Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Economic development group tells Lewiston council manufacturing payrolls top $450 million; two projects in recruitment pipeline
Summary
Valley Vision CEO Jerry Chavez told council the local manufacturing sector supports roughly $450 million in payroll and about 5,300 jobs; he described recruitment work on a potential 150,000–400,000 sq ft relocation (~$50 million) and a value-added agriculture project.
Jerry Chavez, president and CEO of Valley Vision Economic Development Corporation, delivered the organization’s quarterly update to council on June 22, outlining sector-by-sector payroll and employment data and summarizing active recruitment efforts.
Chavez said Valley Vision focuses on attracting "new wealth generators" — firms whose sales bring outside revenue into the local economy — and cited manufacturing, government and health care as major employment sectors. He described manufacturing payroll at roughly $450 million and employment of about 5,300 people, and said that for each dollar in manufacturing payroll there is roughly 50 cents of ancillary economic activity.
Chavez outlined two prospective projects the organization is pursuing: a relocation project proposing a 150,000–400,000-square-foot facility with an estimated $50 million investment, and a value-added agricultural project called "Project Cake" that could occupy roughly five acres and represent a similar investment scale. He said site visits and face-to-face recruitment are key steps and noted recent site tours that included the mayor.
Board members at the meeting, including Mike Catrow, spoke in support and thanked the council for funding that helps Valley Vision bring prospective employers to the LC Valley. Chavez also promoted Valley Vision’s July 30 event at the Clearwater Casino.
Councilors asked few questions; the presentation was framed as informational. Chavez said some presentation details remain proprietary and that Valley Vision will follow up with specifics as projects develop.
