Growth, Change and Celebration
A couple weeks ago GGHI hosted over 100 community members to embark on Showcase Grays Harbor. The event that returned for the first time in over 6 years was highly anticipated and excitement was high as guests arrived at the Bishop Center at Grays Harbor College.
GGHI has recapped this event with pictures and testimonials on our blog, but I want to talk about what we heard and saw related to community awareness around change. Over and over, I heard attendees state that they “had no idea there was so much going on at Westport” or “Westport is so much more than the tourist town that I thought it was.” The curiosity and pride swelled throughout the day as guests became informed about the economic engine that is our south beach region. Not once did we hear that there was too much change, advancement or growth. Instead, it was endless congratulations, praise and promises to come back.
It is my feeling that regardless of what corner of the county we explored during Showcase the sentiment would be similar. There is a lot going on in Grays Harbor and it takes deliberate and thoughtful engagement to recognize and appreciate those advancements.
I’m excited for Grays Harbor to start its “Infrastructure Era” and look forward to the broader public recognizing the impact of this change and gazing at our entire region the way that the Showcase attendees looked at Westport. Growth is sometimes hard to tolerate, especially if you feel disconnected from the inner workings of the change or feel that the life you know may be disrupted. That is why GGHI hosts events like Showcase and our recent Business Forum Luncheon so that the community can engage with the leaders or witness economic advancement firsthand. We want the community to be informed and connected.
Later this month we will host a candidate forum for the City of Aberdeen Mayoral Candidates. Attendees will be able to ask the candidates questions and hear their insights into Aberdeen’s economic future given the infrastructure investment. Sign up soon for the Early Bird Discount!