Internal projects: 

• Permanent Outdoor Covered Structures grant program:  The status of the first round of this program is reviewed semi-monthly at the City of Sandy Ec Dev Advisory Board meeting – here is the status of the program as of April 2023:
  
• Tollgate Inn – The general contractor selected for this project (Rick’s Custom Fencing) has identified some design flaws and is working with our architect and their engineer to modify the plans for this project accordingly – Rick’s has literally built hundreds of these structures and has more experience working with these metal and acrylic structures than our architect does.  We are expecting these modifications to be completed in the next few weeks and permits for this project to be pulled in June.
  • All other projects are now structurally complete and under contract.
  • Three applicants from the first round of this program have already satisfied their financial responsibilities for the applicant portion of the covered structure project.
    
• Covered Structures Round 2:  Designs for the second round of the City of Sandy Covered Structures grant program were reviewed at the SURA and City Council meetings on January 3^rd, 2022.  Here is the status for this round of the program as of April 2023:
  
  • La Bamba Mexican Restaurant – Completed July 21^st, 2022.
  • The Smoky Hearth – Completed August 2^nd , 2022.
  • Thai Home – Project on hold due to applicant medical situation.  We checked in on the applicant again in January; still undergoing treatment, will check back with applicant in the summer of 2023.
    • Wippersnappers Kid’s Play Place – Completed February 15^th, 2023.

Economic Development items:

Econ Devl – Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, reports, etc.):

• New business – Shop Girl Consignment (Grand opening – May 5^th through May 7^th):  Theya Enos now has a 2023 Sandy business license and has passed her fire/life safety inspection with the Building Department.  Please stop by the grand opening and show your support for Sandy’s first new downtown retail shop in years!
  

Econ Devl – Internal Projects:

Downtown maintenance:

• Flower baskets:  Sandy’s downtown flower baskets are almost here – I spoke with our friends at Cedarglen Floral recently and the baskets and planters are looking fantastic and will be installed on or around May 15^th this year.  AntFarm’s watering crew is ready to go.
• AF Downtown Maintenance:  I had my first 2023 conversation with AntFarm Outdoor Programs Manager Neal Hatley in preparation for downtown maintenance work this spring.  The crew is fully staffed and ready to go.  If you have any general downtown maintenance issues you would like to see addressed this season, please let us know.

Econ Devl – Economic Development Advisory Board:

At the April 5^th meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Board, our contractor (Elliot Weiss of Community Attributes, Inc) and the board completed the final board review of the economic development strategic plan (EDSP) for Sandy and approved forwarding the plan on to the Sandy City Council for its final review and revision before adoption.  The edited plan will now be presented to the full City Council for their review and potential adoption at the Council meeting on May 15^th.

Econ Devl – Conferences/training:

Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism (April 3^rd through April 5^th):  This tourism-focused conference was held at the Portland Convention Center and was well attended by Clackamas County economic development and tourism professionals – Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Clackamas County Business Recovery Centers and several Clackamas County cities also had contingents present. 

The highlight of the conference for me was to watch one of our own citizens receive an award from Travel Oregon, the state’s tourism agency.  The winner of the 2022 Oregon Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Award for Stewardship was none other than AntFarm’s founding father: Nunpa! 

From the award announcement: “For over 25 years, Two Foxes Singing has dedicated his time and energy to helping youth who are houseless or otherwise at risk overcome challenges by providing culturally aware and responsive learning experiences. The center and hub of activity for AntFarm is a large community space in Sandy that houses a café and bakery where youth interns gain valuable hospitality skills and training that they can use to gain future employment in the industry. AntFarm employees work in outdoor recreation and manage the Mount Hood Farmers Market as well as a community garden where they educate youth, locals and visitors about food insecurity. Nunpa radiates genuine care and concern for the youth he works with and for the stewardship of his community.”

I have included the introduction video that Travel Oregon made for the presentation of this award below for your viewing pleasure — this is how the tourism community from around the state was introduced to AntFarm Youth Services. It really puts the organization and our fair city in a great light. Enjoy…