Port okays $10,000 for library’s Center

The Port of Whitman County commissioners on July 3 agreed to contract with the county library district for $10,000. The one-year contract for services will pay salaries and run the business incubator located in The Center which is being developed next to the library.

Port Director Joe Poire said port board members liked what they heard from Library Director Kristie Kirkpatrick about economic development within the community.

“The library district picked up the downtown micro-enterprise that needs to be rewarded and helped,” Poire said.

“We’re offering business incubation service in The Center, allowing entrepreneurs to get started,” Kirkpatrick said. “We hope they use the space and then venture out into the community.”

She said that it’s a good model and that similar models are working in other library districts across the country.

Although Kirkpatrick wouldn’t be specific about the type of business, she said they are in preliminary talks with one which has expressed interest in renting space in The Center. She emphasized they are open to other businesses in need of space or assistance in finding resources or to improve business.

Kirkpatrick will report on progress to the port commissioners.

“It’s not a slam-dunk we’ll keep doing this,” Poire said. “We’ll assess it at the end of the year.”

Kirkpatrick said plans are in the works for creating an opening between The Center and the library.

“We’re excited and moving forward,” Kirkpatrick said. “We appreciate the port’s support. It’s a great partnership.”