Greetings Grays Harbor Community Members,
I hope this message finds you well, and as excited for spring as I am. But, before we start celebrating the longer and warmer days, I would like to thank all of our Grays Harbor PUD, Police and Fire Departments, Grays Harbor County and City Road Crews, and Utility Departments for keeping us safe on the roads, and for getting our utilities up and running as fast as possible during our many winter storms. Not only are you very important essential services to our families, but also for keeping our businesses of Grays Harbor County up and running.
What We Have Been Up Too
February and so far in March have been busy for us at GGHI. For our February Business Forum Lunch, we held our second annual City/County Administrator Roundtable Discussion. This has become an immensely popular event, with almost every city represented. The following staff attended and discussed what is happening in their cities, as well as what challenges we face as a region. Thank you to each of you for attending!
- Ruth Clemens – City Administrator, City of Aberdeen
- Brian Shay – City Administrator, City of Hoquiam
- Sam Kim – County Administrator, Grays Harbor County
- Scott Andersen – City Administrator, City of Ocean Shores
- Kerry Barr – Chief Financial Officer, City of Cosmopolis
- Gretchen Sagen – Chief Financial Officer, City of Montesano
- Tom Cappa – City Administrator, City of Westport
In other exciting news, we held our first meeting of the Board of Directors for the new Pacific Salish Economic Development District (EDD). This is a new EDD formed in partnership with GGHI, Pacific County EDC, Mason EDC, and Thurston EDC. The first meeting consisted of the Executive Directors and CEOs of each agency, with us selecting our remaining Board Members which will start attending the next meeting in late March or early April.
The new EDD will help our four-county district compete stronger as a region for state and federal funding opportunities for our economic and community development needs.
Government Affairs
As the 2025 Legislative Session just reached its halfway point, much is left to be done. Our Legislators from the 19th and 24th districts have been working hard to assist us and our partners in both regulatory and budgetary needs. This session is particularly challenging, as the House and Senate work diligently to pass a budget with a projected deficit around $12 billion dollars for the upcoming biennium.
Later this week, we will be hosting Governor Bob Ferguson and his staff, and next week, we will be meeting with Congresswoman Emily Randall and her staff, so our upcoming agenda will be filled with opportunities to strengthen our relationships at state and federal levels.
2025 Business Recognition Awards – Nomination Survey
It’s time to nominate businesses and organizations in our community that demonstrate exemplary services, standards, and commitment to our region. Nominations are open through March 14th, 2025. The GGHI Membership will receive the final ballot later this month to cast their final votes. Award recipients will be announced on May 30th at our Leaders’ Banquet at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino! Find the nomination form here.
Hire Me First Program
If your business is interested in participating in the Hire Me First Program with the Aberdeen School District, please contact us. Co-Superintendents, Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom have developed a program through the AHS CTE Program, with partnerships from Grays Harbor College, Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., and Grays Harbor High Schools, for Hire Me First. This program is designed to grant high school students possible priority job interviews, improved chances for employment, recognition, and healthy relationships between school and work. Participating students are pre-screened and qualified to become high school job applicants that have gone through an extensive program to be eligible.
For more information contact:
Loretta Thomas, GGHI Director of Business Development at 360-532-7888.
Upcoming Events
March Business Forum: Lunch with the Mayors
March 25th 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Rotary Log Pavillion in Aberdeen. Registration closes March 18th at 5:00pm. Sign up here!
Business After Hours
March 18th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm. This month’s BAH will be hosted by GGHI Member, Surprisingly Stylish Stays in Hoquiam! Enjoy good company, food, beverages, networking opportunities as well as a chance to win an overnight stay at one of Surprisingly Stylish Stays’ accommodations. Learn more about this free event here!
Find even more events throughout the County and submit your own on the GGHI Events Calendar.
Warmest Regards,
Darrin C. Raines
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. Contact Information
Darrin C. Raines, CEO
Phone : 360-532-7888, Email: draines@graysharbor.org
Candie Gleason, CFO
Phone: 360-532-7888, Email: candie@graysharbor.org
Kelsey Norvell-Williams, Marketing Director
Phone: 360-532-7888, Email: knorvell@graysharbor.org
Loretta Thomas, Director of Business Development
Phone: 360-532-7888, Email: lthomas@graysharbor.org
Stephanie Conway, Director of Member Services
Phone 360-532-7888, Email: sconway@graysharbor.org