2005 Annual Report Executive Summary
Five Star Rural Enterprise Community
The Five Star Enterprise Community (5-Star EC) consists of five communities spread throughout four counties. These five communities are located in rural northeastern Washington and consist of three Native American tribes – Colville Confederated, Spokane and Kalispel. It also includes a group of small communities located in Northern Ferry County as well as the community of Newport. Tri-County Economic Development District (TEDD) serves as the lead agency.
All five of these census-tract designated areas have struggled with poverty issues brought on by unemployment as well as low per-capita incomes. The simple remoteness of the areas served by 5-Star EC provides extreme challenges in medical care and other public service that most people living in more urban areas take for granted. However, the 5-Star EC came up with a year full of ideas to bring their communities together and to provide more of the basic needs to the people that choose to live in this beautiful part of the world.
The 5-Star EC completed Year Six with 27 new benchmarks, bringing their total to 214. Almost every benchmark submitted was in concert with another funding source. This year the leveraging average for 5-Star EC was 98:1. Contributing partners included the tribes, local communities and schools, state and federal agencies. There has been approximately $3,154,729 worth of In-Kind contributions made. This includes everything from contributions of food and supplies to a great many hours donated by volunteers.
The 5-Star EC is now looking to the future as they begin planning to create a self-sustaining organization that will continue to serve northeastern Washington. 5-Star has faced the realization that funding is likely to cease at the end of the ten-year grant period, so the Board of Directors gathered in October to discuss the viability and options involved with continuing. This ongoing discussion is assisted by the state USDA-RD office. The Board has recently determined that they will take their ideas for the future to the local legislative representatives to discuss possible funding assistance.
If asked, any 5-Star EC board member would list their biggest accomplishment as their ability to bring their communities together. From the construction of community centers to the sponsoring of art and drama programs, they have made a difference. Their benchmarks are as diversified as their communities are. They have promoted tourism, road and pedestrian safety, and youth projects. They have provided safety vehicles where there were none. They have helped to improve water and sewer systems and made restrooms accessible to all. They are a proud group of hard working volunteers and their successes are visible throughout their communities.