November CEO Message

Last month we were able to engage in a large celebration to recognize our county’s businesses and also revel in the company of each other. It was a truly wonderful night seeing over 300 of our friends in one place for the first time since 2019!

As our team recovers from that magical night and we prepare to go into the holiday season I thought it fitting to share some gratitude about this community and what makes it truly unique.

We have community champions

Last month’s Leader’s Banquet was a true display of our community’s champions. From Small Business to Newcomer of the Year, it was a recognition of those enterprises that are beloved and celebrated by their local community. The Non-Profit of the Year is a category made up of some of our area’s most impactful organizations. These nominees address housing, workforce development, animal welfare and community programs. In this season of giving don’t forget to celebrate those non-profits that locally do the work locally to support our fellow residents. To learn more about our non-profits click here.

We have a great team at GGHI

In the past 10 months the GGHI team has added some great talent to complement what already was here. We hired local professionals that know the community, know the businesses, and have a personal investment in the health of our local economy. Learn more about our staff here.

We also have outstanding volunteers. Our Ambassadors, the volunteer PR and outreach arm of the organization, are tireless promoters of GGHI and the region all while increasing their company’s visibility. To learn more about Ambassadors click here.

We have opportunity

At our recent Leader’s Banquet Representative Derek Kilmer announced the great news that the Port of Grays Harbor received a MARAD grant for $25.5 million dollars to expand and redevelop Terminal 4.  This investment will allow Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) to double their capacity. This all means jobs, private investment, and international shipments. Kudos to the Port of Grays Harbor team for their relentless effort to secure this funding. Read more here.

We have resiliency

The much anticipated and necessary North Shore Levee project continues to come closer to reality. Aberdeen and Hoquiam have both been successful in pursuing the necessary funds to build a levee that will create climate and economic resiliency to this community. To read the latest on this project and its impact on the region click here.

Next month we’ll be celebrating some of our organization’s accomplishments and preparing folks for the 2023 Legislative Session. Be sure to stay engaged on our communication platforms so you can be informed and have access to all the relevant resources. To ensure you are on the distribution list click here to sign up for Harbor Insider and Ocean Shores Insider.