Kelso Longview Chamber Business Connection May 2024

To

Business Connection

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Gratitude, inspiration and energy pulse through award ceremony

What an extraordinary evening it was at the 2024 Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards with more than 300 people in attendance May 2 at the Cowlitz County Event Center! As I reflect on the event, I am filled with immense gratitude for everyone who attended and contributed to its success. It was truly an honor to be part of such a remarkable celebration of our local businesses, educators, and students.

u For a list of winners and sponsors please see Pages 2-5.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who took the time out of your busy schedules to join us. Your presence and support mean the world to our community, and your commitment to recognizing excellence in our midst is truly commendable.

To our local businesses, thank you for your unwavering dedication to serving our community. You are the backbone of our economy, and your hard work and innovation are essential to our collective prosperity. The Pillars of Strength Award is a testament to your resilience and commitment to excellence, and it was a privilege to honor you at the event.

To our educators, thank you for your tireless efforts in shaping the minds of our future leaders. Your passion for teaching and dedication to nurturing the potential of every student are truly inspiring. The Crystal Apple Award is a well-deserved recognition of your impact on the lives of our young people, and I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate your achievements.

As someone who attended the event for the first time, I was struck by the sense of community and camaraderie that permeated the evening. It was truly inspiring to see individuals from all walks of life come together to celebrate the achievements of our local businesses, educators, and students. The energy in the room was palpable, and it was clear that this event holds a special place in the hearts of everyone involved.

call Pam Fierst

I want to once again extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who made the 2024 Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards such a fun, impactful event. Your support and dedication are what make our community truly special, and I look forward to many more celebrations of excellence in the years to come.

With warm regards,

Bonnie Delaney – CEO, Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce

More than 300 people joined us for the 2024 Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards

Chamber of Commerce Board of

Directors

Jason Gentemann, President Foster Farms

Sean Kiffe, President Elect NORPAC

Pam Whittle, Vice President Realty One Group Pacifica

Jason Meunier, Treasurer Fibre Federal Credit Union

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Marlene Johanson, Past President Heritage Bank

Rich Coleman Bicoastal Media

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Duane Dalgleish Cowlitz PUD

Kristin Gaines Alcoa

Kelly Godden Specialty Rents

Rich Gushman Gibbs & Olson

Keenan Harvey City Council, Kelso

Sabrina Kochprapha

United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties

Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth

John Paul

KUKN-KLOG-101.5 The Blitz

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

MaryAlice Wallis City of Longview Mayor

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

Neil Zick Twin City Bank

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Bonnie Delaney CEO

Goal to build meaningful Chamber and community connections under way

It is with great joy and excitement that I step into the role of CEO of our Kelso Longview Chamber, and I simply cannot wait to embark on this journey alongside such an incredible group of individuals.

I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the Chamber staff, the community and all the wonderful people that support the Chamber and their work. As I settle into my new role, my primary goal is to build meaningful connections with the community and the Chamber members while looking at what’s next for the Chamber. There are some great things on the horizon!

Thank you for this incredible opportunity to serve as your CEO.

Together, let us embrace this new chapter with open hearts and boundless enthusiasm, knowing the best is yet to come. I am excited to serve in this position and feel so blessed to have such a supportive board, Chamber members and community.

Coming up events for the Chamber in May include Pillars of Strength and Apple Crystal awards, which happened May 2, the Quarterly Membership Meeting is May 16, and our next Boot Camp series, the annual Boardmanship series, starts May 24.

With warmest regards and deepest gratitude, thank you for having me!

Attorneys in our employment and labor law department represent employers and employees throughout southwest Washington. We handle matters regulated by the Washington State Human Rights Commission, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, and the United States Department of Labor. Our attorneys can provide representation in all state and federal courts in Washington, including the Washington State Supreme Court.

• Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Disability Accommodation Issues

• Discrimination Claims

• Employee Training

• Employment Contracts and Manuals

• Family and Medical Leave

• Hiring, Discipline, and Termination

• Investigation of Complaints

• Labor Relations

• Litigation

• Employment Agreements

• Severance Agreements

• Sexual Harassment Claims

• Unemployment Compensation

• Wage and Hour Disputes

• Wrongful Termination

Business Toolbox

Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

Blueprint for business success: Crafting Key Performance Indicators

In the dynamic landscape of business, understanding your company’s performance is paramount to success. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) serve as navigational tools, guiding you toward your objectives while providing insights into areas that require improvement. Crafting effective KPIs requires a strategic approach tailored to your business's unique goals and operations. In this article, we’ll delve into the process of developing KPIs, offering a step-by-step framework and a sample template to kickstart your journey toward enhanced performance.

UNDERSTANDING

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

KPIs are quantifiable metrics that measure an organization’s performance against its objectives. They provide a clear picture of progress, enabling informed decision-making and strategic adjustments.

Effective KPIs are:

1. Aligned with Goals: KPIs should directly reflect your business objectives, whether they relate to revenue growth, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, or other key areas.

2. Measurable: Each KPI must be quantifiable, allowing for precise tracking and evaluation over time. Whether it’s sales figures, customer retention rates, or production output, measurable KPIs provide tangible insights.

3. Relevant: KPIs should focus on aspects of your business that directly impact success. Avoid metrics that don’t contribute meaningfully to your goals or fail to provide actionable insights.

4. Time-bound: Establish clear timeframes for achieving KPI targets. Whether it’s weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually, setting deadlines adds urgency and accountability.

DEVELOPING KPIs: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

• Identify Business Objectives: Begin by clarifying your organization’s overarching goals. Whether it’s increasing profitability, expanding market share, or improving operational efficiency, clearly define what success looks like for your business.

• Align KPIs with Objectives: Once you’ve identified your goals, pinpoint the specific metrics that will indicate progress toward these objectives. For instance, if your goal is to enhance customer satisfaction, relevant KPIs might include Net Promoter Score (NPS), customer retention rate, or average resolution time for customer inquiries.

• Set Targets: Establish realistic and measurable targets for each KPI. Analyze historical data, industry benchmarks, and internal capabilities to determine achievable yet ambitious goals.

1. Select Data Sources: Determine the sources of data needed to track your chosen KPIs. This might include CRM systems, financial reports, customer feedback platforms, or other relevant sources of information.

2. Design KPI Dashboards: Create visual representations of your KPIs to facilitate easy monitoring and interpretation. Dashboards should offer real-time insights, allowing stakeholders to quickly assess performance and identify trends.

3. Regular Review and Adjustment: KPIs aren’t set in stone. Regularly review your metrics to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. Be prepared to adjust KPIs and targets based on changing business dynamics or shifting priorities.

SAMPLE KPIs

Objective: Increase Sales Revenue

Objective: Enhance Operational Efficiency

FINAL THOUGHTS

Crafting meaningful KPIs is a foundational step toward optimizing your business’s performance. By aligning metrics with strategic objectives, setting measurable targets, and implementing robust monitoring mechanisms, you empower your organization to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement. Remember, KPIs are not static; they should evolve in tandem with your business’s changing needs and aspirations. Embrace the iterative nature of performance measurement and let KPIs be your guiding lights on the path to sustained success.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, MBA, and Certified Business Adviser with the Washington State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Jerry provides no-cost, confidential business advisory services by appointment. He can be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

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Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Ted Sprague President

Workforce development provides cornerstone of economic growth

Workforce development is a cornerstone of economic growth and progress. It includes a wide range of activities aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of individuals to meet the demands of the labor market. From fostering innovation to reducing unemployment rates, the importance of workforce development cannot be overstated. We are truly lucky to have one of the strongest workforce development teams in the United States right here in Southwest Washington. Chief Executive Officer Miriam Halliday leads an innovative and most helpful team to assist your organization in all aspects of workforce – https://workforcesw.org

Workforce development is essential for fostering economic growth and competitiveness. In an era where technology is

rapidly evolving and industries are constantly changing, a skilled workforce is crucial for businesses to remain competitive. By investing in workforce development programs, governments and businesses can ensure that their workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to new technologies and market demands. This, in turn, leads to increased productivity, innovation, and economic prosperity.

In addition, workforce development plays a vital role in reducing unemployment and poverty. By providing individuals with the skills and training they need to secure employment, workforce development programs empower individuals to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute positively to society. This not only improves the standard of living for individuals and their families but also reduces the burden on social welfare systems and stimulates economic growth through increased consumer spending.

Workforce development is essential for promoting social inclusion and reducing inequality. By providing equal access to education and training opportunities, regardless of socioeconomic background, workforce development programs help level the playing field and create a more equitable society.

Additionally, workforce development is crucial for addressing the skills gap and ensuring that labor market needs are met. With technological advancements driving rapid changes in the job market, there is a growing mismatch between the skills that employers need and those that job seekers possess. By investing in workforce development initiatives that focus on emerging industries and in-demand skills, governments and businesses can bridge this gap and ensure a steady supply of qualified workers to support economic growth.

Finally, workforce development is of paramount importance for economic growth, social inclusion, and individual prosperity. By investing in education, training, and skills development, governments and businesses can empower individuals to succeed in the labor market, drive innovation, and build stronger, more resilient economies. As we navigate an increasingly complex and competitive global economy, workforce development must remain a top priority to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Kelso School District

Mary Beth Tack Superintendent

Kelso School District prioritizes student health with changes to school meals

The health and well-being of our students and staff is a priority in Kelso School District. As we know, the food we eat plays a large role not just in our physical health, but our mental and emotional health as well. With a 68 percent lowincome population, we know the meals we serve may be the only meals some students get.

Over the last couple of years, Kelso School District Nutrition Services Supervisor and Registered Dietitian Kaydee Harris has been making small changes to the district’s meal program aiming for big impact on student health.

RECENT UPGRADES INCLUDE:

• Unlimited fruits and vegetables at EVERY school. Students are offered a rotating variety of fruits and vegetables (seasonal and non-seasonal) at lunch every day. Options include: fresh strawberries, grapes, melons, local apples of different varieties, pineapple, etc. Veggies include: cucumbers, jicama, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, green salad mix, mini peppers, etc. In addition to fresh raw veggies and fruits, items include fresh roasted green beans, broccoli, asparagus, and more.

• Minimally processed foods and upgraded ingredients. We are increasing the number of scratch-made menu items, which includes bean burritos, bison meatloaf, baked chicken breast, salmon bowls, quinoa, pastas, sauces, and soups. The nutritional value of our meals is continually analyzed, leading to upgrades in ingredients. For example, the district has swapped out highly-processed, high-sodium American cheese for healthier cheddar, provolone, feta, etc.

• Locally sourced foods. Our Nutrition Services team has been working hard this year to increase locally sourced items like bison, salmon, beef, and raspberries through the Local Food for Schools program. They continue to source rolls locally from Kalama Sourdough for all of our menus and have spent more than $30,000 on locally sourced produce through the Department of Defense Fresh program.

KELSO SCHOOL MEALS FUN FACTS

• Cooking kitchens at every school. Not every school district has cooking kitchens at every school. Many outsource meals or have one cook site and shuttle meals to school sites. In

Kelso, food is made fresh every day on every school site.

• KSD Test Kitchen. A lot of recipe testing happens every summer. Summer school students and staff get to sample new items and give feedback. Often, new menu items are launched at one school first, then rolled out to other schools after collecting feedback from students. There is also a yearly recipe competition between elementary school Nutrition Services staff during school conferences. The staff is given a challenge menu item, nutrition parameters, and a host of possible ingredients to make the item. Winning recipes get added to the menu cycle.

• Variety is the spice of life. To keep up with current student preferences and food trends, every year new menus, in six-week cycles, are created. Interesting menu items this year include: teriyaki salmon bowl, bison meatloaf, quinoa bowls, chicken alfredo, roasted parmesan broccoli, roasted asparagus, BBQ chicken spread, chicken parmesan, chicken and waffles, and more.

• We’re doing something right. We actively solicit feedback by fostering conversations with students in our cafeterias. We even look through garbage cans to see what gets thrown away. All this student feedback is collected after each new menu item and we make adjustments as needed. We know we’re doing something right because our meal service has increased:

s 24 percent increase in total lunches served in the last three years, 105 percent increase in breakfast

s 750,000 meals were served in 2022-23

s 1 million meals are projected for this year (2023-24)

• ALL students eat free. Due to Kelso’s percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals, we’re able to offer ALL students free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision.

May 3 is National School Lunch Hero Day. While the Nutrition Services staff in Kelso – and everywhere – work hard feeding kids every day, we take this opportunity to share our gratitude for Kaydee and her team for giving our youth the nutrition they need to grow up #KelsoStrong.

Your Chamber Connection Radio Show

Wednesdays at 6 pm KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM

Contact Pam Fierst at 360-423-8400 or pfierst@kelsolongviewchamber.org to schedule your interview

Access a commercial-free recording of this show at https://soundcloud.com Search AM KEDO Click on the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce show with the date

Gabbi Graves, Lending Officer, Synergy One Lending

Katie Wallis, Marketing Manager, Sleep Inn Kelso

Amy Covey, Co-Owner, Emerald Haven

Lea Holmes, Owner, Ungaged Cycles

William Fogleman, Community Liaison, Eden Health

Jakki Millo, Owner, Fire Mountain Travel

Kelso Business and Community Association

Lindsey Cope President

KBCA celebrates successful clean-up and plant day

On April 20 the Kelso Business and Community Association (KBCA) rallied the community for a day of action and camaraderie, resulting in a transformative clean-up and beautification effort across the downtown and West Kelso areas.

Forty volunteers, including business owners, city councilors, citizens, police officers, and dedicated employees from Wilcox & Flegel, congregated at Kelso City Hall to kick off the event. Their mission: to bring blooms to Kelso and spring clean for Earth Day!

With the support of the City of Kelso and Wilcox & Flegel, the volunteers embarked on various tasks throughout the day. Twenty new planters were meticulously installed, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of key locations in the community. Other volunteers diligently refreshed or replanted 20 existing planters, ensuring their continued vibrancy with the help of Buds and Blooms Nursery. Additionally, a significant amount of trash was collected and disposed, improving the cleanliness and safety of the area.

The successful execution of the event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the volunteers and the generous contributions of the following Shamrock Shuffle and flower basket sponsors:

City of Kelso

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

The Station Pub and Grub

Longview American Legion Post 155

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Fiesta Bonita

Longview Kelso Building Trades

Lower Columbia Contractor’s Association & Call 811

Penny Parvi American Family Insurance & The Basement on Allen

Barbara Stephenson, Realtor, Windermere Northwest Living

Kathie’s Clutters & Crafts on Commerce

KUKN, KLOG and The Blitz Radio Stations

Copies Today

Bigfoot Screen Printing

Kelso Theater Pub and the Backstage Café

Antidote Tap House

Jessica Wade State Farm

Habitat for Humanity

Noelle McLean P.S.

Red Leaf Coffee

White’s Cleaning

Scheurich Family

Red Canoe Credit Union

A & J Fence Company

Kelso Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary

Shamrock Bar and Grill

Kirby Drake and Family

Guses Coffee

Cornerstone Flowers

JoJo + CoCo Boutique

JaeMac Men’s Clothing Store

Cowlitz County Event Center & Cowlitz County Tourism

Budget Blinds

Sons of Norway

Looking ahead, the KBCA invites residents and visitors to mark their calendars for Kelso’s first Summer Solstice Progressive Dinner June 20. This upcoming event promises an evening of culinary delights and community fellowship. Tickets go on sale soon.

For more information and updates on future initiatives check us out at www.letsgokelso.com or on Facebook @letsgokelso.

Photo from KBAC Facebook page

New Members

Add your business to our growing membership Call 360-423-8400 Today!

Membership packages to fit your needs

Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

• Annual Meeting and Banquet

• Networking Events

• Committee Participation

• Business Contacts

• Quarterly Membership Meetings

• Civic Representation

• Monthly Business After Hours

Business Services include marketing for your business, referrals and access to Chamber publications and research data.

• Mailing Labels

• Membership Window Decals

• Member Referrals

• Ribbon Cutting

• Website Links

• Member to Member Discounts

• Membership Directory

• Tax Deduction

• Newsletter

• Business Card Display

• Use of Chamber Logo

Representation through action committees, candidate forums and up-to-date action alerts.

• Legislative Representation

• Issues Tracking and Information

• Task Forces

• Candidate Forums

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Demographics Publication

Membership Packages

Look Who Joined in April

RRV Construction LLC

Anthony Del Vecchio 360-431-1280 Rrvconstruction21@gmail.com

Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center

Kristen Mendez 784 14th Avenue Longview, WA 98632 360-353-3933 kmendez@cowlitz.cjac.org

Los Pepes

Saul Vidal Bueno 848 15th Avenue Longview, WA 98632

360-218-6389 saulvidalb96@gmail.com

Lower Columbia College

Robert Davis

Music Faculty

Longview's proud instrumental music tradition

In 2007 I was a young French horn player fresh out of graduate school and canvassing the country in hopes of winning a position in a professional orchestra. The Oregon Symphony had an opening, and while my audition for the position was not successful, my memories of the trip are still as fresh in mind as the lush mossy forests I enjoyed exploring afterward. The proximity to the Pacific coast, the rivers, the volcanic peaks, and even the gentle humidity – so different from my childhood home in the arid Rocky Mountains – enchanted me. So, I was thrilled some five years later to find myself teaching music at Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, a town I didn’t even know I had driven through on my way to “see” Mount St. Helens. (It was February, I’m sure you can guess how much of the mountain was visible through the fog!)

Equally exciting for an outsider discovering Longview and its culture for the first time was finding a long and proud tradition of instrumental music in this rather small, somewhat isolated mill town. I was surprised at the number of players who turned out for my first rehearsal with the LCC Symphonic Band in 2012, a group which features community, as well as student musicians. I was pleased when two former professional trumpet players, individually and unbeknownst to each other, interrupted my mad scramble to prep my first week of classroom lessons to have searching conversations about the future and potential of LCC’s music program. I was conflicted to learn there was a local orchestra with a rehearsal schedule which created conflicts for some of the volunteer musicians who played in multiple groups. So many ensembles – what a magical place for a musician!

After a successful first year leading the LCC Symphonic Band I was honored to be offered the position of music director of that local orchestra – The Southwest Washington Symphony (SWS). Since its inception in 1966 the symphony had staffed only three conductors, I was to be the fourth.

Now, having just finished my 10th year with the symphony and about to complete my 12th year at LCC, I can attest that time does indeed fly when you are having fun. Though there have been challenges along the way – last minute illnesses and scrambles to find substitute players, weather closures that have canceled or rescheduled performances, and even the struggle to keep live music happening during Covid closures – the gratification of working regularly with the volunteer musicians who I consider to be the cream of Longview’s crop has been more rewarding that I would have ever guessed. One of my greatest pleasures is to see students I’ve taught in the LCC music program progress to the point where they now sit side by side with their more experienced mentors in creating amazing and inspiring music.

As both ensembles steadily improve the quality of their musical

output, more accomplished musicians are inspired to join in the fun: volunteer musicians travel from as far as Washougal, La Center, and even Morton to participate. And as the word spreads, more audience members are inspired to attend partly due to the inclusion (for the first time) of all three local high school choirs as well as the LCC choir, the most recent Southwest Washington Symphony performances had audiences so large as to almost require turning latecomers away from LCC’s excellent concert hall, the Wollenberg Auditorium.

I consider that the primary responsibility of a symphonic ensemble is to bring joy into the lives of its listeners. Here are some of the exciting things on the horizon for both remarkable groups: Lower Columbia College Symphonic Band

“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Magical Music of Harry Potter”

• Featuring special guests, Kelso High School Wind Ensemble

• May 31, 7:30 p.m. – Rose Center for Arts, Wollenberg Auditorium

“Come Sunday: A Celebration of African-American Composers and Contributions”

• Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. – Rose Center for Arts, Wollenberg Auditorium

Southwest Washington Symphony

“Verdi’s Requiem”

• A first-time collaboration between SWS and the Vancouver Master Chorale

• Oct. 19, 7 p.m. – Rose Center for Arts, Wollenberg Auditorium

• Oct. 20, 3 p.m. – Skyview Auditorium, Vancouver

“Symphony Christmas Concerts”

• Featuring the Symphony Chorale with familiar carols, new works, and singalongs

• Dec. 14, 7 p.m. and Dec. 15, 3 p.m. – Longview Community Church

“España!”

• Vivacious music from and about Spain, presented as part of the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts’ 100th year celebration

• Children’s concerts (presented to 2,000-plus local fourth and fifth graders) – Jan. 30, 2025

• Family Concert: Feb. 2, 2025, 3 p.m. – Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to THANK the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us this month.

Baxter Auto Parts Inc

Copies Today SpeedyLitho, Inc

Edward Jones - Nick Lemiere

Habitat For Humanity - Cowlitz County

Hart Radiator

Kelso Eagles No. 1555

Papa Pete's Pizza - Longview

Southwest Washington Symphony

Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park

The Roof Doctor, Inc

Twin City Service Company

Wagner Orthodontics

Washington State University - Vancouver

Weatherguard, Inc

Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company

Member Shout Outs!

■ Natalie and Michelle recently received plaques for their five-year milestone with Longview’s Performance Occupational Health Services (POHS).

■ Longview Public Library technician Mark Counts retired in April after 35 years of outstanding service.

■ During the Together We Can Conference April 26, Jessica Ness of the Longview Public School Transition Academy won the Outstanding Para Educator Award for 2024.

■ In March, the Kelso School District received the Zo8 Award for the second year in a row from the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Washington Wellness initiative. The award recognizes organizations for implementing best practices following an eight-step SmartHealth Workplace Wellness Roadmap.

Coming Up

Better You Better Community Wellness Fair, May 30, Cowlitz County Event Center, www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Cowlitz Black Bears Opening Weekend, May 31-June 2 vs. Corvallis Knights. Tickets at cowlitzblackbears.com

Share your brief business news with us for possible publication – email bdelaney@kelsolongviewchamber.org

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Business After Hours

Sleep Inn

Kelso's Sleep Inn was the perfect host for our April Business After Hours. Guests toured the recently remodeled establishment, celebrated the ribbon cutting, shared a few laughts and met the Chamber's new CEO Bonnie Delaney.

Food packaging laws seek to reduce litter and contamination

Current and upcoming requirements for Washington food service providers from Washington state Department of Ecology (edited for space). Detailed information can be found on DOE website.

From coffee shops and cafeterias to restaurants and gas stations, food service often uses disposable products. While convenient, these products can create waste, add to pollution, and leach toxic chemicals into the environment. Washington has new requirements every food service establishment should know about.

Use PFAS-free food packaging

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic chemicals sometimes used for greaseproof and waterproof coatings on food packaging. PFAS can cause health problems like higher cancer risk, weaker immune response, and lower birth weight.

People can be exposed to PFAS when eating food from packaging that contains PFAS. Food packaging can also release PFAS into soil and groundwater where it builds up in animals, people, and plants.

On Feb. 1, 2023, certain types of food packaging were banned if they have PFAS intentionally added. These include: wraps, plates, food boats and pizza boxes.

As of May 1 the following products are also banned if they have PFAS intentionally added: bags and sleeves, bowls, flat serviceware,

including items like plates and trays, open-top containers, like french fry cartons and food cups and closed containers, like clamshells.

Manufacturers of these products must certify their products comply with the law. If you’re purchasing these products, ask the manufacturer for their certificate of compliance. For information, visit our PFAS in food packaging law webpage.

Avoid expanded polystyrene

On June 1 several food service products made of expanded polystyrene will be banned for sale and distribution in Washington.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS), often mistakenly called Styrofoam™, is a type of foamed plastic used in takeout food containers and packing peanuts. While expanded polystyrene can be recycled, it is expensive and not accepted in most curbside recycling programs.

Examples of products made from EPS include cup, clamshell, plates, bowl, tray and cooler.

As of June 1, 2023, expanded polystyrene packing peanuts are prohibited for sale and distribution in Washington. And on June 1 expanded polystyrene food service products such as cups, plates, to-go clamshells, trays, food containers, and single-use coolers will be banned as well.

For information and a list of alternative products, visit the expanded polystyrene ban on the webpage.

For more News, see page 25

Look for compostable product labeling

Starting Jan. 1 Washington’s Plastic Product Degradability Law (RCW 70A.455) set standards for labeling an item as compostable. Changes to the law were passed in 2024 and go into effect June 6. Products made entirely of wood, or 98 percent other fiber (with no plastic additives), are exempt from the labeling standards.

Look for the third-party certification logo if you buy, sell, or distribute compostable products. All compostable products in Washington should be certified for composting in industrial settings and tested to meet a recognized scientific standard, like ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). In addition to a third-party certification logo, look for green, beige, and brown color schemes and the written word “compostable.” Be sure to check if your waste collection service accepts compostable products before putting them in your organics collection bin. Examples of items with compost labeling – bowl, cups, utensils, straw, bag.

Avoid single-use plastic carryout bags

Single-use plastic bags are banned in Washington. Businesses may provide alternatives, like bags that are reusable, compostable, or made of paper. They can also offer customers used boxes or go bag-free. For details about the law, printable flyers, and a list of acceptable alternatives, visit the plastic bag ban webpage.

Ask customers before giving out single-use serviceware

Single-use items covered by the law include plastic and compostable

utensils, straws, condiment packages, and cup lids for cold beverages. Customers must verbally confirm they want these items, or they can select them from self-service bins. (Health care facilities are exempt.) For information and downloadable flyers, visit the webpage.

Chamber member to host legal clinic for veterans and military

Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid will host a legal clinic coordinated as an outreach to veterans and military service members from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at the Cowlitz County Veterans Service Center on 1005 Fir St., Longview.

Who is eligible?

• Currently serving or formerly serving in any branch of the military

• lives or is stationed in Washington

• Income below 400 percent of federal poverty level

• Not represented or able to pay for an attorney

• Seeing assistance with a civil legal matter as opposed to a criminal matter

Questions or preregistrations can be directed to our staff at 360-4252579.

Ribbon Cuttings

Welcome New Members

Thank you to these Ambassadors who participated in ribbon cutting celebrations during April!

Josh Carter Carter Venture Solutions

Peter Clarke ANC Movers

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Kelly Godden Specialty Rents and Events

James Hoyt Heritage Bank

Eric McCrandall Family Health Center

Shylah Tapani Axecutioner

Leah White White's Cleaning Company

Pam Whittle Realty ONE Group Pacifica

Betsy Wyatt RE/MAX Premier Group

The Cooks Creations

Fire Mountain Travel

Silver Lake Resort

Cowlitz Junk Removal