By Jennifer Pinnock

The Richmond City Council voted in favor of supporting the Cache Valley Initiative, a county development plan created by the Cache Chamber of Commerce, after concerns were addressed by two chamber representatives.

The Cache Valley Initiative is a community and economic plan to develop necessary infrastructure that will make Cache Valley more accessible for businesses and citizens, according to the Cache Valley Initiative brochure.

"I am impressed with the Cache Valley Initiative and with the businesses involved in the plan," said Mayor Kip Panter.

However, the mayor and council members did voice some concerns to Carolyn Stimpson, chamber development chairwoman, and Verne Bray, chamber volunteer, before agreeing to support the plan.

Panter said his concern was that if the council supported the plan, it might interfere with the city's master plan.

Stimpson said that the Cache Valley Initiative would not hinder the plan at all.

Another concern the council had was if their support meant it would have to put money into the plan.

"The plan is not designed to get money from cities," said Bray. "Some expenses may be involved sometime, but we don't know at this point."

According to Stimpson, Bray and the Cache Valley Initiative brochure, the plan addresses three components that need improvement.

The first is surface transportation access, which addresses the issues of the traffic in the valley and public safety.

The second component is improving telecommunications access.

Bray said that there is a need for another telecommunication line in Cache Valley. There is only one fiber optic line now and so high-tech companies will not come to the valley.

"Having one telecommunication line in the valley is also a safety issue," said Bray. "A few years ago a backhoe cut the line and the 911 line was down for six hours."

The third component the plan envisions to improve is air transportation access, which means enhancing the airport by lengthening the air strip and making it so more freight items can be hauled from the Logan Airport.

"These are areas that need to be improved," said Stimpson. "If cities and local businesses are unified a difference can be made."

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