Weiser’s economic development task force asks community residents to fill out survey

Members of Weiser’s economic development task force are asking local businesses and community residents to fill out an online survey that will help prioritize the group’s efforts going forward.
 The survey takes about five to 10 minutes to complete and will be available online until the end of August. Results from the survey will be used to develop the strategic plan for the task force for the next three to five years.
 The survey concludes with a few short answer questions for respondents to fill out. Community members can suggest what type of businesses they would like to see developed in the Weiser area and what future projects they would like the task force to undertake.
 The city task force is made up of representatives from local businesses, Weiser Chamber of Commerce, school district and city government. Neither Weiser nor Washington County has a dedicated economic development department.
 Task force co-chairman Patrick Nauman, the co-owner of Weiser Classic Candy, said the group is currently working on a strategic plan to guide future economic development efforts. Members are also continually assisting businesses looking to locate or open in Weiser.
 The task force was created by Weiser Mayor Diana Thomas in early 2015. The first meeting of the ad hoc city committee was held on Jan. 23, 2015. The task force’s mission is  “Building Relationships to Promote Economic Prosperity in the Greater Weiser Area.”
 Since it was created, the city council has allocated $1,800 annually in the city budget to fund the all-volunteer task force. Over the past four years the task force has engaged in a number of activities designed to help Weiser grow its economic base.
 • Production and distribution of marketing materials for local, regional, and national markets.
 • Drafted letters of appreciation to local businesses and maintained a local inventory of available commercial properties.
 • Hosted a local job fair in April of 2018 that brought employers from Weiser, Payette, Fruitland, Ontario and New Plymouth to the Vendome.
 • Created a “Ready to Go” team that meets with prospective businesses looking to locate in Weiser and submitted grants and conducted feasibility studies for local business expansion.
 The task force collaborates with the Snake River Economic Development Alliance (SREDA), the Idaho Department of Commerce, the city of Weiser, and Washington County Commission to promote business expansion in the region
 The city is a member, along with Washington County, of SREDA, which works to attract new businesses to the western Treasure Valley counties of Malheur, Washington and Payette. Both the city of Weiser and Washington County both contribute funding to SREDA.
 SREDA has a paid executive director whose role is outreach, going to trade shows and making contacts with businesses. SREDA can get leads from companies showing an interest in the area and pass them on to local economic task force.
 The Weiser Chamber of Commerce will host its first-ever trade show on Sept. 26 at the Vendome. The chamber is looking for vendors to showcase their products and services. Vendors spaces cost $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members.
 There will be a guest speaker and door prices, including a drawing for $50 in Weiser bucks. The event is open to the public. For more information, call the chamber at 208-414-0452.