Business notes

"Owners save Inverness InnOwners of the Inverness Inn saved the South Whidbey landmark from the auction block by receiving a loan at the last minute.Last month, Phyllis and Lee Talbert were about to lose the Inverness Inn, which for years was known as the Idle Time Motel. A foreclosure procedure had begun, but a few days before the auction Lee Talbert managed to acquire a loan where he was working in Arizona.The Talberts had made a public plea for help in the matter. They felt they could sell the inn if given a little more time. The loan apparently saved their investment. We did it, said Phyllis Talbert. My husband was able to borrow the money in Phoenix. She said many islanders had voiced their support after a story about their plight was printed in The Record.Phyllis Talbert hopes the inn sells soon. I hope so, she said. I'm too tired to go on with this forever.Choochokam lives on the WebFor those of you who missed Choochokam, the Langley Festival of the Arts, or want to revisit some of the booths and activities, there is a new Web site.Creator John Raabe of Langley said the site, www.jshow.com/choochokam contains photos and contact information for many of the Choochokam artisans.State helps fund planning effortsThe Washington State Office of Community Development announced July 19 that it is awarding a growth management grant for $20,000 to Island County, to complete a a project already underway of assisting two citizen-based subarea planning groups in advising the planning department on establishingurban growth areas for Freeland and Clinton.The state office awarded about $1.1 million this year to 39 local governments for Growth Management Act projects. The Freeland and Clinton areas are expected by Island County to be growth receiving areas in the future, as many rural areas were downzoned in the planning process."

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