FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAREY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION GROUP IS CERG-ING AHEAD:
It Takes a Community to Raise a Pavilion

Contact: Vonnie Olsen, (208) 823-4330, vonols@frontier.com

Carey, Idaho – November 22, 2011

What does it take to make things happen in a little community like Carey, Idaho? “People support what they help create,” says dedicated community volunteer, Joe Dilworth.

In April 2011, community leaders in Carey began meeting regularly to discuss how they could speed the pace of the community’s economic recovery from the recession. Looking to spur growth and greater resilience in the future, they formed the Carey Economic Revitalization Group (CERG) to enhance the existing natural, economic and social resources, and to build up compatible, productive industries, businesses and events.

CERG is currently building a public pavilion with restrooms and showers on city land adjacent to the Blaine County fairgrounds and, building on generous donations of time and materials from the community, is soliciting contributions to raise the last $15,000 required to complete the project.

Over the summer, CERG identified the lack of public restrooms and showers in the city as a stumbling block to hosting events and attracting visitors to the area, a key component of economic revitalization for the area. The group proposed a public pavilion with these amenities. At the same time, the Little Wood River Irrigation District was looking to establish a memorial for Boyd Stocking who passed away last year. Boyd Stocking, a lifelong resident of Carey, was a long-time employee of the Little Wood River Irrigation District whose expertise continued to be sought after long after he had retired. The community and the District decided to pitch in together to build the pavilion. For Carey, it is a win-win.

The pavilion structure, located adjacent to the city park and the rodeo grounds just west of Highway 93, will serve the Carey community as well as travelers, recreationists, and RV users who visit or pass through the area. The 10×30 foot covered facility includes two restrooms and two showers (both ADA accessible).

The Little Wood Irrigation District generously contributed $30,000 toward materials. According to Jack Barton, Chairman of the Irrigation District, “The board and shareholders of the District agreed that this project would benefit the valley and be a fitting memorial to Boyd
Stocking. As a result, the majority of the District shareholders agreed to provide funding for materials. We are very pleased with the project and look forward to its completion.”

“The pavilion will be a welcome resource for many visitors who in the past have had to travel as much as 60 miles to find public showers and restrooms,” says Vonnie Olsen, who is spearheading CERG efforts and also serves on the Carey city council.

The project has also helped pull the community together. So far, community members have contributed more than 500 hours of volunteer time to the project. Numerous merchants also have offered discounts on supplies.

“I think it is amazing to live in a community like this where we can all work efficiently toward the same goal,” says Dilworth. “I am honored to be part of this project.”
During the last year, CERG has been busy on a number of projects. These include commissioning a report on economic recovery ideas for Carey, beautifying Carey’s Main Street with trees and flowers, and hosting a Spring clean up day. The group is also looking to establish Carey as a gateway community to the area’s public lands.

“It is so gratifying to see neighbors working with each other to make this a better place to live, especially for younger families who are our future,” says Olsen.

CERG is not working alone. The group also is working with the Pioneers Alliance, a coalition of landowners, conservationists, and state and federal agencies working to conserve working farms and ranches, natural areas and wildlife of the Pioneer Mountains and Craters of the Moon region. Joint projects of CERG and the Pioneers Alliance have included sponsoring an annual 40-mile mountain bike tour in the Pioneer Mountains, developing ideas for economic development projects, producing a recreation map for the region and developing partnerships with state and federal agencies.

According to Mike Stevens, coordinator of the Pioneers Alliance, “We are thrilled to be working with people in Carey and surrounding landowners to create new economic opportunities while also protecting the natural and cultural values of the area.”

With the Boyd K. Stocking Pavilion nearing completion, the community is in the last push to raise a final $15,000 to complete the project and is soliciting support from the communities of Carey and Blaine County.

CERG and the City of Carey have created a fund specifically for this project. All donations are 100% tax deductible. If you would like to contribute to this effort, make checks payable to the City of Carey and send them to: City of Carey, 20482 Main Street, Carey, ID 83320.

For more information call or email Vonnie Olsen at (208) 823-4330, vonols@frontier.com.

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