Last week, I met with two members of the Ketchum Community and Economic Development Department who asked me if I had any suggestions for economic development for the city of Ketchum. I presented a series of ideas but I would like to get this idea out to our community to see if we can make this come together.
I would like to see a group of investors purchase the Knob Hill Inn. Here is the link to their website for the auction, in which bidding is underway, opening bid of $3.1 million and bidding will end on July 26: http://www.conciergeauctions.com/component/jomestate/detailed/16/Sun-Valley-Idaho.
Once it's purchased, a 501(c)(3) should be formed, then partner with the Wounded Warrior Program, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports Program and the United States Adaptive Biathlon Program and become a rest-and-rehabilitation center for not only our "wounded warriors" returning from the Middle East, but for others electing to pursue their passion of sports despite a physical challenge. This would fit in with the history of Sun Valley Co. and what Averell Harriman did back in the mid-1940s with injured veterans returning from the battlefields of World War II and the use of the Sun Valley Lodge.
Knob Hill Inn is a 26-suite facility that would be perfect for this type of program. Ketchum provides excellent medical facilities, excellent physical therapy, sports medicine, an existing Adaptive Ski Program, cross-country trails, downhill skiing and an overall healthy environment to heal the heart, mind, body and soul of our nation's veterans.
I have a feeling that the local, state, national and international recognition and goodwill that the Sun Valley area would receive would shadow the marketing by the Sun Valley Marketing Alliance and Sun Valley Co. Promoting and demonstrating that the Sun Valley area is an excellent place to visit, have a second home and live full time is the best promotion that we as a community could provide.
What a great opportunity to garner goodwill and be part of the solution.
Jim Kuehn
Hailey
