Economic Development Forum synopsis

POMEROY–At the third meeting of the Pomeroy/Garfield County Community/Economic Development Forum (PGCCEDF) at the Pataha Flour Mill on November 19, about 20 people attended to give a synopisis of their businesses and overview of what they provide to the community.

The Forum is also to bring organizations together to collaborate and identify areas where they can unify a vision for the economic health of the community.

Representatives from the Port of Garfield, Pomeroy Assist, Pomeroy Grain Growers, Garfield County Ag Museum, Garfield County Hospital District, Garfield County Transit Authority, Aging and Long-Term Care Association, Garfield County Health District, Garfield County Assessor’s Office, Garfield County Public Works, Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce, Puget Sound Energy, Lewis-Clark Credit Union, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association, Columbia Pulp, the Pataha Flour Mill, and the East Washingtonian, were in attendance. Six guest speakers were called upon to share information about their organizations.

Mike Shock, Vice President of Columbia Pulp, and one of the three founders of the company, explained that the Pomeroy plant was started as a pilot plant with the intention of debugging the process of making pulp products from wheat byproducts. They also wanted to use the facility to train people and generate samples of the pulp commodities to use for marketing purposes. Now that the Lyon’s Ferry plant is up and running, the next step for the Pomeroy plant is being evaluated.

Derek Teal, general manager with Pomeroy Grain Growers, stated that it is approaching 90 years of operation and that PGG is one of five co-op grain companies in the area. They hold a significant volume of grain shipments and service to 1,300 members, including about 300 actual farmers. He also stressed that the use of the Snake River is vital to Pomeroy Grain Growers.

Grant Morgan, Garfield County Engineer, gave an update on the Army Corps of Engineer’s Floodplain Remapping project. He reported that the surveying is now complete and the mapping process will begin in October of 2020, with information to be sent back to the County in 2021. It is a slow process, but it is getting done at no charge to the County. The information provided by the remapping project will benefit the County by being used for planning and permitting, and will give them a new GIS data base with high accuracy.

John van Vogt, owner of the Pataha Flour Mill, stated that the flour mill, in its twenty-second year of operation as a restaurant/museum/place of worship, would not be in operation if it was not for the support from the community. He and wife Louise want to show appreciation for the support by giving back to the community. The flour mill draws people into the Pomeroy/Pataha area. To encourage people to come to town, they have a retreat house available that will accommodate 14 people. The house is clean, newly renovated, and is free of charge to use. In addition, they have remodeled the visitor center that faces U.S. Highway 12 at Hutchins Hill Road in Pataha. It operates as a non-profit entity and offers locally made products and crafts. The building has historical significance as one of the oldest buildings in the area, which once housed a blacksmith shop.

Van Vogt also spoke of a year-long project, the walking pathway from the flour mill to the Garfield County Fairgrounds. It would be a gravel-paved path that could accommodate a car or pick-up truck, but primarily used as a foot path. The funding is in place for the project, but he is still waiting for approval from the County. Grant Morgan added that he would like to dispel some misinformation that has been circling the community that the flour mill does not pay taxes in the County as an untrue statement, and acknowledge that the van Vogts contribute well to the community. He is in favor of giving approval for the walking path.

Diana Ruchert, Port of Garfield Director, presented information on the progress of the Port’s broadband system. They are currently awaiting bids for providing materials to begin construction, and will receive bids for the construction of the infrastructure in December, 2019. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to begin in January, 2020, which will include fiber to every home within the city limits of Pomeroy. Phase 2 will include the fairgrounds and Pataha, and eventually service to the surrounding County will be added. The timing on construction past Phase 1 is dependent on when the completion of Phase 1 occurs. The Port is putting in the infrastructure for the project, and independent internet service providers (ISPs) will be working through the Port to provide the broadband service to the consumers. The ISPs will begin preselling their services very soon, and Ruchert stressed that consumers should expect a better price on those services “sooner than later.”

Jack Peasley, Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA), Pomeroy Director discussed that the group investigates ideas put forth by the community businesses and other entities to encourage economic growth and business enterprise in the community. He discussed that there are a few projects they are focused on at this point, the U. S. Census, the City’s water system and a business incubator.

The next meeting of the Pomeroy/Garfield County Community/Economic Development Forum is planned for Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Pataha Flour Mill. Anyone from Garfield County is welcome and encouraged to attend