Partnership for Rural Improvement Records, 1971-1987

Partnership for Rural Improvement (PRI) was a program funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, beginning in May 1976. PRI sought alternative approaches to rural planning and tested ways of helping people in rural North Central and Northeastern Washington identify and make better use of available resources while encouraging citizens to work together to improve rural life. Various institutions, agencies and jurisdictions were involved in the partnership including, Washington State University, community colleges, educational service districts, local governments and state and federal agencies. The initial program region consisted of 11 counties across Northeastern and North Central Washington: Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman.

The foundation and organizational structure of PRI was established during a retreat at Camp Field near Leavenworth, in June 1976. Participants decided to divide the eleven county area into three subregions and instituted the Regional Coordinating Committee as the primary decision making unit. Members of the Committee represented the collaborative interests of county commissioners, elected city officials, educational service districts, WSU Cooperative Extension Service, WSU at-large, Eastern Washington University, county or regional planners, state and federal agencies and the three subregions.

PRI was involved in various different community service efforts. By 1979, after three years of existence, more than 85 projects of varying scope and duration were underway with PRI as a sponsoring unit. By 1984, over 150 projects were PRI supported. Examples of PRI projects include a citizen task force studying the impact of railroad abandonment on rural communities, assistance in helping set up a rural library district in Pend Oreille County, and various community education workshops.

In 1980, PRI received a second grant for a three year term from the Kellogg Foundation. During this term PRI began expanding its influence throughout the state of Washington to areas not previously served. The growth of the partnership to include Clark College, the Evergreen State College, and Yakima Valley Community College necessitated the addition of a fourth subregion. Upon expiration of the grant in1983, funding of the program was picked up by participating higher education institutions and other outside resources. In addition, PRI joined with the Office of Continuing University Studies, Conferences and Institutes at Washington State University, to form a new unit, the Office of Community Service.