November Meeting Memo

While it may seem as though Pine Creek Village is moving along at a snails pace, it actually is flowing along in the right direction. Yosh and I are working diligently toward a business plan that will answer all the questions any lenders and granters are likely to ask. And they will ask them all! Especially in today's economic times, it is more important than ever that we be able to show that we have done all the preparation required and are able to forecast as much as possible just what our costs will be as well as the level of participation we may expect.

We've reached the point where the Steering Committee and any potential vendors need to give us as much information as they can offer toward accurate costs, needs and participation levels. We realize that many if not all the numbers will change as we go along, but accurate estimates are important. Sooo...

Northwest Cooperative Development Center has added us to their project list again this year (their fiscal year begins in October) with a considerably larger grant this year than last. That shows their belief in our project and their commitment to it. Now is the time for our Steering Committee members, artisans, crafters and local community to step up and help make this village come to life!

Pine Creek Village has two major goals: The first is to provide a center for local artisans and craftsmen to create, demonstrate, sell and teach their creative talents to the public. This is intended especially for those who have found it difficult and costly to sell their products elsewhere or who have trouble developing their ideas, but also for those who'd like a broader market for their wares. The second and essentially most important goal is to provide a centralized location (using combined marketing) that encourages visitors to stop in an browse, see and but the great products our community has to offer, and give us the chance to encourage them to visit on down the road, through our beautiful town and its other businesses and sites. Then to mosey on down the highway and offshoot roads through beautiful Whitman County. Getting visitors to stop by the first time is the key. We know we can bring them back again.

On Tuesday, November 17, Teresa Young from Northwest Cooperative Development will be here. We will be going over the work plan for the next year, creating a steering committee and vendor agreement and working on organizational development. We need the help of anyone interested in the future of this project! Starting a 3:00 in the afternoon, we'll have a kind of Open House and the Workshop will start at 5:00. If you just want to check out the possibilities, stop by, see what we are planning, ask your questions and maybe stay for the rest of the workshop. Everyone's ideas and thoughts are important!