2024-05-06 Economic Alliance UpdateEconomic Alliance Update
May 6, 2024
1:34 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, County Manager Ryan
Barrett, Todd Chaput, Richard DeBolt, Eric Eisenberg, Becky Butler
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Tammy Martin
Public comment: None.
Business Equity Center: Richard DeBolt said the Economic Alliance received a grant for its new Business
Equity Center, with a move-in date planned for June and an open house planned for September.
ADO: Richard said EA contracts with – and reports to – the state for its associate development
organization (ADO) work. Todd said EA will share its state ADO reporting with the county.
.09: Richard said EA is working on verbiage for its .09 contract. Becky Butler said it must specify which
specific section the .09 will be funding based on RCW. Richard said the Economic Alliance made changes
to the contract to approve accepting the needed insurance pieces and reporting pieces. Becky said
reporting needs to be tracked by hours and rate of pay instead of just a quarterly payment.
Tourism: Todd said a May 20 training event will focus on how best to use social media and how to
connect with the Economic Alliance. Todd said the EA is hosting a summer photo contest and will offer a
cash prize. Todd said EA merchandise now available includes shirts, beanies, hats, etc. Todd said the
Economic Alliance received a $15,000 grant to assist with GIS for trail mapping and received another
grant to help launch EA’s new virtual reality photoshoots, “Discover Squatch,” which adds AI-generated
sasquatch images to visitors’ photos when they scan a QR code.
Events: Richard said 20 vendors participated in the recent Inclusive Career Fair, which focused on those
who have disabilities or face challenges in public settings. Richard said a golf tournament fundraiser is
planned for September.
Recruitment: Todd said he is working on a number of projects, including finalizing a hotel agreement in
Centralia and pitching other potential hotel sites in Centralia. He said he is working with the Port of
Chehalis to secure a wood product company, a furniture manufacturer, and expects an agreement to be
announced soon.
Announcements: Todd said the EA is creating a video for the Bioeconomy Development Opportunity
(BDO) zone initiative. Richard said there will be Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA)
conference in Spokane June 18-20.
Meeting adjourned 1:53 p.m.