February 2014
As you know, in 2013 we put a lot of work into researching the potential of establishing a USDA-inspected plant on the Palouse. As a result, we know that it is doable, that our community needs this facility, and that almost everyone we talk to sees it as an idea whose time has come. And the Greater Palouse Meat Producers is just the group to get it done!
Well, our work has continued into 2014 and we've got some things going on that we need to tell you about. In just the past few weeks, an opportunity has come our way to move this project forward by a huge leap. We have a chance to apply for an economic development grant which will fund the initial planning stages of our small facility, allowing us to start making concrete plans for its eventual financing and construction. With a deadline looming (March 5th), we have to hustle to get it done. Luckily, we have done lots of the background work already, so it's mostly just pulling together ideas and themes we already have developed and putting it all down as a clear story.
What we have to do now is find all the groups in the area which support this project (even a little), and get their support on paper. Since the grant also requires some percentage of matching funds, we have just a few weeks to gather money if we are going to apply for the grant this year. We are looking for around $5000 (not the cash, but a written promise), and if we get anywhere close to this, we will be going ahead with the grant application. It feels a little rushed, and we will still be in good shape applying next year if we have to work some more long-term strategies to put our community support on the table. By the way, we already have a meeting scheduled with a local nonprofit group that may be donating some of the money needed. Of course, we will need more funding so that we can maximize our ability to make use of this opportunity.
We want to encourage you to bandy the idea around, emphasizing that we need to raise funds to jump into this next stage. More important in the long term is just generating excitement for the project. It is far enough along that we all can dream about what a completed plant would do for us personally. Every aspect of this project is looking good for our community, and the more we ask around and root out knowledge, the better it looks for our long-term prospects. Attached you can read our latest draft of the "Statement of Project", which we hope to send in with our grant application. Any feedback or advice you can give us would be much appreciated.
Chris LaPaglia and Ann Bowes
Greater Palouse Meat Producers
Well, our work has continued into 2014 and we've got some things going on that we need to tell you about. In just the past few weeks, an opportunity has come our way to move this project forward by a huge leap. We have a chance to apply for an economic development grant which will fund the initial planning stages of our small facility, allowing us to start making concrete plans for its eventual financing and construction. With a deadline looming (March 5th), we have to hustle to get it done. Luckily, we have done lots of the background work already, so it's mostly just pulling together ideas and themes we already have developed and putting it all down as a clear story.
What we have to do now is find all the groups in the area which support this project (even a little), and get their support on paper. Since the grant also requires some percentage of matching funds, we have just a few weeks to gather money if we are going to apply for the grant this year. We are looking for around $5000 (not the cash, but a written promise), and if we get anywhere close to this, we will be going ahead with the grant application. It feels a little rushed, and we will still be in good shape applying next year if we have to work some more long-term strategies to put our community support on the table. By the way, we already have a meeting scheduled with a local nonprofit group that may be donating some of the money needed. Of course, we will need more funding so that we can maximize our ability to make use of this opportunity.
We want to encourage you to bandy the idea around, emphasizing that we need to raise funds to jump into this next stage. More important in the long term is just generating excitement for the project. It is far enough along that we all can dream about what a completed plant would do for us personally. Every aspect of this project is looking good for our community, and the more we ask around and root out knowledge, the better it looks for our long-term prospects. Attached you can read our latest draft of the "Statement of Project", which we hope to send in with our grant application. Any feedback or advice you can give us would be much appreciated.
Chris LaPaglia and Ann Bowes
Greater Palouse Meat Producers