The Hometown Awards, voted on by INP board members, were given to recipients in one of four categories— Community, Partnership, Hometown Hero, and Hall of Fame Award.
The Community Award honors communities that have successfully implemented an effective recruitment, retention or community development strategy that impacts a community’s economy.
Lacrosse, WA was honored for their efforts to reinvigorate their community’s economy through such efforts as:
- coming together and forming an organization called the LaCrosse Community Pride –a nonprofit organization that solicited and received $150,000 in funding from government, corporations and townspeople.
- buying and refurbishing a building that volunteers hope will house a grocery store, medical clinic, small library, coffee shop and meeting area.
- coaxing hundreds of hours of labor from businesspeople, college students, retirees and craftsmen in the rebuilding effort.
- luring
Spokane-based Sterling Savings Bank to open a branch office (after the
local bank was shut down) with a favorable lease agreement, the pledge
from more than 100 locals to open new accounts, and the promise of new
farm loans.
The Partnership Award was presented to the Tri-County Economic Development District Stronger Economies Together (SET) team - an economic planning group that involved business representatives, citizens and local governments tasked with the goal of expanding community input into the development of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The effort morphed into an action-oriented project that drew in 325 participants from Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties – who took part in seven planning sessions where community members weighed in on the state of the local economies and proposed solutions to real challenges. A number of ideas regarding infrastructure, business climate, tourism and agriculture surfaced, and as a result of the success of the process, the group will continue to work together to develop and implement strategies to enhance this region’s economy
The Hometown Hero Award recognizes individuals who have played a key role in the economic development efforts of a community or region.
Dick Watters, Southeast Washington EDA Whitman County director, was recognized as this year’s hometown hero for his efforts as a tireless advocate and consensus builder on behalf of the 16 communities in that county. He helped develop and successfully implement the Whitman Mayors’ Leadership Roundtable, was instrumental in planning the Port of Whitman Business Plan competition, as well as many Palouse Knowledge Corridor initiatives, and helped shape the strategies to “hire local” with the Palouse Wind renewable energy project in Whitman County. As a former WSU basketball player with a WSU undergrad and masters degree, his heart has always been dedicated to improving the lives of those who live on the Palouse.
Dick Watters was on hand to accept this much-deserved award.
Hall of Fame Award recognizes the person, community, agency, or company that has provided substantial support to economic development efforts in the Inland Northwest region.
This year’s most prestigious award was presented to a champion for economic development and growth both in Pullman and Whitman County– Mr. John Sherman, who recently retired from a position that he held for 31 years as the city supervisor of Pullman, WA. During his three decades of service, he has seen five mayors and 43 different City Council members come and go. Throughout his career, he has been interested in getting people involved in the community and attributes many of the improvements in Pullman over the years to the work of generous individuals and successful community partnerships.
John has witnessed the construction of four new schools during his time in office and is proud of the fact that the city is often ranked as one of the best places to raise kids. He sees a bright future for Pullman in the years ahead!
John Sherman was on hand for his induction into the Inland Northwest Partners Hall of Fame!
About the Inland Northwest Partners (INP)
The INP is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the long-term vitality of a two-state region through its core offering of educational meetings, programs and seminars. More than 300 business and community leaders from eastern Washington and northern Idaho are members. The INP is also part of a regional marketing effort known as the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA), a consortium of eleven economic development groups. For more information, visit www.inwp.org.
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