2016 progress

Looking back, moving forward

PROGRESS

Quincy Valley Post-Register - Progress 2016 - Free Publication Progress 2016

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Progress 2016

Quincy Valley Progress 2016 Table of Contents

Warnick: Quincy has embraced a changing economy It has been my honor to serve for nearly a decade as a state legislator for the 13th Legislative District, which encompasses southern Grant County, all of Kittitas and Lincoln counties, and a small part of Yakima County. I am proud of the work I have been able to do on behalf of the residents of Quincy as a state representative and now in my first term as your state Senator.

I serve as the chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development Committee, which puts me in a great position to look after the specific needs of this part of our state. During our 2016 session, for instance, I worked to pass legislation protecting our agricultural producers from pests and disease.

While Washington’s population is concentrated in the greater Puget Sound, Quincy and other rural communities have a valuable role in our state’s economy. I am working to make sure economic growth Sen. Judy Warnick reaches all parts of Washington.

Since the Senate Majority Coalition, of which I am a member, began governing in 2013 we have reprioritized state government to focus on what really matters to people: jobs, education and sustainable budgets.

We can see the results of those realigned priorities in just a short amount

of time.

In three years we have increased spending on K-12 education by over $4.5 billion, invested in reducing class sizes where it counts and put more resources into higher education all while stopping some of the largest proposed tax increases in state history. That is not an easy feat.

In addition to these larger statewide policies, I am especially proud of working to boost Quincy’s economy. In addition to chairing a committee, I also serve on the Senate budget committee (Ways and Means) and this past year, as one of the lead budget negotiators, I worked hard to keep tax incentives for data centers that have located in Quincy and provide family-wage jobs for many.

Quincy is a unique community that has embraced changing economic trends, expanding its industrial base while preserving its agricultural roots – a vital component of our state’s economy. Senate Bill 6605 creates a process for the state Department of Agriculture to have some oversight of compost movement that I believe provides necessary protections for our agricultural industry to ensure that this cornerstone of our economy continues to thrive.

Looking ahead, Quincy has so much to be proud of. The future is bright and the community stands out as an example of what is possible. I am honored to be part of that shared endeavor and will continue to work for Quincy and other Central and Eastern Washington communities.

-- Sen. Judy Warnick, 13th Legislative District

A look back -- and ahead -- at signs of progress ..................................................

Good news for area taxing districts ......................................................................

City of Quincy continues its momentum ..............................................................

Bond passage will lead QSD into growing future ................................................

Port of Quincy: An ideal home for businesses .....................................................

Grant PUD: Top-notch infrastructure opens doors to success ..........................

New police station nears completion .....................................................................

Strategic plan paves road to future for GCFD3 ....................................................

Will the Quincy hospital see a new facility? .........................................................

Strong communities need strong health care .......................................................

Chamber keeping up with changing community ..................................................

Group puts spotlight on downtown .......................................................................

Success and Quincy go hand in hand ...................................................................

Get an up-close look at some successful businesses ........................................

Progress 2016

page 4 page 8 page 11 page 14 page 18 page 23 page 26 page 28 page 30 page 32 page 34 page 36 page 38 page 38 3

Quincy Valley continues to see big steps moving it forward

School bond reflects our progressive nature If you’re looking for signs of progress in the Quincy area, you’d be hard pressed to miss them. The signs are all around us.

In George, Ancient Lake Winery continues to grow and expand, with more of the foamencased wine silos going up as well as office buildings. In Quincy, there’s the new coldstorage facility, owned by Sageland Orchards LLC, going up north of Amway. Amway, by the way, has its own construction crews on site this summer as it moves its milling operation from Ephrata to Quincy.

Most people this past year have been curiously watching the steady growth of some businesses in town, including Les Schwab, which is expanding right in the heart of town. Outside of town, and a little less obvious to day-to-day commuters, Yahoo is deep into its own expansion, as are Microsoft and Sabey.

More exciting projects have kick-off dates for later in 2016 and into next year. In fall 2016, Grant PUD expects to start the long-anticipated, off-island improvements at Crescent Bar

that will cater to public recreation. The city of Quincy this summer also was getting ready to take big steps in determining how best to fix the traffic congestion problems at 13th Avenue Southwest. (Will there be a roundabout or a

torical Society & Museum had not yet heard whether the state would be allocating it a grant that would allow it to start building near the Reiman-Simmons House a “community heritage barn” that will be part gathering space, part museum and historical archive. No doubt, if the money comes to fruition, this project will enhance the community.

It all should make for another progressive year to come.

Once again this year, we are shining the spotlight on a handful of events that took place over the past year that reflect well on not only the progress that is taking place in the Quincy area but also that which is yet to come.

$108 million school bond passes

The future site of the new Quincy High School It was big news in February 2016 when votwill be off of M Street N.E., across from the ers passed a $108 million bond that will not Aho development. only update facilities around the district but also eventually build a new high school on property traffic light? We have yet to know.) north of Quincy.

And, as of press time, the Quincy Valley HisThe $117 million, three-year construction

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Progress 2016

project eventually will have a major impact on not only the community and its families but also the local economy.

The Quincy School District in spring 2016 hired an architect and project manager to oversee the construction project, the largest such

bonds were financed at an interest rate of 2.73 percent. Assessed values in the district boundaries increased by nearly 18 percent for 2016, which reduces the tax burden by nearly 20 cents per thousand.

The school district conservatively estimated the new school bond measure would cost voters about $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value. The favorable interest rates, combined with higherthan-estimated assessed property values, resulted in a rate of about $1.70 per thousand for the 2017 tax year.

State renews data center incentives Port of Quincy officials have said that the renewing of state tax incentives for data centers has kept the Quincy area attractive to developers. Yahoo is among those expanding. project in the district’s history. Actual construction is not expected to begin until sometime in fall 2016. First up will be the addition of gyms at each of the elementary schools. An expansion project at George Elementary School will follow in early 2017.

In May 2016, the QSD bonds were sold in Seattle at the Office of D.A. Davidson. The

Yahoo announced in October 2015 that it was expanding its Quincy data center, doubling the size of its current operation.

Construction will add about 300,000 square feet to Yahoo’s operation. The addition will be on 20 acres to the east of Yahoo’s current data center.

In 2015, the state Legislature renewed existing data center sales and use tax exemptions that were to expire July 1. The tax incentives have been extended until 2024. The tax breaks cover sales and use tax exemption for server equipment and power infrastructure.

Commissioner Curt Morris of the Port of Quincy said the Yahoo expansion probably would not have happened without that tax in-

Les Schwab’s new six-bay operation will open in the fall across from its current shop, which also will remain open. centive extension because several states are aggressively recruiting data centers. Microsoft and Sabey also are currently expanding their Quincy operations.

“Yahoo’s decision to expand their data center in Quincy will create additional good paying technology jobs in Eastern Washington, not just Seattle,” Mayor Jim Hemberry wrote to the Legislature. “Our community fought for the tools to win the jobs created by new data centers. Yahoo’s decision proves the fight was worthwhile.”

Quincy, with its low energy costs and availability of land, continues to be one of the state’s, and the nation’s, primary data center markets. In

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a 2013 report, the Washington Research Council estimated that tech companies had built 2.5 million square feet of data center space in Central Washington. About 2 million square feet of that space was erected in Quincy, where, between 2006 and 2013, Yahoo, Microsoft, Intuit, Dell, Sabey Corporation, Vantage and Server Farm Realty all built data centers.

New city facility moving onto next phases this fall As construction of a new police facility neared completion in summer 2016, the city of Quincy was making plans to begin the second and third building phases of its updated Municipal Office Complex.

In early June, the first phase of the project, which includes the construction of a new Quincy Police Department facility, was nearly 85 percent complete, said Ariel Belino, city engineer. The police department, which has met some delays, should be done by late August.

That means sometime in early fall the city’s administrative functions, including the mayor’s office and finance department, will be moved out of city hall to prepare for the remodeling of that building and the old library adjacent to it.

Phase two of the Municipal Office Complex involves the remodeling of the old library into the new city hall. It also includes expanding the Quincy City Council chamber and creating a new public entrance on B Street Southwest. The existing City Hall then will be remodeled into an evidence and training

In June 2016, city officials reported the new police department, which is the first phase in a three-phase project that also will build a new city hall, was about 80 percent complete. The Quincy Police Department is looking foward to moving in the facility in late summer. A community open house is expected in the fall. room for the police department in the project’s third phase. Construction should take about a year, Belino said.

The overall project was to cost about $5.4 million. The Quincy City Council in May also allocated up to another $300,000 for furniture for the police department.

Answers coming soon to what health care in Quincy looks like In spring 2016, the Quincy Valley Medical Center, with the help of a Portland agency, had begun designing a new facility that it hopes to gain support for from the

community.

The proposed facility would be a modular building, with room for an emergency room, lab and radiology services, and a clinic/urgent care facility, said Randy Zolman, chairman of the hospital’s board of commissioners.

Zolman expects that a modular building could potentially save the struggling hospital a million dollars or more in costs (versus a facility built from the ground up) and it would be easily expandable if necessary in the future.

The design is being done at no cost to the hospital, said Jerry Hawley, interim CEO at the hospital.

Board officials have said that a bond measure may be placed before voters in late 2016 to pay for such a facility..

Meanwhile, the Port of Quincy in June started convening a 28-member community group to look at how Confluence Health in Wenatchee fits into the Quincy Valley community.

Local leaders in spring 2016 invited Confluence Health to join the group to help determine if there is a sustainable model for health care in the community.

So it appears, with both efforts ongoing, that question will be answered in the coming year.

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CHANGES IN TAX DISTRICT PROPERTY VALUATIONS Taxing District

Taxing Values:

2009/2010

2012/2013

2015/2016

City of Quincy

$1,039,451,965

$1,337,315,270

$2,052,683,787

City of George

$17,851,767

$17,440,733

$25,332,007

Quincy School District

$1,876,880,837

$2,080,605,892

$3,145,571,220

Port of Quincy

$2,022,982,702

$2,241,505,202

$3,351,322,014

Quincy Hospital District

$1,943,355,676

$2,175,696,104

$3,265,881,791

$901,265,461

$814,463,455

$1,179,339,199

$1,875,827,094

$2,091,806,604

$3,155,187,725

Grant County Fire District No. 3 Quincy Cemetery District

Information provided by Grant County Assessor’s Office

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County job growth lags behind state Although the Grant County nonfarm market expanded in 2015, job growth has slowed in the county since December 2015, Don Meseck, regional labor economist for seven area counties, including Grant County, reported in May 2016.

Manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade and professional and business services generated new jobs in 2015; however, construction, health services, leisure and hospitaltality, and government retrenched, Meseck reported.

Overall, nonfarm employment has increased 1.4 percent since 2014 while the statewide job growth rate was 2.9 percent, Meseck reported.

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Progress 2016

City checks off several projects this past year Work to begin in fall on new city hall, administration building

By JIM HEMBERRY City of Quincy

Quincy Mayor

A

nother year has passed and once again the city of Quincy has been very busy. From projects to new programs to increased staffing, there has been a steady whirlwind of activity.

The new police facility project is moving along slowly but the end is in sight. The police department is scheduled to take occupancy of the building the first part of August.

The new facility will provide much needed space for the officers and improved community interaction space. Once the police have moved out of Quincy City Hall, the project to remodel city hall and the old library will begin. During construction, the city’s finance department will be relocated to the Public Services Building across the street.

This past year, an additional school resource officer position, or SRO, was added to the police force, bringing the number of school resource officers to two. The SRO program is a collaborative effort between the Quincy School District and the city to provide offi-

The city of Quincy’s goal in making all the improvements is to make Quincy a safe, friendly and service-oriented community. cers within our schools. This program has proved to be very helpful in developing relationships between the youth in our community and the police officers.

In addition to the SRO program, the Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) program has also proven to be an effective tool in developing relationships between youth and the police officers. This training is another example of the school district and the city working together to provide a positive impact on our community. Students in the fourth and seventh grades receive this training, designed to provide students with tools to resist pressure to become involved

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Progress 2016

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in criminal activity. This June, the students in the seventh grade who graduated from GREAT became the first students to have received training in both the fourth and seventh grades.

The city is also very involved in redesigning the Communities That Care program, or CTC. The new program will be dedicated to ensuring that every student graduates.

To achieve this goal, the CTC will need to determine the factors that lead to students not graduating and then develop strategies to address these factors. The Grant County Health District provides the employee who serves as the CTC director. The position is funded in part by the city and by the health district and through grants.

The health district earlier this year hired Dayana Ruiz as the CTC director; she is working very hard to make this program a success.

Ruiz also works part time for the city at the new Quincy Activity Center, a part of the city’s recreation

The new walking path connecting 7th Avenue to Monument Elementary School and Lauzier Park was completed this past year. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last October, with Mayor Jim Hemberry, center, doing the honor. Joining him were Monument students, City Administrator Tim Snead, left, and city Councilman David Day, right.

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Progress 2016

It’s all fun and games at the Quincy Activity Center, which was opened last year. The new facility has given the city’s recreation department more space to have not only children’s programs and activities but also those aimed at adults or the whole family. The center is at 105 2nd Ave. S.E.

department. The city purchased the facility last year and with it is able to provide programming that would otherwise be unavailable. The city continues to look for property on which to build a recreation center.

Hopefully that project will begin in the near future.

The Public Works Department has been busy with street and park projects throughout the city. A new restroom facility is being installed at South Park, near Pioneer Elementary School. Improvements are also being performed on the baseball fields at South Park. A major street project on 6th Avenue Northeast will provide improved pedestrian walkways and street improvements. The project also provides grass and parking for the park property on 6th Avenue.

This past year, the Safe Routes to School pathway was been completed from 7th Avenue Southwest to Monument Elementary School.

The walkway provides a safe route to the school and features an illu-

minated speed limit sign on 7th Avenue to warn vehicles that students may be crossing the street.

The city has placed similar signs on Highway 281, on the south side of the city, as well as signs at the east and west entrances to the city on Highway 283. The city will soon be installing signs in school zones to improve pedestrian safety in those areas.

A bilingual receptionist position also was added to the city’s finance department. This position has greatly improved our customer service and will be even more beneficial when the remodeled Quincy City Hall facility is opened to the public.

The city of Quincy’s goal in making all the improvements described above is to make Quincy a safe, friendly and service-oriented community. We will continue to make improvements with this goal in mind.

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QSD passes $108 million bond Watch for new ‘personalized learning center’ at HTH

By John Boyd

Quincy School District

QSD Superintendent

T

his has been an incredible year for the Quincy School District. The big news is that the voters supported a $108 million bond to build a new high school, remodel the historic junior high school, renovate both George Elementary School and Quincy High School, add two new gymnasiums and upgrade the infrastructure of all our schools.

This single success has the potential to be a catalyst for the kind of change the Quincy community has been anticipating for many years from the school district. We will now be able to reconfigure our schools for learning by making all of our elementary schools kindergarten through fifth grades, turn our junior high into a sixth- through eighth-grade middle school and build a beautiful new high school.

Our state-of-the-art facilities will help us to attract families who have taken jobs in the local economy but enrolled students in surrounding area school districts instead of Quincy. I have heard several stories from residents about how they have talked to individuals who are considering locating in Quincy in part because

As important as our facilities are, we know we also have to continue to improve student learning. of the opportunity to have their kids attend school in the new facilities.

In addition, our hope is the new buildings will help us to attract and retain excellent teachers for our students. The vote of approval from the Quincy community by supporting our bond measure last spring is an exciting turn of fate for our progressive and growing city and should have lasting positive ramifications for decades to come.

As important as our facilities are, we know we also have to continue to improve student learning so parents become more confident that we can deliver a first-class education for their children.

We’re proud to be a supporter of the Quincy Valley!

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Progress 2016

High Tech High, the school district’s alternative program, will be restructured in fall 2016 into a Personalized Learning Center. With the new educational model will come several learning options designed to meet the needs of the individual students.

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We are extremely serious about helping students achieve and making a bold promise “that all students will graduate from high school ready for the next step in their post-secondary education, career or life.” We call this “Quincy’s Promise.”

To deliver on the promise, the Quincy School District’s Board of Directors, district leadership and school staff completed a Strategic Road Map to identify actions and monitor progress toward becoming a top district in Eastern Washington.

We have already begun to execute on this promise by passing the bond to construct and renovate schools.

In addition, we are revamping High Tech High School so more students in our community can participate in our alternative learning opportunities. Next year will look very different for the students and families who choose to enroll in our more flexible learning opportunities toward earning a diploma.

We understand that there is much work to do to fulfill Quincy’s Promise, and we are confident that with the support of the entire community we will make great strides toward making our district one that each and every student leaves prepared to take on the dynamic challenges in a rapidly changing world.

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In May 2016, the QSD bonds were sold in Seattle. The bonds were financed at an interest rate of 2.73 percent. Assessed values in the district boundaries increased by nearly 18 percent for 2016. The favorable interest rates, combined with higher-than-estimated assessed property values, resulted in a rate of about $1.70 per thousand for the 2017 tax year.

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The Port of Quincy is moving forward on plans to renovate the former Quincy Community Center and Heartland Pharmacy into one business and conference center. The Quincy Valley Business & Conference Center includes the construction of a main entrance between the two buildings, creating nearly 15,500 square feet of space for the new, state-of-the-art facility.

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Progress 2016

Standing out above the crowd Quincy draws national attention as ideal place to do business By nick parker Port of Quincy

Business Development Coordinator

J

ust for fun, do a search for “Quincy WA” on the internet and see what comes up. The results aren’t what most of us might expect to find, especially those of us who have lived here for any length of time.

The results will include much about our athletes and school events, plus a great deal about agriculture, which comprises the backbone of our economy. However, you’ll also notice many nationally circulated articles touting Quincy as a great match for locating industrial and technology industries.

Just recently, an independent study by CBRE Research ranked Quincy as one of the best places in the country to locate a data center. The other locations mentioned were cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas City, San Antonio and Chicago, among others.

Quincy is being considered in the same categories as cities that boast a population of 2.5 million residents.

Our cost-effective power, expansive property and reliable fiber optic have given us an edge in attracting companies that will provide well-paying jobs to our

community.

The Port of Quincy is dedicated to serving the communities of Quincy and George in an economic development capacity. Over the past year we have made major property sales and encouraged growth through infrastructure development.

Here are some of the projects the Port of Quincy has participated in during the last year: • Blue Line Tractor purchased 4.5 acres of property in Port of Quincy Industrial Park 5 near George. The Port of Quincy is working in partnership with the city of George to develop the remaining property in the park.

• The Port of Quincy purchased 60 acres north of Amway to continue industrial development efforts.

• Microsoft purchased 200 acres west of its current site from the Port of Quincy to build an additional data center campus.

• The Port of Quincy will relocate its administrating offices to the Quincy Valley Business & Conference Center in early July 2016.

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Work continues at Ancient Lake Winery near George. The winery and grape-crushing facility is expanding, adding not only office and lab space but also more of the outdoor silos where the wine is produced. The company also has plans to add a bottling line in the near future.

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P: 509.754.3099C: C: 509.750.5729 P: 509.754.3099 509.750.5729 1250 Basin St SW, Suite B, WA WA 9882398823 1250 Basin St SW, Suite B,Ephrata, Ephrata, www.nodramahomeloans.com • www.facebook.com/EnvoyEphrata 20

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(509) 787-4247 Progress 2016

• Plans are moving forward to lease a facility in Quincy to a large plastics manufacturing company.

• The Port of Quincy is participating with community members in forming a healthcare model to serve the residents of Quincy.

• The Quincy Valley Business & Conference Center, formerly the Quincy Community Center and Heartland Pharmacy, has undergone improvements and continues to provide a space for community banquets, business meetings and training seminars. Plans for ongoing classes and training programs are in discussion.

This is an exciting time for our area and we look forward to the opportunity to participate in the development coming to Quincy.

©2015 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Amway, located on the west side of Quincy, broke ground this spring on a 17,000-square-foot expansion. The company will relocate its milling operation in Ephrata to the Quincy location.

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Serving the Basin since 1965 (509) 787-3617 CHETS HONDA 17POLARIS H St. SW, Quincy, WA 17 H STREET SW QUINCY, WA

509-787-4513 | CLAconnect.com

Progress 2016

21

North Central Washington Premier Wineries & More!

Taste the Best

Summer Events 2016 1986 TO 2016, 30 YEARS OF WINE MAKING

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PRODUCING

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23832 Fine Wine Rd NW Quincy, WA 98848 797-9463 www.whiteheronwine.com “Like” us on Facebook for updates!

Stop by and check out our local fresh produce & fruit!

We have shakes, smoothies and espresso - plus fun gifts, wine and jewelry.

Open every day 9am - 6pm 4 miles west of Quincy, WA on Hwy. 28.

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Open April through November

2101 F St. SW Quincy, WA 509-787-8108

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Try our award winning wines

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Progress 2016

PUD plans improvements in Quincy area Recreation upgrades to Crescent Bar may begin this fall

By Kevin Nordt Grant PUD

General Manager

G

rant PUD is planning several significant improvement projects in the Quincy area.

This year, we will construct two new substations and upgrade two others, allowing us to accommodate the growth coming to Quincy. We are also scheduled to begin the development of recreation amenities at Crescent Bar. And we are bringing our wireless High Speed Network to more customers in the Quincy Valley.

We expect to begin construction of the new substations in October. The new Cloud View and Quincy Plains substations will be built as part of the expansion of Microsoft and Yahoo data centers. Both companies are paying their share of the costs of construction as part of our Contribution in Aid of Construction program.

Two other substations in the area, Babcock and Winchester, will also be modified to increase capacity and reliability for customers. The substation improvements are part of a $24 million contract we have entered into with HDR/Wilson Construction Company

We are focused on ensuring that the financial health of our utility remains strong as we strive to achieve our goals. for work on seven substations in the county. The entire project is expected to be finished by July 2017.

We are also completing final plans for recreation upgrades at Crescent Bar. We expect the work will begin in fall 2016.

Planned amenities include: • Public campground – 55 RV sites with utilities • 86 day-use parking spaces • 37 overnight parking spaces (for tow vehicles and boat trailers) • Full restroom and shower facilities • 4,000 linear-foot trail system • Multi-purpose lawn area with parking, kids play

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Progress 2016

|

grantpud.org

23

LEFT: The Mountain View Substation was built in Quincy. Grant PUD will begin construction of two more substations in October in Quincy. The new Cloud View and Quincy Plains substations will be built as part of the expansion of Microsoft and Yahoo data centers. Both companies are paying their share of the costs of construction.

RIGHT: Grant PUD workers install a wireless network tower.

In 2013, Grant PUD began a wireless network pilot project for the Quincy area along the White Trail corridor near Highway 281.

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3953 Airway Dr. NE Moses Lake, WA • 509-765-3581 • www.gcfairgrounds.com • Find us on Facebook 24

Progress 2016

area, picnic plaza and swim beach • Small commercial building for pro shop, campground check-in and retail business • Overnight moorage • Renovated boat launches Also, the water and sewer system on Crescent Bar Island will be upgraded, with private leaseholders on the island paying about 90 percent of the expense, according to an agreement Grant PUD reached with the residents in 2015.

All the upgrades are expected to be finished in 2018.

Once they are complete, we anticipate that the new facilities will help increase the enjoyment of the Crescent Bar area for generations to come, while at the same time fulfilling our obligations for recreation amenities under our federal dam operating license.

In 2013, Grant PUD began a wireless network pilot project for the Quincy area along the White Trail corridor near Highway 281. We are now building on the success of the project by expanding wireless networking services to several other locations. This spring, workers began installing more wireless network access towers in the Quincy Valley.

When complete, the access locations will provide an opportunity for thousands more residents in rural locations of the valley to connect

- 2016 -

GRANT COUNTY FAIR

to the internet with a service providing speeds up to 10 megabits per second. This service is expected to provide customers a connection to stream video without annoying buffering.

When new wireless locations begin operations, we plan to notify customers through local media and with a postcard in the mail. Customers can also check the availability of network services to their location online at www.grantpud.org/customer-service/high-speed-network/ high-speed-network-availability.

Along with wireless service for rural customers, Grant PUD will continue to operate its fiberoptic service in the city of Quincy. The service is now available to 2,401 customers in the city.

Whether customers are served by a wireless or fiber optic network, the process to connect to the network is still the same. Because Grant PUD can only provide a wholesale connection, customers need to contact one of our participating retail internet service providers to provide them with the final connection. (A list is available at www.grantpud.org/customer-service/ high-speed-network/high-speed-network-service-providers.)

All these upgrades, as well as our core work of reliably and efficiently generating and delivering energy for our customers, takes a great deal of money. We are focused on ensuring that the financial health of our utility remains strong as we strive to achieve our goals while at the same time controlling costs and focusing on work that brings value to our customers. We are in the third year of a multi-year plan calling for average rate increases of 2 percent a year.

This strategy of small and predictable rate increases comes from the direction of our board of commissioners and reflects the preferences of customers outlined in our most recent Customer Satisfaction Survey. We believe this long-term strategy ensures that we can respond to the dynamic growth in the county as well as maintain our standing as one of the least expensive and most reliable providers of energy in the nation.

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3953 Airway Dr. NE Moses Lake, WA • 509-765-3581 • www.gcfairgrounds.com • Find us on Facebook Progress 2016

25

Watch for opening of new police station QPD adds school resource officer, bike patrol unit

By Bob Heimbach

Quincy Police Department

Police Chief

T

he Quincy Police Department continues to experience positive changes as we look back at 2015 and forward to an exciting year in 2016. Many of those changes are associated with our relationship with our community and the improvements we have all enjoyed.

This year we have added one School Resource Officer to our department, bringing our authorized strength to 21 sworn peace officers. We also added an administrative support position to assist with the increased workload. One of our more exciting personnel changes was adding Sergio Castillo to our department as a full-time employee.

Castillo is our new animal control officer/community service officer. He will continue to work with community members on graffiti and litter cleanup and with assisting with code enforcement while also filling the role of animal control officer. Castillo will also be assisting us with crime prevention and providing information to our residents. A resident of Quincy, Castillo has been a wonderful addition to our city workforce.

We are looking forward to our new police station in

Looking to the future...

late summer. Everyone will be amazed at how much room we will have compared to where the department has been located for more than 55 years. This new facility brings your department into the present day and looks forward to the future. We expect to be moved in and open for business by late summer. Open houses will be planned and tours of the facilities welcomed.

During the summer of 2016 you also will see bike patrols in our city. We have four new bikes, and officers will be our patrolling on bikes and interacting with the public. Expect to see the bike officers at citywide events and patrolling your neighborhood and parks. This patrol method is well established in other cities and citizens like the approachability they have with bike officers.

As always, quality of life challenges will be one of our priorities. We will continue to focus on making sure we address those issues that have the potential to take the pleasure out of living in Quincy. If there is anything citizens would like to discuss, or have us look at, come visit us to talk about it. Many of our officers live in Quincy and are your neighbors. We have

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email: contactus@martinmorris.com Progress 2016

the same wants and desires to live in a quality city as everyone else.

Finally, as we look toward to the future, the most important goal the Quincy Police Department has is to continue improving our relationship with our citizens. We will continue to have conversations and seek input from our stakeholders to make sure we are meeting the community’s needs. This helps us prioritize our work to the betterment of the city as a whole.

As chief of police I look forward to the year to come and am excited for the opportunities available as we strive to become the police department we are all proud to call our own.

Watch for the Quincy Police Department to bring back the city’s bike patrol unit in July 2016.

The bike patrol officers will not only patrol neighborhoods and commercial areas but also city events such as Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day and National Night Out. Upper Columbia Basin

223 2nd Ave. S.E. Quincy, WA • 787-2144 Store Hours: Wed.-Sat.-11am-4pm Donations & other business: Mon.-Sat.-9am-4pm

Good for the community: good for the environment The Habitat store was opened in 1998 with the idea of assisting in providing the funds needed to construct affordable housing.

It sells new and used items to the public at discount prices. All items have been donated by businesses and individuals in our community.

Not only does the store provide convenient shopping, it provides an environmentally and socially-responsible way to lessen the amount of usable items being sent to landfills.

Whether you are looking for a great deal, a fun place to volunteer or a convenient place to donate, check out the Habitat Thrift Store.

The inventory changes daily, so come in often.

Progress 2016

Shoes

Donations

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UINCY

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Phone: (509) 797-7016 Fax: (509) 797-7029 705 E St. SW Quincy, WA

704 F Street SW, Quincy WA • (509) 787-8777 DELIVERY • Takeout • Dine In • Order Online Se habla español It’s all about the pizza!™

Enjoy our great selection of : Appetizers • Pizza Pasta • Sodas Salads • Desserts & Beer 27

Fire district completes strategic plan updates Large grant pays for safety & protective equipment

G

rant County Fire District No. 3 recently completed the 2016 update to its strategic plan.

The district contracted with Strategic Learning Resources to guide and compile the information that was gathered by members of the community, the City of Quincy leadership and GCFD3’s volunteers and career staff. The final draft was adopted at the May 2016 meeting of the Grant County Fire District No. 3 Board of Commissioners. This document will assist the fire district in future planning for growth, staffing, equipment purchases and grant applications.

This past year GCFD3 also was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $427,000 to purchase 64 new SCOTT air packs, masks and bottles. This protective equipment will replace the aging air packs currently used and are instrumental in the safety of firefighters while combating fires and dealing with hazardous materials.

The fire district has a fully staffed resident program that greatly improves the response times for incidents and staffing at three of the stations in the fire district.

By Don Fortier Grant County Fire District No. 3

Fire Chief

509-787-8000 www.cavebinn.com

Located in the heart of Washington State and the Columbia River Wine Country, with the Gorge Amphitheater as its neighbor and panoramic cliff views highlighting the landscape, Cave B Estate Winery & Resort is a working farm anchored by its estate winery and surrounding vineyards, creating a one-of-a-kind destination that celebrates wine, food and sense of place.

Located in the heart of Washington State and the Columbia River Wine Country, with the Gorge Amphitheater as its neighbor and panoramic cliff views highlighting the landscape, Cave B Estate Winery & Resort is a working farm anchored by its estate winery and surrounding vineyards, creating a one-of-a-kind destination that celebrates wine, food and sense of place.

GCFD3 continues to look to the future to meet the needs of the people living within its boundaries.

Resident firefighters are continually trained to reach their Firefighter 1 certification as well as Emergency Medical Technician certification.

The district also continues to recruit for new volunteer firefighters, with great success in the past year. It also continues to train and test firefighters to the Firefighter 1, 2 and EMT certifications. This greatly enhances the quality of services to the population served within the 502 square miles of the district and the visitors coming to our area.

GCFD3 continues to look to the future to meet the needs of the people within its boundaries. This in-

GRANT COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #3 Established 1942

Dedicated to Fire Prevention and Life Safety

509-787-8000 www.cavebinn.com

Come in and try our lunch specials!

28

Mon.-Thurs. • 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fri.-Sat. • 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sunday • 12-8 p.m.

709 1st Ave. SE Quincy 787-4891

• Clearly display your address on the front of your • Clearly display your address on the front of your home and/or driveway. home and/or driveway.

• Have•emergency numbers numbers and your address posted near your phone.

Have emergency and your address • Irrigation ditches haveyour beenphone. filled – caution your children not to play posted near near them.

• Irrigation ditches have been filled – caution your children not to play nearathem.

• If you are interested in becoming volunteer firefighter please apply • Check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. at the Main Station in Quincy.

1201 Central Ave S. Quincy, Washington (509) 787-2713 www.gcfd3.net Progress 2016

cludes looking for locations and planning for new stations, replacing equipment or adding to the fleet, and finding funding sources for both. It is our mission to serve our public with the highest quality service and quickest response time possible.

This past spring, three Quincy High School students were the school’s first to take part in the state-level Skills USA firefighting competition in Tacoma. Seniors Jesus Gonzalez and Jay Gates and junior Pedro Velasquez qualified at the regional contest to move on and face the state’s best firefighting students in April. The event included oral and written tests as well as physical skills. Michele Talley of Grant County Fire District 3 is shown with QHS fire students Gonzalez, left, and Velasquez, center.

Making Progress through the Years

Seed Division 787-4541 Progress 2016

Main Office 787-3556

THE McGREGOR COMPANY

Chemicals • Fertilizer • Seed 29

National shifts in medical care impact QVMC Hospital looking to replace 60-year-old facility

By JERRY HAWLEY

Quincy Valley Medical Center

Hospital CEO

Q

uincy Valley Medical Center has been serving this community for more than 60 years.

Like struggling small hospitals and clinics around the state and across the nation, our local hospital and rural health clinic faces many challenges ahead. Over the past few years a number of external changes have taken place that have made mere survival increasingly difficult.

For example, two major shifts stand out.

First, higher-paying commercial insurances have historically helped to buoy facilities like ours by offsetting losses related to our obligations as a public hospital. Now that cushion has nearly disappeared.

Commercial and other insurance payers’ reimbursement has been incrementally ratcheted down. This makes it nearly impossible to break even, let alone make the nominal margin of profit necessary (even as a “non-profit” entity) to maintain and improve our physical plant plus keep up with increasing equipment, supplies and labor costs.

And second, there is a nationwide trend toward mergers and consolidations among the larger health-

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care organizations. With that has come the gobbling up of virtually all individual or small physician practices. Not just here, but around the country.

So while it has always been hard to recruit and retain primary care physicians and other providers, it is now even harder. The larger regional organizations can offer higher salaries, more regular hours and more support for primary care providers. So it is increasingly hard to compete.

But there is hope and reason for optimism We are in the process of bringing some new providers to our clinic. Physicians and nurse practitioners are the lifeblood of every hospital. Anticipating the arrival of a new physician has also enabled us to enter into an affiliation agreement with the University of Washington School of Medicine. Very shortly we will become a training site for physician assistants. In addition to our being a training site, this will hopefully serve as a means to keep some of the PAs in our community once they graduate.

We have also gained the perspective provided by our recent Community Survey, sent out in March 2016

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• Check-out time is 11 a.m.

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710 10th Ave. SW, Quincy, WA 98848 (509) 797-7003 Progress 2016

Built in the 1950s, the hospital is on “its last legs,” Hawley writes.

The hospital in May had begun researching what a new facility may look like in the near future.

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Progress 2016

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to registered voters in the hospital’s taxing district. The results from over 500 respondents showed a nearly unanimous emphasis – our vital emergency room services must be maintained.

QVMC’s emergency department saves more lives than many realize.

Therefore, the option of doing without our emergency services is virtually unthinkable. Reflective of our proximity to I-90, Crescent Bar and other growing tourist attractions, as well as the Gorge Amphitheatre, our Level-IV emergency room is critical to the health and safety of those who live and travel in the area.

The future? And future progress?

When looking ahead – and not far ahead – we have to face the reality that our existing 60-year-old hospital is literally on its last legs. Like a dutiful old car, a point is reached where fixing it is more costly than replacing it. In turn, a proposed replacement facility is in the preliminary planning stage.

What would such a facility look like? Our present hospital is classified as a Critical Access Hospital. A new hospital would maintain that status, meaning that by definition the hospital serves a vital lifesaving purpose, whether it would be self-sustaining as a business without tax-base support, or not.

It would most likely be a small, appropriately-proportioned hospital that is essentially an emergency department with just eight or 10 hospital beds (compared to our present 25-bed capacity). But the new facility would be specifically designed with the ability to expand as future needs increase and change. Supporting the ER would be the necessary laboratory and radiology departments, along with a small clinic.

Therefore, while the structure and range of services may appear to contract, the focus would remain on providing basic local care along with a topnotch emergency department, so absolutely critical to our community.

Progress takes imagination, hard work and a confident investment in the future. The opportunity for a better future lies before us.

Zero-down financing available!

Call Guadalupe Today!

509.787.4444 31

Vitality of community depends on its health Health center employs 6 medical providers, 4 dentists

BY Stephanie Melcher

Quincy Community Health Center

Marketing & Communications manager at Moses Lake & Quincy Community Health Centers

Call us Today

T

he vitality of our community depends upon the health of our residents.

At Quincy Community Health Center, or QCHC, we work hard to serve our patients and our community. For over a decade QCHC has welcomed thousands of patients through its doors with the mission to provide high quality, compassionate and comprehensive primary health services for the entire family.

At Quincy Community Health Center we see everyone. There is a misconception that we service only patients who may not have insurance; however, we are open to everyone. We accept most private insurances as well as Medicaid and Medicare.

We have wonderful staff at our clinic including six medical providers and four dental providers. Most of our staff not only works in the community of Quincy but also lives here. Having a strong connection with our community is very important to us and we are thankful to have the opportunity to serve this great, family based community. What a privilege and honor it is to be entrusted with helping people when they

Having a strong connection with our community is very important to us and we are thankful to have the opportunity to serve this great, family based community. need us most.

Quincy Community Health Center is a NCQArecognized Patient-Centered Medical Home and the PCMH philosophy is “achieving primary care excellence so that care is received in the right place, at the right time, and in the manner that best suits our patient’s individual needs.”

If you are looking for a new medical provider, dentist or are just curious about us, give us a call at 7876423 or come by our new facility at 1450 1st Ave. S.W. Trust us with your health and dental care needs.

We are “Healthcare with a Heart.”

Meet our newest providers!

509-787-6423 Come see us at:

1450 1st Ave SW Quincy, WA

Donna Dabney, PA-C

Sean Collette, DDS

Medical Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 7:00pm Friday - Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pm Dental Hours Monday - Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm

32

Quincy Community Health Center is a private, not for profit provider of health care with many services. We offer high quality, affordable medical and dental services for people of all ages. Everyone is welcome at our clinic!

We accept most private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and offer a sliding fee discount program (please call for more information).

Quincy Community Health Center Progress 2016

- Fishing, hunting & camping gear including bait, fishing licenses & Discover passes.

- Rental Center for: thatcher, tiller, trencher, compressors & much more.

Lumber, drywall, paint, plumbing, electrical & irrigation supplies.

We have service available!

Delivery Service - Custom order clothing - Design & Embroidery 23 E St SE Quincy| 787-0800 | Open Mon. -Sat. :

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Proud to be part of the Quincy Valley

787-4644 The Back to School Health Fair, held in August each year, is an annual tradition that’s hosted by Quincy Community Health Center. The health fair brings together organizations serving local families while giving students a chance to get a sports physical or pick up a free backpack.

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33

Adjusting to a changing community Quincy Valley chamber to mark 70th anniversary in 2017

By Brian Kuest

Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce

2016 President

T

he Quincy Valley Chamber is adjusting to a changing community. Next year, 2017, will mark the chamber’s 70th anniversary. That in itself is a huge success for the Quincy Valley community. As the community continues to grow and evolve, the chamber needs to do the same, making sure that we meet the expectations of the community and our members.

With change comes opportunity, which can be fun and exciting for the community and chamber members. Staying visible is vital to carrying out the “mission” of the chamber. Our mission is to serve as a premier resource center and strive to make the Quincy Valley a better place to live, work, worship, learn and conduct business.

But the core of a good chamber operation is the effective use of volunteers and members. In most chambers, the size of the staff is such that it is physically impossible for them to have either the expertise or the time necessary to accomplish all that needs to be done. Hence, through the effective use of volunteers and members we are able to multiply our efforts by

The core of a good chamber operation is the effective use of volunteers and members. many fold. It is often difficult for a member who is not actively involved to really appreciate the multitude of ways the chamber works for its members and community as a whole.

We have had a busy year so far with different events and more to come this summer and fall. This year was the chamber’s first ever business expo, which was in April and was a great success. We also hosted the Harlem Ambassador’s comedy basketball team, which offered a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball featuring high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks and hilarious comedy routines. We hope this is another event we can bring back to Quincy again in

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Progress 2016

The chamber’s business expo, held in April 2016, brought together local businesses for an evening of networking and reaching out to the community. Pictured are Katie Kaylor of Harvest Valley Pest Control, left, and Chelsea Putnam of Trinity Gardens.

the future.

Quincy Valley Tourism held its sixth annual Trout Fishing Derby out on Burke Lake. We had more than 200 fishermen of all ages. We were happy to also have the Pikeminnow Derby back in 2016 with the Columbia River water levels back up. We gave away more than $18,000 in prizes with the help of grants from Grant PUD. We just wrapped up the 13th Annual Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, with about 73 teams, or nearly 300 players, participating.

Coming up every second Saturday in September is Quincy’s pride event, Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day. The day is filled with hot air balloons, fireworks display, vendors and a parade. The day will be an opportunity to see the expanded veteran’s memorial, which was expanded by four walls for more veteran’s tiles to display. Construction was by Sabey Construction Inc. We have a large number of plaques to add to the walls this year and the ceremony is during FCAD.

The Historic Reiman-Simmons House & Museum & Pioneer Church We are OPEN for the season!

Fridays & Saturdays- 12:30pm to 4:30pm or by appointment City Bus Tours Select Summer Weekends A great way to get to know our community - and free!

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Business association re-ignites downtown Market Day, Country Christmas among group’s successes

By Molly Richardson

Quincy Business Association

QBA member

T

he Quincy Business Association, created in 2013 by Vice President Barbara Mushlitz, President Rhonda Rosenberger and member Harriet Weber, was initiated to re-ignite the Downtown Merchant Coalition, a group from Quincy’s past that met on a regular basis to brainstorm ideas, work together on promotions and build up the strength of the downtown corridor.

In July 2013, the QBA developed a mission statement based on the idea that “Quincy is Our Business.”

The goal of the association is to promote professional networking and the general welfare of the community businesses while creating activities that ultimately benefit the entire community.

Working in conjunction with Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce, merchants participating in the QBA gather on a regular basis to deliberate solutions to promote, enhance and sustain local businesses. The merchants work together to achieve an urban revitalization, supporting each other as they pursue prosperity.

That summer, the QBA created Market Day to promote shopping locally and offer visitors a fun event

that gives them a taste of our community. Market Day will be held again this year – for the third consecutive year – on the last Saturday in July on Central Avenue. Storefront businesses pepper the downtown with sidewalk sales. Joining the businesses are local vendors and other groups that sell their handmade crafts, homegrown produce, and antiques and other flea market items.

This year the association also is joining with Quincy Rotary Club to create an after-market event where people can taste the local wines and savory summer flavors.

The QBA has also created fun events for the community to join together to celebrate our seasons. In the fall, members collect cornstalks to decorate downtown. Businesses are invited to create and put up scarecrows that reflect their own business, an occupation or a favorite person, character, sport or super hero.

A Country Christmas, another popular QBA event, is hosted at Rotary Park on the first Monday of the holiday season following Thanksgiving. That evening, the community is invited to the lighting of the Christ-

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Progress 2016

mas tree and to join in caroling and community blessing.

Santa even rides into town to greet the children with Mrs. Claus, who hands out candy canes.

In the spring, Daffy Days invites area youth to paint spring scenes on local participating business’ windows.

The windows stay painted until Mother’s Day as a tribute to all moms. At the same time businesses promote their stores and hand out daffodils to customers.

Looking to the future, the QBA intends to offer assistance to the city of Quincy’s comprehensive plan update, a process that will be taking place in the coming months.

The group will continue to invite businesses and neighbors to participate collectively to achieve unity and improve our community.

Progress 2016

The Quincy Business Association has started up a number of efforts to make the downtown area more attractive to visitors and the community alike. Along with creating such events as A Country Christmas in November and Market Day in late July, the association has enlisted volunteers to paint springlike art work on business’ windows in March (top) and to decorate light poles with cornstalks (right) in the fall.

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Success Summit to shine spotlight on Quincy Valley The 2016 North Central Washington Community Success Summit will shine a spotlight this fall on the Quincy Valley.

The summit, to be held Nov. 15 at Quincy Junior High School, will draw not only residents but people from throughout region to identify, gather and share success stories from the Quincy Valley that can be used to shape a healthy and thriving future in Grant, Douglas, Okanogan and Chelan counties.

The one-day event, and the work leading up to it, is led by the Initiative for Rural Innovation & Stewardship, a non-profit based in Wenatchee that fosters sustainable rural communities by gathering and sharing success stories that enhance a sense of belonging, inspire action and build communities. IRIS believes thriving communities in a healthy environment create success.

IRIS began convening the rotating summit in 2009 at the fire station in Pateros. Since then IRIS has worked with sponsors and partners, including cities and school districts, to host the summit in Manson, Bridgeport, Entiat, Okanogan and Waterville. In 2012 IRIS also began convening a Summit Advisory Committee to help plan the event and associated activities and to help discover and highlight the host community’s assets.

The process of planning for the event is as important as the summit in that it provides an opportunity to reflect on the assets and successes individuals, families, organizations and communities bring to the region. IRIS looks for stories – small to large – that can help others succeed and lift them up for others to see.

How are the success stories selected and shared?

IRIS focuses on a few themes each year to focus the story search, including successes associated with the environment, community and economy that represent the geography and cultures of NCW. Organizers look for stories that show how communities are maintaining healthy and diverse ecosystems, meeting basic human needs and bridging cultures. Stories are then shared at the summit.

There are a number of ways to get involved in the Success Summit for those who want to join in. Join the Summit Advisory Committee, sponsor the event, submit a success story or spread the word to others. And don’t forget to attend the summit in November.

For more information contact Nancy Warner, IRIS summit coordinator, at 881-1812 or irisncw@gmail.com. Visit www.irisncw.org for updates and to submit a story.

-- By Nancy Warner 38

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Driving economic development and job creation for Quincy and Central Washington.

Port of Quincy

787.3715

101 F ST SW

www.portofquincy.org

Colockum Ridge Golf Course

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17056 Rd 5 NW

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Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal

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Developing and supporting key infrastructure for local businesses.

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