Spokane’s CONNECT Program Development Formally Begins This Week with San Diego Trip

Today, a team of 12 Spokane business leaders will travel to San Diego, Calif. as part of the recently developed regional CONNECT program. The CONNECT model aims to enhance the economy here by developing a plan to foster entrepreneurial activity.

The program, organized and advanced by INTEC, involves leaders from a diverse group including participants from the venture capital community, high technology business and legal and marketing interests, as well as successful entrepreneurs.

“This will be an important first step in the development of the CONNECT program,” said Lewis Rumpler, INTEC CEO. “A strong team from a diverse group of organizations will represent Spokane and begin the process of creating a business plan that will ultimately help the economy here thrive.”

The CONNECT program is being developed in conjunction with the University of California – San Diego Extension Services, which has assisted in creating similar, successful programs in numerous other communities around the globe.

The CONNECT model fosters economic development through local and national networks of financial resources, innovative entrepreneurs and research facilities. The most unique part of CONNECT is that the people who work with the entrepreneurs come directly from the region’s business community.

Phil Sandifur, fund manager for Jaguar Ventures recently joined INTEC as a consultant and will be responsible for assisting with the development of the CONNECT program.

“It’s important to have someone like Phil on board that can lend his expertise,” Rumpler said. “His knowledge of financial markets, entrepreneurial development, and the economic landscape in Spokane will be invaluable.”

“This initial trip will provide more direction to the process of creating the business plan, and activities like working with existing organizations and leveraging the advantages we have as a region.” Sandifur said.

Leaders from the San Diego organization will analyze an inventory of the Spokane region’s economic assets, compiled by INTEC, as well as information from the “Developing an Innovation Economy for Spokane” report generated last year and authored by Nathan Brown of the Morgan Leigh Group.

Once initial meetings with UCSD are complete, Sandifur said others from the community will be encouraged to join the effort.

“This needs to be a collaborative effort,” he said. “Spokane has a great opportunity to develop an innovation economy that grows industries like information technology and biomedicine. These industries have incredible potential to generate high wage jobs and create wealth in the region. However, we need to work together, as no single organization can deliver the economic transformation we are seeking.”

Proponents of the CONNECT program say that it is a way to help diversify a Spokane economy that has traditionally relied on industries like agriculture and natural resources. “Clearly, we need to grow companies that can help diversify what we offer as a region,” said Steve Helmbecht, Vice President of International Sales for ITRON, “CONNECT is a proven way that will help get many organizations working together towards a common goal, and ultimately will bolster the economy here.”

The Advisory Team Members traveling to San Diego include:

Bill Kalivas, INTEC;

Phil Sandifur, Jaguar Ventures;

Marty Dickinson, Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce;

Tab Wilkins, Washington Technology Center;

Scott Wetzel, Contineo Technologies;

Phil Galland, Next IT;

Ellie Chambers, Avista Corp.;

Russ Wheat, BHW1 Advertising, Design and Public Relations;

Steve Helmbrecht, Itron;

Joe Herzog, Northwest Venture Associates;

Keith Trefry and Chris Hogstad, Paine Hamblen;

and John Pariseau of Win Partners, LLC.