Thurston Chamber Annual Report 2022/2023

We worked tirelessly to deliver on our community stewardship mission, recognizing that a thriving community is key to prosperity. A robust local economy is crucial, but success only comes when all puzzle pieces fit together.

Our Shared Legislative Partnership convened once again to identify and champion regional investments with the State legislature, resulting in new State resources acquired to address chronic homelessness, craft brewing and distilling business startup, and infrastructure improvements for our region.

Local advocacy remained a core focus of our public policy division, and we continued to inform local policymakers on the impacts of new policies and regulations on local businesses. We successfully advocated for affordable housing, combating opioid and fentanyl use, addressing the increase in retail and property crimes, improving public safety, and enacting the Thurston County Habitat Conservation Program. We also expanded our influence by partnering with organizations such as Challenge Seattle, Go Rail, and the Olympia Downtown Association.

We launched the Future of Work Summit, which brought together businesses, education, and potential interns to address the skills gap and provide essential learning experiences. We also continued our efforts to support internship development through our Military Transition program WorkEx, the AWB Institute’s Washington Workforce Portal, and WorkSource internship programs.

Last year Thurston Thrives, our community’s collective impact initiative on the determinants of health, committed to convening meaningful conversations and training opportunities to establish a shared understanding about our individual and collective roles in order to end racism and advance health equity.

As we move forward, the Thurston County Chamber will continue to be a strong voice for our members and the business community. We remain committed to advocating for policies that create a thriving business environment, promoting economic development, and providing opportunities for our members to connect, grow, and succeed.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership with the Thurston County Chamber. Together, we will continue to build a more resilient, equitable, and vibrant community for all.

In Partnership, Michelle Wickett Board Chair

David Schaffert President & CEO

It is our pleasure to present to you the 2022/2023 Annual Report, highlighting the accomplishments and milestones of the past fiscal year. Despite the challenges we faced as a community, the Thurston County Chamber continued to lead the way in advocating for a vibrant and resilient business environment.

Board of Trustees

Trenton Fluetsch, Chair Elect Sunset Air, President

Michelle Wickett, Chair Axia Home Loans, Senior Loan Originator

Dave Wasson, 1st Vice Chair Dancing Goats Coffee, President/CEO

Kim Adney, Treasurer AccountSource, Inc., Owner

Kevin Stormans, 2nd Vice Chair Stormans Inc., President

Joseph Lanham, Past Chair Wells Fargo, District Manager

Michael Cade Thurston Economic Development Council, Executive Director

Ron Bruchet Bruchet Holdings, Owner

Will Callicoat MultiCare Capital Medical Center, President

Tessa Bradley Artisans Group Architecture & Planning, Principal

Alexis Alverson TwinStar Credit Union, Business Relationship Manager

De’Leon Brooks Cash Oasis/Media Drive, Owner

Dr. Debra Clemens North Thurston Public Schools, Superintendent

Darin Goss Providence Swedish, Chief Executive

Kelsey Hulse Strategies 360, Vice President of Government Relations

Perry Hanchey Diamond Technology Innovations, President

Todd Monohon Olympic Rental & Landlord Services, Owner & Designated Broker

Michael White Farmers Insurance, Agent/Owner

Bob Iyall Medicine Creek Enterprises Corporation, CEO

David Schaffert Thurston County Chamber, President/CEO

Renee Radcliff Sinclair TVW, CEO Trenton Fluetsch, Vice Chair Sunset Air, Vice President of Operations

Miguel Pineda Olympia Salsa

Ebony Washington Yonic V-Spa, Owner

2022-2023 CHAMBER Staff

CHAMBER AMBASSADORS

Shamika

Molly

Ted

Avalon

Great

Elizabeth

Phoenix

Cecilia

Jet

AAA Washington

Kevin

PrintNW

T&S

Shirley

T&S Cleaning

Olympia Lamplighters

Corey

Christina Chesnut Director of Workforce Development

Joanne Stimac Finance Officer

Josefina Magaña Director, Thurston Thrives

Alisha Blain-Warner Director, Leadership Thurston County

Allie Bair Project Manager, Sector Strategies

Elizabeth Bretschneider Membership & Engagement

Marquita Himes Program Specialist

Ashley Chandler Membership & Engagement

Lori Bodnar

Wolf Lodge

Cooper Homestreet Bank

Cordis

Rising Wellness Center

Felix

Realty NW

Gruse

Harris

Jones

Cleaning

Jones

Kragness

Lopardi Pardiman Productions

David Schaffert President/CEO

Andrew Garate Senior Director of Military Transitions and Strategic Initiatives

Krystal Barkus-Franco Vice President of Operations

Mary Ann “Mia” Ong Business Solutions Navigator

Jessica Houchin Operations & Events Coordinator

Marianne Judd Member Investment Project Coordinator

Malinda Johnston Program Coordinator, Military Transitions Contractor

Natasha Ashenhurst Marketing & Communications, Contractor

Doug Mah Director of Public Policy Division, Contractor

McKim Odom 1st Security Bank

Denise Parker Harborstone Credit Union

Tim Shaw ThurstonTalk.com

Evette Temple Bank of the Pacific

Scott Tompkins Coldwell Banker

Nichole Wachtman Evergreen Financial Services

Amanda Walker Movement Mortgage

Micah Pong Project Manager

Advocacy

WHAT WE DO The Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber is your leading advocate for business and the private sector across the region.

Supporting our community is at the heart of the Chamber mission. The Chamber advocates for members by addressing community issues and ensuring a positive environment for a successful, highly functioning community.

THE SHARED LEGISLATIVE PARTNERSHIP is convened every year to identify and champion regional investments with the State legislature.

These investments maintain and enhance the region’s economic vitality and generate opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. New State resources acquired by this work during the 2022 and 2023 legislative session include:

• Direct State Investment to address Chronic Homelessness

• Craft brewing and distilling: Business startup

• Interstate 5 / Nisqually River improvements

• Port of Olympia Budd Inlet Remediation and Restoration

• North Thurston Public Schools: Young Child & Family Center

• Craft Brewing and Distilling: Local Grain Conveyance & Storage System

LOCAL ADVOCACY is the core of the public policy division’s work. We inform local policy makers on the impacts new policies and regulations will have on local businesses.

PARTNERSHIPS By forging strong partnerships with entities that share our values and mission, we’re expanding our voice and influencing change on a larger scale.

We provide support for meaningful and significant public and private sector projects that will improve the economic health of our community. In 2022 and 2023 the Thurston Chamber has led the way on:

• Affordable housing creation

• Combating opioid / fentanyl

• Addressing retail crime

• Improving public safety

• Enacting the Thurston County Habitat Conservation Program

• Approving the new district boundaries for five-member port / county commissions

• Approving the expansion of port/ county commissions to five members

• Opposing the Thurston County regional airport site

We’ve successfully joined forces with new organizations, creating a stronger and more united front in advocating for the needs of our community.

• Challenge Seattle

• Go Rail

• Olympia Downtown Association

• South Sound Military Communities Partnership

• Washington Association of Business

• Washington Retail Association

PUBLIC POLICY is made by those that show up. Government decisions and priorities, rules and regulations, and what gets developed and when, are determined by those that participate. The work of the public policy division ensures that the private sector is involved in the affairs of government. Advocating for Chamber members helps create a better environment for business. This helps to build a more resilient, equitable, and vibrant community for all.

NUMBERS BY THE 2022

10,256

5,698

48 RIBBON CUTTINGS

TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS

117

TOTAL NUMBER OF ATTENDEES

9,359

MEMBER RETENTION

91%

Critical Workforce Initiatives

The Thurston Chamber is the voice of business in our region.

Through a contract with the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, the Workforce Solutions Team serves any business within the five-county region of Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties to help businesses.

Bridging the Skills Gap

Assisting Transitioning Military

Funded by private industry through the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, the Chamber operates an internship program in partnership with Joint Base Lewis McChord. The WorkEx program allows eligible active duty transitioning service members to participate in a 4-12 week hands-on-work-based learning opportunity with a host employer to bridge the gap in skills and experience needed to land a full-time career opportunity.

Aviation Pathways is a DoD/Army-approved Career Skills Program that prepares transitioning service members and veterans with at least 18 months prior experience in aircraft mechanics and an FAA-approved 8610-2 to test for their FAA Mechanic Certification. This program is in partnership with PacMtn Workforce Development. Aviation Pathways is a DoD SkillBridge and Army Career Skills Approved program that provides transitioning, retiring, and veteran aircraft mechanics with refresher skills and training over nine weeks to successfully prepare for the FAA Oral and Practical exams.

Internship Accelerators

In 2022, we launched the Future of Work Summit, convening business, education and youth to bridge the skills gap in the region by developing an internship pipeline. Organizers are planning the 2nd annual Future of Work Summit in October 2023.

Washington Workforce Portal

We also partnered with Washington Workforce Portal as a cost-effective opportunity to evaluate a potential future employee, a pipeline for candidates, access to students with unique skills and a way to gain short-term talent. For students, it provides hands-on work experience and a chance to explore career options.

Youth & Young Adult Training Initiatives

Launched in 2022, the Olympia Career Hub, in partnership with the City of Olympia, is a free resource for individuals who want to expand their professional skills and knowledge. Construction cohort training and career mapping for youth provide essential skills and opportunities lacking in the region.

Digital Literacy

As we advance into an ever-increasing technological world, the need for digital literacy has become apparent in our community. Digital Literacy measures an individual’s knowledge of computer hardware, computer software and the application of those technologies. In early 2023, the Chamber began offering regional training called Digital Literacy and has classes scheduled at various locations throughout the year. Thanks to Nisqually Indian Tribe for supporting this initiative.

Workforce Impact

201 30 119 45 18 92% 141 12

Students Attending Career Map Meetups Year to Date

Olympia Business Employees Received Narcan Training

Leadership/Professional Development Training Attendees

Forklift, OSHA-10, Flagger Certifications Acquired

Interviewed for Employment Opportunities

Participating Business Satisfaction Rate

Olympia Business Employees Served

Construction Bootcamp Cohorts

321 95% 75K 97% 96% 98% 387+ 278+

Total Internships YTD

Average Placement Rate of Interns into Full-Time Jobs or Education

Average Annual Starting Salary

Repeat Business Hosts

Interviewed Interns for Employment Opportunities

Participating Business Satisfaction Rate

Total Clients Served

Active Business Hosts

Thurston Thrives!

Last year Thurston Thrives, our community’s collective impact initiative on the determinants of health, committed to convening meaningful conversations and training opportunities to establish a shared understanding about our individual and collective roles in order to end racism and advance health equity. As a result of that commitment, Thurston Thrives has been focusing on closing health equity gaps so everyone in our community can live a longer and a healthier life. Using the following four benchmarks: Infant mortality, premature births, youth mental health, and overall health of adults, Thurston Thrives has been able to convene community partners, providers, clinicians, community members, nonprofits, and elected officials among many other interested parties to mobilize efforts to close health equity gaps that exist in our Thurston County community.

Chamber Initiatives

WHAT WE DO

The Thurston County Chamber is growing a prosperous economy and vibrant community by connecting people, ideas and resources. Our engagement in regional planning, education, workforce development, community infrastructure, and environmental stewardship are integral components of the Chamber’s mission.

THURSTON CHAMBER INITIATIVES

PUBLIC POLICY

CHAMBER FOUNDATION INITIATIVES

Caught in the Lens

Photography by Shanna Paxton Photography