Small Community of the year

The award for Small Community of the Year is presented to a community under 20,000 in population that demonstrates support for economic development through an organized economic development program and strong leadership. The community must also illustrate long-term planning and investment in the development of the community through infrastructure planning, permanent economic development funding and strategies. Realization of a special project or development is also considered. The 2007 Small Community of the Year the City of Delta.

For any community to succeed, they must proactively respond to the needs of the residents and visitors, alike. For starters, recognizing the need to get heavy trucks off of the main street of the community but not wanting to create a by-pass that would hurt local businesses, this community has begun a comprehensive community process to develop an Alternate Truck Route that would get those big trucks off of the main street and still preserve the local economy and quality of life.

Delta has been very proactive in growing their economy.
• Located 47 new companies in the last five years
• Created over 450 new primary jobs with an average salary of $48,000
• Helped 60 companies expand their operations
• They have just located the world's largest mining equipment manufacturer; building an 80,000 sf building
• Created a strong Agri-region with a "Buy Fresh,Buy Local" campaign creating strong value-added program for farmers with excellent wines and new organic distilleries
• They work closely with regional Economic Development Groups to solve labor and housing problems: creating a model to work with LEGAL immigrants. (If this is successful, Congressional leaders have expressed interest in making it national solution)
• They have worked with many organizations to make the western slope a strong, permanent area of positive growth.
Delta is clearly worthy of this important recognition.