Sept 2025 • Volume 34

Your Monthly News & Updates

Upcoming Events, Industry news, and More!

Economic Alliance News

Economic Alliance now accepting Pre-Application letters for the 2026 Okanogan County Prioritization Process

We are excited to announce that we The Economic Alliance are now accepting Letters of Intent to Apply for the 2026 Okanogan County Public Infrastructure and Community & Economic Development prioritization process. Eligible applicants include municipalities, organizations, businesses, and individuals across Okanogan County and the Colville Confederated Tribes.

To begin, interested applicants should submit a one-page letter of inquiry outlining the project type, scope, timeline, and anticipated request. These letters help ensure eligibility and appropriate support before moving to the full application stage.

Application Readiness Workshop

September 11 | 9:00–11:00 AM

RSVP required

Projects will be reviewed and ranked based on economic and community benefits, readiness, workforce development, and alignment with regional goals. The final deadline for Letters of Intent is 5 PM on September 26, 2025.

View the full press release here

Upcoming Workshops

To learn more or register:

Visit the Events tab at-

Economic-Alliance.com

Or call us at 509.826.5107

We’re building out a fresh calendar of workshops aimed at helping small businesses grow with confidence. Topics may include, but aren’t limited to, business planning across a range of needs, creative tools like Canva and Reels, and digital basics to help entrepreneurs feel more comfortable online.

Here’s what’s scheduled so far:

Sept 3 & 17 – Start Simple in Tonasket, presented by the Economic Alliance

Sept 9 – Creating Reels with Caroline Sancken, tips for Instagram and Canva

Oct 14 - Grow Your Business Online with Caroline Sancken, marketing that works smarter

More learning opportunities are in the works—

we’ll keep you posted with new sessions, dates, and how to sign up!

Board Member Spotlight: Kurt Danison

Kurt has been a pillar of our board since the days of the Okanogan County Council for Economic Development (OCCED). A former Chair and current board member, Kurt brings thoughtful leadership and deep community insight to our organization.

He joined the board to help strengthen local connections and support initiatives that make a lasting impact. Kurt's favorite thing about Okanogan County is its diverse outdoor activities. In his free time, Kurt takes full advantage of the outdoors, whether he's skiing the slopes or whitewater boating.

We're grateful for Kurt's continued service and the steady, community-minded perspective

he brings to the board.

Community News

OCTC is searching for three new board members to help Shape

Tourism in Okanogan County!

Do you believe tourism can strengthen our local economy? Are you ready to share ideas, listen, and collaborate with others who care about our region?

The Okanogan County Tourism Council is seeking three new board members:

• One lodging representative from the Methow Valley

• One community-focused member from the Methow Valley

• One community-focused member from the Colville Tribes

The Council meets monthly on the first Wednesday and plays a key role in guiding how we promote Okanogan Country to visitors near and far. As a county-wide organization, OCTC's purpose is to promote tourism across all of Okanogan County—highlighting the unique strengths of each community while working together to bring a shared vision to life.

Call 888-431-3080 or visit okanogancountry.com to learn more.

Prioritization Process Snapshot: Pateros Mall Project

Pateros is giving its main street a thoughtful refresh. While the pedestrian mall serves as a lively front door to local businesses, the post office, and library, its key access point—Commercial Avenue—needs upgrades to better serve visitors and locals alike.

Stretching from US97, Commercial Avenue handles deliveries, parking, transit stops, and even EV and bike charging. But it lacks clear wayfinding, landscaping, and signage to guide people into the heart of town. The City’s 2023–2028 revitalization project aims to change that—with visual improvements, safer pedestrian access, and a more welcoming experience for all.

So far, the City has completed environmental and cultural reviews required for federal grant funding, with no significant findings or delays. Additional assessments are planned to meet state requirements, including those from the Department of Ecology.

Currently in predesign, the next steps include finalizing an action plan, launching design work in winter 2025, and—if all goes smoothly—breaking ground in 2026. While direct fund leveraging hasn’t been confirmed, the combined sources have strengthened the project’s competitiveness in recent grant awards.

Explore City Updates, Events, and Projects at Pateros.com

New Monthly Veteran Social: Connect, Share, Support

Okanogan County Community Action is launching a monthly Veteran Social—an open invitation to all veterans to gather, connect, and learn about local resources in a welcoming space.

When: Every second Thursday of the month, 3:00–4:30 PM

Where: American Legion Hall, Okanogan, WA

Questions: Call 509-422-4041

This casual drop-in event is designed to foster community, offer support, and celebrate the strength and service of our local veterans. No need to RSVP—just come as you are.

The Veteran Services Team at Community Action is here to help. Whether you're navigating benefits, seeking legal referrals, or simply looking for someone to talk to, they offer one-on-one support tailored to your needs. If you're a veteran experiencing homelessness and need help accessing health care, they can also connect you with Pamela, our local HUD-VASH Rural Case Manager through Veterans Affairs. She's a trusted resource for linking veterans to medical services and support systems with care and compassion.

Next month, VA eligibility staff will be on-site at the social to assist with medical ID updates—so if yours needs a refresh, be sure to stop by.

If you know of a resource, service, or opportunity that could benefit local veterans, we encourage you to reach out to the Veteran Services Team. Community support makes all the difference.

Okanogan County Community Action: Veteran's Services

Prime Spots

Are you looking for the perfect space to expand, or start your small business? Check out these prime property options available in the area! The Economic Alliance is here to connect you with resources to help your business thrive. Have a Prime Spot ready to be utilized contact Mason!

Properties Search

Contact Mason

Your August Toolkit: Resources, & Essentials

Community Builders Collective

Created by the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), the Community Builders Collective (CBC) is a new statewide peer network for staff of local governments, tribes, and ADOs across Washington.

If you’re the kind of person who jumps head-first into infrastructure and community development projects, CBC is for you. It’s a space to connect, share tools, crowdsource advice, and hear directly from funders—all on your schedule, in an easy-to-access online format.

Join us for an info session on September 17 to learn more and get your invitation ahead of the official launch on November 1. Let’s build something better—together.

September Information Session