The role of the Churchill Economic Development Authority is changing. Through the development of a new strategic plan, the longtime agency will now be known as the Churchill Entrepreneur Development Association where its mission will be to equip, educate and empower the business community. Through growth of partnerships with local community organizations, state and local government and existing businesses, we will be able to better serve the community we love,” said Sara Beebe, CEDA’s director of Operations. During her time at CEDA, Beebe said she’s watched CEDA transform from an ever-moving economic development authority to a small business advocacy agency. “As the times have changed, I am proud to serve as the director for the new and expanding CEDA,” she added. The strategic planning committee consisted of members from the different sectors of the county. She said members included Mark Feest, CEO, CC Communications; Christy Lattin, Fallon Chamber of Commerce ambassador; Sean Richardson, city of Fallon; Sam Males, state director, Nevada Small Business Development Center; Dr. Summer Stephens, superintendent, Churchill County School District; Paul Picotte, owner of The Grid; Joe Mendez, Fallon Tribal Development Center; Rochelle Tisdale, Oasis Academy; Lucy Carnahan, director, Fallon Chamber of Commerce; Kelli Kelly, director, Fallon Food Hub; and Mary Kerner, CEO, Rural Nevada Development Corporation.
“The committee members all volunteered their time to help create a comprehensive and adequate strategic plan for CEDA that will allow the CEDA team to succeed in their mission,” Beebe said. The Churchill Economic Development Authority was created in 1985 through an inter-local agreement between Churchill County and the city of Fallon. The CEDA Board of Directors also created the Business Council as a source of private support and funding to be used as a match to what was, at the time, a grant from the State of Nevada economic development office. Beebe said the board consists of up of five members, one each from the city and the county, two from the Business Council and an invited member from the Fallon Chamber of Commerce. “Each entity makes a financial contribution as well as a contribution of time in the form of their designated board member,” Beebe said.
