Flyckt grateful to work with supportive communities

Economic expansion can prove to be fairly difficult without strategic planning and immense organization. The business potential of small communities can sometimes be overlooked if not actively marketed.

The Adams County Development Council (ACDC) works tirelessly to conduct strategic plans to help expand and promote the county.

ACDC is a nonprofit organization whose mission includes improving the county’s economic health while preserving its natural and historic attributes.

The organization focuses on establishing workforce development by working with regional educational institutions, as well as actively marketing Adams County as a desirable location for potential businesses.

Sharing a passion for expanding economic growth in the county is one characteristic members of the organization share. Recently, the organization hired Julie Flyckt for the Business Development and Marketing Coordinator position.

Flyckt said she has always admired the atmosphere and history of Ritzville. She expressed her admiration towards ACDC for their efforts regarding expanding Ritzville’s economy.

Flyckt said she developed an interest for public relations while attending the University of Idaho where she originally planned on pursuing a business degree.

She has always contained a passion for using a variety of skills such as strategic planning in order to help others and expand businesses. Flyckt said the skills she has developed through her profession could be beneficial to any business or community wishing to expand and thrive.

After graduating with her degree, she began working with a public relations firm in Spokane. During this time, she worked with many non-profit organizations and developed a deep appreciation for them.

She expressed her appreciation for being able to step into any industry and help expand their growth through her profession.

Her love for helping others proceeded when she saw an ad for a position at Eastern Washington University (EWU) in their Idaho Child Welfare Research and Training Center in Coeur d’Alene.

She said her responsibilities included recruiting foster families for the orphaned children of Idaho. Providing help to those in need is very fulfilling, she said.

Her work with children continued when she accepted a position as a Chief Strategy Officer for the Girl Scouts.

She said her duties included developing goals and strategies, which benefitted the organization by scheduling events and guaranteeing customer satisfaction.

Flyckt said her love for helping others comes from her parents. Growing up in Ritzville, her parents were always lending a helping hand around the community. The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair (WLCF) is one event they were a big part of.

She said the fairgrounds were her second home. When Flyckt imagines Ritzville, the high energy of the fairgrounds is what she remembers, she said.

Through her years of attending the fair, Flyckt said she met many “fair families” who attended or helped with the event.

She said building relationships with these families were one of her favorite aspects of the event.

To this day, Flyckt said she enjoys building relationships with people involved in community events. Witnessing her mother use skills such as strategic planning and relationship building for the fair is where she began developing a passion for public relations, she said.

She emphasized the beneficial factors organization and relationship building has towards businesses. They prove to be especially important for communities wishing to expand their economy.

Since her roots are in Ritzville, Flyckt has a special place in her heart for the community. After moving away from her hometown, she longed for the small community support which once surrounded her.

In April, Flyckt married Randy Flyckt, the county prosecuting attorney and moved back to Ritzville. When the position for Business Development and Marketing Coordinator opened, she said the opportunity seemed too perfect to pass up.

Flyckt said her position’s responsibilities include assisting in the recruitment/expansion of new businesses, infrastructure development and marketing communications. An historic town such as Ritzville has a lot of potential for economic growth, she said.

In attempt to attract new businesses, ACDC works hard to provide enough data and detailed analysies of the potential economic success and growth.

Flyckt said part of attracting new businesses is planning around the county’s growth. Around 17,000 cars pass through Ritzville each day and 20,000 per day during the summer, she said.

These statistics justify Ritzville’s potential for expansion and proves to be a desirable location for new businesses looking for a heavy trafficked area.

Flyckt explained in order to expand growth in the county; the ACDC has conducted a five-year strategic plan.

This plan includes expanding technology in existing businesses, improving workforce development, providing small business assistance, improving infrastructure development, building relationships within the community and providing support for ongoing community development projects.

Her goal as Business Development and Marketing Coordinator involves working with organizations needing assistance with filling gaps in their workforce practices.

She emphasized the importance of community support in economic development. Community support is one characteristic the people of Ritzville have an abundance of, she said.

Flyckt said she could not wait to witness the county’s growth during her time in her position. She is also looking forward to building relationships with owners and employees of existing and new businesses in the county.

She said Ritzville has captured a special place in her heart. She will work tirelessly to ensure Adams County is recognized as not only a supportive community, but also a desirable area for new businesses.

For more information on ACDC and the plans for the county, visit http://growadamscounty.com.