I took the scenic route home from Chelan on Friday. The landscape was breathtaking for much of the trip, and I was repeatedly reminded that rural is a relative term. Also, I can now say I have been to Withrow.
The IACC (Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council) in Wenatchee was, as usual, an outstanding resource and networking event. An impromptu tech team gathering centered around Wiley City’s need for a wastewater system may progress to one of the f irst NWRIS-WA hub projects. Conversations also sparked ideas about ways PRWA can assist county ADOs (associate economic development organizations) with economic development in rural communities.
Our presentation at the Small Ports Seminar in Chelan underscored the importance of working closely with rural ports on relevant NWRIS-WA hub projects, especially when the port also serves as the county ADO. We are looking forward to convening our first regional NWRIS-WA core team meeting in southeastern Washington by the end of the year.
Before embarking on my long journey home, Helen Price Johnson (Washington USDA Rural Development) and I gave our last presentation of the week to the Iowa Rural Development Council, highlighting the NWRIS and our collaborative approach to helping rural Washington communities. They liked us enough to invite us to attend the annual Iowa Rural Summit in April. I’ll believe we’ll take them up on it.
May your candy bowl at the end of Thursday night hold sufficient remnants to make you smile.
Take care,
Jody
