Phase 3 Update: August 2005
The Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy (INEAS) is spearheaded by a regional partnership that is dedicated to strengthening the economic vitality of distressed counties in the Inland Northwest. It is a strategic program of actions to support communities as they work to adjust to new economic realities.
Status of the Strategy
The INEAS project began in 1999, and is now in its third phase. The current status is as follows:
- City, county, tribal and state governments in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana are working together to help distressed resource-dependent communities in the Inland Northwest, a region comprised of 137 counties and 23 tribes.
- In INEAS Phases 1 and 2 (completed in August 2001), an analysis and map of economic vitality was developed, a regional assessment of economic development plans identified common types of local needs, and a roadmap to economic vitality was created.
- Over 800 local leaders discussed the strategy in 14 community forums held around the region in 2001.
- INEAS Phase 3 began in April 2003, funded by an implementation grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, with matching investments by each of the four states and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI). Elements of the Phase 3 work plan include:
- Create a regional Advisory Committee to refine and communicate the strategy (ongoing)
- Update the economic vitality index for the region (complete)
- Use working groups to identify specific regional actions with performance measures to direct funds to key regional initiatives (complete)
- Build a coalition of supportive partners and continue a dialogue with them (complete)
- Build awareness about Senate Bill 2162, the Inland Northwest Revitalization Act, introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo on March 3, 2004, and encourage co-sponsors
- Continue outreach and awareness-building efforts
We Need Your Involvement!
The INEAS goal is to obtain federal authorization and additional funding for strategic regional initiatives that help revitalize Inland Northwest communities in the areas of business and industry development, infrastructure enhancement, workforce training and education, and community leadership/capacity-building. To get involved, please contact one of the project contacts listed below:
Project Coordination Team:
- Lorraine Roach or Ruth Mohr, The Hingston Roach Group, Inc. 208-983-2175
- Dick Gardner, Bootstrap Solutions 208-859-8878
Key Tribal/State Contacts:
- ATNI Contact: Bill Tovey, Umatilla Confederated Tribes 541-276-3873
- Idaho Contact: Karl Tueller, Idaho Dept. of Commerce 208-334-2470
- Montana Contact: Andy Poole, Montana Dept. of Commerce 406-841-2707
- Oregon Contact: Sarah Garrison, Oregon Economic and Community Development Dept. 503-986-0065
- Washington Contact: Chris Hayler, Washington Dept. of Community, Trade and Econ Development 360-725-4178
Project Guiding Principles
The project Steering Committee has defined the following principles to guide the Strategy development:
- Regional Cooperation. We are stronger as a region than we are as individual communities, tribes or states. Economic development in the Inland Northwest will be most successful as a regional effort between the four states and affiliated tribes.
- Economic Perspective. Economies happen on a regional, national, and global basis, based on market forces. Communities that work together are likely to be more competitive in business and economic development.
- Local Focus. Locally-driven strategies and project priorities, consistent with local values, will be respected and encouraged.
- Community Leadership. Communities can improve their vitality, provided they have sufficient local leadership to adapt and embrace change. Supporting and investing in local capacity is key to the success of the Strategy.
- Technical Assistance. Information and technical assistance will help make community efforts more strategic and effective.
- Inclusiveness. The more people and perspectives involved in a decision, the greater the public acceptance of that decision, and the more likely it will address all concerns.
- Public-Private Partnerships. Most jobs are created in the private sector, and job creation is a long-term process. Communities provide the infrastructure and the ingredients of financial, human, natural, and social capital that help make businesses flourish.
- Livability. Community development means more than job creation; it includes actions and policies that add to the vitality, wealth, and livability of the community.
Desired Outcomes
- Business development: diversification, expansion, new business start-up and recruitment.
- Living wage jobs, a skilled workforce and diverse economic base to create new wealth.
- Adequate infrastructure, funded by public and private investment.
- Local capacity and leadership to achieve good planning and restore economic vitality.
- Continued grassroots awareness and support for the INEAS process.
- A Regional Economic Adjustment Strategy and credible organizational capability to support local priority projects and strategic opportunities for regional collaboration, endorsed by local communities, counties, businesses, states, tribes, and Congress.
- Congressional support for the region to receive a federal economic adjustment package.
- Increased national awareness and visibility for a region that has been a major contributor to the overall economic prosperity of the country.
