Background

In May 2007, Eastern Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis (IPPEA) submitted a proposal to assist in the creation of a Walla Walla Community Indicators web site—fashioned after IPPEA’s Spokane Community Economic Indicators site—to Port of Walla Walla executive director Jim Kuntz.

Jim reported on this proposal at the Port's May 22 Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) meeting, asking for feedback. At the following Port Commissioner meeting, Amy Schwab and David Schmaltz of True North reported their support and concerns regarding this proposal. Following that meeting, Amy and David met privately with Jim to provide more details of their evaluation. On June 15, Jim and David conducted a conference call with D. Patrick Jones, Ph.D., Executive Director, and Lisa Capoccia, Program Coordinator, of IPPEA. In that conversation, Jim asked IPPEA to amend their proposal to reflect changing preferences and for David to submit a proposal from True North.