May 19th, 2016

The event included a tour of regional economic assets including Sierraville-Dearwater Airport, Sierra Valley Newman Point Overlook, the County's Geothermal Property on Filippini road and the SPI Biomass Plant and former sawmill property in Loyalton.

​AN Economic Outlook and Business Development Workshop was held on Wednesday, May 18th at Sierraville School with an impressive turnout of representatives from Federal and regional economic development agencies. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals told of collaboration with SEDCorp CEO Randy Wagner. Beals talked about the fabric of Sierra County and its natural wealth, the true essence of living in a frontier county. He told of the $28 million county budget with 104 employees and talked of constraints. In stating the “stars might be lining up,” he told of more single family home starts, the Sierra Hot Springs project as a nice destination resort consistent with the general plan and the County airport becoming recognized along with the effort to look at the mill site and cogen plant for reuse. All this with a booming economy in  Reno creating pressure in Verdi for housing and long awaited infill within Sierra County.
Glenda Humiston, Vice President-University of California-Agriculture and Natural Resources was the guest speaker and stated UC had not purchased the Loyalton plant yet is cautiously optimistic. She told of new technology and new uses related to such plants and elaborated on commercial bioplastics, cellulosic nanofibers in dry and liquid forms and biomass as great opportunities.

Top photo shows Supervisor Paul Roen addressing the crowd. Then on the tour, Andy Cassano, of Nevada City Engineering tells the group about the Sierra Hot Springs Project while they tour the Sierraville Airport.
At left, is the scene across Sierra Valley from Newman Point and above, the group hears SPI manager Jim Turner tell of good things that happened during the time the mill and biomass powered the valley.

For more photos and further information, see Sierra Booster, available throughout Sierra, Plumas and Nevada Counties.