Economic slump leaves different local impacts

Colfax Grange Supply service technician Sean Lewis checks the air on a tire. The grange is locally owned.

What has the national economy done to the little guy of Whitman County?

Some local businesses have had trouble, others not so much, said several area enterprises. Wheat sales, which fuel a large part of the area economy, are under some pressure, according to one WSU economist.

Bagott Motors, long-time car dealer in Palouse, said sales have been dragging all year, but have been only slightly slower than any other year.

“It’s slow. It’s painfully slow,” said co-owner Mike Bagott, noting they sold one car in December, and none so far this month. The car dealership dropped ties to Chrysler in late 2007. Sales were so slow, it wasn’t worth the hassle, Bagott said.

Grumpy’s Tavern, a bar in Garfield, said business has actually picked up since the economy went down. Owner Janna Roper, who has managed the bar for around 15 years, said the tighter times may be fueling a livelier night life.

“People still want to drink, probably more so. And they want to go to the casino to get lucky,” said Roper with a smile.

Jerry Moss, owner of Palouse Hilss Accounting and Tax Service in Colfax, said business for him is same old same. Colfax and the surrounding towns haven’t been struck as hard by the economy as other places, he thinks.

“I just don’t think the recession has been felt here to the extent it has been felt in other parts of the country,” Moss said.

Moss pointed out the economy of Whitman County is largely fueled by the steady hand of farming, and people will always need wheat.

The city of Palouse’s biggest antique and consignment shop, Open Eye Consignment, said people have been buying more practical items.

“People are still buying, but they are buying differently,” said owner Heidi Kite.

The wheat industry in Whitman County funds a large part of the population. Because most farmers here export their wheat to other countries for sale, it is difficult to pinpoint how sales have been affected by the national recession, said Mykel Taylor, extension economist with WSU.

“We sell to an export market. So it’s more of what is going on with the global economy than what is going to impact our wheat sales here,” said Taylor. “I couldn’t tell you what change of wheat sales you could attribute to the local change here.”

Taylor also said it has been more difficult for farmers in the area to obtain credit for annual needs like fertilizer and seed, a yearly loan called a “annual operating note.”

“Interest rates are low but credit is tight because they [lenders] are being real cautious about who they lend to,” she said.