THE TRI-COUNTY DISTRICT

Located in Northeast Washington, Tri-County Economic Development District (TEDD) provides business assistance and supports economic development efforts in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille County while providing assistance in business financing throughout a 10 county area of Eastern Washington through the Rural Opportunities Loan Fund.

FIVE STAR ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY!

The Five Star Enterprise Communities have been working hard to make their communities better places to live. This is evident with projects that are going on in all five of the communities: North Ferry County, Newport / Kalispel, Colville Reservation East, Colville Reservation West, and the Spokane Tribe.
One project that is clear evidence of this team working together is their support for the SIM Man training project. Four of the communities have pooled their funds as seed money for a grant application that will bring state of the art training to their fire stations. This project includes an artificial body that is unbelievably life like and invaluable in the quality of real life training it can provide. There are video trainings included in the package. What this means to the rural fire halls that will be utilizing it, is that they will not have to come up with travel expense funds to send their volunteers to train. This will save them thousands of dollars each year, that they will be able to put towards their many other needs.
The Colville West Tribe, which serves the Nespelem and Omak areas, have been busy sprucing up their communities with projects that include the fixing up of a sports facility and a local cemetery. They are also working hard on monuments, scenic by-ways and art projects that will increase tourism in the area.
The Colville East Tribe has been working hard on improving their water infrastructure. Keller has come up with a unique way to address the impending drought this summer. They are looking to hire a community member to serve as a “Water Monitor”. This person will go door to door to check that residents are aware and using of good water conservation techniques. Both Inchelium and Keller are also working on their water and sewer systems.
Newport / Kalispel is completing several projects that make their community more accessible to the handicapped. All public park restrooms are now handicap accessible, and work has begun on making the CREATE Place handicap accessible as well. Before the end of summer, people driving into Newport will be presented with a new Welcome Sign, that will also point out the wonderful places to visit in and around Newport.
The North Ferry County EC continues to provide arts and entertainment to Curlew and surrounding areas. The whole community has been working hard on improving the Curlew Wetlands as well.
Finally, the Spokane Tribe has been busy constructing. A beautiful administration building was recently completed to house the Tribal Headquarters in Wellpinit. There is also work being done on a community center in Ford. The final work is being completed on the Emergency Vehicle Facility – which has become a shining example for other communities looking to provide a facility to house their emergency vehicles. If you are in the area, ask Jack to show you his truck! It gives a whole new meaning to Big Red Fire Truck!

For more information visit the Five Star Enterprise Community Web Site at
http://www.fivestarec.org.

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ACE Project Complete

The first phase of our work for the ACE (Active Community Environment) project has been completed and submitted to the WSDOT. The project was reviewed and staff has already been contacted and commended for “setting the bar” for all other RTPO’s to strive for. Staff worked very closely with the communities, partners and TEDD staff members to compile a report that provides community assessments and begins the prioritization process of active community living needs throughout our region. The ACE Program is born out of the Center for Disease Control and taken up in Washington State through a partnership between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Health with a goal of encouraging more active and healthy lifestyles. The report that staff submitted will be updated and modified as needed. If you would like a copy of the final report, you may contact Karen Van Soest.

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