Working to Build and Strengthen Business and Industry for a Prosperous Community

Advocacy ~ Collaboration ~ Excellence ~ Innovation ~ Integrity
  
June 2015
Have you got your 
"Harbor Card" yet?  
June Events
Ambassador Meeting 
  
Friday, June 5
Noon to 1:00 pm 

GGHI
506 Duffy Street
Aberdeen
  
Business After Hours
 
Tuesday, June 9
5:30 to 7:00 pm  
 
Seaport Landing
 
500 North Custer Street
Aberdeen 
Business Forum Luncheon
 
Tuesday, June 23
 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

"Investing in Our Leaders - Leadership Grays Harbor"
  
Reservations are Required
$20 with reservation by June 19 and $25 thereafter
  
Grays Harbor Country Club
5300 Central Park Dr.
Aberdeen

Greater Grays Harbor Inc. and PUD partner for economic development

by Ian Cope, Grays Harbor PUD

Using money dedicated to rural economic development, the Grays Harbor PUD has approved the transfer of $50,000 to Greater Grays Harbor Inc.  The funds will come from an account the PUD created in December of 2009, which will be dissolved and the balance granted to Greater Grays Harbor's Business Retention and Expansion Program (BRE). 

 

"This is a great partnership between two organizations dedicated to assisting and improving the business community of Grays Harbor," said PUD Board of Commissioners President Russ Skolrood.  "This money has been sitting in an account for several years, waiting to be used to spur economic development.  I am thrilled that we've finally found a use for it."

 

The Grays Harbor PUD Rural Economic Development Revolving Fund was adopted by the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 21, 2009.  However, when tax credit incentives meant to grow the account were no longer available, the account sat dormant until it came to the attention of Greater Grays Harbor Inc. Chief Executive Officer Dru Garson, who saw it as a perfect fit for a Greater Grays Harbor BRE Program.

 

"Attracting new jobs to the region is one of the goals of Greater Grays Harbor Inc., but so is growing and retaining the jobs that are already here. Working with the Grays Harbor PUD and other organizations, Greater Grays Harbor will spearhead a county-wide effort to keep those jobs and encourage growth and expansion of local business and industry" said Garson. 

 

Using surveys and data collection, the first year of the BRE program will involve identifying threats and challenges to business and employee retention and creating an advisory committee to develop a prioritized action plan.  That plan will be implemented in the BRE's second year.


Commerce and Community Sourced Capital launch "Fund Local" campaign
Innovative program aims to bring crowd-sourced, zero interest small business loans to all 39 counties

 Seattle, May 6, 2015 - The Washington State Department of Commerce and Community Sourced Capital, a Seattle-based company that helps connect small businesses with affordable capital, today launched Fund Local, a campaign aimed at bringing zero-interest crowd-sourced loans to small businesses in all of Washington's 39 counties.

Fund Local provides an opportunity for established Washington businesses to borrow up to $50,000 to expand and grow with a loan raised through their community. Members of the community who want to support their local businesses lend in $50 increments called "Squares." The participating businesses pitch their campaign to their community over a 30-day period and once funded, pay the loan back to their "Squareholders" within three years.

"Small businesses create jobs in communities all across our state, yet they often struggle to access capital when they're ready to grow and expand," Governor Jay Inslee said. "There's Buy Local, Eat Local and now Fund Local -- I'm excited to kick off this new avenue for people to help employers grow successful businesses and provide jobs in the communities they love."

"The Department of Commerce supports innovative economic development tools that assist communities, especially in rural areas, while supporting job creation strategies for small businesses," said Brian Bonlender, Department of Commerce Director. "Fund Local is a strategy that builds community economic strength from within and allows the community to support their local businesses."

Small businesses are the key generators of jobs in our economy and character in our communities. There are more than 549,000 small businesses that accounted for 98% of all employers in Washington State last year.

"Community Sourced Capital is honored to partner with the state on such an important project," said Rachel Maxwell, CEO of Community Sourced Capital. "Small businesses have a very difficult time getting traditional loans and Fund Local offers them a new way to get capital from local residents who want to invest in their community's businesses and the local economy."

Commerce will help connect Community Sourced Capital with economic development organizations in each county to locate and determine which businesses would make good candidates for the Fund Local program. For more information visit: http://startup.choosewashingtonstate.com/programs/fund-local/.

 

Made in Grays Harbor
by Dru Garson, GGHI CEO
Do you make or manufacture a product for sale in Grays Harbor County? Would you like the opportunity to highlight and showcase your product to thousands of visitors every year at our Visitor Information Center? If so, Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. will be offering space in our new Made in Grays Harbor display cases that will be coming to our office in June. This opportunity will be provided free of charge, but there is limited space. The intent is to promote the products created, manufactured, and sold by businesses in Grays Harbor County.

 

In order to qualify for the displays, the products shall:

  1. Be made locally in Grays Harbor;
  2. Be available for sale in Grays Harbor stores, kiosks, fairs, or booths;
  3. Be listed in a completed GGHI Product Display Application
  4. Be "display worthy," which means items must be in good taste; fit on a display shelf  (6" x 11"); be the actual product, not a photograph or brochure alone.

If you have a product that is Made in Grays Harbor, please read and fill out the application provided. You may contact us at 532-7888 if you have any further questions.  

New in the Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. Visitor Info Center
by James Messer, GGHI Membership Coordinator

Check out our new E-Poster that was purchased for the Visitor Information Center. With funding received by Grays Harbor Tourism, we were able to purchase this device that will help us visually display activities, events, and other happenings in Grays Harbor. The E-Poster is capable of playing videos and displaying pictures, weather, news, our webpage, and more.

 

We also replaced our old brochure racks with customized racks made by a local woodworker right here in Grays Harbor. These racks have space for magazines, small booklets, and brochures. Stop by our office this summer and check out the many changes and updates to our Visitor Information Center! 
 

Congratulations Morningside

Organization of the Month - May 2015

Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. is pleased to announce Morningside as our Organization of the Month for May 2015. 

Morningside has been in operation in Aberdeen since 1990, and has been a member of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. for the past 12 years.

 

In the last year, Morningside has supported United Way, local schools, Food Ball, youth sports, YMCA of Grays Harbor, food and clothing banks, Relay for Life, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and Homeless Street Outreach.

 

Morningside representatives often attend Business After Hours and Business Forum Luncheons. Morningside has also co-hosted a Business After Hours and their Employment Consultant, Robinette Eddy, is a member of the Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. Ambassador team.

 

When asked why Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. is important to Morningside, Debbie Harders, Employment Consultant, said, "Our mission is to advance employment and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities. The very best way to do that is to network with businesses and individuals who are truly involved and vital to our Community. For us being a member of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. is a win/win situation: we find jobs and skill-building opportunities for our clients and contribute to the inclusion and diversity of this Community that we love."

 

The Business of the Month is based on excellence in image, employee relations, community services, support of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. and customer service. Only 12 of these prestigious awards are presented each year.

 

Business Forum Luncheon

"Investing in Our Leaders- Leadership Grays Harbor"

Join Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. for our monthly Business Forum as the Leadership Grays Harbor Class of 2015 talk about their experience in the program and the outcome of their projects.

  

Leadership Grays Harbor is unlike any other training experience available locally. Designed especially to grow leaders right here in Grays Harbor County, it puts people from different industries and backgrounds together to learn about resources and needs right here on the Harbor, from leaders in government, major employers and community members.

   

When:                 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 23rd.


Where:                GH Country Club, 5300 Central Park Drive, Aberdeen.

 

Reservations are required by Friday, June 19th: Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members.

 

Leaders Circle members can send an attendee for free. Call 532-1924 or email [email protected]

GGHI Member Benefit of the Month
by James Messer, GGHI Membership Coordinator

Free with your membership! We want to know what is happening in your business. As a member you are able to send out member news in our E-Newsletter. This could be anything from receiving an award, offering a new product or service, a change in management, etc. We want to help you spread the word, and receive maximum exposure.

 

We are also asking that you tell us about your upcoming events. Just send us some information or put together a short article, 150 words or less, and we will include it in the newsletter. Make sure to include a picture if you can. Take advantage of this quick and easy way to reach out to over 700 business leaders in the community.

 

Also, take advantage of our Summer Special. Through September send us a flyer and for only $25 we will include it in our newsletter.

 

Call us at 532-1924 or email James or Angela at [email protected] or [email protected], if you have any questions or are interested in submitting member news or an event.

Member News

The Pasha Automotive Rail Team

 

Take a look at the rail crew at Pasha Automotive. In an industry that has been dominated by men since its inception, Pasha Automotive is proud to announce that they are the only facility in the world, to their knowledge, that can crew an entire female rail team.

 

These women are inspecting, opening and closing doors, moving bridge plates, and busting chocks on a daily basis. At Pasha they believe that there is no job that should be exclusive to a specific gender and work hard to make sure that they offer everyone the same opportunities.

Tap Takeover!
 

The Tap Room is hosting a Tap Takeover by Silver City Brewery! Tap Takeover starts at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 24th.

 

Silver City Brewery is the West Sound's Premier Microbrewery and one of the most nationally decorated award winning breweries in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Stop by The Tap Room at 103 East Wishkah Street in Aberdeen, and enjoy great food, microbrews, and company. Contact Suzy and Scott Laird of The Tap Room at 589-3311 for further information.

 

Welcome - New Members

Driftwood Players

Debra Scoones - 360.580.7947

120 East Third Street, Aberdeen

www.aberdeendriftwood.com

Plackett Enterprises, Inc.

Mark Plackett - 360.589.6979

856 Willow Court SW, Ocean Shores

www.plackettenterprises.com

ResCare Home Care

Michelle Dube - 360.532.0851

200 South I Street, Suite 202, Aberdeen

www.rescarehomecare.com

We, at ResCare HomeCare, are excited to be a part of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. We are available to serve the elderly and disabled in the comfort of their own home. It is our duty to help maintain or enhance activities of daily living, providing a safe environment for our clients and their care providers. We also provide simple duties such as grocery shopping, transportation to doctor's appointments, or picking up medications at the pharmacy.

 

Our goal is "Assisting People to Reach Their Highest Level of Independence With Respect and Care". Please call (360) 532-0851 for further information on service or employment opportunities. You can also reach us by visiting our website at www.rescarehomecare.com.  

SouthShore Mall Cinema

Ian Lynch - 360.533.7686

1017 South Boone Street, Aberdeen

www.catheatres.com 

Upcoming Event Flyers  

 

Business After Hours

Seaport Landing

Visible AdVantage 



Leadership GH Class of 2015

Date Night Fundraiser for

PAWS & Coastal Harvest 

Ask about our Summer Special

532.1924 

Renewing Members

Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. thanks you for your continued support.

AFLAC

Debbie Carter-Bowhay

360.500.9411

819 Elizabeth Avenue

Westport 98595
 

Aberdeen Sanitation

Paul Dionne

360.533.1251

4201 Olympic Highway East

Aberdeen 98520

 

Artic RV Park

Roy Pearmain

360.533.4470

893 State Highway 101

Cosmopolis 98537

 

B & B Automotive, Inc.

Conrad Jobst, Jr.

360.533.4113

301 West Market Street

Aberdeen 98520

 

Berglund, Schmidt & Associates

Hari Sharma & Mike Schmidt

360.532.7630

2323 Bay Avenue

Hoquiam 98550

 

Cascade Natural Gas

Kyle Fritz

866.522.1130

P.O. Box 344

Aberdeen 98520

 

Chateau Westport

Gabrielle Wolcott

360.268.9101

710 Hancock Street

Westport 98595

 

Goodwill of the Olympics

Charity Dickson

360.532.0209

1103 East Wishkah Street

Aberdeen 98520

 

Grays Harbor Fast Lube, Inc.

Bryan Koski

360.538.1364

801 South Boone Street

Aberdeen 98520 

 

Grays Harbor Fast Lube, Inc.

Bryan Koski

360.538.1364

1812 Simpson Avenue

Aberdeen 98520

 

Grays Harbor Talk

Kurtis Dawson

360.482.1671

1962 Limited Lane NW

Olympia 98502

 

HDR Engineering

Tim Hume

360.570.4400

606 Columbia Street NW

Suite 200

Olympia 98501

 

Hoquiam River RV Park

David & Susan Nelson

360.538.2870

425 Queen Avenue

Hoquiam 98550

 

Hoquiam School District

Mike Parker

360.538.8200

305 Simpson Avenue

Hoquiam 98550

 

Le Orthodontics

Dr. Huong Le

360.533.1660

218 North Broadway

Suite 2

Aberdeen 98520

 

Silver Leaders Circle

Member 

 

Port of Grays Harbor

Gary Nelson

360.533.9528

111 South Wooding Street

Aberdeen 98520

 

Precision Chiropractic

Dr. Gary Chandler

360.533.7960

1314 East Wishkah Street

Aberdeen 98520 

Preszler, Larner, Mertz & Co., LLP

Gordon Glasgow

360.532.6873

1310 Simpson Avenue

Aberdeen 98520

 

Reed Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

Doris Reed

360.589.7148

403 West State Street

Suite 102

Aberdeen 98520

 

Robbins' Air, Inc.

Carl & Donna Robbins

360.538.7003

521 West Curtis Street

Aberdeen 98520

 

Stafford Creek Correction Center

Pat Glebe

360.537.1800

191 Constantine Way

Aberdeen 98520

 

The Arc of Grays Harbor

Jeff Meeks

360.537.7000

523 West First Street

Aberdeen 98520

 

The Broadway Apartments

Carolyn Anderson

360.532.1302

311 North Broadway Street

Aberdeen 98520

 

The Welcome Inn

Kevin Bradshaw

360.533.5060

520 23rd Street

Hoquiam 98550

 

US Bank

Timothy Kramer

360.532.3480

727 Simpson Avenue

Aberdeen 98520

 

 

  



 





 

Greater Grays Harbor Board of Directors

& Staff Members 

Executive Board

 

Donna Rosi - Chairwoman

Grays Harbor Radio

 

Dave Ward - Vice Chair

Grays Harbor PUD

 

Don Kajans - Secretary/Treasurer

Quinault Beach Resort & Casino

 

Mike O'Dell - Past Chair

Five Star Dealerships

 

Randy Ross - Member at Large

Bank of the Pacific

 

Board of Directors

 

Georgia Bravos 

Jodesha Broadcasting

 

Ed Brewster

Grays Harbor College

 

Cindy DeBard

Harbor Shoes

 

Larry Kahl

Grays Harbor Community Hospital

 

Bruce MacNaughton

Bank of the Pacific 

 

William Perry

Grays Harbor Equipment

 

Vickie Raines

Grays Harbor County

 

Bill Simpson

City of Aberdeen

 

Jack Thompson

Port of Grays Harbor

 

Jeniffer Wilson

Techline

 

 

GGHI Staff

 

Dru Garson

 Chief Executive Officer

 

Candie Gleason 

Finance Director

 

Angela Endres

VIC & Events Coordinator

 

James Messer

 Membership Coordinator

 

Gean Ross

 Visitor Information Center Assistant

 

Grays Harbor Youth Works Interns

 

Jessenia Lopez & Alexander Galeana

 

Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. | 360-532-1924 | [email protected] | http://www.graysharbor.org
506 Duffy Street
Aberdeen, WA 98520