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Palouse
Economic Development Council 845 Port Way | Clarkston, Washington 99403 509-751-9144 | toll free 1-877-289-7598 | fax 509-758-1309 |
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| NEWS |
Wal-Mart's Coming! Don't Just Survive, but Thrive! An Educational Opportunity for Retailers: Panel Presentation & Discussion-
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| APRIL 2008 |
Did
you know that small businesses employ more than 50% of the nation’s
private workforce? In fact, businesses with ten or fewer employees
generate half of the nation’s gross domestic product and are the
principal source of new jobs in the
In honor of National Small Business Month, Palouse Economic Development Council has teamed with Whitman County Library to provide valuable information and resources during the month of May. These resources will support current small business owners and assist those thinking about starting a business.
A
display in the reading area of the Colfax Library features a variety of
helpful and timely small business topics. A packet is available with
small business advice and basic information about developing a business
plan. The packet also contains information regarding helpful websites
and resources specific to
As
part of National Small Business Month, Palouse EDC will host a workshop
on Small Business Taxes on May 20 from
For more information on business start-up and support or to RSVP for the workshop, contact Tammy Lewis, Palouse Economic Development Council at 397-6290. To pick up a small business packet or request a title on the subject, contact Whitman County Library at 397-4366.
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| APRIL 2008 |
Business
taxes can be daunting. What forms should I file? What receipts and
paperwork should I be saving? Am I taking advantage of available
incentives? This workshop will help new or existing business owners or
managers understand the basics of
Sales tax, Business and Operation taxes, use tax, even the new Streamlined Sales tax will be discussed during this free event. Bring your questions and don’t miss this valuable learning experience.
Instructor
Melissa Sharp, is a senior
revenue auditor for the Washington Sate Department of Revenue - Audit
Division. She is responsible for training new auditors statewide in laws
and rules portions of the business tax code. She is a graduate of
The
workshop, sponsored by Palouse Economic Development Council, will be
Tuesday, May 20, from
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| APRIL 2008 |
Debbie Snell, Port of Whitman (LEFT) with "REDS" Student Dawoud Kazimee with Tammy Lewis (PEDC)
team members
Science,
tourism and portable hot tubs topped the list of winners at the second
annual Business Plan Competition, open class league, sponsored by
Washington State University Business Department, the
In the open league, five participants presented their business ideas to a panel of judges from around the region. Judges included bankers, and business and investment consultants. Following their presentations, contestants faced a question and answer period from the judges.
First
place winner was Kevin King, of BEST LLC.,
Other participants included the team of Samantha Redinger, Colton and Jeremy Benjamin, Pullman with REDS, a multi-faceted entertainment center, and Douglas Sapp, Dayton, for SAPP DV Films, a film production company dedicated to producing content for the Internet and global mobile market.
“They were all really great ideas,” said Tammy Lewis, Palouse Economic Development Council, who served as room coordinator for the Open League. “The judges had quite a bit of discussion before picking the winners.”
Judges in the Open league focused on business concept feasibility and economic impact. They were also looking to see if the business was ready to launch, Lewis added.
“This has been very good for us,” Tom Kammerzell told the judges following the presentation. “Going through this process made us look at things we had never thought about.”
Five teams initially entered the new high school league, but only two made it to the final competition. Dawoud Kazimee, Pullman High School, took home $600 for his “juice bar” proposal. Jacob Spencer, Pullman High School, took home $300 for his fresh produce market plan.
The Port of Whitman provided prize money for the Open Class League and Palouse Economic Development Council provided prize money for the High School League. The two leagues were part of a larger WSU sponsored student business plan competition.
| APRIL 2008 |
POMEROY--
Rally
About
Rally
Based
in
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| MARCH 2008 |
Organizers
of the 2nd Annual Business Plan competition selected the top
entrants to compete in this year’s oral competition April 11 at
“We had a couple high school entries,” said Tammy Lewis, Palouse Economic Development Council. “We thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get the youth involved, so we decided to seek out a couple more and have a separate league.”
Under the open class rules only high school seniors and above could compete. Opening the high school league was viewed as an educational exposure to entrepreneurship.
“We want to inspire and educate those kids who have the spirit so they understand what it takes to run a business,” Lewis added. “That could save them time, money and energy in the future. But most importantly, if they do decide to pursue their own business it would increase their chance of success.”
High school league participants will compete for $1,000 in prize money provided by Palouse EDC. Entrants in that league will attend the same prep classes as open class participants and present in front of a panel of judges in the final round.
High school competitors for the 2008 round are: Miles Pfaff, Farmington and Sean Neal, Garfield – Paraplegic Agricultural Lift; Jacob Spencer, Pullman – fresh produce store, Lydia Shompole, Elena Cerrillo, and Megan Irwin, Pullman – photography studio; Nishant Dwidvedi, Yihao Jiang and Nikhil Sablani – electronics store.
Entrants
in the open class league will compete for $15,000 provided by the
“All
the ideas were great,” said Joe Harris, Director of the
The
open league entrants moving on are: Kevin King, BEST LLC, Pullman –
technology transfer; Doug Sapp, Dayton – Internet and mobile video
production; Tom and Cheryl Kammerzell, Maple K. Farms, Colfax – Agri-tourism;
Douglas Lee, Clarkston – light manufacturing, alternative fuel hot
tubs; Samantha Redinger,
This
is the second year for the Business Plan Competition. It is held in
conjunction with the WSU student business plan competition. WSU, the
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| MARCH 2008 |
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WHITMAN COUNTY
-
Palouse Economic Development Council,
Tammy Lewis - March 4, 2008
Come
learn from those who are making Affordable Housing a reality around the
State. See examples of affordable housing projects and learn about
partnerships and models that work. Also
learn about the new “Building with NW Energy Star” program making
housing affordable long term.
Sponsored
by Palouse Economic Development Council and the
115 NW State Street
in
Guest
speakers include Justin Wheaton, GreenStone Homes (Dishman Commons
development,
Realtors,
lenders, CAC program staff, representatives from various
*****
| FEBRUARY 2008 |
PALOUSE KNOWLEDGE CORRIDOR LOGO HITS THE MARKET
A new logo, designating the Palouse region as a “Knowledge Corridor”, is popping up in magazines, on brochures and websites of businesses and organizations in Washington and Idaho. Unlike many marketing ideas of the past, this one ignores the state line and focuses instead on the region as a whole.
“The corridor is not really one physical place,” said Margaret Howlett, Latah Economic Development, who co-chairs the Palouse Knowledge Corridor committee. “It’s a symbol of our whole region and its assets.”
The
logo was designed by Advantage Advertising of Lewiston. The development
of the logo was guided and selected by the PKC committee. That committee
is made up of representatives from Latah EDC, Palouse EDC, the cities of
Pullman and Moscow, Washington State University, University of Idaho,
and business representatives from each city. Howlett and Francis
Benjamin, Pullman City Council, share committee chair duties.
The committee grew out of a summit hosted in 2006 by Latah and Palouse Economic Development Councils. That summit sought to highlight the research opportunities and the cluster of high tech companies in the area.
“If you combine the businesses (in Moscow, Pullman and the surrounding area) you start to see clusters of similar industries,” said Tammy Lewis, Palouse Economic Development Council, Whitman County. “It makes us much stronger demographically if we promote the areas together, rather than each separately.”
Both Howlett and Lewis work to support existing business and to encourage the growth or relocation of new businesses in their respective counties.
The group is also working on a new website expected to launch in the next couple of months. The site is expected to tout the advantages of doing business in the region, highlight the research going on here, and provide links to local high tech companies as well as community sites.
The group is still working on a marketing plan for the new logo, but it has already appeared in an advertisement in “Here we have Idaho” magazine. The logo will likely be used by municipalities, economic development councils and the universities as an add on to advertisements and official paperwork. The group also hopes to get the high tech companies in the region to use it as well.
Ultimately, the goal for the brand and the website is to bring notoriety to the region as a hub of high tech business and research. A reputation as a place of research and innovation is likely to attract a lot of attention from the scientific community and businesses in the high tech industry.
Both Howlett and Lewis agree working across state lines and focusing on the assets that already exist in the region is a great way to reach that goal and highlight existing businesses as well as attract new ones.
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| JANUARY 2008 |
SEEKING ENTREPRENEUERS
Business ideas are being sought for the second annual Business Plan Competition being sponsored by Washington State University, the Port of Whitman and Palouse Economic Development Council. A total of $15,000 in prize money may be given to winners in the Open Class competition to turn their ideas into a reality.
Joe Poire, Port of Whitman, Joe Harris, Director of Economic Development University Center, WSU and Tammy Lewis, Palouse Economic Development Council will head up the team organizing the open class competition. Organizers said it could help to generate interest and synergy into creating businesses in the region. The competition is open to residents and business owners from Whitman, Asotin, Columbia and Garfield Counties. Existing businesses introducing new products are also encouraged.
“(The goal) would be for people to learn the steps needed to be successful with a new business idea,” Harris said. “We want to grow new business in our local community.”
Currently Harris teaches senior level business courses at WSU and organizes a similar competition for students. The student and open competition will take place simultaneously. Competitors in the open class league can register to attend a series of evening classes, taught by Harris, to help them prepare for the competition that will take place April 11-12 on the WSU Campus.
The classes are optional, but competitors must go through a review process prior to the event. The initial application deadline is Feb. 1. An oral review will take place in March and the top five plans will compete by presenting their plan to a panel of judges at the April event.
A strict set of criteria will be followed. Plans cannot be for franchise businesses. Alcohol, tobacco, bars, restaurants and gambling establishments do not qualify. The plan must be for a new market idea, create jobs and have direct economic impact by bringing in money from outside the region. Applicants must be high school seniors or older.
For information or to apply contact Palouse Economic Development Council at 509-397-6290.
| DECEMBER 2007 |
PALOUSE EDC's very own Managing Director, Tammy Lewis, receives a "Hometown Hero" award by Inland Northwest Partners for all her great efforts and dedicated work in Whitman County.
Click here to read INP's Press Release
|
NOVEMBER 2007 |
LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY MAKES SHOPPING LOCAL EASIER
Finding what you want
locally just got easier. A directory of
“I know there are many more businesses
out there,” said Tammy Lewis,
Lewis launched the hard copy version of the directory as part of a “Shop Local” campaign. The online directory launched late last year. She is hoping people will think twice before taking their holiday shopping dollars outside of the county.
“Every dollar spent at an out-of-county business is another dollar taken out of circulation in our local communities,” she said. “Not only does that money support local businesses and their employees, it contributes to tax revenue that pays for area schools, libraries, hospital districts, emergency crews and city and county roads and infrastructure.”
Spend $100 at a locally owned business and $68 of it stays in the local economy, according to “Local First Utah”, one of many organizations springing up across the nation trying to promote the value of local buying. Spend $100 at a non-locally-owned business in the community and $43 stays in the local economy. And the obvious, spend $100 at an out-of-the-area business and none if it goes to the local community.
Lewis hopes both the online directory and the hardcopy version will help residents identify the wealth of businesses located right here in the local communities.
“Everything from antiques and fine
jewelry to custom rock sand blasting and customized golf carts are
available right here in
The directory is available online under the business link at www.palouse.org or visit your local library. For information or to add a business listing contact Lewis at 509-397-6290.
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|
OCTOBER 2007 |
SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR TO SERVE SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON
Helping people is John Coleman’s passion. As a successful business owner twice over, and a former SCORE volunteer, helping business owners succeed is what he loves to do.
Coleman
was hired as the new Business Advisor for the recently re-launched
A graduate of the
“I have always had a passion for service, and I love being able to use my unique talents to assist others,” he said. “I love solving problems, and nothing pleases me more than to assist others with addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in their own businesses.”
During his IT career, and again as a business owner, Coleman worked himself up the ladder only to find he was no longer directly working with people.
“The funny thing was that even though I had advanced so far, I missed the rewarding nature of the help desk work where I started. My work had become all about the technology, or the management of the business, and not much about the service of the users or customers. That’s not where I wanted to be.”
He began volunteering with the Spokane SCORE Chapter two years ago to help fill the void he was experiencing. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses succeed and to providing entrepreneurial education. SCORE volunteers have all been business owners at some point, and provide mentorship and confidential advice in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, management or business plan completion.
“After going through all of the challenge, struggle, and excitement of launching and running my own successful business, I felt compelled to share what I had learned with others.”
Small
Business Development Centers serve any business owner or can assist with
the management of any business with less than 500 employees. Coleman
will serve Whitman, Asotin, and
His first month he has spent getting the office together, attending meetings, and getting to know some of the key people in the region. With some of that under his belt he is anxious to get started with his work.
“I am excited to start working with business clients in the area. My main strengths are focused in technology, strategy development, business focus, and marketing and promotion. However, due to my experience, I feel comfortable helping almost any business at any point is its life-cycle. I like to think of the services offered as being ‘business advancement services’. I believe, as a network, we have the tools to assist nearly any business to be able to move forward with its goals”.
For information contact
Coleman at his office at 509-335-8081. His office is located in the
Three Forks Orthopedic building at
Governor Christine Gregoire announced Tuesday that the Port of Whitman Pullman Industrial Park has been designated as a State Innovation Partnership Zone. That designation brings with it $1 million in grant funds to expand and market the facility, as well as develop a Center of Excellence devoted to integrating energy efficient technologies associated with the datacenter market.
“
To apply for the designation of Innovation Partnership Zones, areas had to have a cluster of private businesses, research availability, and a training plan to feed the expected growth.
The Port proposal includes
three primary focuses for the
“We currently have about 17 acres left in the park and we need to hold that for the expansion of existing businesses,” said Debbie Snell, Property Manager for the Port.
Another 41-acre parcel of land has been identified as an expansion site and negotiations are already underway for the purchase of that land. That property is not contiguous, due to Washington State Department of Transportation easements for the North-South Byway, but is located directly on the other side of the easement property.
The Port recently funded a
feasibility study on the establishment of a non-profit, public/private
partnership that will advocate for and develop energy efficient
technologies associated with the datacenter market. This national
Datacenters currently use an extraordinary amount of energy and GITA will focus on research projects to curb that usage. Plans are in the works for incorporating techniques such as, green building architectures, cooling ponds, wind, solar and other green energy concepts.
The third strategy regarding the IPZ designation will be marketing the zone utilizing its energy efficient focus. That strategy will include signage and publications pointed at start up or recruiting of like-minded companies. In addition, the research infrastructure can be used to educate the general public and business owners nationwide.
The Port partnered
on the project with the
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|
APRIL 2007 |
MEDICAL
MANUFACTURING COMPANY TO RELOCATE IN COLFAX
-
Palouse Economic Development Council,
Tammy Lewis - April 16,2007
Medical Micro Machining, Inc. of Simi Valley, Ca., has announced it will relocate its manufacturing operations to Colfax, Wash. as early as this summer. The company, owned and operated by Rob and Kathy Whitmore, are building a 4,500 square foot facility at the northern end of Clay Street with the possibility of building a second building at the same location in the next 5 years.
Whitmore, a 1970 graduate of Colfax High School, began Medical Micro in 1994 at the California location after working for nearly 20 years as manager and production manager for other manufacturing companies including Macro Technologies and J.M. Ney Company in Redmond, Wash. and California.
Work at the company varies with the contracts they hold, but for the most part focuses on a couple of industries, Whitmore said.
“We do everything from low tech hand work to high tech machining. Primarily we produce extremely small parts for the medical industry, electronics and microwave systems.”
A pending contract with a company that produces a miniscule capsule inserted into the human body to read glucose levels could mean the company would expand in the next few years. That project would require a “semi-sterile” facility” so an expansion would most likely be required if the project moves forward. Although a portion of the current building is dedicated to handle that environment, the expansion could be necessary to handle full production.
“That project is currently going through the FDA process,” Whitmore said.
With customers nationwide, spanning from Department of Defense sub-contracts to providing connectors for rental car key chains, the location of the company is not really an issue. With prices escalating in California, it seemed like the perfect time to come home and be near family, he said.
Rob is the son of Rusty and Bernadine Whitmore of Colfax. Rob’s daughter, Daria, recently moved back home to Colfax from Alaska and his son, Clay, hopes to be moving to Colfax after serving in the military in Iraq.
Initially, Daria, a Certified Public Accountant, will take on CFO duties for the company at its new location. Whitmore expects he could hire up to 10 employees the first couple of years and could expand up to 20 within 5 years if the glucose capsule project comes through. Jobs would range from assembly and detailed handwork to skilled machinists.
Whitmore Properties Group is currently working with Brown Family Builders to build the facility on Clay Street with ground breaking expected this week. They hope to have the facility operational by July.
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FIRST
BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION NETS PARTICIPANTS $15,000 -
Palouse Economic Development Council,
Tammy Lewis - April 16,2007
Lee Ann Literal, Dayton, has $7,500 to put into her Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy Business she hopes to start soon. She took home the First Place prize money after competing in the first ever Business Plan Competition, open class league, sponsored by Washington State University Business Department, the Port of Whitman and Palouse Economic Development Council. Steve Teare, Palouse, Neil Cox, Clarkston and Kirby Dailey, Colfax will share the remaining prize money taking home awards in that order.
All four of the participants presented their business ideas to a panel of judges from around the region. Judges included bankers and business consultants. Following their presentations, contestants faced a question and answer period and a period of feedback from the judges that will help them if they decide to take their ideas to a bank or investor in the real world.
“I learned a lot that I will be able to take back to Decagon,” said Dailey, the operations manager for the existing company in Pullman. The business idea he presented was a spin off model he hopes to move forward with in the future.
All the participants except for Literal spent several evenings in classes to perfect their business plan. Those classes taught by Joe Harris, of WSU, taught them a lot about what was expected.
“He’d tear us (our plans) to pieces. It was tough,” said
Teare.
Teare, a graphic designer, presented a plan to market equipment, such as light and camera stands for digital photography he has designed. He also intends to market some graphic design software designed by a family member.
Neil Cox of Clarkston presented a tourism business catering outdoor adventure to Japanese travelers. He, along with the others, learned it is not enough to have a good idea, you also have to have good financials, and the plan has to be well thought out.
“It really was a great experience,” said Dailey. “For me it was an opportunity to get some good heads together looking at a plan and mitigating risk. It stimulated thought and helped us adjust the plan to make it work.”
WSU students compete for prize money during student rounds each year, but this was the first time the competition was extended to the general public in the region. Organizers hope the open class league will become a regular feature of the event.
Palouse Economic Development Council marketed the open class competition and the Port of Whitman provided the prize money.
|
JANUARY 2007 |
SITE
READY FOR CONTRACTOR TO BEGIN WORK ON EASTERN WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL
MUSEUM AS THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS -
Pomeroy East Washingtonian Jan. 3, 2007
Sidewalk superintendents encouraged to watch from grandstands.
With the site preparation groundwork completed, and interest in the facility running high, the Ag Museum group is anticipating that the building could be completed in time for the annual Spring Farming Days on March 31 and April 1 and a dedication ceremony for the museum be held during the event. Displays of old farm equipment, a chili cook-off, and a quilt show will comprise the activities for the weekend.
“We welcome and encourage people not only to come and view the activities, but to bring items for exhibit,” says David Ruark.
|
NOVEMBER 2006 |
MUSEUM
WILL PRESERVE FARMING'S PAST -
Lewiston Tribune
Nov. 21, 2006
Agricultural museum at Garfield County Fairgrounds to focus on eastern Washington.
Farmers and friends gathered to kibitz during the groundbreaking at the eastern Washington Agricultural museum in Pomeroy. When it’s finished, the 72-feet by 120-feet museum building will house antique farming equipment, tools, books, vehicles and other artifacts from the early horsedrawn era to the 1950’s.
The project is being paid for by $21,000 the committee raised from donations and fundraisers and another $150,000 grant from the state of Washington.
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POMEROY
COMMUNITY CENTER'S OPEN HOUSE -
Pomeroy East Washingtonian Nov. 15, 2006
Sandi Dixon and Lisa Lund working to fulfill dream of invigorating city’s core by drawing resident to preserved buildings.
The open house will give residents a preview of Pomeroy Community Center’s classes, gallery space for work by local artisans, and gift shop in the corner building. With the assistance of volunteers, the plan is to hold from three to five classes per week at the community center.
Pomeroy Community Center comprises the strategies of preserving three historic landmark buildings by holding classes and activities in them, and drawing more people to the downtown core to help the other businesses in Pomeroy.
|
OCTOBER 2006 |
PACIFI
CORP ACQUIRES NEW WIND ENERGY FACILITY
Dayton Chronicle Oct. 11, 2006
Second major wind purchase in two months brings company close to its target of 400 megawatts of new renewable resources in portfolio by end of 2007.
With this announcement, PacifiCorp is now just 64 megawatts shy of reaching its goal of adding 400 megawatts of cost-effective new renewable resources to its generation portfolio by the end of 2007.
The project is expected to have the capability to serve the needs of approximately 37,000 customers.
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