In an era characterized by divisive party politics, it’s refreshing to see representatives of the city of Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane International Airport join forces in an effort to jump-start economic development on the West Plains.

In July, the three jurisdictions formed the West Plains Public Development Authority in a rare agreement in which they share revenue in a unified effort to ultimately create more jobs.

The founding members of the PDA’s board are Spokane County Commissioner Al French, City Council President Ben Stuckart, Spokane International Airport CEO Larry Krauter, city administrator Theresa Sanders, and county executive Gerry Gemmill.

One might not consider the whole group a likely bunch to agree on—let alone accelerate—such a concept involving revenue sharing between jurisdictions. But to hear them speak enthusiastically about the collaborative PDA makes it apparent they’ve long held a common goal independently as well as collectively: to increase community prosperity.

The PDA board soon will be expanded to seven members with the appointment of two at-large business and community representatives.

Under a 20-year agreement, the city and county will allocate 75 percent of new tax revenue generated within the boundaries of the district to the PDA. The county and city also will back the PDA’s bonding authority to fund infrastructure projects.

The city, county, and airport also have agreed to chip in $60,000 each annually for the PDA’s first three years and to hire a full-time executive director.

The West Plains PDA district includes Spokane International Airport and some land surrounding it.

The city of Spokane and Spokane County jointly own the airport, and portions of the PDA are in the city of Spokane, while other portions are in unincorporated Spokane County.

The founders contend the PDA eliminates multijurisdictional uncertainties within the district.

Krauter says the PDA will help unlock the value of undeveloped land currently owned by the airport, but not contributing to the tax base.

But the PDA doesn’t just include underdeveloped, publicly owned lands. Significant private property and businesses also are within the district and could benefit from it. To attract more private investment, public investment in infrastructure is needed.

The PDA founders say economic development momentum will start as early as next year with construction of a rail spur that will loop onto the west-central airport property from the Geiger Spur. That likely will be followed by a transload facility, also connected to the Geiger Spur on airport property.

The community has lost out on opportunities to attract new employers—and the hundreds of jobs that would have come with them—because the jurisdictions didn’t have a mechanism such as the PDA in place to provide a unified front on the West Plains. Perhaps it should be a model to help avoid future turf wars between jurisdictions that could gain more through shared visions.