2018 Year in Review

by | Jan 14, 2019 | Area Economics, In The Press

2018 WCMEDC Annual Report

2018 was a busy year for our region. Below we highlight the wins achieved across the region.

Workforce Development:

  • Gap analysis–completed two surveys and a SWOT analysis alongside the Idaho Policy Institute that measured the gap between what students value and aspire to do after they graduate and what local industry needs them to do: https://wcmedc.org/workforce-data/

  • Apprenticeship–Continued support of the Idaho and U.S. Dept. of Labor’s registered apprenticeship platform. Efforts include assisting with establishing apprenticeship programs for several industry partners. We also co-hosted a regional apprenticeship fair with the Idaho Dept. of Labor and McCall Labor Office.

Pathways:

  • Adventure cycling in Cascade–Established 4 routes based in Cascade for adventure cyclists and gravel grinders. Built a website asset and PR/marketing platform that is drawing national attention to the program: https://wcmedc.org/adventure-biking/

  • Regional mapping/collab–Through meetings with regional pathways stakeholders and chamber leaders, we were able to consolidate most trails user mapping assets into a single website page: https://wcmedc.org/pathways/

  • Completed the International Mountain Biking Association singletrack sidewalks study with Valley County Pathways.

Housing:

  • Housing Forum & White Paper–In August, WCMEDC co-hosted a housing forum with 70 participants discussing how we’re going to solve the housing challenge across the region. From that forum, alongside our strategic partners, we developed a housing white paper and web asset for developers interested in working in the region: https://wcmedc.org/housing/

  • Partnerships: We coordinated several housing discussions with the West Central Mountains Housing Trust, cities, counties, numerous developers and local organizations about solutions, and look forward to leveraging these partnerships to build more deed restricted units in the future.

Broadband:

  • Working Group–We convened a working group of stakeholders who can inform the need and opportunities for improved broadband connectivity across the region.

  • Connected with the state–We have been working with the Idaho Dept. of Commerce on guiding state policies that will serve the region’s need.

  • Mapping out assets–We worked with service providers to get the conversation going around capacity and infrastructure in the region.

North Valley Recreation District:

  • Conducted a community survey to identify the types of services that should be provided if a recreation district is established.

  • Assisted with collection of over 500 signatures

Business Retention & Expansion:

  • 85 businesses engaged

  • Several are considering financing options (SBA/USDA)

  • Several are leveraging apprenticeship (Labor)

  • Several have attended SBDC events

  • All have offered insights into what we can do better (Commerce)

Business Attraction:

  • Woody biomass–We have commissioned a go-to-market strategy for a woody biomass campus in Valley or North Adams counties through a professional business planner we were connected with through the Idaho Small Business Development Center. We should have this strategy in hand by February of 2019.
  • Cascade Greenhouses–We have engaged numerous stakeholders interested in creating year-round geothermal greenhouses in Cascade for local food production.
  • Tamarack–With new owner-operators in place, we have been tracking the resort’s progress closely and will be making introductions in 2019.
  • Events/tourism capacity–working with numerous groups and entrepreneurs to elevate additional events space for the region.

Trainings:

  • Completed a succession planning workshop with Idaho Small Business Development Center

  • Completed WDTF grant for $18,000 to train 2 CNA’s and 2 paramedics in Cascade

Regionalism: Continued work to connect stakeholders between Cascade, Donnelly, McCall, New Meadows, Valley and Adams Counties. Chambers, cities, business, state, federal resources are centrally located within our network. Executed the 2018 WCM Economic Summit, with over 150 attendees.

Grants (current and working):

  • Yellowpine water system upgrade: $39,500–GEM grant submitted, outcome TBD
  • Northlake Sewer and Water District: $50,000 GEM grant formal submission in early 2019, pending approval from sewer and water district board. Includes a $35,000 design match from Valley County. To be submitted in February.
  • Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation: Workforce research and apprenticeship grant, $10,000
  • Mountain Central Association of Realtors: $15,000 IMBA study grant
  • Workforce Development Training Fund (WDTF) Labor training grant (issued 2017, executed 2018) for paramedic and CNA training–4 candidates, $18,000
  • City of McCall workforce development contract–Gap analysis and administration of WD components for comprehensive plan, $9,000
  • Idaho Department of Commerce, EDPro grant, $27,500
  • Midas Gold award for regional pathways feasibility, $5,000
  • Idaho Travel Council Adventure Biking routes in Cascade, $7,500
  • Idaho Power Marketing grant, $1,500
  • NAME DELETED FOR PROPRIETARY PURPOSES economic feasibility study grant and donations, TBD, $18,000
  • TOTAL: $236,000

PR & Marketing:

  • We have enjoyed regular press through the following entities:

    • Idaho Business Review

    • KTVB

    • KBOI 2News

    • 6 On Your Side

    • Viewpoint

    • Star News

    • 95.5 FM

    • Idaho Economic Development Association Newsletter

    • Lewiston Morning News

    • Boise State Public Radio

    • Visit Idaho

    • Out There Outdoors

    • Idaho State Journal

    • Idaho Press Tribune

    • VeloNews