November 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

West Central Mountains Economic Development Council

November 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

November 18, 2025 3:00pm

Remote Meeting Only this Month

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88234961292?pwd=nSUrhBKZK9aumQR7GdPECJcnE0PDTl.1

Executive Session 2:30 (Open unless otherwise specified)

Board Members Online: Dylan Martin, Vonna Torrey, Sherry Maupin, Ron Coate, Cynda Herrick, Delta James, Kelly Hill, and Rachel Wessel

Guests Online: Trace McKellips, Lindsey Harris, and Melissa Hamilton

Board Meeting Call to Order 3:04pm

• Approval of November Agenda
  • Motion by Vonna
  • 2^nd by Ron
  • Motion Passes
• Approval of October Minutes
  • Motion to Approve by Sherry
  • 2^nd by Ron
  • Motion Passes
• Treasurer’s report
  • Approval of November Treasurer’s Report: there was discussion that the deposits were entered in the month of November as opposed to October so will not be reflected in the month’s financials. Additional 20k reimbursement for Lindsey’s salary. We are waiting for a check to be cut for the housing assessment as well for the Gem Grant for reimbursement of WCMEDC funds.
    • Motion to Approve by Cynda
    • 2^nd by Sherry
    • Motion Passes
  • 2026 Budget Discussion: was not ready at the time of the board meeting, Julie is working on those items and they will be ready for December’s meeting.
• Letter(s) of support:
  • Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LRHIP): December Deadline
    • Valley County Application
      • Motion to Approve by Delta
      • 2^nd by Sherry
      • Motion Passes
    • City of Donnelly Application
      • Motion to Approve by Delta
      • 2^nd by Sherry
      • Motion Passes
    • Additional Action Items:
      • (Trace) Remaining Early Learning Funding Allocation for 2025. Board recommended amending amounts for stipends originally allocated at $1,250, the board will review in December, otherwise approved.
        • Motion to Approve by Sherry
        • 2^nd by Ron
        • Motion Passes
      • Allocation of Resource Management Funding for continued Resilience Assessment Work started by BSU: Discussion had regarding Valley County’s original “Resource Management Plan” funding of $10k that was set aside last year. The discussion is being considered to reallocate those funds to be re-allocated to the BSU Resilience assessment final work to accomplish the same goals as a resource management plan, but more expeditiously and financially more efficient. Based on the Scope of Work submitted by Interaction International, the facilitation consultant working with BSU that would complete the work. After review of the scope of work, there were questions and points of clarification needed with the consultant and BSU. The board determined we would table this financial allocation until we receive clarification on the line items and work proposed.
      • Executive Items
        • Bylaws – Cynda asked if we identified who the local governments are and we were able to clarify in the 2019 amendment articles of incorporation they are outlined. Further she asked for clarification on Board of Director’s appointments on a yearly basis, which we will look to do as soon as these are adopted. Board decided to table the discussion until we were able to take time to amply review. Board encouraged to have reviewed by December’s meeting. The proposed changes are to provide additional clarity on specific things, provide more context for future board members, clean up redundant and superfluous language.
      • Board of Directors – because of time, was not discussed, but was intended time to discuss current board members and future board members. Roles & responsibilities.
        • A Cascade Representative has expressed an interest by the name of Matt Spelsberg, BSU representative in the region. Heavy on Educational support, Workforce Readiness, we look forward to his official submission.
        • At this time, we are seeking a Cascade Chamber Representative we can look to continue to build a relationship with this region.
      • Executive Director Update
        • Economic Summit 2025 Recap, flow and food were listed as being exceptional and the content and breakouts were great. Paikka was exceptional and we will provide feedback to the church to work on making things more effective and efficient. Keynote was fantastic!
        • Excel Classes with all the areas were hugely successful.
        • BSU Resiliency Assessment Update
          • Balancing Stewardship & Growth
          • Education to Employment Talent Pipeline
        • Idaho Gem Grant RFF 1 Approved – Funds should be forthcoming
        • Rural Ed Pro Payment 1 Received
        • City of New Meadows December Event for Small Businesses, working at doing an event in conjunction with the city.
        • Other Updates
      • Early Childhood Education (Trace)
        • Workforce Survey still live – please help distribute, survey is still open and hoping to get more responses. Parent Café’s the 1^st week in December planning on
      • Community Reports
        • Valley County – new program called C-PACE, passed by the legislature last year. This is a financing source to make businesses more sustainable, there is a whole menu of items that qualify.  Sherry is looking for input; thus far only positive information has been brought forward.
        • Corridor Study has slowed a bit, still seeking additional funding.
        • Cascade – no report. Unavailable. Lindsey mentioned how well she felt Mayor Nissula did on the panel at the Summit.
        • Donnelly – no report, but we received their LOT funding. So appreciate the City of Donnelly’s continued support.
        • McCall – fiscal year is closed; LOT data has been collected for comparisons. Building permit revenue is up a bit higher than last year.  Business activity is up overall 5%.  Short Term Lodging again is higher than last year.  Streets revenue is up 3.3%, general growth across the economy, but still below post covid numbers.

City of McCall is testing a 4 day work week.  This is an employee retention survey, trying it out for 6 months, 7:30 – 5:30 Monday-Thursday.

• New Meadows – no report at this time. Mayor Good unable to join us, but Lindsey was hoping to partner with the City to host a business networking event to jumpstart some additional small business relationships in this part of the region since they are the one community without a Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Good and Lindsey will be thinking of ways to engage and support with their businesses more.
• Partners in Attendance
  • UI Extension, Melissa Hamilton: December 5^th will be collecting e-mails interested in entrepreneurial skills at the Barbara Morgan Holiday Craft Show with kids & parents. Youth entrepreneurship is something that Lindsey & Melissa have been wanting to partner on in the near future. First agriculture entrepreneurial class will be launching in January. Master Gardner classes will be taking place once again as well in 2026. https://www.cultivatingsuccess.org/agricultural-entrepreneurship
• WCMEDC Updates:
  • Creative District Update (Delta): Networking opportunity with local entrepreneurs, U of I Innovation Grant. Surveying around consumer sentiments based on the artists presented. Quarterly meetings continue. 2^nd Annual Artisan in the Mountain tour success, Little Local Art Galleries rolled out, that will rotate artists quarterly.
  • Community Action Team (CAT) Updates:
    • Community Development (Lindsey) – Summit was the main focus.
    • Housing (Lindsey) Reconnect with Agnew Beck now that the summit is over to guide the public outreach. For the Housing Trust, a large grant received from the Minnesota partners to begin work on strategic planning, marketing, and community outreach. Raven Ridge units are scheduled to close in Cascade next week, planned open house in the community TBD. Potential for another new property tri-plex coming up. Looking to start a capital campaign to hire an employee.  IHFA audit went well. The Trust did receive interest from another entity to merge, but chose to remain as we are.
  • Infrastructure (Julie)
    • Valley Planning Partnership Regional transportation meeting went really well. All jurisdictions were represented. EDC supplied lunch from Subway.
    • City of Cascade Geothermal
      • Meetings on apprenticeship programs looking to gauge capacity for the programs. Positive meetings with CWI and Lewis & Clark State College on next steps.
    • South Lake Sewer District Project – Lindsey & Cynda both participate on these monthly calls.
  • Workforce Development (Lindsey)
    • Excel Class Update – this was a great class with heavy participation.
    • Career Fair Update – EDC sponsored an ad for the event.
    • MDSD Apprenticeship
    • Cascade Schools Construction Curriculum Day – CWI was in Cascade for a construction basics class for middle school.
    • Future events planned and looking to expand.
  • Broadband (Lindsey) – no report. Will connect with Andy Binder from IRON.
  • New Business – none.
  • Public Comment – none.
  • Adjournment at 4:56pm.