State of Hawai'i County 2005 Year in Review/2006 Looking Forward

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State of the County 2005 - The Year in Review 2006 - Looking Forward: Projects and Issues Research and Development Jane Testa, Director Agriculture: Awarded a total of$135,000 to 28 organizations for marketing and promotional programs, research projects, and agricultural extension programs. The County continues to participate in the discussion of Important Agricultural Lands. Economic Development: Continued to provide assistance in administering the DBEDT's Enterprise Zone program. As of June 30, 2005, 54 Big Island businesses are participating. A total of$65,215 has been awarded to 12 organizations toward community based economic development endeavors. Energy: Launched an economic cost benefit study to explore the feasibility of direct uses for geothermal energy, i.e. post harvest treatment and value added processing, via a $105,160 USDE grant. Also, the County, with the help of Senator Daniel Inouye, received $347,200 from the US-EPA to further develop of an Environmental Impact Statement for a project to eventually provide irrigation water to 1,000 acres of Honomalino agricultural land Film: Provided support services to over 100 productions companies. Continues to market Hawai'i Island as a film destination. Represented the County at trade shows, festivals and conferences around the world. Is completing the development of a digital imaging system including a relational, searchable database for the film office website. Hawaii County Resource Center (HCRC): Submitted a total of$880,000 in grant applications to benefit the island. Awarded a total of$193,591 in Healing Our Island grants to 103 community groups for anti-drug endeavors. Provided a total of 12 capacity building trainings for community groups. Assisted in training 25 facilitators in Kona toward the Kona Community Development Planning process and will have completed about 100 grassroots meetings by January 31, 2006. Continues to help develop the Community Readiness Program and the HCRC Grantsmanship Program. First in the State to purchase the eCivis Grant Locator program for County and community groups, designed for easy access to grant sources nationwide. Information Resources: Completed and published the 2004 County of Hawai'i Data Book while fielding 2,600 information inquiries and maintaining the County Library Information System. Tourism: Provided a total of$821,000 to 59 organizations to enhance the island's cultural and visitor experience, support festivals and sporting events, and produce marketing and advertising campaigns. Over 55% of that benefited West Hawai'i. An increase in funding from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority is expected for 2006 which could bring our total tourism program dollars to over$1,000,000.