Welcome to our town??

Ritzville has always been known as Eastern Washington's best kept secret. We'd like to change that. The Ritzville Public Development Authority (PDA) is hoping to do just that. Washington State University's Interdisciplinary Design Institute (WSU IDI) will present four proposed solutions to our signage and identity problem.

On Friday, December 12, the WSU IDI students will present their ideas to the community. Everyone is invited to attend. We are hoping to have a good group of community members present to stimulate some dialog.

By inviting visitors to our community and making them feel welcome when they get here, it is the hope of the PDA to stimulate some economic development opportunities.

Come join in the discussion. Be a part of the solution.

Ritzville Horizons Successful Partner with RPDA and BBCC for Community Capacity Building

The Ritzville Horizons Steering Committee has partnered with the Ritzville Public Development Authority, Big Bend Community College and the Big Bend Community College Foundation to offer scholarships for the new learning center. Northwest Area Foundation is providing this grant to continue support of Ritzville's success in the Horizons Program. These funds will be available for place bound and other who need financial assistance for training. They will allow students to attend classes, purchase books and/or travel to attend training.

Family Swim Night a Great Success

The turnout was great with over 150 attending the Horizons Family Swim Night. The weather couldn't have been better!!! The ice cream hit the spot.

Drawings were held for free day passes, swimming lessions, and a family season pass. Several individuals won passes who already had purchased a family pass. They generously donated their passes to someone who could use the passes. What a great evening!!! Ritzville's sense of community was at its best.

Ritzville Pool Opens

The Ritzville Water Park is open for business signaling summer at last!!

If you or someone you know cannot afford a season pass, contact the Parks and Rec Board for information on financial assistance.

Partnership with Sprague Horizons to Include Support for Families with Disabled Members

Debbie Chapman, Ritzville Horizons Steering Committee member, has been working with a group from the Sprague Horizons team to establish a parent group for those with disabled family members. In addition to networking and support, they hope to help identify training and other resources. This effort will help families with limited access to support services and may help to reduce physical, support system and financial poverty.

Debbie Chapman Attends Green Festival

Debbie Chapman, member of the Ritzville Horizons' project, attended Seattle's Green Festival on April 12 and 13th. Gas cards from Horizons made her trip possible!!!

Held at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, a large list of speakers and exhibitors highlighted the activities.

Visit their website at http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/767/390/

Ritzville Horizons and Chamber Partner for Christmas Celebration and Visioning

A great family-friendly time was enjoyed by 130 community members to celebrate the holiday season. Thank you to the Chamber for partnering on these festivities! Following the party, a Horizons visioning session was held where it was detrmined that a strategy of "community education, life-long learning twoard a vital economy and competent workforce through the development of a community learning center" would help address Ritzville's poverty reduction and community prosperity needs.