A feature of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) is to provide business assistance and resource referrals. This monthly Business Assistance Briefing is to share relevant and timely resources to support your business, regardless of size.

In today’s world it can be hard to navigate the waters when it comes to running your business, gaining access to capital, permitting, marketing woes, workforce needs, or just getting started – GGHI is here to assist.

Smart Manufacturing Forum

Impact Washington will be hosting the Smart Manufacturing Forum this month in Everett and Tacoma — two half-day events designed to bring Washington manufacturers together to learn, connect, and explore how smart manufacturing technologies can strengthen their operations.

The Smart Manufacturing Forum will be a two half-days,event at the University of Washington Tacoma and Washington State University Everett. These forums are designed to help manufacturers explore practical applications of advanced technologies in their operations.

The event features a mix of expert presentations, and networking, all focused on showing how smart manufacturing can improve efficiency, strengthen resilience, and prepare businesses for the future.

Learn more and register here.

Sanska  Subcontractor Meet and Greet in Grays Harbor

You’re Invited: Skanska Subcontractor Meet & Greet – Gray’s Harbor County!

Are you a local subcontractor, supplier, consultant, or engineer in the construction industry? Don’t miss this dynamic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow with Skanska!

Join us at the Hoquiam Grand Central Event Center for an engaging afternoon designed to spark new partnerships and open doors to future projects in Gray’s Harbor County. Whether you’re looking to showcase your expertise, explore upcoming commercial opportunities, or simply expand your professional network—this event is for you!

Why Attend?

  • Network with fellow subcontractors and industry professionals
  • Learn about Skanska’s upcoming projects and how to get involved
  • Discover new business opportunities and potential collaborations
  • Introduce your business during our Subcontractor Spotlight

Learn more and register here.

Recompete Stakeholder Survey

Your input has been identified as key to helping us understand and address this issue locally.

The Recompete Program is a US Economic Development Administration (EDA) program designed to close the employment gap among prime age workers (25-54) in economically distressed areas. Our primary goal is to increase the number of people who are employed by investing in strategies to create sustainable economic opportunities that are local.

Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties are both presently designated by the WA State Employment Security Department as 2022 Distressed Areas. This means that both counties are affected by unemployment exceeding 20% of the statewide average unemployment rate. Employment statistics show large numbers of the prime-age population have given up searching for work altogether.

You can help by sharing your thoughts with us on this survey here.

Looking for Access to Capital?

  • The Small Business Administration (SBA) has several programs that allow a business to apply for diverse types of funding programs designed to increase access to capital for small business owners.

Wondering who to turn to?

  • Many of our lenders in the Grays Harbor area work very closely with the SBA, but there are also lenders outside of Grays Harbor that serve small businesses. Please utilize SBA’s Find Lenders page and fill out the information.
  • Manufacturers Loan Program
  • Do business with GGHI members by visiting finance lenders in the GGHI Business Directory

Greater Grays Harbor hosts a Business Assistance page on our website that provides a lengthy list of resources related to startups and other business support.

We are happy to conduct a meeting with you to discuss business needs and how to navigate the vast resource network. Please reach out to Loretta Thomas, Program Manager for Business Development at GGHI if you have questions or need some guidance along your business journey.