The
VIA 97 International Alliance consists of partners from both sides of
the border from our northernmost community, Salmon Arm, British Columbia
to our southernmost, Leavenworth, Washington. The Alliance has the full
and active support of elected officials from three counties and their
cities in Washington State (Okanogan, Chelan, and Douglas), the elected
officials from the three Regional Districts and their communities in
British Columbia (RDOS, CORD, NORD), the Colville confederated Tribes
and the Okanagan Nations Alliance.
Historically, the Highway 97 corridor was known
as the Okanogan Caribou Trail and had great economic significance to
early residents. Maps from this early time show this as a vital trade
route with very little emphasis on the line of demarcation created by
the US/Canada border. The VIA 97 International Alliance recognizes the
significance of this highway, which has served such an important role
in the economic health of our interior region and offers opportunities
for those communities lying along Highway 97. It is the mission of the
Alliance to promote this unique region for the benefit of all its varied
communities. Many of these communities offer many outstanding opportunities
and rich cultural diversity, but do not always have the tolls available
to work independently on the types of issues undertaken by the Alliance.
The Alliance recognizes that the economic health of our geographic region
is dependent on collaboration. As partners, we continue to teach each
other about new and exciting approaches to trade, tourism, and economic
development and have the opportunity to more effectively work toward
solutions.
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