Consultant hired to help Sandpoint revitalization

A consultant has been hired to help kick start the area's urban revitalization and economic development initiatives.

A working group of the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency, the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association and city of Sandpoint recently concluded a six-month effort to hire a professional consultant to support downtown and economic development efforts. The groups announced Wednesday they had hired Mark Rivers, CEO of Brix and Company.

Developed by the city's project coordinator, Stephen Drinkard, the national search and interview process attracted the interest of 40 different firms, with finalists having been interviewed and screened by a local committee, which included a broad cross-section of public and private sector leaders, businesses and organizations.