Valley County Economic Development Council

When: May 22, 2013
Location: 58 Velvet Falls Court, Tamarack (directions)
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM
NOTE: Meetings are open to everyone

Agenda

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This Recreation Summit is an initiative from the McCall Chamber and the (region’s) Winter Recreation Committee and is supported by the Valley County Economic Development Council, the County & Cities, local communities and businesses.

Where: the Shore Lodge (Pavilion room)
When: June 20 from 1:00PM – 6:30PM
Program:

• The Local Perspective: Guest Research, a consulting firm from Colorado, will present the results of the Winter Recreation Survey funded with grants from the Idaho Department of Tourism, Valley county and the City of McCall. Some 20 recreation providers across Valley and Adams County collected surveys from 800+ winter recreants and lodging guests during this 2012/2013 winter season.
• The State Perspective: Karan Ballard, Chief Tourism Officer with Idaho Department of Commerce (bio) Karen Ballard’s duties involve development and implementation of Idaho’s $3.5 million travel promotion and marketing program as well as overseeing the $3 million regional grant program for non-profit tourism organizations.
  Travelers contribute over 4 billion dollars to Idaho’s economy making it now the third largest industry in the state.
  Karen joined the Idaho Department of Commerce in 1992 for a newly created position to promote the state internationally. By successfully tapping into trends, such as cultural, historic, international and rural tourism, the Division facilitates attracting not only tourists but also bolstering small community service providers.
  A native of Washington State, Ballard received her degree in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley before relocating to Idaho in 1982. Ballard began her tourism career with the Elkhorn Resort in Sun Valley where she met her future husband Brian when he asked to join her golf round. will discuss partnership and collaborative opportunities for Valley and Adams County
• The Western US Perspective: food for thoughts and strategies from keynote speaker Emilyn Sheffield, professor with California State University (bio).Emilyn Sheffield is a Professor of Recreation and Parks Management at California State University, Chico where over 500 students volunteer their time and talents to public lands though Field School each year and nearly as many are preparing for careers in hospitality, parks, recreation and tourism.
  Since 1986 she has worked with partners to connect people to the natural places that enhance their lives. Her applied research projects and high-energy presentations help natural resource leaders and their partners respond more effectively to changing demographic and lifestyle trends. She is currently investigating community engagement, volunteerism, and conservation stewardship through university service learning throughout California.
  Dr. Sheffield also works with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving scenic byways, alternative transit, long distance trails, tourism infrastructure, and visitor services throughout California and the western United States. These projects share the common goal of increasing access to and support for public lands through branding, identity systems, strategic planning, or product development.Emilyn will discuss “Playing to win in a changing America” with recreation as context.
• Social Hour: this is the time to discuss ideas, catch up with anyone involved in business, recreation or economic development, and tackle public officials. Finger food provided; cash bar.

Email for information or questions (or RSVP if you already know you’re coming!)

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The City of McCall is updating its Downtown Master Plan and will hold a first series of workshops on Tuesday, May 21 at the Legion Hall. I encourage you to participate and share your insights.

For more information on the workshops: www.mccall.id.us

Why is a Downtown Master-Plan a good idea?

 I firmly believe that, until there is a healthy city core, the odds against having a healthy city overall are overwhelming  DONOVAN RYPKEMA [i]

Before the advent of motorized transportation, communities grew “organically”:  services and businesses would cluster centrally within a 20 minute walk from most places in town, usually around a central plaza [i]. Not anymore; Read More »

UI EE students created a local power system for the Taylor Wilderness station in the Frank Church Wilderness (Valley County).

The Barn at Net-Zero

What: a presentation on  small-scale energy generation using hydro, geothermal, biomass, solar and wind.

When: Thursday, May 2 from 10AM to 11:30

Where: Valley County Courthouse (Commissioner’s meeting room)
219 N. Main St., Cascade

Short Description: a student team from the University of Idaho Electrical Engineering department will present findings on their project to use hydro, geothermal, biomass, solar and wind.sources to turn one of the Horsethief Y-camp buildings into a demonstration project.

This project is supported by the Valley County Economic Development Council as a means to explore job generation through use of local energy sources and import substitution.

Why is this important for Valley County’s economy?

Households spend anywhere from $60 to $200 per month on electricity. That is just an average; spending Read More »

Compete for up to $50,000 in Prize Money in a unique event in the Intermountain West, where TechLaunch enables participants to practice pitching a business idea to interested parties and receive valuable feedback on their presentations, as well as to network with peers and the business community.

Since 2004, 72 innovative companies have participated in TechLaunch and have
garnered more than $33 million in research and development and investment funds.

• Who: For regional entrepreneurs and businesses.
• What: In its 10th year, TechLaunch Read More »