Downtown Association hosts Meet and Mingle

COLFAX –– On Wednesday, April 29, Colfax locals gathered at 203 N. Main Street for the annual Meet and Mingle event hosted by the Colfax Downtown Association.

During the event, Colfax Downtown Association Director Whitney Bond discussed developments in several projects, upcoming events and programs for locals, as well as filling of several open seats on the association’s board.

The meeting began with an introduction to the current board, followed up with several motions to fill vacant positions. A motion was started to elect Colfax School District Superintendent Jerry Pugh to the position of President; along with a second motion to elect Dustin Dawson as Vice President. Both motions were unanimously passed by the other members.

The meeting continued with a presentation on the new Main Street Tax Credit Program, which allows businesses to self-direct their Business and Occupation (B&O) or Public Utility (PU) Taxes as a private contribution to the Colfax Downtown Association for a 75% tax credit. The association was able to secure $150,000 in funds for the program during 2023.

In Washington State, the Main Street Tax Credit Program offers tax credits for private contributions to eligible organizations. This theoretically allows for local taxes to stay in the community and have those funds put into local programs to help boost the appeal and sustainability of Main Streets in the state.

The Colfax Downtown Association is a 501(c)(3) and as such, contributions may be eligible for a federal income tax deduction as a charitable contribution. For more information about the Main Street Tax Credit program, contact the Colfax Downtown Association at [email protected] or 509-288-9063.

The meeting continued with an overview of the Downtown Flower Project, of which the association was able to hire a second seasonal employee. It was stated during the meeting that the idea behind the project is to increase the atmosphere of Colfax, encouraging motorists to stop while in town, driving foot traffic into local businesses.

Bond spoke of the Rural Regeneration Project, which the association helps to get grants out to businesses to remode the facades of buildings.

Two businesses that have benefitted from the program so far are the Thrifty Grandmothers Shop, with replaced siding; as well as the new awning placed in front of Cougar Graphics on Main Street.

Bond projected that there should be two available facade grants in the fall of 2024.

Bond touched on the Hometown Heros project, which began in January, encouraging those in attendance to submit locals who are having a direct impact in our community. Submissions can be sent to the Colfax Downtown Association.

The meeting continued with an overview of the $2.259 million in SBIF grant funds that the association has used to purchase and remodel the 203 N. Main Street location as the first downtown incubator, as well as the 102 N. Main Street property that will serve as the new restaurant incubator. Colfax local, Trevor Miller, was announced as the first selected tenant for the restaurant incubator, with his Wild Ember Kitchen business.

Wild Ember Kitchen is planning on dine-in and catering options for the business, with projected hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Miller stated that the menu will be small and rotational for the most part, but will have classic breakfast/brunch items on the weekends. Miller’s idea for the menu is to serve family style boards to encourage familial closeness during meals.

The Colfax Downtown Association hopes to get the final steps completed to open up the restaurant incubator during 2024, however a precise date is not known.

The Upstairs Downtown project was also touched on, which would encourage businesses with unused upper levels to convert them to apartment buildings to help with the housing issues in Colfax. The association is currently working on securing funding for those grants.

Before heading to a Q&A period, Bond reminded those in attendance there are two upcoming events in Colfax put on the by association, Summerfest 2024, which is slated for July 27; as well as Main Street Clean-up, which does not have a confirmed date as of yet.