OTHELLO - People concerned with the future of Adams County, and the Columbia Basin, can attend a meeting Tuesday about possible plans.

The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m., at Othello Church of the Nazarene, 825 E. Ash St., Othello. 

Discussion topics include area resources and where to go from here, said Sandi Watson, a business outreach specialist with WorkSource Central Basin in Moses Lake, which serves Adams and Grant counties.

Anyone is welcome to attend the open meeting, she said.

She's been with WorkSource since December and made it a point to see what she could do to help and support growth in the community.

At Tuesday's meeting, initial discussion takes place and then anyone is welcome to participate, she said.

Some ideas that have been mentioned previously include making use of the railroad system, creating a connection with a bridge between the Hanford area and Othello to increase the population and commerce to Othello, expanding the irrigation projects, and working with reservations and communities that could benefit and participate.

The ideas are "very long term," she said.

Watson attended a prior meeting, where a local businessman was excited to see some growth and change in Othello.

Residents have also said they want more retailers, more restaurants, more variety and more businesses, she explained.

Shawn Logan, an Othello businessman, described the event as a chance to share ideas in a structured and open forum session.

It is hoped the meeting helps residents discover their assets and issues they want to resolve in the Columbia Basin area that would have the greatest impact, he said.

Another outcome could be the prioritization of goals to work on as a region together.

"It will give us something to focus on, he commented. "Some of these things take a long time for completion."