As the New Year begins, many business owners, including myself, are sleeping better after yet another bustling holiday season. Holidays aside and visitors having returned home, conversation has turned back to the No. 1 topic among those of us who live and work here full-time: economic vitality.
Many second-home owners after witnessing town at its height may be surprised by this simple fact: This community is struggling. With this in mind, I recently attended a meeting for the Warm Springs Ranch Resort and walked away feeling that there are a number of misconceptions about this project. While no major development will make everyone happy, I was impressed to learn these facts:
1. The developers, DDRM, have worked hard to meet the requests of its neighbors—moving houses and condos back from the river, keeping public access for golf, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and more.
2. As an eco-conscious builder, the resort plans to incorporate sustainable building techniques and best management practices for the golf and landscaping.
3.There is continued effort to work with local organizations like Citizens for Smart Growth, Mountain Rides, WREP, the chamber of commerce and Rotary in order to understand and address the needs of our community.
While I am very thankful for the many friends and clients who support my business, it is my belief that a five-star resort project like Warm Springs Ranch Resort will assist in the city's revitalization efforts as it will help attract more visitors on a year-round basis who will add to our economy and our social dynamic.
L'Anne Gilman
Ketchum