Adams County Development Council

What Adams County Development Council does

Adams County Development Council (ACDC) is a non-profit economic development organization founded in August 2007 and headquartered in Othello, Washington, with a second office in Ritzville. As the designated Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Adams County under the Washington State Department of Commerce, ACDC is the statutory public-private entity responsible for facilitating business growth across the county, operating with a lean team of 1–10 employees (Executive Director Kyle Niehenke, Consultant Emily Smith) plus a 20-member volunteer board drawn from local government, ports, utilities, education, and private employers.

ACDC's core product is a portfolio of economic development services rather than a technology platform. Its offerings include business recruitment and attraction, business retention and expansion support, site-selector services (comparative cost studies, custom site reports, and a GIS-based Available Properties portal), workforce development programs (career showcases connecting 2,800+ students with 35+ local businesses, training workshops, and partnerships with Big Bend Community College), small business support, loan and grant facilitation (USDA Rural Development loans, state incentives), grant application letters of support, broadband advocacy via the Adams County Broadband Action Team, and strategic planning documents such as the Blueprint for Action report. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; its digital footprint consists of a content website and a property-listing GIS portal.

ACDC's business model is a non-profit funding stack. Services are provided to businesses and the community at no direct cost; the organization instead raises capital through a tiered capital-campaign partnership program (Iron $250 through Diamond $10,000), membership dues, sponsorships, and government grants. Major disclosed inflows include a $10.3 million Washington Department of Commerce broadband grant (2022), $350,000 in site-readiness funds jointly secured with the Port of Othello, and a five-year capital campaign with a $250,000 goal. It serves four primary constituencies: local and regional businesses (agriculture, food processing, cold storage), site selectors and developers, municipalities and ports within Adams County, and food-processing/agriculture employers such as McCain Foods, J.R. Simplot, and Lineage Logistics.

Name

Adams County Development Council

Legal name

Adams County Development Council

Website

https://growadamscounty.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Adams County Development Council is a non-profit economic development organization serving Adams County, Washington. As the county's designated Associate Development Organization, it provides business recruitment, retention and expansion, workforce development, site selector, and broadband advocacy services to local businesses, site selectors, and municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (9261), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business retention expansion
• Site selection assistance
• Workforce development programs
• Small business support

Headquarters

HQ city

Othello

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Capital Campaign Donations: As a non-profit organization, ACDC raises funds through a 5-year capital campaign with partnership tiers ranging from $250 (Iron) to $10,000 (Diamond). The 2025 fundraising goal is $250,000 over five years.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Adams County Development Council is a non-profit economic development organization that provides business recruitment, retention and expansion services, site selector support with customized reports, workforce development programs including career showcases and training workshops, small business support, grant and loan facilitation, broadband advocacy, and strategic planning (Blueprint for Action) for businesses and municipalities in Adams County, Washington. It serves as the designated Associate Development Organization (ADO) for the county through the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Product overview

Adams County Development Council is a non-profit economic development organization (formed August 2007) that provides a portfolio of services including business recruitment, business retention and expansion, workforce development, site selector services, small business support, loan/grant facilitation, and broadband advocacy. The council serves as the designated Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Adams County through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Key programs include career showcases connecting employers with students, the Broadband Action Team initiative, the Blueprint for Action strategic planning document, and connection to USDA Rural Development loans and state tax incentives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adams County Broadband Action Team (ACBAT): A team advocating for expansion of high-speed and accessible broadband in Adams County, including leaders from Adams County, Othello, Lind, Ritzville, Washtucna, Avista Utilities, Port of Othello, Washington State University, Adams County Development Council, and local residents.

Products and services

• Economic Development Services Core economic development services including business recruitment, business retention, and expansion support for Adams County businesses and prospective companies.
• Business Loan Opportunities Connects businesses with USDA Rural Development loans, state tax incentives, and grant opportunities for business expansion and startup funding.
• Workforce Development Programs Career showcases connecting students with employers, workforce training workshops, and partnerships with Big Bend Community College for skills training, serving local employers and job seekers.
• Site Selector Services Custom reports and site selection assistance for businesses looking to locate or expand in Adams County, including comparative economics, cost analysis, and infrastructure readiness.
• Small Business Support Assistance for small businesses with talent sourcing, financial resources, and support for launching or expanding operations in Adams County.
• Letters of Support Grant application support through official letters of endorsement for individuals, businesses, towns, cities, ports, and the county pursuing grant funding.
• Adams County Broadband Action Team (ACBAT) Advocacy initiative for expanding high-speed broadband access across Adams County, including partnership with Washington State University Broadband Office and BEAD Five-Year Action Plan implementation.
• Blueprint for Action Report Comprehensive economic development strategic planning document outlining comparative economics, cost exhibits, recommendations, and key field findings for Adams County growth.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• Othello Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACDC maintains active participation in the Othello Chamber of Commerce as part of its collaborative approach to economic development in Adams County.
• Columbia Basin Development League (CBDL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive membership in CBDL allows ACDC to stay connected to broader economic landscape while bringing resources and opportunities to Adams County.
• Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership enables sharing best practices with other development professionals and advocacy at the state level.
• Washington State Farm BureaumoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supports agricultural industry development and farmer engagement in Adams County.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational membership provides access to best practices, training, and networking with economic development professionals worldwide.
• Washington Public Ports AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Port of Othello and other Washington ports for site readiness and business attraction initiatives.
• City of OthellocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond partner in ACDC's capital campaign; primary municipality for economic development activities in the largest city in Adams County.
• Port of OthellocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond partner; ACDC and Port of Othello jointly secured $350,000 in site readiness funds and collaborate on business attraction.
• Adams CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner; county government that funds ACDC as the designated Associate Development Organization.
• City of RitzvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner; ACDC focuses on development initiatives in Ritzville including housing, retail, and logistics.
• Big Bend Electric CooperativemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner; supports workforce development initiatives and participates in career showcases.
• Avista UtilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor electricity provider supporting renewable energy projects including Rattlesnake Flat Wind Farm and Adams-Nielson Solar Farm; member of Adams County Broadband Action Team.
• Big Bend Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey workforce development partner offering degree and training programs; ACDC creates opportunities for businesses to work with educators on curriculum development.
• Columbia Basin RailroadmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerShort line rail network supporting logistics and freight transportation in Adams County; hosted legislative reception with ACDC.
• Washington State UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Adams County Broadband Action Team; WSU Broadband Office workbook used for county broadband planning.
• SVZ USAmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner; food processing company in Adams County.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GrowAdamsCountyWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/growadamscounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/adams-county-development-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Adams County Development Council