McGregor, Uniontown receive INP awards

The president of the McGregor Company and the town of Uniontown have been recognized with Hometown Awards from Inland Northwest Partners.

The “Hall of Fame” honor went to Alex McGregor of the McGregor Company while Uniontown was given a “Community” award.

A non-profit organization, INP focuses on the long-term vitality of the two-state inland northwest region. A former in-house economic development initiative of Avista Utilities, it became its own non-profit corporation in 1996.

On Nov. 21 the INP presented its awards at their winter economic development meeting at Hayden Lake, Idaho.

McGregor and Dale Miller, president of the Uniontown Community Development Association, were present to receive the accolades.

“I think they suspected something,” said Sharon Matthews of the INP, regarding the effort to get both of them there without indicating that they would receive an honor.

The Hometown Awards, voted on by INP board members, are given to recipients in one of four categories: Community, Partnership, Hometown Hero and Hall of Fame.

This year’s Hall of Fame inclusion went to McGregor for his noted support of economic development efforts in the Inland Northwest region.

McGregor has served on numerous boards and community organizations over the years, including the Association of Washington Business, Washington State Historical Society, WSU College of Agriculture, Washington Association of Wheatgrowers, multiple task forces at the request of the state’s governors and more. The McGregor Company has also received much notice over time, including both the Washington and National Family Business of the Year award, Retailer of the Year award and more than 20 state, regional and national environmental honors.

As the largest independent fertilizer, agri-chemical and equipment dealer in the Pacific Northwest, the McGregor Company serves growers in Washington, Idaho and Oregon with seed, crop inputs, equipment, research and advice for raising crops.

The company has existed for more than 130 years.

McGregor continues to support many local projects, community-based organizations and activities, such as the completion this year of the LaCrosse Community Pride Building renovation.

The INP’s Community awards spotlights towns which have successfully put together an effective recruitment, retention or development strategy that has made a noted impact on the town’s economy.

Uniontown was recognized for the ongoing efforts of the UCDA and the greater community to help create a successful economic future.

Through collaborative efforts over the past 20 years, the town has updated its comprehensive plan, conducted a marketing study and began working to rebuild its park, expand sidewalks, renovate and begin Sage Bakery (2002) and transform a local barn into the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn (2006).

The town has attracted key grant money over the past decade, including $362,000 earlier this year from the Art Place Foundation to expand the Dahmen Barn.

In addition, new businesses have opened on Main Street such as The General Store, the Green Parrot, Uniontown Deli and Vineyard Vault, all of which has enhanced commerce in town.

Dale Miller, President of UCDA, accepted the award on behalf of Uniontown.

“It’s just nice to be recognized that we’re out there shaking things up and making things happen,” Miller said. “We have a lot of really dedicated volunteers working together as a community.”

More than 300 business and community leaders from eastern Washington and northern Idaho are members of the INP, which is also part of a regional marketing effort known as the Inland Northwest Economic Alliance (INEA), a consortium of 11 economic development groups.

Overall, for more than 25 years, the INP has aimed to recognize individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in supporting the economic growth of communities in the Inland Northwest.