireless work over the past three years to improve the economic vitality of Whitman County. One of her recent recruitment successes involved convincing the owner of Micro Medical Machining and former Colfax resident to bring his California business “home”. Lewis has also coordinated the effort to market the Pullman/Moscow area as a Knowledge Corridor, and helped to develop and conduct Housing Forums and Business Plan Competitions to improve economic development in the area.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Anderson, Coeur d’Alene Regional Business Manager of Avista Corp., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the INP’s most prestigious award. He was honored for his dedication and commitment to his company, community, the region and the state of Idaho. Anderson has served on the Inland Northwest Partners board as treasurer for 11 years. In addition, he has served on a multitude of boards and commissions over the years including the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council, Kootenai Medical Center Foundation, the Kellogg Chamber of Commerce, Coeur d’Alene Rotary and Jobs Plus. He has been recognized throughout the state for his commitment with such honors as a Coeur d’Alene Chamber Ed Abbot Volunteer Award, a Coeur d’Alene Chamber Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, Post Falls Citizen of the Year Award and a Coeur d’Alene Chamber McNabb Leadership Award. Anderson will be retiring at the end of the year from Avista Corp. after a 42-year career with the company.

The Inland Northwest Partners (INP)
The INP is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the long-term vitality of a two-state region through its core offering of educational meetings, programs and seminars. More than 300 business and community leaders from eastern Washington and northern Idaho are members. The INP is also part of a regional marketing effort known as the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA), a consortium of nine economic development groups. For more information, visit http://www.inlandnorthwestregion.com or http://www.inwp.org.

(Thanks to Alison Moerschell, Account Executive, Hill & Knowlton http://www.hillandknowlton.com for passing this along. Russ)