PEP sets annual economic summit
SANDPOINT — Curious about "What's Happening Up North?"
Look no further than the Pend Oreille Economic Partnership's upcoming economic summit Sept. 25.
Held at the University of Idaho's Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center, the all-day summit will feature a trio of keynote speakers — Bart Cochran, founder and CEO of LEAP Housing; Dr. Nick Swayne, president of North Idaho College; and Dr. Jaap Vos, professor of Planning and Natural Resources at the University of Idaho.
The event will also feature panel discussion sessions, networking opportunities, and Q&A sessions at each of the keynote talks.
This year's theme is "Rural and Thriving: Pillars for Community Development."
Cochran grew up in Sandpoint and attended the University of Idaho before moving to the "big city" of Boise where he began his real estate career. After seeing the number of people unable to afford housing in the region, Cochran said he felt the need to find ways to help those who needed a home find a way over those barriers and challenging market conditions.
In 2016, Cochran founded LEAP Housing, a nonprofit whose mission is to create and preserve affordable housing in the state while helping services that aid housing stability. The Sandpoint native was honored with the Good Neighbor Award in 2023 by the Boise Regional Realtors and Idaho Regional Realtors. The award recognizes real estate officials who volunteer both time and resources to their community.
Cochran began leading the nonprofit full-time in 2021 while remaining a licensed Realtor. Since then, LEAP has become a leader in affordable housing and is on track to bring more than 1,000 affordable housing opportunities to Idaho by 2026.
Swayne was hired to lead North Idaho College in 2022, where he is focused on accreditation, recruitment, and retention. Previously, Swayne worked at 4-Virginia, a collaborative initiative among eight universities in Virginia, and while at James Madison University, Swayne founded JMU X-Labs, an academic ecosystem. In addition, he co-founded the Stanford Faculty Innovation Fellows program and championed STEM education through initiatives like Virginia’s VA-DC FIRST LEGO League.
A military veteran, Swayne's career included leadership in nuclear-capable artillery battalions, combat deployments to Iraq and Bosnia, and global special operations. He attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College and received awards such as the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service, and Legion of Merit.
Swayne has served on multiple boards, receiving awards, and contributing to positive change. He holds degrees from the University of Idaho, Northeastern University, and James Madison University.
A professor of Planning and Natural Resources at the University of Idaho, Vos is head of the Department of Natural Resources and Society and director of Environmental Science. He has a doctorate in regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and a master's degree in environmental science from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Vos, who was born in a small farmhouse and grew up in a rural place, said he is interested in rural places and how to maintain them as such rather than as "places that are waiting to become urban." His current research is focused on how rural places can maintain their unique character in the face of development pressure and increased external pressure.
Among the courses he teaches are those on community planning, sustainable communities and rural planning issues. Vos often speaks about population change in Idaho and its impact on the state's communities.
The Pend Oreille Economic Partnership is the operating entity of the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation, a private 501(c)6 nonprofit economic development corporation founded in 2000. PEP is committed to working broadly across the community to develop a vibrant economy of diverse businesses and industries that offer quality job opportunities and help build prosperity for all in Bonner County, Baker said.
Tickets are now available online at pepidaho.org or arranged by contacting Baker via email at brent@pepidaho.org or by phone at 208-290-7752. The event is limited to 90 participants. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Baker at the above email and phone number.
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