N O V E M B E R
T H U R S T O N
2 0 2 0
C O U N T Y
C H A M B E R
STRONGER TOGETHER
Thurston Strong
GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY
This holiday season, Give the gift that everyone wants! OPTION TO EMBROIDER THE INSIDE CHEST PANEL WITH A HEARTFELT MESSAGE!
Engraved Travel Mug
Embroidered Insulated Jacket
OPTION TO EMBROIDER, SILKSCREEN OR DIRECT TO GARMENT PRINT!
Personalized Half-Zip Sweater
Embroidered Cozy blanket
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES!
6528 CAPITOL BLVD SE, SUITE D, TUMWATER, WA 98501 WWW.PRINTNW.NET
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DIFFERENT PRODUCTS? GIVE ME A CALL!
KEVIN HARRIS
(360) 549-6431 KevinH @ PrintNW.net
November 2020
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE
Visit ThurstonChamber.com and click on the Events Calendar for the latest information regarding Chamber events.
Back to Business 5 POINT SAFETY PLEDGE The Chamber asks business owners to take the “Back to Business” 5-Point Safety Pledge. Businesses pledge to practice safe social distancing and frequent handwashing; to reduce ‘high touch’ surfaces; to provide flexibility, training and education to employees with clear policies and procedures; and to follow all Public Health and CDC guidance. Together, with a concerted effort, we can get our community back to business quickly and safely. Take the pledge at www.ThurstonChamber.com. INNOVATE the Workplace is a series of workshops delivered by nationally-sought-out speakers whose trainings will ignite employees to implement new and innovative strategies in the areas of employee care, human resources and community engagement. Visit members.thurstonchamber.com/events for more information.
SPONSORED BY
Business Essentials is a webinar series focused on providing listeners with info to help their businesses survive and thrive during the time of COVID-19. This webinar takes place every other Wednesday. Visit ThurstonChamber.com for registration links. Find past episodes on the Chamber YouTube channel.
Tuesdays @ 2 VIRTUAL NETWORKING EVENT
Join Chamber Staff, Elizabeth Bretschneider Tuesdays @ 2 for Thurston County Chamber's Virtual Networking Event! Note: “Tuesdays @ 2” was previously “One Minute What’s Up” – same event, new name! Every Tuesday @ 2, you have the opportunity to meet, tell us about your business, what a good referral looks like, or how you value our community. You create relationships. See you there! Register at ThurstonChamber.com/Events. The Thurston Chamber and Thurston EDC have partnered to offer DECLASSIFIED, a virtual talk show for small business owners and open to the general public. Thurston EDC Executive Director, Michael Cade and Thurston Chamber CEO/President, David Schaffert host various guests to provide the latest information on business resources, state, federal and local actions and the COVID-19 status and advocacy efforts for our community. This virtual talk show takes place every other week at 2:00 p.m. For registration link and topics, visit ThurstonChamber.com. thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
In This Issue... Thurston Strong Eases Business Community’s Pandemic Pain p. 7 A rapid response from the Thurston Strong network helped blunt the impact of COVID-19.
Assist Your Employees in Returning to Work More Quickly with L&I p. 11 L&I’s Stay at Work Program benefits businesses by assisting in safely returning employees to work after injury.
Scatter Creek Winery & Brewing Adapts to Overcome p. 13 COVID can’t stop Andrea and Terril Keary, owners of Scatter Creek Winery & Brewing, from serving up their delicious libations.
Affordable Housing Crisis On Our Doorstep p. 16 The affordable housing crisis continues to dominate headlines and public policy discussions across the region and at all levels of government.
Fourasoft Thrives in Spite of COVID with Thurston Strong’s Help p. 19 Thurston Strong’s resources helped Fourasoft survive (and thrive!) during COVID-19.
27th LTC Class Begins p. 20 On October 1, the 27th Leadership Thurston County class embarked on their leadership journey.... virtually.
I
November 2020
I
3
magazine PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com CONTRIBUTORS David Schaffert Doug Mah Natasha Ashenhurst Kathryn Millhorn Doria Maselli Heidi Smith Emily Sixta ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider Melanie Bell SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com DESIGN Ben Hawkes Mosaic Marketing Studio COVER Photo by Michael Delorme and Sky Bear Media PRINTING Print NW CONTACT THE CHAMBER 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com
The Profound Power of Partnership by David Schaffert, Thurston County Chamber President/CEO In the third week of March 2020, when Governor Inslee began issuing proclamations limiting the size of gatherings, closing schools statewide, restricting food and beverage services and putting restrictions on non-medical procedures, I sat in my office for three days numb and in shock. I had received call after call from devastated business owners in so much pain and under so much stress. Some broke down crying. They expressed their devastation that they were letting their employees, families and community down. Their pain was immense, and it shook me. Soon after, I sat down with Michael Cade, Executive Director of the Thurston Economic Development Council and Shauna Stewart, CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, to talk about aligning resources to provide support to Thurston County businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and to talk about strategies for recovery. Over a matter of days and after dozens of phone calls and meetings and conversations with local government and economic development leaders, an unusual movement took place — a collective impact model formed to create a pool of community
resources, technical assistance and financial support under an economic recovery task force called Thurston Strong. A short time later, the group began providing critical funding and resources to the business community. Since March, Thurston Strong has helped facilitate access to SBA loans worth over $1 billion in federal forgivable loans at an average of $33,000 per business and distributed nearly $9.3 million in CARES Act funds to support critical sectors. All of the organizations prepared their teams to provide help and assistance. The crisis is not over, but it is easing, and because of Thurston Strong, our community is in a much better position to heal. Thurston County has an innovative economy made up of strong entrepreneurs who continually seek new markets and new ways of doing business. Our economic system is built on networks and relationships, and this includes our community development organizations. As Shauna said in March, the power of partnership is profound, and this issue is a celebration of those partnerships, our resilient spirit and the simple truth that we are stronger together.
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY SINCE 1874 COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. Š2020 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.
Grants Helping Established Child Care Center to Remain Open Many won’t survive, according to data
Lynette McCarty, owner of Serendipity Children’s Center
by Natasha Ashenhurst
Lynnette McCarty, owner of Serendipity Children’s Center, Inc., has worked in Early Education and has owned her business for 32 years, and has never encountered a crisis even close to COVID-19. The margins for Early Education facilities are small. Break-even runs between 82 to 84 percent. This break-even point assumes no debt service other than a mortgage for a building or rent. When COVID hit, Serendipity Children’s Center was operating at maximum capacity — 99.9 percent full. McCarty’s reputation, excellent management and tenure in the community meant that spots in her center are hard to get. Staff accreditation, competitive salaries and benefits also meant she could attract top talent and maintain low turnover. Her business success is the result of years of hard work, careful growth and shrewd management, all threatened by COVID. When COVID hit, and the community was instructed to shelter in place, Serendipity was considered essential and was allowed to stay open to serve essential workers. “Although we were grateful that we were not closed completely, working for essential workers came with stress. Some employees were afraid to work. Many parents decided to keep their children at home, and overnight, thurstonchamber.com
our enrollment dropped to 46 percent. It took some time to process what was happening, and the reserves that I had saved were staring me in the face as I calculated the short potential future of my business,” said McCarty. It took time, money — and brave and dedicated employees — to stay open. McCarty applied for and received the Paycheck Protection Program SBA (PPP) loan, which allowed her to stay open despite rising costs in food, cleaning supplies and protective equipment. When school was canceled for the rest of the 2019/2020 school year, she lost another $12K in revenues. A short time later, she heard about a grant program administered through Thurston Strong — Thurston County’s economic recovery task force. “The grant from Thurston Strong allowed me to fill the deficit gap and purchase much-needed supplies to expand our school-age program,” she said. “As a result of the schools not going back in September, we opened a school-age program to assist those working parents with online learning and care.” Since then, she has continued to adjust to make sure the business is staying within a tight budget to limit dipping into reserves. By September, they were able to grow back to 72 percent capacity, narrowing the gap. Nationally, experts predict that 49 percent of childcare facilities in America will close by December 31. Much of the loss comes to
those who lack the reserves necessary to fill the gap needed to run programs. Even before COVID, the deficit in childcare openings in the State of Washington was at around 27 percent. With another 49 percent predicted to close, this will put our lack of childcare for those wanting to get back to work in trouble. McCarty said, “I am worried about that, along with the overall quality in general. Quality costs money. When there isn’t enough money, potential shortcuts can take place, leaving a lower health and safety concern as well as lower wages for employees and leaving our industry as a whole at risk.” McCarty says that she will, “...fight the good fight and will mentor those that need help. I have trained nationally for over 20 years, teaching Directors of Childcare facilities how to manage. It is a job that is thankless much of the time. Those of us in the industry LOVE what we do and find the children and what we give daily our biggest reward. However, because of the stress our industry takes to run…I fear that many will give up and run out of resources without money.” She also said that she is humbled by the grants she received, adding, “The new grants that just came out will further assist my business's longevity and the longevity of many in our community. We all need to work toward growth for “full” thriving centers. I, for one, won’t let COVID beat me. My staff is committed to an ongoing fight for our facility to remain a vibrant helper in our community!”
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
5
“I love providing creative ideas to help a family shop like Kluh Jewelers sparkle and shine.” Carrie Whisler VP Business Banking Olympia Federal Savings NMLS #1143795
Generations of business banking relationships. Carrie knows family businesses – like the three-generation Kluh Jewelers in Lacey. When grandson Matt Kluh wanted to buy and renovate a new location, Carrie assembled a loan package that enabled their lobby to display a replica of founder Ted Kluh’s VW featuring a giant diamond on the side. Contact Carrie to help your business thrive.
BANKING THAT’S MUTUAL olyfed.com I 360-754-3400 I cwhisler@olyfed.com I member fdic
Thurston Strong’s Rapid Response Eases Pandemic Pain for Business Community by Heidi Smith
“We found that, across disasters, survivors and communities with stronger social infrastructure – the ties that bind us to each other – did better. The only factor that we saw which reduced anxiety was social ties.” –Daniel Aldrich, Ph.D., author of Building Resilience: Social Capital in Post-Disaster Recovery
B
y any measure, the Thurston County business community is staunchly supported and connected by a network of private and public organizations. In 2020, those bonds have been tested like never before as the economic fallout of COVID-19 has continued to unfold. The damage across industries has been too immense to ignore. Still, because of the work of Thurston Strong, an economic recovery task force effort created in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its specific impacts, it has been lessened.
South Puget Sound and local Tribal Nations. As soon as the pandemic hit, the group began providing critical funding, technical support and resources to the business community. Since March, Thurston Strong has helped facilitate access to SBA loans worth over $1 billion in federal forgivable loans at an average of $33,000 per business and distributed nearly $9.3 million in CARES Act funds to support critical sectors. After Thurston Strong established a business hotline to answer questions and direct people to resources, it received over 10,000 calls.
coordinating the collaboration. “That made it easier and faster to act. Instead of cities and organizations trying to do things on their own, we could leverage resources and have one central clearinghouse.”
When COVID-19 hit, Thurston Strong triaged the damage and provided immediate support to the business community. This took on numerous forms, including the development of technical support and resources. The Thurston EDC and the City of Olympia set up the Business Hotline. The Thurston Chamber helped Participating organizations include the One key to the group’s effectiveness is the develop the Thurston Strong website and City of Lacey, City of Olympia, City of partnerships that existed pre-COVID as resource hub. The Chamber worked with Tumwater, City of Yelm, Experience Olympia part of the Thurston Economic Alliance Plan. PacMtn to increase workforce development & Beyond, Olympia Downtown Alliance, The key players in Thurston Strong are the services as shifts in employment occurred, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development same, along with numerous additions. “Early and Experience Olympia increased Council (PacMtn), Port of Olympia, on, we had pulled all of these community communications with the hospitality Thurston Chamber of Commerce, Thurston partners together,” says Jason Robertson, industry to provide services and support. County, Thurston Economic Development owner of J Robertson & Company (JRO The Thurston Chamber and the Thurston Council (EDC), Community Foundation of + CO), the consulting firm responsible for EDC also handed out thousands of Personal
thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
7
ELUSIVE CUSTOMERS REACHED
GET SPECIAL EARLY-BIRD PRICING AT: T h u r s to n M a rke t i n g A l l i a n ce .co m / VO I C E
St. Martin's University and the City of Lacey, photo by Flowstate Creatives
Protection Equipment (PPE) sets to local companies. After triage, one of the initial tasks was identifying areas most in need of help. The childcare industry was already in crisis before the pandemic, but today 40% of providers within Washington State have shut down. “What do you do if you’re an essential worker, but there is nowhere to send your kids?” asks Robertson. The first round of CARES Act funding focused on grants to support childcare facilities and retail and restaurant workers. A second round of grants supported nonprofits, minority-owned businesses, childcare, microbusinesses and agricultural businesses. Cities and the county have contributed their funds in addition to the federal monies. The partnership model has been significant, according to the City of Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid. “The virus doesn’t care about jurisdictional boundary lines,” he notes. “There’s a need for us to work together, but each of our cities has economies that are built a little bit differently, and our residents have different needs. All of us are working to inform each other about our objectives and what those needs are.” Thurston County Manager Ramiro Chavez also believes the model has been successful. “Thurston Strong provides the best and most effective conduit to distribute federal dollars to help businesses affected by the pandemic,” says Chavez. “The Thurston County business community has benefited greatly from the strategic approach Thurston Strong has taken to help in the recovery.” Thurston County utilized Thurston Strong to administer over $7.5 million of CARES Act funds. As the Associate Economic Development Organization (ADO) for our region, the Thurston EDC has been responsible for grant application intake and assessment, distributing and tracking funds, setting up the business hotline and directing business owners to appropriate resources. Thurston EDC Executive Director Michael Cade says the partners did whatever it took to ensure businesses had the resources they needed. “The staff of the EDC and that includes our Center for Business and Innovation, technical service providers, counselors and trainers, have rolled up their sleeves and committed to making thurstonchamber.com
sure every resource is found and pushed out, and every penny is put to maximum use,” says Cade. Whether Thurston Strong will continue in its current form once the pandemic ends is uncertain, the lessons gained from the collective response will remain. “We’re looking at updating the Economic Alliance Plan to include a stronger economic equity section,” says Robertson. “How can we create more opportunities for all, be more inclusive of all races, income levels and educational levels and stimulate higher-wage employment opportunities here?” Cade agrees. “Our mission is building a resilient community for all.” “It’s been a remarkable effort from day one, and has evolved as the needs and resources have changed,” said David Schaffert, Thurston Chamber President/CEO. “The partnerships and collective efforts have demonstrated how communities need to come together to support each other to provide critical services, assistance and resources for the success of all. Thousands of businesses in our region have been supported in meaningful ways, which has provided them an opportunity to keep people employed and evolve their business model”. He states that the leadership of local governments has been critical to the success of Thurston Strong. The recognition that business success is dependent on the entire community and not just the geographical location has been at the center of serving and supporting business needs. And other regions are noticing and are following the Thurston Strong model, creating similar collective impact initiatives within their communities. “I am incredibly proud of the collective effort of all the partners,” said Schaffert. “Community development is our common bond, and Thurston Strong has provided the opportunity to deliver on mission as independent organizations while being one collective in our approach.” The Thurston Strong website has had more than 10,000 visitors and over 30,000 views to date. Learn more about this incredible community resource at www.thurstonstrong.org.
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
9
WE SPECIALIZE IN NEW BEGINNINGS. (and it’s reassuring to have knowledgeable friends when moving to a new city.) We’ll find the right new home fit. PresGroup Realty is the perfect matchmaker. Our market inventory knowledge is deep. From new construction to resales, we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We’re focused in our attention. Let our free concierge service save you time with your search. Our team is available seven days a week through live
online chats, phone, or email to help with all of your questions. We’re built for the way you like to shop. We have area expertise. Our agents, Kristine and Jennifer, are area residents and specialize in local communities. They’ve helped hundreds of families relocate to Thurston County. Visit PresGroupRealty.com to enjoy a tailored experience.
Kristine Conrads
Jennifer Sherwood
Kristine@PresGroupRealty.com
Jennifer@PresGroupRealty.com
Broker
Broker
Seven-Day Concierge: 253 363 2450 · PresGroupRealty.com
Assist Your Employees In Returning to Work Quickly
L&I’s Stay at Work Program Benefits Businesses by Assisting in Safely Returning Employees to Work After Injury
by Emily Sixta
T
he importance of worker safety cannot be understated. At a time when businesses are doing everything possible to maintain operations and remain as lean as possible, reducing onthe-job injuries and employee absences is of utmost importance. When an employee sustains serious injuries, it can lead to multiple months of missed work resulting in interruptions to business operations, loss of productivity and additional costs to train a new or interim employee. This is not only detrimental to your business but also has a substantial impact on the employee’s income and can negatively affect their feelings of self-worth and further hinder their recovery. To mitigate these issues, L&I offers a Stay at Work program geared toward returning previously injured employees back to work in a safe manner. When done properly, bringing an employee back to work quickly, and safely, can reduce costs to your business and reduce the likelihood of the employee being on permanent assistance. With L&I’s Stay at Work Program, eligible employers can receive reimbursement costs associated with bringing an injured employee safely back to work, including pay and alterations to the workplace or equipment. Employers benefit by retaining skilled employees and employees benefit by getting back to work more quickly and in a safe manner. What Is Your Company Required to Do? With the Stay at Work program, employers provide light-duty or interim positions, complying with any medical advice, that allow employees to return to work as they heal from their injuries. This may include providing the employee with a reduced schedule, adjusting their job duties to
thurstonchamber.com
those with less physical demands while the employee heals and then phasing in more strenuous work as allowed or adjusting the worksite and/or equipment to meet the limitations of the employee. Employers may work with the injured party’s practitioner to develop an approved plan that is mutually beneficial to the business and employee.
workspace that is medically approved for the injured employee. All expensed items must be purchased in order to assist the worker in performing the light duty work; meaning employers cannot be reimbursed for any equipment, tools, training, or clothing that would be regularly provided to employees.
Who is Eligible? To be eligible for the Stay at Work program, employers must be paying workers’ compensation premiums to L&I, meaning that it is not available for self-insured employers. Also, L&I states that at the time of the injury or occupational disease on the claim, the employer must be either “an employer whose experience rating is affected by the allowed claim because you once employed the worker,” or, “the worker’s last employer when the allowed claim was filed, even if the claim will not affect your experience rating.”
Through the Stay at Work program, employers collaborate with the injured employee and their practitioner to determine what is best for all parties involved. When employers, employees and practitioners come together to find mutually beneficial ways for previously injured employees to return to work quickly, everyone benefits. To learn more about the Stay at Work program, eligibility and how your company can benefit, visit www.StayatWork.LNI.wa.gov.
What Can Be Reimbursed? Employers can be reimbursed for 50% of the worker’s base wages equaling up to $10,000, or wages for 66 days worked within a consecutive 24-month period in the light duty job, whichever comes first. Base wages may include the hourly or base rate and overtime but cannot include tips, bonuses, commission, board, housing or fuel. In addition, employee benefits such as healthcare, vacation, sick leave or holiday pay cannot be covered within the reimbursement. L&I can also reimburse employers for part of the cost in training, tools and clothing necessary for performing duties approved within the back-to-work plan. This allows employers to adequately prepare a Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
11
Banking feeling a little ... detached? Business banking doesn’t have to be all business.
Business banking with a personal touch.
wabizbank.com
Serving All of Thurston County ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THURSTON COUNTY
1. Provided $70,000 for the renovation of the Historic Oddfellows
101
8
Building.
7
101
Olympia
5
2. Provided $75,000 to complete the Master plan for the SW
5
Washington Innovation & Business Park.
Lacey
3. Provided $10,000 for the installation of wider sidewalks,
bulb-outs and landscaping along Binghampton Street to build downtown character and enhance the setting for local and visiting shoppers.
510
Tumwater
4. Provided $20,000 to assist with the design and construction of
6
the community center.
5. Provided $15,000 to support investment in the Lacey Yelm
121
3 2 5
Tenino
12
507
Rainier
4
MakerSpace project.
6. In partnership with the City of Tumwater and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife, developed a Habitat Conversation Plan to provide long-term preservation and management of protected and endangered species.
7. In partnership with the Frank Family, Squaxin Island Tribe and
Salmon Defense, developed and maintains the Billy Frank Jr. Park and Trail to provide a historical and educational self-guided walking tour.
PORTOLYMPIA.COM 360.528.8000
1 507
Bucoda
Inquiries@PortOlympia.com
Scatter Creek Winery & Brewing Adapts to Overcome by Kathryn Millhorn | Photos courtesy of Scatter Creek Winery & Brewing
One thing 2020 has shown us is that we can all adapt, pivot and evolve. We’ve added masks, Zoom and social distancing into the hectic schedule of work, school and daily life. Savvy entrepreneurs are inventing creative ways to keep their small businesses going. Scatter Creek Winery and Brewing owners Andrea and Terril Keary are working hard 24/7 to keep your home cupboards well-stocked until we can meet in person again. Scatter Creek crafts a variety of beer and wine for every taste. Reds and whites, Hefeweizens, IPAs, Stouts and Porters are made, sampled and sold from their Tenino Tasting Room and Brewery. Before Coronavirus, they welcomed guests to come to try, buy and enjoy classic and seasonal specialties. Now, however, new statewide mandates mean adapting to overcome.
and done every year—now gone. Your customer base is divided: half are willing and wanting to come to see you, and the other half are still terrified, and no matter how much they love you and want you to succeed, they are struggling themselves. The impacts have been awful, devastating and trying on your passions. Being in business is not for the faint of heart."
"COVID-19 was a huge impact," admit the Kearys. "Especially having to close the doors for a while then needing to make changes to operate. The costs were above what our cushion allowed. And as soon as you would make the investments and changes, things would change again—all festivals and events—which we have loved
But they're working hard one day at a time, thanks to partners like Thurston Strong, a regional Economic Recovery Initiative. Thanks to a recent Thurston Strong Standup Grant, Scatter Creek purchased tables and chairs for their newly expanded outdoor seating area. The organizers donated masks and sanitizer for staff and guests.
thurstonchamber.com
November 2020
I 13
Your business’s most important resources are human resources. Good employees are hard to find and even harder to keep! That's why WorkSource Washington has created a free, one-stop hiring hub to help your company find talent to fill every position. WorkSourceWA. com features Washington's largest employment database, along with tools to simplify your hiring process. Once you've found the perfect employees, WorksourceWA.com offers training resources for your team's professional development. Find virtual job fairs, training resources, labor market information AND post job listings for free today! Sign up for your employer account at WorksourceWA.com. Worksource Washington – We work for you! The Employment Security WorkSource is an equal opportunity Department and WorkSource employer who provides equal are equal opportunity opportunity programs. employers/programs.
worksourcewa.com
Year-End Closing doesn’t have to be painful.
FOURA streamlines & accelerates your closing process
THERE’S ONLY ONE
• •
Intuitive user interface for speed and accuracy Automated workflows bolster confidence in the numbers
• •
Copy/Paste manual adjustments from Excel Posting Assistant enforces accurate period cutoff
• •
Leder synchronization minimizes time spent reconciling Detailed analysis with drillable Financial Statements
ARCHIBALD SISTERS ARCHIBALDSISTERS.COM DOWNTOWN
Value At A Glance
Olympia
SINCE 1975
®
844.551.0674 www.fourasoft.com
BEST OF 2019 THE OLYMPIAN • BEST OF 2020 SHOWCASE MAGAZINE
THE LOCAL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EXPERTS. SINCE 1973
The Rants Group represents its clients when they buy, sell, and lease investment real estate, which boosts the portfolios of Thurston County property owners, fuels the local economy, and provides spaces for local businesses to thrive.
In short, we assist in the complete commercial real estate cycle assisting property owners in selling and buying properties, attracting exceptional tenants, and helping businesses find the right space. FULL SERVICE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LEASE AND SALES SERVICES
(360) 943-8060
rants-group.com
"The outdoor seating was an absolute mandate to operate and will be kept even after this is over," the Kearys explains. "To add that 100 feet of space cost thousands of dollars, but it adds to the business, and it was the plan to do eventually. But not during a time we were struggling to survive."
can meet and mingle again, "we are trying to find a new norm, a way to operate and stay afloat during the most trying of times. We are fighters, more determined than ever! We love our customers and focus on that even in the hardest days of all. They believe in us; they want us to make it. They are the heartbeat of our company."
Aside from expanded outdoor seating—which also necessitated barriers, umbrellas and supplies—they've developed new ways to stock up at home. "Since the slow-down, we have implemented changes. We are still offering curbside pickup and making deliveries to the customer's door with free delivery in Thurston County. We also set up our online shopping cart for online sales."
No one knows what lies ahead, but together we'll figure it out by relying on friendships, partnerships and community. Andrea Keary explains that "Terril's motto has always been 'fast to rise, is fast to fall; slow and steady wins the race.' There are still so many things we would like to have, but not until the time is right. It's frustrating, but slow and steady growth has worked for us. Here's to many more!" Raise a glass of Scatter Creek wine (or beer!) to a strong, vibrant future for all of us.
Despite the chaos, they still consider this their calling. Andrea, born and raised in Olympia, and Terril, a California native raised in nearby Mason County, started Scatter Creek in 2005. The Brewery came along in 2017, and they've loved every minute. "Owning a small business is the most rewarding experience in the world. However, it is not for the faint of heart and not a get rich quick idea. It's blood, sweat and tears and takes more strength than you ever thought you had in you to make it through all this." To find out more about the Creek's latest offerings, follow them on Facebook or read their monthly newsletter at www.ScatterCreekWinery.com. The Kearys admit that their location is "off the beaten path, our business is a destination, so communication is key." But until things settle down and visitors
Leave the moving to us!
We offer you a stress free move in the Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater area, at no cost to you!*
*Deposit by December 31st. Does not apply to paid referrals.
thurstonchamber.com
November 2020
I 15
Independent & Assisted Living 810 Fieldstone Drive SW, Olympia WA 98502 (360) 915-5764
Memory Care 710 Fieldstone Drive SW, Olympia WA 98502 (360) 915-5737
FieldstoneCooperpoint.com
FieldstoneOlympia.com
ADVOCACY
Affordable Housing Crisis On Our Doorstep by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director
The affordable housing crisis continues to dominate headlines and public policy discussions across the region and at all levels of government.
T
he South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP) received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment to study the issues and barriers service members at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) must face to secure off-base housing and to provide recommendations for improving the experience. The study, titled JBLM Off-Installation Housing Study (September 2, 2020), is unique because it focused on the need for housing that is affordable for E1 to E5, or the lowest paid, service members. There is a sizable population within the JBLM Study Area. About 719,000 people live within this area of Pierce and Thurston County. In 2019, more than 31,000 active duty service members were stationed at JBLM and the number of E1 to E5 service members living off-base, was estimated to be almost 8,000. For comparison, the estimated population of the City of Yelm is 9,400. As expected, the study demonstrates
16
I
November 2020
I
that there is a need for lower cost, market rate housing products, for E1 to E5 service members. The study also shows that the experience of service member is consistent with the non-service members seeking housing in the South Sound Region. A shortage of for-sale housing and historically low vacancy rates for rental properties results in rising housing costs. The shortage of housing stock creates financial and emotional stress for everyone seeking housing in the area. This was found to be particularly acute for the junior ranked service members that are generally new to the area, young and susceptible to financial risk and stress associated with finding housing. The study did note that affordability is less of an issue for military households due to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) members received in addition to their salary. Based on prevailing prices and rents, the BAH for military personnel identifies approximately 88 percent of the total housing stock in the market area as affordable to active duty service members.
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
However, the key challenge faced by military service members is finding available housing within a 30-minute drive given the region’s supply limitations. The study found that 60 percent of E1 to E5 respondents believe there is not an adequate supply of quality housing within a 30-minute drive to post that is within their BAH range. Thirty four percent reported that it took over one month to locate suitable housing. About half reported that they located housing without any assistance from the JBLM Rental Partnership Program, and without assistance from a real estate agent, a property management company, friends or online apps such as Zillow or Redfin. The study asked E1 to E5 service members to identify the most important factors for making housing choices. The highest response for “most important” was the quality of the housing in terms of safety and cleanliness. The next most important factor was the cost of housing. Housing that accepted pets was also considered important. thurstonchamber.com
The study noted that many communities around JBLM lack any comprehensive planning goals or policies associated with JBLM even though many recognize the importance JBLM has on the local economy. The study stressed that it is extremely important for communities to coordinate and plan with JBLM and that communities should consider adopting housing goals and policies that show specific support and acknowledgement of the JBLM service members. The study also concluded that the type of future housing developed is important because housing products priced within the BAH for service members are similar to what is considered “entry-level” housing, or “missing middle” housing. This includes small lot singlefamily detached homes, duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units. There should be a recognition that more entry-level housing inventory is needed across the region. The Thurston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be part of SSMCP and joins the other jurisdictions such as the cities of Lakewood, Lacey, Dupont, Yelm and Thurston and Pierce counties to provide regional leadership to bridge our military and civilian communities. Increasing entry-level housing needs to be a top priority for all levels of Government in the region. The SSMCP study provides welcomed insight and analysis to the public policy discussion.
thurstonchamber.com
Accounts, Services and Loans for your business Dividend-earning business checking and savings accounts, digital check depositing, business lending and much more.
Call Alexis Alverson TwinStarCU.com/business Federally insured by the NCUA.
Business Services Manager
360.923.4450
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
17
Olympic Limousine (360) 456-8054 | info@olympiclimo.us | www.olympiclimo.us
1802 Black Lake Blvd SW #301 Olympia, WA 98512
360-352-8444
Family Owned in Olympia Since 2001
Fun for the entire family! Find out more and book your limo tour with us. Scan the QR code for details!
The right insurance for your - AUTO - HOME - BUSINESS - LIFE - HEALTH - TRAVEL - PETS
Protecting what’s important to you since 1965 Olympia | Centralia | Vancouver | Packwood www.nicholson-insurance.com
UBI 602 652 454
JEFF MIZUKAMI Senior Vice President Government Guaranteed Lending Division 253.284.1841
WYNDIE DWYER
Assistant Vice President Loan Administrator, Government Guaranteed Lending Division 360.528.4107
COMMENCEMENT BANK
Commencement Bank is excited to announce the opening of our new Government Guaranteed Lending Division to complement our full suite of commercial lending and deposit services! commencementbank.com | 877.284.1880
Fourasoft Thrives in Spite of COVID-19 by Accessing Thurston Strong Network
by Doria Maselli
The author Bill Hybels once said: “The mark of a community is not the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of a reconciling spirit.”
O
ver the last nine months, we’ve watched Thurston County’s resilience as the community collectively came together to construct a safety net when COVID-19 hit businesses hard. The creation of Thurston Strong brought organizations together to share and align resources in a central location to benefit the community. “When COVID hit, our two largest customers were implementing FOURA, and we had to rethink our marketing strategy,” says Brian Rawlings, Business Director and Co-Founder of Fourasoft, LLC. The founders hail from the biometrics industry, working with global organizations. Headquartered in Tumwater, Fourasoft focuses on Stage Two companies ($3M-$100M) and helps them become more efficient, profitable and secure so that operations and growth scale effectively. Knowing the customer determines a project’s success and every FOURA implementation is managed by an on-staff CPA, Software Engineer and Six Sigma Certified Green Belt to ensure FOURA exceeds customer expectations. FOURA is a feature-rich business management software solution providing high-end functionality to this overpromised and underserved market. “We leveraged our existing business relationships here in Thurston County when
thurstonchamber.com
we started Fourasoft five years ago,” says Rawlings. “Naturally, most of our referrals came from existing relationships and word of mouth. Like many companies, we had to rethink our strategy and initiatives amid COVID-19.” Luckily, Fourasoft was able to access existing tools in their toolbox. “From day one, we’ve had a great relationship with the Thurston County Chamber, the Thurston Economic Development Council, the Washington Center for Women in Business and the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC.) These organizations were incredibly helpful during normal circumstances and even more so during COVID-19,” says Rawlings.
“The relationships we have within the Thurston Chamber and Thurston EDC allow us to participate in the community at a much deeper level as our business continues to grow,” says Rawlings. Rawlings routinely attends the Thurston County Chambers Business and Economic Development Committee meetings. “The Chamber’s network has been an excellent resource during this challenging time. Megan Fiess, the Chamber’s Vice President of Workforce & Strategic Initiatives, has been a terrific resource. She’s been very
Brian Rawlings, Business Director and Co-Founder of Fourasoft, LLC
supportive of our story – a local technology company competing with global brands, providing more affordable and effective solutions,” said Rawlings. “The relationships we have within the Thurston Chamber and Thurston EDC allow us to participate in the community at a much deeper level as our business continues to grow,” says Rawlings. Rawlings is on the Advisory Board of the Tombolo Institute at Bellevue Colleges, Customer Experience Program. “This has provided additional exposure for our brand, allowing us to share our methodologies and learn from other customer-focused experts. In building FOURA, we’ve had to learn the language of small business. Participating in groups, committees and becoming part of a business community has proven invaluable during some very unexpected circumstances,” says Rawlings. Working with their SBDC advisor, they have restructured their to-market strategy. Fourasoft recently began working with a local Thurston County contractor to update their website performance and integrate their video tutorials. Fourasoft has been more active on LinkedIn and is in the midst of a direct mail campaign. “Our priority remains to help our small to medium businesses prosper throughout the greater Puget Sound region,” says Rawlings. To learn more about FOURA, visit: https://www.fourasoft.com/
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
19
by Alisha Bain
Leadership Thurston County Class Begins... Virtually! On October 1st, the 27th Leadership Thurston County class embark on their leadership journey of community connections, involvement exploration and learning about current issues at the annual Opening Retreat. Each month the class will gather for a Challenge Day on a different topic with various presenters, panels and activities. The 9-month program will begin virtually with alumni favorites of Hope Based Leadership and StrengthsFinder. Racial Equity Day is the new Challenge Day added to the line-up taking the place of Scene Day, a charter bus tour of the county. (Due to COVID-19, an 8-hour day on a charter bus is unlikely for this year’s program. We hope to bring back for the Class of 2022 as part of their Opening Retreat.) An app based scavenger hunt has replaced Scene Day this year complete with cookie coupons from Main Street Cookie
Company …and of course there will be prizes to the class members who earn the most points! The virtual programming format will be just as impactful, just different!
Meet the LTC Class of 2021! Mary Heather Ames, City of Tumwater Christina Chesnut ,Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Lee Childs, Pacific Mountain WDC David Claridge, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Kenneth Clark, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Aubrey Collier, City of Lacey Cameron Crass, Intercity Transit Chris Dhuyvetter, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Dustin Dickson, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Taylor Egardo, Thurston County Chamber Of Commerce Kodey Eley, Libby Environmental, Inc. Brianna Feller, City of Yelm Shannon Glenn, Puget Sound Energy Erin Hagen, Griffin School District Jedidiah Haney, High Standard Labs Patty Lemon, Saint Martin’s University Kimberly Lords, TwinStar Credit Union
Tara McQueen, Hands On Children’s Museum Melissa Meade, South Puget Sound Community College Alice Menke, Kidder Mathews Angel Nava, City of Olympia Tiffany Pesce, Great Wolf Lodge Mark Petrie, LOTT Clean Water Alliance Timothy Quandt, Port of Olympia Natalya Rubel, ABOVE Home Health Thomas Russell-Tutty, Capital Quest LLC Kati Sagawa, South Puget Sound Community College Megan Schoor, Office of Financial Management Evan Skytte, South Puget Sound Community College Foundation Nicky Upson, Intercity Transit Malcolm Waters, Ovation Technology LLC
20
I
November 2020
I
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Since the first class in 1994, Leadership Thurston County (LTC) has been cultivating community leaders through the experience based, community immersion leadership program with an alumni pool of over 740 graduates.
Leadership Thurston County is a program of the Thurston County Chamber Foundation. Applications for the LTC Class of 2022 will be available March 1, 2021. thurstonchamber.com
Caught in the Lens
253-337-4216 www.sterlingholidaylights.com Info@sterlingholidaylights.com
Caught s n e L e h t in
l u f k n a h T # inThurston We are thankful for our incredible community!
Over the next year, we're hitting the road to drop in on our Members, say hello and show our gratitude. We are stronger together, and this is more clear with every visit we make. Follow #ThankfulInThurston, #ThurstonStrong, and #DecidedlyDifferent on our social channels.
22
I
November 2020
I
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I
November 2020
I
23
The Rants Group Heritage Bank - Olympia L & E Bottling Company, Inc. Morningside Olympia Federal Savings - Olympia South Puget Sound Community College Providence St. Peter Hospital Pardiman Productions SCJ Alliance Phillips Burgess, PLLC
Port of Olympia
Puget Sound Energy
Saint Martin's University
FORMA Construction Company
Wells Fargo Community Bank
Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel
Little Creek Casino & Resort
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC
Washington Business Bank
TwinStar Credit Union - Corporate Office
The Thurston County Chamber sends a BIG THANK YOU to ALL of our investors. With members like you, we are able to provide a sustainable business community in Thurston County as well as foster growth and positive change. Only through your support can we continue to fund important community initiatives and lead the way for business.
Thank You!
South Sound Behavioral Hospital
PLATINUM
DIAMOND
Caliber Home Loans
1st Security Bank Home Lending
Hooper Financial Services
American Workforce Group
Charter College
Olympia Furniture Company
Great Wolf Lodge
Venables Pest Management
Hometown Property Management, Inc.
Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Columbia Bank - Downtown
The Creative Office
Community Youth Services
Mills & Mills Funeral Home
GHB Insurance, Inc.
GOLD
Express Employment Professionals The Firs Senior Living Community First Citizens Bank TAGS Awards and Specialties Budd Bay Cafe KeyBank - Martin Way AAA Washington - Inland Michael White Agency - Farmers Insurance Nicholson & Associates Insurance Edward Jones - Dirk Farrar, Financial Advisor Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SW WA Window Genie Jensen Milner - Cap City Law PS Greene Realty Group Charlie's Safari - The Family Fun Center RHD Enterprises, Inc. Madcap Marketing Bakala State Farm Family Education and Support Services Morgan Stanley - Mike Marohn, Financial Advisor 94.5 ROXY T & S Cleaning, Inc.
SILVER
PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427