To the Editor:

GREAT! What the heck is GREAT? One definition that we should all know about is that it is the acronym for Grant County ResourceEnhancement Action Team.

This is an organization of 19 community volunteers with local Realtor Jerry Franklin as the chairman. The members represent just about every aspect of our County, ranging from agriculture. timber products, education, Chamber of Commerce, County Court, other government, (BLM, NPS, ODFW, USFS etc.) and each of our nine cities. GREAT is a tax-exempt 501c3 organization that makes it able to accept tax-free donations and grants.

In their efforts to create family-wage jobs they work to promote industrial lands to business interests outside of Grant County. They have created and maintain a database of business possibilities that may be interested in relocating or expanding into the County. GREAT works with local communities to focus their efforts on continuing to develop industrial lands. They endeavor to maintain and capitalize on the Enterprise Zone designation as a key to the success of any possible expansion or capitalization. They work with local businesses to find ways of succeeding as well as fostering growth. Where possible they work with local communities on projects that they believe to be important.

Just one recent example of their effectiveness was during the County budget crises of a year ago. As a result of this crises the County Court had to eliminate the economic development coordinator position. GREAT along with the Chamber of Commerce worked with business leaders, city governments and the County Court to find a way to continue funding for the position. Their efforts were successful and the position was restored after being eliminated earlier in the year. Sally Bartlett was recruited and now has an office at 530 E. Main St. in John Day.

The Grant County Economic Development Director and GREAT work together to discover and promote economic opportunities throughout Grant County. For example in one six-year period they played a part in raising over $360,000 for studies and projects. These projects varied from business compatibility studies ($40,000), purchasing Grant County fire radio repeaters ($50,000), Grant County doweling machine demo project ($133,000), and Community Hall assessments for Dayville and Mt. Vernon ($12,000).

GREAT is always looking for ideas and input from the local community. If you or a friend has an idea or suggestion don’t hesitate to give Sally Bartlett (575-1555) or a member of GREAT a call.

Well we could talk on and on about GREAT but space is limited and the cows need to be fed, but I will say “Isn’t it great the we have GREAT!”

Claude Baker, GREAT member

John Day