Local legislators sent a letter to the Board of Clark County Councilors today asking them to re-designate the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) as the county’s Associate Development Organization (ADO).
The designation qualifies the CREDC for approximately $160,000 in state funding – about 20 percent of the organization’s overall budget.
The letter comes one day after Clark County Councilor David Madore indicated that the board may not renew the CREDC’s ADO status due to its support of certain transportation projects.
It reads:
“Dear Chairman Madore and Councilors Mielke and Stewart:
Every two years, the Department of Commerce begins the process to re-designate county Associate Development Organizations (ADOs). As you know, the Washington State Legislature places a high priority on funding regional economic development organizations such as our local Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) through the Department of Commerce ADO Certification/Designation program. Forms must be completed and returned to Commerce before June 15, 2015 in order for our own CREDC to receive its share of state funding. We urge you to complete this process without delay.
We have every confidence that our CREDC is meeting and exceeding its mission to develop a strong, innovative business environment in collaboration with private and public sector partners. CREDC, led by Mr. Michael Bomar, is our dedicated business concierge connecting current and prospective clients with resources to accelerate business relocation, growth, and innovation to bring more living wage jobs right here to our communities.
CREDC’s ADO contract requires the organization to report quarterly on 15 performance metrics covering recruitment & marketing, business retention & expansion, business assistance (including start-ups), and readiness & capacity building (including collaborative events). The organization is on target to meet or exceed ALL of the ADO performance goals for the contract.
CREDC has never been more successful than it is today. This is due in part to the allocation of necessary state funding to CREDC through our state’s Department of Commerce to hire and retain key management and staff. Most of us are well acquainted with Mr. Bomar, having worked with him for several years on various projects. The recent successes of the organization are a testament of his strong leadership abilities to move our community forward through his great work at the CREDC.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request to complete the ADO Certification/Designation Form.
Please call on us if you have any questions, comments or concerns.”
The letter was signed by Representative Liz Pike (R-Camas); Senator Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver); Representative Sharon Wylie (D-Vancouver); Representative Lynda Wilson (R-Vancouver); Representative Brandon Vick (R-Felida); Representative Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver); Senator Ann Rivers (R-La Center); Representative Paul Harris (R-Vancouver); Senator John Braun (R-Centralia); Representative Norm Johnson (R-Yakima); and Representative Gina McCabe (R-Goldendale).
Pictured: The Columbia River Economic Development Council staff: (Front) Mike Bomar, president; (Back, left to right) Kimberly Pincheira, director of communications and strategic partnerships; Denise McCarty, VP, director of business recruitment and expansion; Elizabeth Scott, senior project manager; Max Ault, business development manager; and Susan Pagel, offce manager.
