2023-10-02 Economic Alliance UpdateEconomic Alliance Update
October 2, 2023
1:30 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Pollock, County Manager Ryan Barrett, Becky Butler,
Richard DeBolt, Lenee Langdon, Dolly Tardiff, Lee Napier, Amy Buzzard
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Public comment: None
Richard DeBolt said the advisory committee application has been updated and the Economic Alliance
has received two applications to-date.
Dolly Tardiff said there will be Lewis County Infrastructure & Real Estate Seminar October 4th with
keynote speaker Matthew Gardner at The Loft in Chehalis to discuss real estate trends. Dolly also had a
save the date mention for the annual banquet on February 2.
Richard said EA has been working with a cabinet manufacturer and there may be a possibility for a new
hotel in Lewis County.
Todd Chaput said the EA will unveil their rough draft of their strategic plan this afternoon at the EA
banquet at the Veterans Memorial Museum. Todd feels it is important to represent Centralia and
Chehalis as well as Lewis County. Todd said he would like to receive support from those cities. Todd said
the EA will have a formal strategic plan for tourism on October 17, 2023.
Richard said the EA is working on hiring a consultant for an agricultural feasibility strategy.
Amy Buzzard applied for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant. Amy said there was a
review of the City of Toledo to help with the water pipeline. Amy applied for a water grant and a USDA
grant on behalf of the City of Toledo.
Amy said the EA is working on creating a Hispanic Business Owner Forum. Amy said the Hispanic
outreach portion helps the diversity of Lewis County.
Richard said there is a new data tool for information on growing the economy. The Department of
Commerce team of economic development experts works closely with local and regional partners such
as the Economic Alliance to coordinate recruitment and promote the Washington State Associate
Development Organization (ADO).
Tammy Marin talked about the .09 project status report. This will help be a budgeting tool as well as a
way of tracking project updates and completion.
Adjourned at 1:51 p.m.