Alas, I missed the breakfast. But as a future topic (whether for the annual breakfast or for another event) I'm interested in community-wide strategies to provide affordable workforce housing. The Bonner Community Housing Agency is dealing with that issue and I think it is important for the business sector to be actively involved. Basically it's going to take a partnership between government and the business sector to come up with a path to keep Sandpoint housing affordable for the workforce. Not just "housing," but home ownership, as that is a pretty basic goal for almost everyone. Companies that draw their business from the local economy, particularly, need to be concerned about this. You can see more about what the BCHA is about at BonnerCommunityHousing.org.
 

The meeting and the eggs were good. I didn't like the quiche though. An idea for next year would be to present an over view of local businesses (their financial score card - are they growing or declining) and what can we do as a group to help plus who are the raising stars (businesses) within our community that need support / assistance to get bigger and stronger. We need to identify the next Coldwater Creek, Panhandle State Bank, etc.... if we are to grow and enhance our community. This also means businesses that only have one employee but have the potential to grow to five or ten people if we help in the process. To often they are left to fend for themselves and most die yet with a little help / support they can be a major asset to our community also.


Sincerely,


Jim Quinn
 

The BCHA and its committee, the Employers' Assisted Housing committee are at work on the initiative. 501C3 status has been applied for and is expected to be approved by the IRS by this Fall. The EAH is working on free and low-cost programs both currently and soon-to-be available for employers of all sizes to consider and incorporate into their 'benefit packages' as they deem appropriate.
If you are or know of an employer, whether an EDC member or not, which is not familiar with the work/existence of the BCHA and EAH, please contact Andy Chapman, Pres of BCHA, 610-6696, or Alana Hatcher, Chair of the EAH, at 265-7067, to connect into the growing loop.
At least one Workforce Housing (WFH) development has begun winding through the permitting process of the City. Outside of the City limits, access to water and sewer is a huge barrier to progress at this time.