Update & Action Alert on Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy (INEAS)

The Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy (INEAS) continues to move forward!

* Senate Bill 2162, the Inland Northwest Revitalization Act, was introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (ID), and is with the Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee. This bill authorizes the four-state/tribal partnership and enables the Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy to move to the implementation phase. Other members of the Northwest Congressional delegation have been invited to co-sponsor.

* The INEAS initiative may receive consideration as part of EPW Committee discussions during the next week.

Below is more information about S. 2162 and the Strategy. Please review the information, and if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The Strategy, and S. 2162 which authorizes its implementation, represent an extraordinary opportunity for economic development in the Inland Northwest region. Please help us spread the word and encourage support for this important effort as we work together to make the distressed areas of our region more globally competitive.

More Information about INEAS (see also http://www.inlandnwregion.org)
As you know, the INEAS is a set of five strategic regional initiatives designed to stimulate business investment and overcome obstacles to economic growth in 137 counties of the Inland Northwest. The project is a partnership between the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), supported by the four Governors and ATNI tribal leadership. Development of the Strategy involved hundreds of business, economic and community leaders from all four states.

The INEAS will coordinate economic development efforts across state lines. It will not duplicate existing efforts, but rather provide additional strategic investments to maximize the return in economic growth. And it will foster collaboration among economic developers in order to maximize limited dollars. The five initiatives are the following:

1. Business cluster development: support development in key business sectors that have competitive strength in the Inland Northwest region: wood-based products, value-added agriculture/food products, renewable energy, biotechnology/life sciences, tourism/recreation, environmental restoration, creative enterprises, metals/minerals and information technology.

2. Entrepreneurial development: provide training and technical assistance to businesses, and help communities to create stronger support systems for entrepreneurs, based on best practices for rural areas.

3. Technology commercialization: capitalize on world class research and technology being produced at the region’s nine research universities and two national labs, by providing stronger linkages between researchers and businesses.

4. Workforce development: augment workforce training programs, linking enhancement of worker skills to specific needs of businesses within the targeted business clusters.

5. Community readiness: help communities overcome barriers to business growth through realistic assessments, leadership training and assistance with project development.

Several key pieces of information about the INEAS are available for your review and use:

* Executive Summary of the Strategy, an 8-page full color document, available in .pdf format on the INEAS web site: http://www.inlandnwregion.org/whatsnew.html, or in hard copy from my office (contact info below)

* S. 2162 Fact Sheet summarizing the Inland Northwest Revitalization Act (attached)

* S. 2162 Q & A Sheet (attached — the bill itself is available on the INEAS web site)

We appreciate your continued interest in, and support of, this important effort. For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,
Lorraine
Project Coordinator

Lorraine H. Roach, CMSM
Principal
The Hingston Roach Group, Inc.
Strategic Solutions for Community and Business Development

416 W. Main Street, Suite 2
PO Box 400
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
Tel: 208.983.2175
Fax: 208.983.9188
Email: [email protected]