Inland
Northwest Partners (INP), a regional non-profit economic development
organization, honored local communities and individuals with Hometown Awards at
the organization’s annual meeting on Nov. 14. For more than 25 years, the INP has recognized deserving
individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in supporting the
economic growth of communities in the Inland Northwest.
The
Hometown Awards, voted on by INP board members, were given to recipients in one
of four categories: Partnership, Community, Hometown Hero and Hall of Fame
Award.
The Partnership Award recognizes communities, persons,
agencies or regions that have achieved significant economic development
accomplishments through innovative partnerships.
The
Grant County EDC and the Port of
Moses Lake, along with all of their other partners, were recognized for
their outstanding commitment to economic development. The partnership is
considered a shining star of business recruitment and expansion, playing key
roles in the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation project, SGL Automotive Carbon
Fibers expansion and AstaReal Technologies manufacturing plant project. The
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation project, which will result in more than 80
high-paying aerospace engineering positions, is putting the region on the
global map as a location of choice for future aircraft certification and
testing activities. SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers plans to triple the capacity
of its carbon fiber plant, funded by an investment of $300 million, making it
the world’s largest carbon fiber plant and creating jobs for 200 people. The
AstaReal Technologies manufacturing plant project is a $30 million investment
with 45 permanent local jobs created. In addition, the county is home to new
data centers of global companies, including a planned Microsoft data center in
Quincy. Jonathan Smith, executive director of the Grant County EDC
and Richard Hanover, director of business development for the Port of Moses
Lake, accepted the award on behalf of the group.
The City
of Post Falls, the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Post Falls Urban
Renewal District were honored for their integral role in many of the economic
development activities occurring in North Idaho, including the Interstate
90 overpass at Greensferry Road. The project intends to ease congestion, create
economic development and improve connectivity, traffic mobility and emergency
response between the business districts and residential areas north and south
of the Interstate. When completed, the project will feature two lanes in each
direction, a center turn lane, bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides that
connect to the Centennial Trail. The overpass, estimated at $15 million, is
expected to be completed in the fall of 2015. Without a partnership between the
URA, the chamber and the city, it is doubtful that this much-needed project
would have ever happened. Post Falls
Mayor Ron Jacobsen, City Administrator Shelly Enderud, Post Falls Chamber
President and CEO Pam Houser, Post Falls URA Chairman Jerry Baltzell and URA Executive Director Tom Lien accepted the
award.
The Community Award, honoring
a community that has successfully implemented an effective recruitment,
retention or community development strategy that has made a positive impact on
the community’s economy.
The City
of Moscow, Idaho was recognized for its efforts to help keep EMSI
in the community. EMSI, a private company and employer of more than 100 that provides
web-based economic modeling, demographics, workforce and occupational analysis
for clients across the globe, was quickly outgrowing its rented space at the
Alturas Technology Park. The Wintz Company, a local real estate development
company, had recently acquired the former Daily News Building in the downtown
area and renovated the property for EMSI. Because the property lies within the
Legacy Crossing Urban Renewal District, the City of Moscow and the urban
renewal district were able to participate in some of the redevelopment of public
infrastructure. Because the city and urban renewal district had a retention
strategy in place, EMSI was able to remain in the community with minimal
disruptions to their productivity. The city gained an attractive new commercial
property within the urban renewal district and the local payroll and workforce
continues to be positively impacted. Mayor Bill Lambert, City Supervisor Gary Riedner,
Community Development Director Bill Belknap, City Council members Walter Steed
and Tom Lamar, Wintz Company President Mark Wintz and EMSI Account Manager
David Wallace
accepted the award on behalf of the entire community.
The Hometown Hero Awards, which recognize individuals who have played
a key role in the economic development efforts of a community or region, were
bestowed on two recipients. These
two are selfless individuals who are truly dedicated to seeing their
communities succeed.
Margie Hall, executive director of Lincoln County
EDC, was recognized as a Hometown
Hero for her outstanding efforts in promoting economic and community
development for the county. The Lincoln County EDC provides traditional EDC
services and also serves as the Visitor & Convention Bureau. In a county
that is the seventh largest in the state, but with less than five people per
square mile, Hall secured funds from the Washington Department of Commerce and
pulled together a team that addressed broadband issues and opportunities across
the county. Hall offers social media and other online presence training for the
local business community. She is an active member of the Washington State Rural
Pathways to Prosperity Conference planning team and hosted one of the most
successful sites during the last conference. Hall’s high energy, positive
attitude and planning expertise have gained her many supporters and partners
within the county and across the region.
Jim
Hammond was honored as a Hometown Hero for his efforts
promoting economic development for the City of Post Falls, the region and the
State of Idaho for decades. Hammond’s career in public office has included
serving as Mayor, State Senator, City Councilor and City Administrator. He has
also served on numerous boards and organizations. Hammond is currently serving
as the interim executive director of the Panhandle Area Council where he served
on the board of directors for 20 years, and will soon be taking over as the new
city administrator for the city of Coeur d’Alene.
Over the years, Hammond has supported and often led the charge to recruit
new businesses, retain existing business and develop public infrastructure to
support new growth. His early vision and leadership helped make Post Falls one
of Idaho’s fastest growing cities and home to industries such as manufacturing,
research, medical, robotics and international companies. His support of economic
development tools such as urban renewal districts, tax increment financing and
the STAR bill helped bring businesses such as Cabelas, Sysco, Flexel and Buck
Knives to Post Falls and strengthened the public infrastructure.
The Hall of Fame Award goes to individuals, communities,
agencies or companies that have provided substantial support to economic
development efforts in the Inland Northwest region.
Terry Lawhead, business
development manager and CERB liaison for the Washington State Department of Commerce,
was honored with the Hall of Fame award. Lawhead
provides statewide technical assistance in infrastructure
investments and renewable energy projects as well as collaboration on
special initiatives. He thoroughly enjoys working closely with the businesses
and residents of the diverse communities located throughout the state. Born and
raised in Washington with a journalism degree from the University of Idaho, he
brings an eclectic mix of experience to the position, including stints in
logging, ranching, farming, construction, corporate relations, downtown
revitalization and publishing. He is an IEDC certified economic professional,
licensed farrier and wrote several books on native Hawaiian history, banking,
the origins of tourism and a travel guide for parents with children. He has
represented Washington State in international forums and assisted with the
first U.S.-held international conference by TCI in a unique partnership with
Oregon.
Tom Stroschein, Latah
County Commissioner, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Stroschein has
served on the Latah County Board of Commissioners for the past 12 years. His
resolve for supporting a countywide economic development organization, the Latah
Economic Development Council, was unwavering. He has been an active supporter
and participant with the Potlatch River Ridge Redevelopment effort, Latah Food
Innovation Resource Center study and value-added agricultural strategies,
Palouse Basin water development issues, and building strong collaborative
partnerships with the City of Moscow and the University of Idaho.
