Jennie Carton discussed the joint efforts of Carton Environmental Systems and the FootZone in collecting and processing old athletic shoes in the manufacturing of dog beds for four-legged friends. Unfortunately, Bruce Evarts of Tire By-Products, a tire recycling company that manufactures playground and arena materials, as well as animal stall and antifatigue mats was unable to make it. The second session concentrated on marketing networks and cooperatives, plus waste exchanges. The final topic of the day focused on community financing available within the state for small businesses and non-profit organizations that have trouble accessing traditional financing. Bonita Scherling discussed both the technical and financial assistance available to a 9-county area in North Central Idaho and SE Washington.
SEED administers a larger-scale revolving loan fund, plus a microloan program.
Two other joint projects, outlined below, were suggested at the forum in addition to those mentioned in the May letter. Both attracted interest by people present and warrant further exploration and discussion. It was suggested to develop a Washington program similar to the following one described. The resource assistants help local residents find answers to questions they have about their community, and develop options and strategies to improve conditions for the community and region. Emphasis will be placed on helping to restore the natural environment in sensitive regional watersheds and strengthen the local economy of communities in the watershed by engaging residents in interactive adaptive management practices.