Libby economic development planning continues
Meetings in Libby and Troy March 13 & 15
March 2, 2007
The Healthy Communities Initiative met with the majority of the new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) steering committee to discuss the development of a new CEDS document for Lincoln County and the region, according to Greg Larson, who has been asked to lead the South Lincoln County planning effort. Kootenai River Development Council (KRDC), is providing leadership in the CEDS planning process for Southern Lincoln County according to Paul Rumelhart, Executive Director of KRDC.
Lincoln County will begin development of a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) with local kickoff meetings planned in March. The planning process, which includes implementation components, is designed to increase new jobs and tax base and to foster a more stable and diverse economy, improve the standard of living and quality of life, and provide a vehicle to help communities prioritize needs and responsibilities.
The CEDS is a long range economic development plan and it is a requirement of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Lincoln County last completed a CEDS in 2002.
A new CEDS is required every five years with updates annually to remain eligible for EDA funding.
KRDC is currently seeking $1.5 million from the EDA out of the $2.5 million needed to make infrastructure improvements to the Kootenai Industrial District Business Park. EDA is the largest grant giving federal agency for economic development.
Lincoln County is one of four counties in the Northwest Montana Economic Development District (EDD), along with Flathead, Lake and Sanders, and they are involved in this planning process. The Lincoln County CEDS, when completed, will be combined with the other county plans as part of the four county regional CEDS. The Regional CEDS is planned to be completed and submitted to EDA in June for their review and approval.
The CEDS planning process will involve a series of meetings requesting public involvement. The first meetings will concentrate on the identification of the counties economic strengths and challenges. Concern issues will be grouped into categories such as health care, housing, infrastructure where they will go through an in-depth analysis followed by the development of a plan of action addressing each category.
Kickoff meetings are scheduled for March 13 at the Memorial Center in Libby and March 15, at the Troy Fire Hall. Both meetings will begin at 7:00 P.M.
Steering committee assignments are: Dan Thede, Rita Windom, Pat Pezzelle, Johnette Watkins, Bill Patten, Ed Levert, Gary Spencer, Debi Davison, Jim Hammons, John Konzen and Paul Rumelhart.
As you may notice, many of the cast of characters are members of the numerous other economic development agencies in the county.
Story by KLCB Libby News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com
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