By Mary Owen
Economic vitality is the topic for an upcoming North Santiam regional event.
“Participants will learn about strategies and programs that have worked in other places, discuss the unique opportunities we have in our region, and share ideas about our future with other passionate people,” said Allison McKenzie, director of GROW-EDC, a sponsor of the North Santiam Economic Vitality Summit, one of three EV Summits to be held in Oregon this year.
Facilitated by Rural Development Initiatives in partnership with the Ford Family Foundation, the EV Summit will be Wednesday, April 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on at Foothills Church in Stayton.
The EV Summits is a free event, focused on empowering and investing in North Santiam communities.
“Our hope is that participants will come away feeling energized and inspired about making this area as vital as we know it can be,” McKenzie said. “One of the things we love about an economic vitality summit is that it takes the best of who we are and capitalizes on it. We focus on amplifying our strengths rather than shoring up our weaknesses.”
McKenzie called the summit “a large, inclusive community conversation about building a new road map to economic prosperity in our region.
“It will be a conversation that celebrates our history while turning our eye toward new and innovative ways of revitalizing our local economies while preserving what is special about the places we call home.”
U.S. Forest Service Detroit District Ranger Grady McMahan said despite “incredible, exciting work” occurring individually in communities, coordinating efforts is needed.
Kelly Schreiber, executive director of the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce, hopes the EV Summit will help local entrepreneurs generate ideas to invigorate the North Santiam region.
“We can focus on the resources and talents to make good things happen!” Schreiber said.
The event is open to anyone interested in the economic vitality of the North Santiam region, including the communities of Aumsville, Scio, Sublimity, Stayton, Lyons, Mehama, Elkhorn, Mill City, Gates, Detroit, Idanha, Breitenbush and Marion Forks.
For information on the summit or other opportunities presented by GROW-EDC, contact McKenzie at 503-871-5188.
