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Sisters activists seek economic spark
By Jim Cornelius

Sisters citizens and businesspeople hoping to develop a vital, year-round economy in Sisters met Wednesday, March 13, to share ideas.

Their ideas will be incorporated into a strategic plan being devised by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce with support from CATS (the Community Action Team of Sisters).

Although the strategic plan covers a variety of economic "sectors," this month's meeting emphasized tourism and retail issues. Participants seemed to find the discussions productive.

"There were specific areas that people wanted to see worked on," said Dick Sandvik, a retailer who facilitated a working group on tourism.

Some specific ideas involved making the Sisters business community more aware of local offerings. Sandvik mentioned the need for formal "hospitality training" for shop owners and staff to help raise awareness of tourists' interests and what the community has to offer them.

Other ideas included signage that would encourage visitors to explore shops off Cascade Avenue.

There was considerable sentiment for keeping shops open later to encourage shoppers to come to town after a day of recreation, Sandvik noted.

"Some of these things are small, they're pretty discreet, but I think they'd have an impact," Sandvik said.

Organizers hope to start implementing ideas soon. According to Lorri Craig, who chairs the chamber's Economic Development Committee, the ideas raised at the meeting will be incorporated into the plan and a new draft will be distributed immediately.

Then subcommittees will get to work on concrete plans to enhance the business climate.

"They will be the folks that actualize the strategies that are in the plan," she said.

Craig acknowledged that this month's meeting focused largely on the retail-tourism core of Sisters economy.

However, she said, the Economic Development Committee and CATS plan to reach out to agribusiness and the strategic plan addresses the interests of entrepreneurs and small office people.

Craig said that long-term plans include development of telecommunications infrastructure and conference facilities in Sisters.

She said economic development activists will support entrepreneurial efforts to create conference space in Sisters and market the area for conferences.

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