Our Projects: Chamber Lead Partner
The first action plan developed by Our Valley Our Future / Nuestro Valle Nuestro Futuro includes 149 specific actions and seven major "game-changer" projects. More than 80 lead partners — a combination of nonprofit organizations, businesses, public agencies and community groups — are committed to seeing these programs and projects to fruition as part of a collaborative effort to improve the livelihoods of all in the Wenatchee Valley region. In January of 2017, Our Valley's implementation phase officially kicks off. These are the items that The Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce has been indentified as a lead partner in.
How We Prosper
- Legislative Liaison (our easy win)
- Develop and fill a legislative liaison position to advocate on behalf of Our Valley's economic development priorities.
- Timeline, 1-2 years
- Regional Economic Development
- Assets and Resources Inventory.
- Inventory major assets and resources for strengthening and diversifying the region's economy, as well as barriers that work against business and industry development efforts. Include quality of life assets in work.
- Work with Port of Douglas County and Port of Chelan County.
- Timeline, less than 1 year.
- Regional Marketing Analysis
- Conduct a regional market analysis that provides strategies to best utilize identified assets and reduce barriers. The assets being analyized should be the same one identified in an 'assets and resources inventory'
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, less that one year
- Business Cycle Resiliency
- Develop strategies to make our economy more resilient and immune to impacts of business cycles that periodically affect major industries and employment sectors.
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, 1-2 years
- Engaging the Private Sector
- Engage with and encouraging the private sector to become involved in the Our Valley vision and action plan, and action plan, promoting their expanded involvement in the region's economic development.
- Work with Our Valley's What's Next Core Team.
- Timeline, 1-2 years
- Assets and Resources Inventory.
- Targeted Industry Development & Recruitment
- Local Venture Capital
- Develop venture capital funds to support the development of outdoor recreation, technology and other emerging businesses.
- Timeline, 3-5 years
- Quality of Life Recruitment
- Market Our Valley strong quality of life attributes to attract new residents who own or manage businesses or have the ability to telecommute.
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, 5+ years
- Local Venture Capital
- Tourism and Recreation Branding & Marketing
- Small Town Community Culture
- Enhance and Promote Our Valley's small town community culture through planning, marketing, tourism, community events and local volunteer programs.
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, 3-5 years
- Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Study
- Timeline, less than 1 year
- Outdoor Recreation Destination
- Capitalize on the region's outdoor recreation resources as a way to attract businesses, professionals and tourists.
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, 1-2 years
- Food & Agriculture -Related Tourism
- Develop our valley's orchards, farms, vineyards and wineries, craft breweries and cider houses, farmers markets and related attractions as a major tourism opportunity.
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, 3-5 years
- Culinary Destination
- Establish our valley as a major 'farm to table' food destination, highlighting the bounty of the region and attracting food writers and visitors.
- Work with Port of Chelan County and Port of Douglas County.
- Timeline, 3-5 years.
- Small Town Community Culture
How We Sustain Our Environment
Environmental Education and Stewardship
- Education on Our Natural Environment
- Promote greater awareness and stewardship for our valley's natural environment, including its economic benefits, by educating residents and visitors of its intrinsic values.
- Timeline, 3-5 years
Outdoor Recreational Access & Amenities
- Recreational signage and mapping
- Improve access to outdoor recreation in our valley for both locals and visitors by installing signs and printing maps that direct people to trail heads, waterfront parks and facilities, ski areas and other recreational amenities.
- Timeline, 3-5 years
How We Live and Care for One Another
Honoring, Respecting & Celebrating Diversity
- Festival Coordination
- Encouraging local and regional organizations to coordinate schedules and cross promote festivals and events that celebrate our valley's cultures and food.
- Timeline, leass than 1 year
How We Learn and Create
Youth-Oriented Educational Initiatives
- Awareness of College and Career Pathways
- Build awareness in our valley of pathways to college and career readiness through training and education.
- Partner with North Central Educational Service District.
- Timeline, 5+ years
How We Participate and Decide
Community Integration
- Chamber Affiliation
- Encourage the NCW Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce to affiliate.
- Partner with NCW Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Timeline, 1-2 years.
- Community Integration of Celebrations (easy win)
- Incorporate multicultural components in existing community celebrations.
- Lead partners include Apple Blossom Festival, Independence Day Celebration, Diversity Justice Day, Cinco de Mayo, Wings and Wheels and others.
- Timeline, less than a year