August 2023 Business Connection

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Karen Sisson Interim CEO

kFierst brings hospitality and Chamber experience to project manager position

Change can be hard, but as we know it’s necessary for growth, improvement, and success. The Chamber has been going through a few changes of our own this year and one I’m very excited to announce is the promotion of Pam Fierst to project manager. Pam started back in 2017 as the Visitor Center office manager and bookkeeper but was no stranger to the Chamber. During her 11-plus years with the Red Lion Hotel she was a dedicated volunteer and Ambassador throughout all those years. Pam is a true Washingtonian. She grew up outside Tacoma in the Puyallup, Sumner and Orting area. She was raised fishing, camping, hunting, and riding horses and still owns two horses today. Pam has been instrumental as the manager of the Visitor Center guiding and navigating guests through the many trails and outdoor activities Washington has to offer. As a former leader of hunters’ education courses, specifically conservation, Pam is a wealth of knowledge on the delicate forest ecosystem and shares that passion with our visitors.

kSince joining the Chamber six years ago, Pam has assisted with all Chamber events including the first sQuatch Fest. It was a natural progression that she would become project manager having experience with event planning, budgets and accounting, membership development and sales and marketing. Pam worked her way up to general manager of the Kelso Red Lion Hotel. She knows what it takes and is not afraid to put in the hard work to make the organization she works for and herself successful.

When Pam isn’t doing all things Chamber, you will find her at festivals, events, traveling the states and beyond and spending time with her two kids and their families. She has a real fascination for the supernatural – aliens, poltergeist, Bigfoot and the unexplained – which plays into her constant search to bring new and creative events to the Chamber. Pam is working on our next big fundraiser as we speak and it’s going to be out of this world! Join me in congratulating Pam.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Ted Sprague President

The benefits of foreign trade zones

The leaders of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council (CEDC) created Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 120 over 40 years ago as an innovative way to assist local business and recruit new business into Cowlitz County. FTZs are designated areas within a country’s borders where imported goods can be stored, processed, and re-exported without being subject to the country’s customs duties and taxes. If you have ever considered applying for FTZ status, the following are the top four reasons why businesses may choose to utilize a foreign trade zone. Duty and Tax Benefits: One of the primary reasons for using an FTZ is to take advantage of duty and tax benefits. When goods are imported into an FTZ, customs duties and taxes are suspended until the goods leave the zone for consumption within the domestic market. If the goods are re-exported from the FTZ, no duties or taxes are paid. This can result in significant cost savings for businesses, making them more competitive in both domestic and international markets.

Improved Customs Procedures: FTZs streamline customs procedures and allow businesses to defer customs duties and formal entry processes until the goods are shipped into the

domestic market. This provides greater flexibility in managing inventory and cash flow, as companies can hold goods in the FTZ for an extended period without incurring customs costs.

Supply Chain Efficiency: Utilizing an FTZ can enhance supply chain efficiency. Companies can bring in raw materials and components duty-free, process them into finished goods within the FTZ, and then distribute them both domestically and internationally. This process reduces transportation costs and can lead to shorter lead times, making businesses more agile and responsive to market demands.

Trade Facilitation and Inverted Tariffs: FTZs can be particularly beneficial for industries that face inverted tariffs, where raw materials have higher import duties than the finished products. By importing raw materials into an FTZ and processing them into finished goods, businesses can avoid paying higher duties on the raw materials.

The existing FTZ No. 120 is limited in its acreage within Cowlitz County. As administrator of the FTZ the CEDC is reviewing the benefits of altering the existing FTZ so it can increase acreage area and flexibility. If you are interested in learning more, please give us a call – 360-423-9921.

• 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

Attorney Nicole M. Tideman

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR LEASE:

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Marlene Johanson, President Heritage Bank

Marc Silva, President Elect Red Canoe Credit Union

Jason Gentemann, Vice President Foster Farms

Lisa Straughan, Past President Express Employment Professionals

Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Rich Coleman Bicoastal Media

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Duane Dalgleish Cowlitz PUD

Rich Gushman Gibbs & Olson

Keenan Harvey City Council, Kelso

Sean Kiffe

NORPAC

Nick Lemiere Edward Jones

Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth

John Paul KUKN-KLOG-101.5 The Blitz

Ted Sprague

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Michael Vorse Minuteman Press

MaryAlice Wallis City of Longview Mayor

Dennis Weber

Cowlitz County Commissioner

Pam Whittle Realty One Group Pacifica

Popular area map an advertising opportunity for businesses

Every two years, the Chamber produces a Kelso-Longview map. COVID threw off our schedule and now we are getting low. The map, Kelso on one side and Longview on the other, is one of the most sought-after publications at the Visitor Center and Chamber office.

We print 10,000 maps. We send them out in relocation packets and hand them to visitors, locals and people moving into our area, and visitors. We also distribute them to local real estate offices, insurance companies, banks, credit unions, restaurants, hotels and other high-traffic locations.

Which makes them a cost-effective advertising vehicle for your business. We’re talking pennies per map for two years. Spaces are limited. There’s an example to the right. Dave Baker with with Marketing Solutions NW is our go-to map guy. His contact information along with ad sizes and rates are on page 5.

Your Exposure!

Grab this opportunity to feature your business in the 2023 edition of the Kelso /Longview Street Map. Your Chamber is again partnering with Marketing Solutions NW of Battlegound to produce this edition. This full color map is one of the most requested items at the Visitor Center. Placing an ad in the map will increase exposure of your business to anyone who looks through one of the 10,000 maps to be printed. Ads are full color and include design to your specifications. Maps will also be available at other local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and other locations. To reserve your space or if you have any questions, please contact Dave Baker at Marketing Solutions NW at 360-430-0311 or msnw@comcast.net

We are happy to present this limited opportunity to our Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce members. For Chamber assistance, please contact

Karen Sisson Interim CEO

360-423-8400

info@kelsolongviewchamber.org

Cowlitz County Commissioners

Dennis Weber County Commissioner, District

An quick review of the Veterans Relief Fund

To the right is an easy to read graphic explaining the Cowlitz County Health and Human Services Veterans Relief Fund. This particular graphic is for 2022.

The Board of Cowlitz County Commissioners (BoCC) supports local veterans, their families, and nationallyrecognized Veterans’ service organizations in Cowlitz County.

The policies and procedures outline the administration of the Cowlitz County Veteran’s Relief Fund (VRF) as allowed by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 73.08 and as overseen by Cowlitz County Health and Human Services (CCHHS).

For more information, visit https:// www.co.cowlitz. wa.us/2544/ VeteransRelief-Fund

Veterans Relief Fund: 2022

Assistance to Individual Veterans

Assistance to Veterans Service Organizations in Cowlitz County *

WSW investment helps leading long-term care provider train, advance and retain employees

In the wake of the pandemic, the healthcare industry continues to face challenges with retention, burnout and staffing shortages. Long-term care workers in the Southwest Washington-Portland metro region have a turnover rate of 87 percent, significantly higher than the economy-wide turnover rate of 69 percent, according to the Columbia-Willamette Workforce Collaborative’s 2022 Healthcare Labor Market Report

Locally, Koelsch Communities found answers in a training and advancement opportunity designed to help and empower team members by equipping them with a new methodology of care for patients with dementia. Piloted in 2017, Koelsch partnered with Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) to train team members on Humanitude, a paradigm-shifting training developed in France that promotes the well-being of individuals through validated techniques that can be replicated and make both the caregiver and people being cared for feel safe.

Koelsch, established in 1958, is a third-generation, family-owned and operated senior living provider to almost 3,000 residents in 36 communities across eight states.

The leading senior living provider is in a position to be at the forefront of creating the first generation of U.S.-based Humanitude trainers. WSW has invested $58,669 in trainings for 64 Koelsch employees, which took place in four cohorts during 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2023.

The trainings proved successful as Koelsch team members noticed a dramatic positive change in quality of life for many residents, including improvements in residents walking, talking and accepting care. Several withdrawn residents began feeding themselves and interacting with others, and there was a 90 percent reduction in aggressive behavior and refusal of care by residents with dementia.

The trainings also served as an employee satisfaction and retention tool, with Koelsch committing to title changes and salary increases for employees who successfully completed the training.

In January, WSW and Koelsch continued their Humanitude training partnership. Koelsch hosted a training for 24 employees and two public trainings at its communities in Longview and Vancouver. More than 75 people participated in the public session, including family members and friends of aging adults, social workers, case managers, nurses and other healthcare workers.

For Koelsch, the trainings provide four major impacts: empowering frontline team members, increasing employee retention, upskilling the workforce with tools to do their job to the fullest, and creating a new career path for CNAs through Humanitude certifications.

In 2024, the Koelsch team hopes to teach team members to be trainers in Humanitude, making it the first healthcare organization in the U.S. to adopt the method. This will allow Koelsch to set up a selfsustaining employee training program and provide a trainer pathway for career advancement for CNAs. “It adds a whole other track of career growth for our communities,” said Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch director of education and culture.

WSW’s continued partnership with Koelsch demonstrates the impact of investing in incumbent workers to boost job quality, workplace equity and retention by providing opportunities to learn, grow and advance.

Koelsch’s dedication to investing in its workforce demonstrates its commitment to creating quality jobs

“We are not just investing in Koelsch, we are investing in our healthcare system as a whole and bringing tools to CNAs and nurses that our region needs,” Surmi said.

Learn more about how you can implement strategies to train and advance your workforce in the Training and Advancement Quality Job Guide.

Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) is the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) designated by federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) legislation to oversee the public workforce system in Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Clark counties. WSW is a nonprofit organization that funds community prosperity by investing in services that help individuals gain skills to obtain goodpaying jobs or advance in their careers and help companies recruit, train and retain workers. Since 2003, WSW has invested more than $126 million in southwest Washington businesses, adults and youth. Learn more at www.workforcesw.org

Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

Plan your holiday sales in summer - your competition is!

Many industries are already well into the planning and buying cycles for seasonal inventory; for others, now is prime time to think carefully about how you will manage your resources (time, money, people, space, inventory) for the upcoming retail sales season.

Ensuring there is a cycle of targeted planning and activity taking place throughout the year will help you take advantage of these seasonal peaks. It is critical for businesses to establish and maintain an ongoing marketing and planning calendar to make sure they are not surprised by critical issues like cash flow. There are several key steps to implement to maximize the opportunities for your business.

Keep everything up to date

Remove and refresh sale items and promotional content from websites once sales are over – nothing is more frustrating to customers than out-of-date web promotions. Nothing says your business is “irrelevant” to your customers more than out-of-date promotions or last season inventory offerings.

Review last year’s figures

Examine what worked well and identify causes for peaks in sales activity. This will help you understand what seasonal peaks are likely in the year ahead to take advantage of based on last year’s success.

Keep stocked up for those critical times

Analyze items in the inventory that sold better than others for specific events or times of the year and ensure there is enough stock in place in the upcoming year to meet this demand again.

Break down into quarterly plans

Having quarterly plans reduces the possibility of retailers overestimating on the amount of stock needed for a quarter, as well as ensuring popular items are available at the right time – it also, helps identify cash flow challenges you can anticipate and resolve.

Planning is key to ensure sales opportunities are maximized and the bestselling inventory from the year is ready and available – knowing what items are most profitable in addition to which sell through best is critical. Selling lots of items that lose money is not a winning strategy.

To ensure you have stock available for shipping when it’s required, use your calendar, and count back from each event to when you need to:

• Identify what inventory you will need (60 days prior)

• List key inventory (45 days prior)

• Have 100 percent of inventory listed (30 days prior)

• Have sold/dispositioned half seasonal inventory (15 days prior)

NOTE: If suppliers are relying on international shipping, check in 150 days in advance to get confirmation they will have the stock you plan to be selling.

Follow these suggestions as you contemplate the readiness of your own business:

Preparation

• Create the list of vendors to be used

• Check status of or apply for customer status with vendors

• Contact each to inquire about seasonal purchases, get order and shipping schedules

• Get a list of price points, Free On Board, volume discounts, off invoice allowances, rebates, prompt payment discounts and dating programs

• When the vendor says they don’t offer those, insist they do and demand the information

Prepare Orders

• Put above vendor info on an excel worksheet for scheduling and order development

• Contact the sales department for each vendor and ask for order recommendations, velocity reports and promotion schedules

• Create an order calendar for each vendor using info from sales

• Go back to the excel worksheet and run the numbers for each vendor, with landed costs.

• Determine Economic Order Quantities for each vendor/ merchandise category

• Develop a pro forma order for each vendor and send to the sales rep for confirmation of availability and current pricing

• Use the order confirmations to set up an order and receiving schedule and receiving report for each shipment Finance

• Use pro forma orders to arrange invoicing dates, dating programs and vendor credit

• Discuss additional needs with lender

For more Petrick, see page 9

• Place orders

Marketing

• Use the receiving schedule to develop the marketing schedule

• Lead times vary by category and customer base, poor neighborhoods time promotions for the first of the month, etc.

• Work with outreach channels, prepare and proof collateral

• Make arrangements/order buy for direct mail, blow ins, web based and (Point of Purchase) POP

Receiving/Stocking/Follow up

• Use the receiving schedule and purchase orders to check in incoming shipments, document overages, shortages, misships and damages

• Use the receiving schedule to create a stocking schedule to advise stockers when and where to display the seasonal merchandise/POP

• Document and liquidate or donate residual inventory, use documentation as a basis for next year’s orders

• Survey customers for insight into consumer satisfaction with the seasonal program

The competition is keen. Make sure you are prepared to take advantage of your strengths and cultivate your customers throughout the year – they and you will benefit.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, certified business adviser, MBA, with the Business Development Center in Kelso. Jerry provides no-cost, confidential business advisory services by appointment. He can be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

Shout Outs!

It was a beautiful July day to celebrate community leader and volunteer of the year Arleen Hubble. Thank you to Sen. Jeff Wilson, his wife, Trish, and his mother Judy, for honoring Arleen with a beautiful plaque that will be at Lake Sacajawea for her and others to enjoy.

A fundraiser to help Lower Columbia College students overcome financial burdens and finish their degrees surpassed its goal by about $4,300.

This year, The Daily News’ Students in Need fundraiser ran from March 19 to May 28 and raised $39,372.56. The grand, eight-year total for the drive is $291,922.89. This year instead of processing payments and receipts, donations were sent directly to the LCC Foundation.

Unlike other scholarships, the fund can be used not only for tuition and books, but also for test fees, emergencies in areas like housing, heating costs, childcare expenses and transportation.

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a distinction recognizing Peace-Health St. John’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns a letter grade, A-F, to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

Coming Up

Squirrel Fest Aug. 19, R.A. Long Park at Civic Circle https://lvsquirrelfest.com

Longview Centennial Gala 5:30-11pm Sept. 8 at Grant’s at the Monticello Hotel. Lighted drone show, dessert, dancing. www.longview100.org

Longview Early Edition Rotary Harvest Classic 5K-10K Walk/Run Oct. 7 www.rotaryharvestclassic.org

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

Dylan Olbrich, Junior Commercial Loan Officer

CALENDAR AUGUST

1 Ribbon Cutting Cowlitz 911 11am, 2790 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview

3 Ambassadors Meeting

7:30am, Canterbury Park

Ribbon Cutting Neater Maids Inc. 11am, Chamber Office

15 Ribbon Cutting Guy Rathbun Post 25 The American Legion 10:30am, 301 Allen St., Kelso

Business After Hours

5:30-7:30pm, Cowlitz Indian Tribe

17 Ribbon Cutting Capital Business Machines 11am, Chamber Office

24 Ribbon Cutting Uncaged Cycles 10:30am, 537 14th Ave., Longview

Ribbon Cutting Tyree Oil 1pm, 1358 S. 13th Ave., Kelso

Your Chamber Connection Radio Show, Wednesdays, 6pm KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM

LOOKING AHEAD

SEPTEMBER

8 Boot Camp Series begins and continues Sept. 15, 22 and 29

7:30am, American Workforce Group

12 Business After Hours Northwest Enforcement, 5:30pm

22 Quarterly Membership Luncheon Port Report, 11:30am, Elks Lodge No. 1482 900 Ash St., Kelso

For a complete list of Chamber and Community events, check out our website.

Includes: 2 cleanings per year, 2 annual exams and x-rays for $350 - A $1200 value Plus, 20% off all services including crowns and implants.

You’re retired. Your money isn’t.

To learn about the different options for your retirement accounts, call my office today.

Ted Sprague President, Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Dan Stahl Chief Executive Officer, Port of Longview

Mark Wilson Executive Director, Port of Kalama

Jennifer Wray-Keene Executive Director, Port of Woodland

Bill Fashing Executive Director

Mobility Management resources available

Over the past two years, the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) Mobility Management Program has established some important resources for area residents. Some of the projects that have been brought to fruition are the CWCOG Mobility Management webpage, an ongoing public transportation five-county provider route inventory, reflective slap bands and educational material to improve safety at public transportation flag stops, a youth transit focused activity book, and a new trip assistant website. The CWCOG created the program after its inclusion as an unmet need in consecutive versions of the regional Coordinated Public Transportation –Human Services Transportation Plan. The plan is available for review here

The Mobility Management Program is intended to assist in managing and delivering coordinated transportation services to customers, including older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes. It is a process focusing on a customer-based approach that addresses individual needs through a wide range of transportation options and service providers. The CWCOG Mobility Management Program is a facilitated referral service that provides education and training and matches an individual’s transportation needs with available accessible transportation. In Cowlitz County approximately 14.6 percent of the renter population is without a vehicle to assist in meeting basic needs.

There are more initiatives and projects on the horizon throughout the new, four-year funding cycle. One of the most notable is the series of How to Ride videos in collaboration with RiverCities Transit and KLTV. Eight planned videos will soon be available for public use on the CWCOG website under the Programs tab. Comparable videos will be prepared for other transit agencies in CWCOG’s five-county region as well.

Throughout the program, staff have attended 14 community events

and hosted 23 training sessions to provide resources and assistance to people wanting or needing to use public transportation! The community events include back to school nights, hiring events, resource fairs, and more. These events enable CWCOG staff to meet the community and provide information not only about the Mobility Management Program, but about the available transportation and mobility options. The CWCOG offers training events for members of the five-county Public Transportation Stakeholder Committee, human service agencies, and the general public. In addition, a series of Accessible Transportation Resources training courses were held virtually, and staff are in the process of creating short videos that cover the same information as the live events. The videos will be available on the CWCOG website on the Mobility Management page under Travel Training.

As it moves into its new funding cycle, several projects are in the works to build additional momentum of the program to assist people in accessing public transportation. This includes projects to build interagency coordination, further inform the public about transportation services, and gather information on the needs of transit dependent populations to inform future efforts.

Many of the projects have a common theme of education. Whether it is sharing project updates at the quarterly Public Transportation Stakeholder Committee meeting, hosting a training event during a lunch at a senior center, or handing out the youth activity book at a back-to-school event, it all accomplishes the goal of sharing information to support better understanding and use of our regional bus and transit operations.

Please share information on the Mobility Management Program with employees and others you may know that are facing mobility challenges. Lauren Read, Mobility Management project specialist is available to assist your employees and other groups. Feel free to reach out to her for additional information or you can explore the resources at www.cwcog.org.

Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments

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

Basic • $275 or $26 per month

Bronze • $500 or $46.66 per month

Silver • $1,000 or $86.33 per month

Gold • $2,500 or $211.33 per month

Platinum • $5,000 or $416.66 per month

Diamond Club • $10,000 or $834 per month

Nonprofit • $180 or $18 per month

Look Who Joined in July

Tyree Oil

Trent Tyree

1358 S 13th Avenue

Kelso, WA 98620

541-302-0103

Mary.stevens@tyreeoil.com

At Heritage Bank, we believe that keeping our local economy strong starts with supporting businesses like yours.

We make switching banks easy, and your dedicated business banking team will guide you through each step of the process.

Scan the QR code or visit HeritageBankNW.com to learn more and connect with a banker near you.

Chris Bailey President

Another academic year closes at LCC

Lower Columbia College had some great outcomes this 2022-23 academic year:

• LCC completed the Library/Learning Commons renovation;

• LCC substantially completed the design phase a proposed 46,000 square foot vocational and career and college preparation building;

• LCC’s substantially completed the Administration Building exterior renovation;

• LCC’s inaugural BAS-Organizational Leadership and Technical Management student cohort graduated;

• LCC gained the requisite state approvals for its Bachelor of Science, Nursing, pending approvals from our accrediting bodies;

• LCC nursing received funding for new simulators for its

labs;

• LCC’s Speech and Debate team continued to be one of the top community college programs in the nation;

• LCC’s athletic program continued to shine, with four of the six teams winning west division titles;

• LCC Baseball won the NWAC title again, with two of our athletes earning national All-American status, at least one national top ten ranking and our head coach was named National Coach of the Year;

• LCC’s Finance Office was rewarded with another findingfree audit by the State Auditor’s Office;

• The LCC Foundation had a fantastic fundraising year, raising well over $4.2 million in new gifts and pledges this year and achieving a net equity of over $24 million;

• LCC managed to finish the year well within its budget and added a significant amount of reserves to its net position leaving us in our best financial condition since 2016;

• LCC administration and faculty representatives were able to successfully ratify a new three-year contract;

• LCC developed a new diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan for campus implementation;

• LCC’s international program successfully brought back its short-term program with Atomi University, Japan, and began cultivating the market in South Korea;

• Of the 21 international students spring quarter, 17 made either the President’s List or Dean’s List;

• Continuing Education and Corporate Training revenues have significantly increased over the past two years;

• The recent PACE Vitality and Climate Survey continues to reflect a strong campus climate at Lower Columbia College; and,

• Community (external) surveys show high satisfaction with LCC.

For nearly 90 years, Lower Columbia College has made a significant impact on our local community. Our team looks forward to the academic year ahead. Our faculty and staff remain committed to our goals of transforming lives through education and remaining a powerful force for improving the quality of life in our community.

Sue Piper, editor and publisher, Columbia River Reader and Hal Calbom, author "Empire of Trees"

Pam Fierst, Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Business fair planned for September

The Washington Small Business Fair has been an annual event since 1997 and more than 4,800 people have attended overall.

To better serve the small business communities on both sides of the state, organizers are trying something new this year. Biz Fair 2023 will be an in-person event, hosted Sept. 23 in both Pierce County and Spokane County.

Location, program schedule, keynote speakers, and registration details are coming soon at bizfair.org

AWB Washington Employers Survey available

From the Association of Washington Business website Washington employers are experiencing slower growth amid ongoing inflationary and workforce challenges. While many remain concerned about the possibility of a recession, employers are still generally optimistic about growth for their own business. You’ll find a few of the insights from AWB’s spring 2023 survey of Washington employers, a quarterly look at the issues and perspectives facing businesses of all sizes throughout Washington here. You can download a printable version of the survey results here.

Kelso among grant recipients

The Washington Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association (WFEA) and ArtsWA, has awarded more than $3 million in grants to 200 community events and festivals, including Kelso, that either had to suspend operations or restart due to the pandemic.

The grants provide much-needed support to “legacy-level” events, festivals, civic and holiday celebrations, cultural and heritage events, music festivals, and street and arts fairs – those that have taken place for five or more years – in communities with populations of 100,000 or less.

“Festivals and events are important to a community’s sense of place. They bring residents together and visitors from out of town,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “Many of these celebrations also support other causes, from local food banks to college scholarship programs. They are an essential part of Commerce’s mission of strengthening communities and growing Washington’s economy.”

Grants could be used to restart local festivals and events suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic or to stabilize depleted budgets...

Read the complete press release here and view a full list of grant recipients here.

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

Alston Cleaning

Art Renaissance Team

Catlin Properties Inc (CPI)

Kelley Connect

Kelso Longview Kiwanis

Lisa Thompson and Ken Blanchard Keller

Williams Premier Partners

Long View Impact Inc

Pacific Office Automation

PeaceHealth St. John Wellness

Performance Sheet Metal, Inc

Safecover Roofing, LLC

Sessions Plumbing & Heating, Inc

Sho'me Real Estate Specialty Rents

The Jewelers Bench, Inc

Waite Speciality Machine, Inc

Windermere Northwest Living Longview

YMCA

Youth and Family Link

Kelso Public Schools

Mary Beth Tack Superintendent

Hats off to the Class of 2023

In the midst of preparing for the upcoming school year and readying to welcome a new set of young students to our district, we would like to give one last tip of the cap to the class of 2023. We are proud of the determination and effort they showed in finishing the year strong. As they make their way into the world, we are confident they will continue to carry the Kelso tradition of excellence into their endeavors and, hopefully, keep the Hilander blue and gold close to their hearts.

Kelso’s Class of 2023 by the Numbers

357 – total graduates

120 – students (34 percent) recognized for academic achievement and scholarships

35 – students (10 percent) graduated with an AA degree

88 – students (25 percent) received scholarships

$3.1 million – in total scholarships

24 – colleges and universities gave a total of $1,910,265

95 – scholarships totaling $161,600 awarded by Kelso Public Schools Foundation

34 – awards were given from community organizations totaling $60,577

13 – scholarships totaling $975,680 awarded by branches of the military

We are so very grateful for everyone in our community and beyond who contributed to the Class of 2023 scholarships. Your gifts make all the difference. Thank you.

For a list of scholarship donors and recipients, see page four of the summer Hilander Highlights

pictured left to right:

For Life”

City of Longview

MaryAlice Wallis Mayor

City residents continue its history of inspiration

Summer in Longview is in full swing! With Go 4th in the near past, the concerts at the lake in motion, and dozens of other activities to come, that is a small part of the big picture. I said it before, and it is still so true – this community has energizing generosity. Leaders that work quietly behind the scenes that get stuff done are amazing to me.

Take Robert Alexander Long for instance, a man of multifaceted talents and gifts. We are celebrating “the” planned city he founded 100 years ago, at the seasoned age of 68, an age many consider for retirement. Beginning in 1923, Mr. Long put into motion so many of the remarkable foundations of this great city: the infrastructure for the industry, modest homes, a civic circle hub, a library and hotel, parks, a business district, churches and more. Who knew the population of Longview would grow to be more than 38,000 and Longview would become Tree City USA and nation? Or it would include 16 city-maintained parks, two high schools, theaters, a man-made lake (Lake Sacajawea), squirrel bridges, a hospital, a lovely downtown with incredible shops and restaurants and over 25 beautiful sculptures in an outdoor gallery? We also have a four-year college, golf courses, a regional transit system, a regional airport, major industry and businesses along the outskirts of town, and many businesses throughout the city.

I believe some of R.A Long’s greatest achievements go beyond the city he envisioned and built, and include his character – honesty, humility, fortitude, ingenuity, benevolence, team building, spirituality, investor, intelligence, considerate, and what we might call a “Renaissance Man”.

Through the years, Longview has had its own Renaissance men and women that have been out and about doing good for the city. One of those great souls is Arleen Hubble. She and her Go 4th team have been an amazing asset to our community for years and have blessed our community with outstanding celebrations. A beautiful plaque honoring Arleen was erected at Lake Sacajawea during the Go 4th festivities this year. Thank you, Arleen, from the bottom of our hearts for all you do.

Other notables this season:

Sue Piper – Celebrating 20 years as founder and publisher of the Columbia River Reader (CRR) – a local newspaper – “helping you discover and enjoy the good life around the Columbia River region, at home and on the road.” CRR recently published a book for the Centennial celebration, “Empire of Trees” by Hal Calbom, which is a commemoration of Longview’s 100 years. Thank you, Sue and Hal!

Reed Hadley – Leader of Longview’s Centennial Committee has helped coordinate with a team of individuals many activities to keep the 100 years celebration going in our community. Since the centennial kick-off in January there have been galas and tributes, and there will be a grand celebration in September with another gala, dinner, drone show and dancing. Thank you, Reed!

Central Sandlot Baseball, brought to Longview by Fellowship of

Christian Athletes of Cowlitz County, with local leaders Kane Ulrick, Mike Barbee and Mike Street, are giving back to help youth ages 6-12 experience the joy of baseball. Watching these coaches engage with the youth is inspiring! Their club motto: Character, integrity, and passion are clearly exemplified. Way to go Central Sandlot!

Ariel Large – Downtown business owner of Offbeat Antiques and Oddities, and founder of the Broad Strokes Project, a local nonprofit, has helped bring gorgeous building murals to the city. Recent murals are at the: Kiser Building, artist Jeff Sheridan; Pounder Building, artists Jason Borders and Rather Severe, and on the side of the Pets, Pawns and Instruments building, artist Paul Nunn. These murals are a blessing to our community. Thank you, Ariel!

I feel enormous gratitude for these individuals and others that quietly go about doing good in our community. Sometimes it takes a village to raise an individual, other times, it just takes one or two individuals to transform that village.

Part-time Help Wanted

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce is seeking part-time help at our Visitor Center. This is a perfect summer job if you are a college student or retiree. If you enjoy meeting people and assisting travelers in our beautiful corner of Washington, then we would love to hear from you.

Days and hours are Fridays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturdays 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Starting wage is $16 per hour. Please send a resume to info@kelsolongviewchamber.org or pick up an application at Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 105 Minor Road, Kelso, WA 98626.

2023 Visitor Guide & Directory

Island Bingo

We had a great time closing out July with our annual Island Bingo night at Kelso Longview Elks club. A special thank you to our sponsors (a full list is on page 23) and congratulations to all the winners!

A Very Special

THANK YOU THANK YOU

to everyone who helped to make our annual

ISLAND BINGO ISLAND BINGO

a huge success!

LOCATION & DECORATION: KELSO/LONGVIEW ELKS

VIP & Food Sponsors: Walstead Mertsching, Budget Blinds, Stewart Title, Lower Columbia Longshoremen’s Credit Union, Rawhide Electric Service, Northwest Enforcement, Lower Columbia Contractor’s Association

Blackout Game Sponsor: The Roof Doctor

Dessert Sponsor: The Sugar Pearl

Soda & Water Sponsor: Ecological Land Services

Amada Senior Care Affordable Hearing The Jewelers Bench Elder Options

Antidote

B & B Landscaping

Red Canoe Credit Union

Koelsch Communities

Bigfoot Metal Works

Mary Kay

Red Leaf

Shinju Dojo

Novakai Wellness

Bookkeeping By Wendy Regence

Game Sponsors:

Catlin Properties

The Dog Zone

Elam’s Home Furnishings

Three Rivers Christian

A to Z Options

Movers

Raffle Sponsors:

AMFAM - Penny Parvi

The Gifted Kitchen

GuestHouse Inn

YMCA

Real Country KBAM

Ecological Land Services

Frontier Rehabilitation

Triangle Bowl

Re/Max Premiere Group - Betsy Wyatt

Teri’s & Teri’s on Broadway

Twin City Bank

sQuatch Fest

Fire Mountain Grill

McDonald’s Kelso

Columbia Theatre

Fiesta Bonita

Scythe Brewing Company

American Legion Post 25

LCCA

Special Thank you to our Kelso Longview Chamber Ambassadors and David Futcher our MC for the night

Business

After Hours

Hosted By Scythe Brewing

What a great July Business

After Hours at Scythe Brewing Company in Longview. There was a big crowd on hand to enjoy wonderful food, refreshing drinks and win great raffle prizes. Thank you again to our friends at Scythe Brewing for hosting the Kelso Longview Chamber and its members.

Ribbon Cuttings

Welcome New Members

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

Lisa Allen

American Legion Kelso

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Katie Dillinger

Life Mortgage

Elisha Jolma

Sho'me Real Estate

Joy Klein Umpqua Bank

Nick Lemiere

Edward Jones

Eric McCrandall Family Health Center

Carrie Medack

Diamond Residential Mortgage

Shylah Tapani

Speciality Rents and Axecutioner

Betsy Wyatt

Re/Max Premier Group

Jack Russell Wildlife Control

Trans World Business Advisors

Clear Bookkeeping Solutions

Ribbon Cuttings

Welcome New Members

Longview's 100th Anniversary

Three Rivers Payroll Services