Chamber of commerce committees pushing economic development

by Scott Hunter

It's not as evident as the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Colorama parade through the main business district, but chamber committees have been working behind the scenes on both problems and opportunities, identified with a goal of boosting economic development leading to growth and jobs.

And one big lead just opened up.

The now vacant Center School in Grand Coulee, along with more than eight acres of land in the middle of the city, could become available to move onto the tax rolls as a private, developable property.

It's owned by the Continental Land Company in Spokane, which has allowed it to be used for a school since the 1930s. A "reverter clause" in the deed says the land goes back to that company if it's no longer used as a school.

A chamber initiative headed by Debbie Starkey, of Investment Services Northwest, pushed for a meeting and a tour of the school last spring with Continental, which has now shown Grand Coulee Dam School District an appraisal. The company puts fair market value at about $204,000, but would end up paying taxes on a county assessment of more than $2.7 million once it reverted to their ownership.

Monday night, the school board authorized Superintendent Dennis Carlson to negotiate a buyout of that reverter clause, which would allow the board the latitude to declare the property surplus and sell it. The money could be used toward building a gym at the Lake Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School.

The district's other empty school is also inspiring ideas for use. The old middle school is not likely to be on a sell list anytime soon. The district still needs its sports fields, and the "new annex" (which is 40 years old) could be used as an alternative learning center, Carlson said. And the gym will still be used for basketball games and junior high sports, but most of the building could be developed for other uses.

Those possibilities, Starkey said, include a wellness center, pool, business incubator, meeting rooms for large groups, community classroom space and more.

"We see lots of possibilities," Starkey said.

Another chamber economic development committee is working on multiple fronts for improvement.

Headed by Debbie Bigelow, interim CEO at Coulee Medical Center, the group this year produced a "new mover guide" to help familiarize people moving into the area with local facilities, amenities and businesses. That was identified as a need through talks with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials.

The group is gathering and maintaining a list of potential business sites, ready for any inquiries, which was accessed for a couple recent inquirers. And the group has research on types of businesses that statistics suggest could do well here, such as a sporting goods store and outdoor outfitters, housing for senior citizens, daycare facilities for seniors, toddlers and even pets.

"There are people out there that would love these opportunities," Bigelow said. "We just have to find them."

The group is also identifying opportunities for community beautification, and a wish list for better "way-finding" signage.

"I think there is an amazing amount of potential in this community," Bigelow said. "I think we undersell ourselves a lot."