North Central Washington Economic Development District

NCW EDD Newsroom

NCW EDD Regular Meeting

Wednesday

September 8 , 2010

8:45am-10:15am

Chelan Fire Station

232 E. Wapato

Chelan, WA 98816

August Meeting Cancelled

Project Selection Committee Teleconference

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 10:00 am

Call in: 712-775-700 Access Code: 1091823#

Entrepreneurship in North Central Washington

Chelan and Douglas County Results

July 2010

North Central Washington Economic Development District to host healthcare reform webinar

Wenatchee, WA – The North Central Washington Economic Development District is partnering with LeMaster Daniels and Associated Industries to host an informational webinar outlining healthcare reform and expected impacts on business.

The event will be held Tuesday, August 3, 2010 from 7:30-9:00am and will feature a panel of specialists from LeMaster Daniels and Associated Industries who will provide participants with an overview of the Act’s key provisions and timelines, while outlining coming healthcare changes and requirements for businesses. The event, which will feature a live presentation at the Confluence Technology Center, will be broadcast live via a complimentary interactive webinar. Interested participants may join the panel by logging in at www.ncwedd.com

Participants interested in attending the presentation at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee may register by calling (509) 663-5622

or by email at aspies@lemasterdaniels.com. The cost to attend the event at the CTC is $25.00 per participant.

LeMaster Daniels is an accounting and business advisory firm with 12 offices across Washington and Idaho. Associated Industries is an employer association dedicated to enhancing the success of member organizations and the greater business community by providing a variety of membership services.

The North Central Washington Economic Development District is a federally designated economic development district for the region covering Okanogan, Douglas, and Chelan counties and the Colville Confederate Tribes.

The NCWEDD is responsible for regional economic development strategy and planning and collaborates with various private and public agencies to accomplish this goal. The NCWEDD brings together the private and public sectors in a partnership necessary to provide a coordinated strategy and an ongoing economic development program for the region.

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Click here to view the recently-released Wenatchee Foothills Community Strategy, coordinated by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust. The NCWEDD provided funding support for this important project.

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Despite Recession, U.S. Entrepreneurial Activity Rises in 2009 to Highest Rate in 14 Years, Kauffman Study Shows

Click to read more

Read the full report

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Entrepreneurship Needs Assessment

Final Results

A very big thank you to the following partners who have helped make this project possible:

City of Wenatchee

City of Cashmere

Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce

Town of Leavenworth

City of Lake Chelan

City of Entiat

Cashmere Chamber of Commerce

Chelan Historic Downtown Association

Town of Rock Island

City of East Wenatchee

Port of Douglas County

Town of Waterville

Douglas County

City of Bridgeport

City of Pateros

City of Oroville

Omak Chamber of Commerce

City of Omak

Conconully Chamber of Commerce

Twisp Chamber of Commerce

Colville Confederated Tribe

Town of Winthrop

IRIS

NCHBA

GWATA

SCORE

OIC of Washington

Okanogan County Tourism Council

Stone Soup

Twisp Chamber of Commerce

SBDC

Qwest

TVBRC

NCW Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

NCW High School counselors

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Washington State Economic Forecast Webinar
3/18/2010 7:30am-9:00am

Washington State Economic Forecast webinar Presented by Dr. Arun Raha, Director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council Provided by North Central Washington Economic Development District

There is no cost to participate.

Meeting link: http://ctc.acrobat.com/wsef/

Adobe Connect Pro Meeting Connection Information:

Meeting Name: Washington State Economic Forecast
Presented by: Dr. Arun Raha, Director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council
Provided by: North Central Washington Economic Development District and Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce

When: 03/18/2010 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM PST

If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before:

Test your connection

Get a quick overview

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NCW EDD Announces Regional Project Rankings

Wenatchee, WA (February 22, 2010) - The North Central Washington Economic Development District has announced the top projects of regional economic significance for Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties.

A total of 10 projects were submitted for committee evaluation. Each project was scored based on a variety of factors, including impact to the economy of North Central Washington, viability of job creation, demonstrated community support, and readiness to proceed with identified work.

The top projects for 2009-2010 include:

Entiat Waterfront Redevelopment efforts
City of Wenatchee Pybus market
Chelan/Douglas Land Trust and Trust for Public Lands’ Wenatchee Foothills Strategy (tie)
Twisp Public Development Authority (tie)

“Each of these projects has enormous potential to grow and diversify the economy of their respective areas, as well as the regional economy. When prioritizing projects, the committee is always interested in job creation, and each project has the ability to grow new jobs, and enhance existing jobs while improving quality-of-life factors for North Central Washington,” explained Administrator Jennifer Korfiatis.

The NCWEDD has allocated resources to enhance each of the top-ranked projects, including letters of support, dedicated staff time and financial support.

The North Central Washington Economic Development District is the federally designated economic development district for the region covering Okanogan, Douglas, and Chelan counties and the Colville Confederate Tribes.

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NCW EDD Conducting Study to Determine the

Needs of Region’s Entrepreneurs

Wenatchee WA (February 17, 2010) - The North Central Washington Economic Development District is conducting a survey to determine the needs of entrepreneurs in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan Counties. The project is designed to assess training/education, resource and networking needs of the region’s current and prospective entrepreneurs. The results will be shared with partners to promote existing programs, and develop future programs and efforts that will directly address identified needs, and ultimately facilitate success and grow the regional economy.

A copy of the survey has been mailed to over 6,000 listed business owners in the three-county area. An electronic version of the survey is available on the EDD’s website at www.ncwedd.com and nearly 20 regional partners are assisting with the distribution to appropriate recipients.

Individual responses are confidential, and aggregate responses will be used to examine and address identified needs.

Business owners wishing to receive a copy of the survey by mail can call the Economic Development District office at (509) 682-6907.

The North Central Washington Economic Development District (EDD) is a federally designated economic development district for the NCW region covering Okanogan, Douglas, and Chelan counties and the Colville Confederate Tribes.

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NCW EDD E-Newsletter Online!

Click here to view the February 2010 NCWEDD E-Newsletter!

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Review CEDS Online!

Please take a moment to review the existing Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for NCW that was adopted by the NCWEDD membership in June of 2009. As the committee prepares to update this important strategy and look toward the future, it is critical that collective and individual input be considered. Stay tuned for updates as the committee begins this important work.

Click here to review the CEDS 08-09 documents online!

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Know a Tech Savvy Business in NCW?

Wenatchee WA (February 2010) - The Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance (GWATA) is accepting nominations for their annual Tech-Savvy business of the year award. Awards will be presented at the GWATA Innovator Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, April 6 at 12pm at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

Learn more about GWATA Innovators Award Luncheon

Nominate Entrepreneur of the Year

Nominate Tech Savvy Business of the Year

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Washington Manufacturing Awards

Seattle WA (February 2010) - Seattle Business magazine is launching its first-annual Washington Manufacturing Awards. Nominees are accepted from across the State and are due February 12.

Companies may enter at www.seattlebusinessmag.com/washington-manufacturing-awards

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News from the EDA: A Focus on Collaborative Regional Efforts & Innovation

Olympia WA (February 2010) - Collaborative, Regional Economic Development Strategies Key to Creating Jobs

Robust actions taken by President Obama to stabilize the economy during his first year in office have helped apply the brakes to the economic downturn. However, there is much work to be done and in the New Year the administration will continue working to get people back to work and to advance America’s role as the world’s most competitive economy.

At EDA we are working to speed the transition to a more entrepreneurial, innovation-driven society. As such, we want to share with you, as those who are involved on the grassroots level in economic development, a recent speech by Assistant Secretary for Economic Development John Fernandez that outlines the strategic priorities that will guide how the Economic Development Administration will bring new opportunities for growth to communities across the nation.

In a keynote address to the “Beyond Transportation: The Economic Impact of Rail in Illinois” summit hosted by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Northwestern University in Chicago on January 15, Assistant Secretary Fernandez noted that today’s economic challenges require us to be not just competitive with each other, but collaborative as well. In the 21st century, our toughest competition isn’t down the road—it’s across the world.

Fernandez laid out the following three priorities that will help in the transition:

• Fostering regional innovation that builds on an area’s competitive advantages;

• Encouraging business exports and competitiveness;

• And, doing it in a way that leverages private investment.

“EDA will work to fulfill the President’s and Secretary Locke’s objectives to renew American innovation. If a local community is able to plant that seed—if it’s able to create the climate for innovation and build a critical mass– then private investment will follow. Innovation will follow. Jobs will follow,” said Fernandez.

Governor Quinn and Northwestern University’s Transportation Center convened the summit to explore new and innovative ways to create jobs by advancing rail policy and generating economic development.

Assistant Secretary Fernandez’ full remarks are here on the EDA Web site.

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North Cascades: People, Places, and Stories

KCTS 9 (January 2010) SPECIAL: This show provides an in-depth look at the region and its relationship to the community, highlighting both critical environmental issues and the stories of passionate citizens who have worked to create, maintain and preserve this stunning part of our state for the future good of all.

View show online: http://kcts9.org/video/north-cascades-people-places-and-stories

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Public Notice of 2010 Meeting Dates

Monthly meetings of the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCW EDD) will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am at the Chelan Fire Station 232 E Wapato, Chelan, WA.

The standing committees of North Central Washington Economic Development District meet as needed. Any changes, special meetings and/or executive meetings for the NCW EDD and its standing committees will be posted on this site. For more information, contact Jennifer at (509) 665-0208 or email: Jennifer@ncwedd.com

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January 2010 EDD Updates

Congratulations to the newly-elected NCWEDD executive committee and officers! This team will help guide the efforts of the NCWEDD in the coming year:

Chair: Gail Howe, City of Pateros
Vice Chair: Mary Hunt, Douglas County
Secretary: Allison Williams, City of Wenatchee
Treasurer: Russell Clark, Rock Island
Board of Director from within Okanogan County: Andrew Lampe
Board of Director from within Chelan County: Mark Botello
Board of Director from within Douglas County: Pat Haley
Board of Director from the Colville Tribes: Patti Wachtel
Immediate Past Chair: Ken Stanton

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Forbes' Magazine Ranks Washington 2nd in the
"2009 Best States for Business" Poll

Forbes.com (September 23, 2009) Washington State was ranked second best state for business in Forbes' Magazine 2009 Poll. Forbes' Best States ranking measures six vital categories for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects, and quality of life. They factor in 33 different points of data to determine the ranks in the six main areas. Business costs, which include labor, energy, and taxes are weighted the most heavily.

Read the story and see the rankings at Forbes.com, and view Governor Chris Gregoire's statement on the rankings.

OLYMPIA (September 23, 2009) Gov. Chris Gregoire issued the following statement on the Forbes.com rankings of Best States for Business, which ranked Washington #2 in the nation, up from #3 last year:

“I am delighted that Washington increased its position in the Forbes.com rankings. Our high ranking is a testament to Washington’s strong workforce training programs, our schools, the ingenuity of the state’s companies, our superior global ties and our desirable quality of life.

“The Forbes.com ranking showcases the collaborative work of state and local agencies to promote economic development and grow jobs throughout Washington. But make no mistake, we are not resting on our laurels. I pledge to continue to work closely with state, business and labor leaders to further improve our competitiveness climate and become the best state in the nation to do business.”

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Here, We’re Suited to Confront the Future

Wenatchee World (October 6, 2009) Written by Rufus Woods. I’m convinced that North Central Washington is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role in demonstrating that we can discover creative solutions to economic and environmental issues that seem all but insurmountable everywhere else in this country.

We best not wait for solutions from Olympia or Washington, D.C., where the toxic level of political gamesmanship kills virtually all entrepreneurial spirit. Creativity is much more likely to be fostered in places like the Wenatchee Valley, where a growing ethic of collaboration and shared purpose is developing. It’s not going to be easy, but then again, nothing worthwhile ever is.

There are plenty of signs we are moving in the right direction. In the past few years, we have witnessed unprecedented collaborations between folks in agriculture, wildlife, cities, counties and those involved in recreation to develop mutual strategies to protect important watersheds, such as the Stemilt Partnership on Wenatchee Heights.

This is also evident in efforts to create a new vision for the Wenatchee Foothills and also the More Than a Trail project that focuses on the lands surrounding the loop trail in Douglas County that are earmarked to be sold by the Department of Transportation.

We also have a very interesting Advanced Vehicle Initiative to facilitate the development of plugged-in hybrid vehicles. This gives us a leg up on emerging technology that can change the way we use electricity.

That’s a solid foundation.

In the process, we are discovering that economic development and the health of our environment are not at all mutually exclusive, which had been the conventional wisdom. Instead, there is a growing consensus that stewardship of the land goes hand-in-hand with robust economic development. You cannot have a sustainable, thriving economy without clean air, clean water, open space and a broad diversity of healthy animals and plants.

We’ve got to be working with nature and quit buying into the notion that it is some sort of barrier or a problem. The good news is that we can develop our own solutions here based on what works for us and let the rest of the country follow our example.

For too long, we Americans allowed ourselves to be deluded into thinking that we don’t need nature, that humans could survive and thrive without it. Our national obsession with maximizing material wealth at the expense of everything else has created the condition where individuals have a hard time seeing the need to be concerned about the impact of our actions.

We need to wrap our heads around the fact that our current practices in terms of energy usage and the resulting resource depletion are not sustainable. That doesn’t mean resigning ourselves to lower standards of living, but it does require us to think more expansively and creatively about the implications of how we use energy and other resources.

From a political standpoint, there continues to be resistance to the idea that we need to change the way we operate. It would be nice if we could continue to burn dirty fuels forever and consume natural resources at ever-increasing rates in perpetuity, but logic and available evidence makes it obvious that those consumption patterns are unsustainable.

The author Thomas Friedman, in his book “Hot, Flat and Crowded,” suggests the business-as-usual approach is a one-way ticket to America losing its place as a world leader. He makes a compelling case for viewing natural systems as interconnected and interdependent rather than everything existing on its own. It’s obvious we need to concern ourselves with these weighty matters.

With our strong sense of community and the history of collaborations, we’re well positioned in North Central Washington to lead the nation in finding the way forward. It will take courage and a long-term vision, but that plays to our strengths.

Written by Rufus Woods, the editor and publisher of The Wenatchee World. Reach him at 665-1162 or rwoods@wenatcheeworld.com.

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NCW EDD
Now Accepting Project Applications

WENATCHEE, WA (Sept. 24, 2009)- The North Central Washington Economic Development District is now accepting applications for regional economic development projects. The application can be found on the District’s website at www.ncwedd.com, and is due on November 10, 2009.

To date, the North Central Washington Economic Development District has secured $765,000 in grant and low-interest loan funding for a variety of projects in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan Counties as well as the Colville Tribe through this process.

Submitted projects will be ranked, in part, based on the following: measurable regional economic benefits, measurable community benefits, fully developed plan and strategy, alignment with NCWEDD goals and objectives, local and regional support.

For more information, please contact: Jennifer Korfiatis (509) 682-6907

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The North Cascades Are Calling!

NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON (Sept. 10, 2009) - The NCW Economic Development District has been working with The Wilderness Society and other partners—The Cascade Loop Association, The North Cascades National Park, the North Cascades Institute, REI, the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest, Sun Mountain Lodge, the Seattle Weekly, KCTS 9, YMCA of Snohomish County, 103.7 The Mountain and the Wenatchee World—to promote the North Cascades and encourage people to experience and embrace the spectacular wildlands of the North Cascades National Park, national forests and wilderness areas that run from Stevens Pass to north of the North Cascades Highway 20.

Over the past year, The Wilderness Society has developed a promotional campaign entitled “The North Cascades Are Calling” which includes:

A website (www.experiencewilderness.org) that promotes recreation, conservation and the communities of the North Cascades through personal stories, events, volunteer opportunities, hikes, and community and organizational highlights
A statewide monthly North Cascades e-newsletter
A Facebook profile highlighting recreational experiences, communities and personal stories
Spectacular photos of families enjoying the wonders of the North Cascades, through the generous support of REI
The North Cascades Are Calling logos
Various cooperative promotional and advertising opportunities.

As a member of the North Central Washington Economic Development District, your organization has a great opportunity to participate in these promotional efforts and highlight the great wilderness experiences our region’s visitors have come to love about the North Cascades landscape and communities!

Opportunities to Participate include:

My North Cascades Story: (URL for past stories to insert in the My North Cascades Story http://experiencewilderness.org/my-north-cascades-story-archive) Do you have a favorite place in the North Cascades? What about a special memory or experience that sticks out in your mind? Share your story or photos and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of the monthly e-newsletter or on the website.
Event Listings: (URL http://experiencewilderness.org/learning-and-events) Does your business or organization host outdoor events, workshops, festivals or outings to connect people and families to the North Cascades? Submit monthly events and they could be featured on the website or in the e-newsletter.
Facebook: Sign up as a fan of The North Cascades Are Calling!
Photos and Logos: The NCWEDD and partners on this initiative are using the creative resources of The North Cascades Are Calling to promote this amazing landscape. To view photos visit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/40927206@N03/collections/72157621762381061/

To view The North Cascades Are Calling logos visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40927206@N03/collections/72157621781913275/

Please note: permission is required to download the photos and logos.

Cooperative Advertising: The Seattle Weekly is doing a two-page spread on September 23 to promote the North Cascades. If you’re interested in co-op advertising rates for this spread, please don’t hesitate to contact me. There will also be other media opportunities in coming months.

If you are interested in participating in any of these opportunities, please contact Jennifer Stephens, Communications Director, The Wilderness Society at (206) 624.6430 or Jennifer Korfiatis at (509) 682-6907.

The Wilderness Society, and the committee working on this North Cascades Initiative envision the North Cascades as a celebrated national treasure, where recreational opportunities are enhanced and well-planned, local communities are vibrant and sustainable, and the unique landscape is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

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NCW EDD 2009 CEDS Released

WENATCHEE WA (July 2009) - The NCW Economic Development District has approved its annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region. This document will be available online soon at www.ncwedd.com, and synthesizes the collective input from regional partners and organizations into an annual action plan. If you’d like a copy of the CEDS sent to you electronically, please contact Jennifer at jennifer@ncwedd.com.

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NCW EDD Entrepreneurship Needs Assessment

WENATCHEE, WA (July 9, 2009) - The NCWEDD has received grant funding to conduct a regional needs assessment specific to entrepreneurship in the three-county area. This step is critical to future efforts as the developing training program offered by WVC and on-the-ground resources will be created using the information provided during this process. Research and experience have shown us that entrepreneurship is a major economic opportunity for our region, and the region features a number of these entrepreneurs, most of whom earn family-wage incomes. But, in our efforts to better the economic conditions of the three-county area, we need to determine how we can best help this unique sector succeed. In essence, through this business needs assessment, we intend to work with partners to address the identified resource needs of our regional entrepreneurs.

Our most immediate task in conducting this project is to build a regional database of entrepreneurs. We want to be as thorough as possible in locating the entrepreneurs throughout NCW so that the feedback is as representative as possible. Our goal is to leave no stone unturned and we are reaching out to all of the municipalities and member organizations in NCW to collect this information.

Any information on entrepreneurs your organization is willing to share would be much appreciated. This list will not be used for any other purpose and the NCWEDD be happy to share the results with your organization once the assessment is completed. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer via email at jennifer@ncwedd.com or by phone at (509) 665-0208.

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Rural Energy Independence Month

WASHINGTON, (July 1, 2009) - July is Rural Energy Independence Month at USDA Rural Development. And all month long the USDA is accepting applications for REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grants.

Through REAP, small rural businesses and farmers may receive grants for up to 25% of the cost of renewable energy or energy efficiency improvements at their business operations. (Residential projects are ineligible for this program.)

Do you have an energy audit from your utility that outlines some energy efficiency improvements that you could install to cut your utility bills? Are you actively planning to install solar panels or perhaps a small wind turbine at your farm or business?

This month, the USDA is strongly encouraging applications seeking REAP grants of $20,000 or less. That's because, based on current REAP application activity levels nationwide, it appears that all viable projects seeking a grant of $20,000 or less have an excellent chance of receiving grant funding. REAP grants are awarded via a national competition, and so far this year, Rural Developments large pool of funds reserved for small grants is under-subscribed!

BUT YOU MUST APPLY THIS MONTH. The application deadline for REAP applications in 2009 is July 31. After that, REAP grants will probably

not be available again until 2010. You can find all the details about the REAP program, including a simple application template, on the USDA website at:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/reap.htm

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U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $31,000
to Create Jobs, Strengthen Economy in
North Central Washington

WASHINGTON, (May 1, 2009) - The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $31,000 grant to the North Central Washington Economic Development District to conduct a region-wide entrepreneurial needs assessment study.

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to partner with the North Central Washington Economic Development District to improve the regional economic climate,” said Sandra R. Walters, EDA Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer.

“This funding will be used to uncover the needs of our regional entrepreneurs in terms of training, resources and networking. Research and experience have shown us that entrepreneurship is a major economic opportunity for our region, and the region features a number of these entrepreneurs, most of whom earn family-wage incomes. But, in our efforts to better the economic conditions of the three-county area, we need to determine how we can best help this unique sector succeed. In essence, through this business needs assessment, we intend to create programs with the needs of the regional entrepreneur at the forefront,” explained NCWEDD Administrator Jennifer Korfiatis.

EDA supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

Additional information on how EDA programs are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov.

Contact: Bryan Borlik (202) 482-4085 or Jennifer Korfiatis (509) 665-0208

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The North Central Washington Economic Development District is a
federally designated economic development district for the
region covering Okanogan, Douglas, and Chelan counties and
the Colville Confederate Tribes.

The NCWEDD is responsible for regional economic development strategy and planning and collaborates with various private and public agencies
to accomplish this goal. The NCWEDD brings together the private and public sectors in a partnership necessary to provide a coordinated
strategy and an ongoing economic development program for the region.