2007 Annual Report Executive Summary

Southwest REAP Zone

The following statistics are reported for the SW REAP Zone for the 2007 calendar year:

• 16 jobs were created by SW REAP assistance

• $98,618 was granted, loaned, or invested in 21 different projects by SW REAP

• 449 people were involved in the 21 REAP assisted projects

• Total project costs for the 16 projects was $1,466,043

• SW REAP dollars represent 7% of the total project costs

• 7 projects are loans totaling $48,000 (49% of SW REAP dollars spent)

• 14 projects are grants totaling $50,618 (51% of SW REAP dollars spent)

• Of the 7 loans, five were for new businesses and two for existing businesses

 Plans/Prospects for the Future

Tourism – SW REAP will focus on the continued completion of the tourism strategic plan (Benchmark 71):

• Provide loans to businesses that will market and sell vacation packages within the SW REAP Zone. $20,000 has been set aside for this activity.
• Support a regional tourism conference to promote existing businesses and provide educational sessions as requested by existing tourism groups
• Workforce Training and Federal Contracting – (Benchmark 64) Work will continue on workforce training. An attempt will be made to replicate the Halliday welding program for other trades in other schools or communities in the region.

Strategic Planning – (Benchmark 68). For 2008, SW REAP is partnering with the Bremer Foundation and the cities of Beach, Reeder, and Hettinger in the preparation of strategic plans. Planning began in 2007and will be completed in 2008.