Planning & Economic Development Department
PEDD Vision: Honoring our Past and Preserving the Future of the Spokane Tribe of Indians by ensuring that all lands within the jurisdiction of the Tribe are preserved, protected, and enhanced through best land use policy, long-range planning to achieve sustainable community development, infrastructure development, economic development, and safe & adequate transportation planning.
PEDD April 2023 Updates
- Received official notice that we were awarded the RCO Planning for Recreation Access (PRA) grant for Snwxmene Island pre-planning activities. We are waiting for the official contract to be signed to begin work on this project.
- Updating Sustainable Community Master Plan (SCMP).
- Developing a STOI Strategic Master Plan.
- Working on both Casino property development projects. This includes Mistequa Hotel, STC Phase 2B and STC Phase 3, along with master plans for each property.
- Working on the following CARES/ARPA funded projects:
- DV Modular Office Project
- Longhouse Upgrades Project
- West End Community Center Gymnasium A&E Project
- Wellpinit Wastewater Treatment Projects (Lagoon Rehab Projects & Drain Field Projects)
- Boys & Girls Club Inspection/Upgrades
- The Tribe has joined ATNI’s Regional Strategy regarding Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) which provides capital for small business owners and enterprise projects. Any interested Tribal Small Business Owners who are seeking loan capital, reach out to James Best for more information. This Program anticipates beginning.
- Working with Sazan Group Inc. to complete the Strategic Energy Plan for the Tribe. Work will begin work this month. This plan is an integral piece needed to apply for future energy funding.
- The DOE – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) was applied for. Tribes we given a set allocation. This funding will be used for technical assistance to further our energy efforts.
- The DOE – Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid Formula Grants to States and Indian Tribes is being applied for for our first two years of funding allocations. We will have to reapply for FY24 and FY25 in a separate application, and FY26 is a separate application as well. We are working with Avista and Public Works on these efforts.
- Collaborating with the city of Chewelah on developing their Parks and Rec Open Space Master Plan. This will create a trail throughout the city and through our Mistequa property in Chewelah.
- Completed the semi-annual EDA Planning Partnership grant progress report. This grant funds our Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) document.
- New Longhouse kitchen equipment is being ordered and will be installed in the Longhouse in the coming month or two. We will keep the community updated on when this takes place because the facility will have to be closed to the public while this work is being completed.
Working with Womer & Associates on completing shovel ready plans for the West End Community Center gymnasium project
Staff
Planning & Economic Development Director
Francis SiJohn
Office: (509) 458-6520
Cell: (509) 904-5383
Economic Development Manager
James Best
Spokane Office 509.818.1408
Wellpinit Office 509.458.6561
Cell 509.601.4423