Franklin Co. summit is a model for local-federal partnership
In late March, and in a historic display of local leadership and federal cooperation, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners successfully co-hosted the Founding Partners Rural Prosperity Summit in Pasco.
Partnering directly with USDA Rural Development, Franklin County served as the epicenter for a high-level strategic gathering that brought together decision-makers from across the entire Western United States to address the unique challenges and massive opportunities within rural America.
A Seat at the Table: Returning Power to the People
For the Franklin County commissioners, this summit represents a culmination of an intensive effort to ensure that local voices are no longer sidelined by distant bureaucracies. By hosting this event, the Board has secured a permanent “seat at the table,” ensuring that federal resources are directed by local priorities rather than administrative whims.
“This wasn’t just another meeting; this was about Franklin County taking the lead,” said Commissioner Stephen Bauman. “We brought the federal government to our backyard to show them exactly what our farmers, small businesses, and families need. We are bringing resources back to our region and setting a standard for how rural counties should demand accountability and results from our federal partners.”
Unprecedented Federal Collaboration
The summit featured an elite delegation of high-ranking officials and key decision-makers from various federal entities. In a landmark show of inter-agency synergy, the following federal partners were on the ground in Pasco to commit resources and support to the region:
• USDA Rural Development (Lead co-host)
• Economic Development Administration (EDA)
• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
A Model for the Rest of the Country
The summit focused on tangible outcomes, including infrastructure investment, broadband expansion for our agricultural corridors, and streamlining federal grants to bypass red tape.
Representatives from states across the West attended the session to witness the “Franklin County Model” —a blueprint for how local government can effectively navigate federal systems to protect taxpayers and spur economic growth.
The resources identified and the partnerships forged during this event—particularly the alignment with the Economic Development Administration—are expected to bring millions of dollars in targeted investment into the region, focusing on:
• Water Infrastructure: Securing the future of our irrigation and municipal systems.
• Economic Resilience: Utilizing EDA resources to diversify our industrial base and create high-paying local jobs.
• Affordable Housing: Utilizing “sweat equity” and direct loan programs to help local families.
• Strategic Growth: Strengthening the agricultural engine that drives our local economy.
From Policy to Practice: Local Site Visits
Building on the momentum of the summit, the following day was dedicated to a series of strategic site visits across Franklin County. Federal and regional representatives toured local facilities and infrastructure projects firsthand.
These visits allowed officials to identify specific areas where they can help our community tap into vital funds that often go unutilized due to complex bureaucratic hurdles. By putting “eyes on the ground,” Franklin County is ensuring that no federal dollar is left on the table when it comes to supporting our local development.
Leadership That Delivers
This summit proves that Franklin County is no longer waiting for permission to prosper. Under the current Board’s direction, the county has successfully moved from being a spectator to being the host of a national model for rural advocacy.
“We told the federal delegation that Franklin County is open for business, but only on terms that benefit our citizens,” added the Board. “This summit is the first of many steps in making our county the most accountable and prosperous in the nation.”
Brian Dansel is the Franklin County administrator.