economic development lewis-clark valley
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT
Valley Vision concentrates recruiting efforts on projects that contribute to economic diversification and increase household earnings. The performance emphasis shifts from high volume job-creation to quality of new jobs, measured by average wages and skill requirements.
Valley Vision will build upon its marketing activities of the past to create a Valley identity in the business world. Corporate decision-makers and site selection consultants throughout the U.S. will continue to hear about the Lewis-Clark Valley as a favorable location for their projects.
LOCAL BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
Valley Vision continuously communicates with local businesses, large and small. Information is a catalyst for investment and employment growth.
Valley Vision provides direct-service to businesses which sell goods or services outside the area, and provide resource referrals for all businesses. By focusing retention / expansion efforts on companies that comprise the economic base of the Valley, local market opportunities will increase for all other businesses.
BUSINESS CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT
Valley Vision will continue efforts to recruit additional commercial air service to the Valley, and encourage investments in infrastructure, workforce training and education. Continuous improvement of the Lewis-Clark Valley’s business climate is necessary in order to keep local companies healthy, as well as to create an environment where new companies will want to invest and create jobs.
Valley Vision will provide input into the consideration of economic development resources by the Idaho and Washington legislatures. A strong voice will help keep us competitive with other communities and states.
Jerry Chavez, Email
President/CEO, Valley Vision, Inc.
(208) 799-9083
Fax: (208) 799-9082
313 D Street, Suite 201
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
Jerry Chavez comes to Valley Vision, INC. as the newest President/CEO after spanning a 27-year career in economic development. Valley Vision provides economic development services for the Lewis-Clark Valley that encompasses Clarkston, WA., Lewiston, ID., Asotin County, WA., and Nez Perce County, ID. The region is along the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. He began his career in economic development as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in 1994 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Jerry has served as CEO-President served Minot, North Dakota and Marshall County in northcentral Indiana. with a combined tenure of over 17 years in that capacity. He also served the communities of Flagstaff, Arizona, Great Falls, Montana, and a nineteen-county region in Mississippi. His specialties in economic development are:
Debbie Baker, Email
Business Relations Specialist, Valley Vision, Inc.
(208) 799-9083
Fax: (208) 799-9082
313 D Street, Suite 201
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
Debbie has been with Valley Vision since 2007. She has an extensive knowledge of the business community in the Lewis-Clark Valley and uses her relationships there to assist both local businesses and companies looking to relocate.
She has been active in area economic development organizations, serving as a Board member, Treasurer and President of the Idaho Economic Development Association. She has also served as a Board member for the Region 2 Workforce Development Council and an Advisory Member for the Region 2 Educate Idaho Network.
Debbie received an Associates Degree in marketing from North Seattle Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/finance from Seattle Pacific University. She volunteers at local elder care facilities and with the Twin County United Way.
| Chairman | Troy Ledgerwood, Credit Bureau of Lewiston-Clarkston |
| Vice Chairman | Michelle Bly, TD&H Engineering |
| Secretary | Ann Watkins, Martin Insurance |
| Treasurer | Su Brown, Accountant |
| Director | Don McQuary, Stonebraker-McQuary Insurance |
| Director | A. L. Alford, JR., Tribune Publishing |
| Director | Kristine Meyer, Port of Whitman |
| Director | Scott Charney, Clearwater Paper Corporation |
| Director | Mike Thomason, Port of Lewiston Commissioner |
| Director | William McCann, Jr., Attorney |
| Director | Mike Tatko, Avista Utilities |
| Director | Mark Brigham, Port of Clarkston Commissioner |
| Director | Taylor Rudd, LMSW, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center |
| Director | Pat Holman, Clarkston City Council |