Port to take on role as ADO in July

COLFAX — The Port of Whitman County was appointed to serve as the Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Whitman County, starting July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, by Whitman County Commissioners Monday, April 10, 2023.

An organization is designated in each of the 39 counties in Washington State to serve as the lead agency on local economic development activities.

The job of the ADOs is to partner with the Washington State Department of Commerce to gather data and report on economic activity within their counties.

Port of Whitman County Executive Director Kara Riebold stated that the Department of Commerce would contract with the Port and have specific objectives to be part of that contract.

“We won’t see that contract until July,” Riebold said, adding that economic development is a long game, and they must work together.

“ADO designation will allow the Port to continue to support existing business and workers as well as other talent to the Palouse,” she said.

Whitman County Commissioner Tom Handy stated that working with the Port in this new capacity will be exciting.

“We hope to accomplish a lot for the citizens of Whitman County,” he said.

The Port’s goals on the ADO application included collaborating and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders, funding agencies, and peer organizations to further economic and community development efforts in Whitman County.

As well as enabling existing businesses to grow and thrive, actively working to bring new businesses, industrial, manufacturing, small, and microenterprise to the county.

Furthermore, their goals include developing a formalized and prioritized community development program for rural communities that still need a dedicated economic development professional on staff and promoting and expanding tourism throughout the county.

Port Executive Director Kara Riebold stated that the Port looks forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the county to grow the economy and promote Whitman County as the preferred place to live and do business over the next two years.

“Our approach will be to listen, inform, collaborate, and act,” Riebold said.