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KITTITAS COUNTY <br /> DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br /> PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br /> STUDY SESSION DATE: August 25,2025 <br /> TOPIC: Conference of Government—Economic <br /> Development <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Information only <br /> LEAD STAFF: <br /> Josh Fredrickson <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Informational briefing—no action required by the Board <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • Kittitas Conference of Governments (COG) is a regional planning agency under <br /> the authority of RCW 36.70.060 and RCW 36.64.080 through 36.64.110 <br /> • Kittitas County receives an allocation of Sales and Use tax for public facilities in <br /> rural counties,or 0.09 funds <br /> • COG has developed a work program related to infrastructure and promoting <br /> economic development <br /> • A partnership framework for collaboration and economic development has been <br /> developed in partnership with the County Cities, Central Washington University <br /> and Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce <br /> • Economic development requires specific knowledge and skill set to be successful <br /> • A structure for an economic development partnership has been developed <br /> utilizing COG as an oversight body and supported by an Executive Director <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The Kittitas County Economic Development Partnership (KCEDP), a combination of <br /> representatives from the City of Ellensburg, County, Central Washington University and <br /> Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce have developed a framework to promote <br /> economic development and begin implementation of the Economic Strategic Plan <br /> adopted in 2023 (Resolution 2023-073). To build the necessary capacity and bring in the <br /> required skill set to accomplish this, an organizational structure has been developed <br /> (Exhibit 1). <br />