| 3 Counties, 2 States, 1 Goal |
By Patrick Nauman
Snake River Economic Development Alliance(SREDA), has been busy working for the area. We are consistently working on bringing in new business and industry in our area in an effort to provide careers, not just jobs. Our Executive Director, Kit Kamo, works not only on bringing in new industry but she also works with existing companies looking to expand, companies that may be considering leaving the valley, and with entrepreneurs looking to start their own business. In order for our region to grow and attract new business the companies that are already located here must remain here as well. Due to confidentiality we cannot actually name companies that are looking at our area but we currently have several projects underway. Through the first two quarters of 2016 we have had 18 new leads, or companies looking at our area. We have had 8 companies come out and look at specific sites that they were interested in. We have confirmed that 5 companies have or will be locating in our region, and we still have 10 active projects that we are working on. Economic Development can be a long process sometimes, we have one project that we have been working on for over 4 years, it takes patience and perseverance to win a company most of the time.
E.D. Kamo is also busy working trade shows all over the country with the states of Idaho and Oregon representing our area in an effort to gain national attention and attract businesses. So far this year she has attended 4 trade shows and has been very successful in coming back with many companies that are interested in our area. In addition, we just recently co-sponsored an event with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on the future of Health Care, one of our largest emerging industries in the area. This is all part of building a healthy business environment for our region.
Our regular meetings are the 1st Wednesday of every month in various locations around the valley and are open to the public. You can check out our website at www.SnakeRivereda.com for more information.
