It grew out of periodic meetings of these organizations over the last several years.  During these meetings it became clear that more could be accomplished working together as a region and that what is good for our neighboring communities is almost always good for us as well.  The Alliance currently meets monthly.  It is dedicated to promoting economic development in the two counties.  Its recent primary focus has been on the promotion of tourism, but its scope is much broader.  The major Alliance project in 2005 was to create and promote legislation in Olympia to increase State support for the tourism industry through promotion of the State as a destination.  This effort was unsuccessful in 2005 but will continue in 2006 and beyond until this Washington realizes the value of tourism as economic development and funds it at a level that makes us competitive with other states.