Exploring expansion is the right move

Electric City is making the correct move in considering whether it should plan for expansion to its south.

Like the rest of the country, the local area is running short of housing, and that’s a major obstacle to progress for a better community.

Local employers have trouble recruiting employees to the area when they can’t find a place to live. Our largest employers in the Grand Coulee Dam area — the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Coulee Medical Center — run into the problem repeatedly. The hospital keeps eight rentals of its own just to have a place for some temporary employees to star. Many bureau employees have been taking advantage of a federal program to encourage ride sharing for years, some from commuting in vans from two or three counties away.

The Colville Tribes recognized the need for middle-income housing several years ago and is building 17 homes near Elmer City.

Not looking for more space to bring in housing would be a huge mistake.

Kudos to Electric City leaders for recognizing the need.

Scott Hunter

editor and publisher