Things are happening in Grays Harbor. Here’s a list of some of the current and recently completed projects representing significant capital investment in the region. If we’re missing a project, please contact us and let us know!
Current Projects
Project Status: In development since 2014.
Project Size: Approx. $75 to $80 million.
North Shore Levee Project
The North Shore Levee Project was created with the intention of removing approximately 3,500 Aberdeen/Hoquiam properties from the current FEMA floodplain map. The five to six-mile long levee would sit between the two cities and the waterfront following along the east bank of the Hoquiam River, curving around residential areas before ending on the west bank of the Wishkah River. The result would be the removal of the many properties from the mandatory flood insurance requirement that would save property owners millions of dollars as well as increase property values.
Project status: Internal efforts to establish the project began in June of 2013 and the official project kick-off occurred in June of 2014.
Aberdeen US 12 Highway-Rail Separation Project
This project will focus improving traffic flow, accessibility and safety along US 12 between Fleet Street (Riverfront Park/Tractor Supply) and the Wishkah River. Rail traffic along the Puget Sound and Pacific (PSAP) railroad tracks is frequent and restrictive. As trains pass through east Aberdeen along the PSAP tracks, access to and from the shopping area is cut off until the train passes, resulting in traffic congestion both along the highway and within the shopping center’s parking lots. The Aberdeen US 12 Highway-Rail Separation Project will help relieve these issues and streamline access to this portion of the city.
Oyhut Bay Seaside Village, in Ocean Shores, has recently begun to progress into the second phase of its multi-million dollar community development. What was going to be a designated vacation rental community has redirected its focus to develop into a blended community vision. With the first phase being designed specifically for rentals, phase 2 will offer a long-term living viability making this a year-round active community as well as a fantastic vacation destination.
Locally owned and operated for the first time since inception, Oyhut Bay estimates to have approximately 200 homes when completed. There is also an events center projected to start as early as Fall 2019. At 6000sq. ft., this space will offer a venue in Ocean Shores for many events and productions.
Employment opportunities will be continually growing with the development. Jobs in housekeeping, food and beverage service, construction, maintenance, groundskeeping and front desk reception are expected to be increasing annually, and events are expected to offer opportunities for local vendors, caterers and businesses.
Recently Completed Projects
Completion: 2024
Grays Harbor College (GHC) was among the first community colleges established in the state, welcoming its first students in 1930. Over the course of nearly 100 years serving the community, GHC has grown to include three campuses in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties and employ more than 250 faculty and staff.
GHC’s Schermer Building, also known as the 4000 Building, is home to the college’s Nursing program and a state-of-the-art simulation lab.
As GHC had grown to offer bachelor of applied science degrees as well as many other degrees and certificates, there was a great need for a STEM building on campus. This inspired the inception of the state-of-the-art, 70,000 square-foot, $33 million, LEED Gold certification Schermer Building that was completed in 2015.
GHC’s tulalW Center is home to the college’s Student Life programs, Diversity Equity Center, student support services, and more.
Please note – the GGHI website can only support one specific font. The correct characters in tulalW, a Quinault word meaning “together,” are as follows:
In 2024, the college completed another major project on its Aberdeen campus, construction of the tulalW Center. The project was funded by the state legislature at $52 million. Of that, $48 million was state capital funded by bond sales; $3.7 million is funded by students through a fee that was voted on and approved by the student body.
During construction of the tulalW Center, GHC reached out to the local Native Tribal Nations for guidance in choosing a name with Native cultural relevance for the new building. The Quinault Nation responded to the request, a committee was formed, and a meeting was arranged with Quinault President Guy Capoeman. The name President Capoeman chose to share with the College was tulalW.
The name, tulalW, means “together,” fitting nicely with the gathering spaces that are housed in the new building, like the Diversity Equity Center and Student Life Lounge, as well as the college’s bookstore, an event center, and many conference rooms. The tulalW Building has also provided a welcoming gateway to campus and an easy entry point for those looking for help starting their college journey.
Completion: May 2019
Timberland Bank has deep roots in Grays Harbor. By 2015, this local company celebrated its 100th anniversary and its 17th year on NASDAQ, with total assets reaching $790 million. With such immense growth over the years, continual improvements are being made at many of the 22 locations across the Pacific Northwest. One of these includes a full-scale renovation and expansion of the downtown Aberdeen branch to adhere to the continued growth of local banking.
Project Size: $33 Million
The addition of the Wellness Center to the Summit Pacific Campus in Elma was created with a vision in mind to be the hub for health and wellness for the community, boasting three floors dedicated to preventive medicine. With 60,000 square feet of space, this three-story building was a massive $33 Million project funded by USDA and completed at the beginning of 2019. The space houses up to 20 providers, an Integrative Therapy and Rehabilitation Services Suite, community-focused education and conference spaces, additional access to outpatient services, coffee bar, and retail pharmacy, community fitness trail, parking, and many other amenities.
Completion Date: 2017
Project Size: $25 Million
The Quinault Nation celebrated the grand opening of the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino in May, of 2000. After many years of success in Ocean Shores, the casino broke ground on a $25 million renovation project in the spring of 2017. Included was the remodeling 159 resort rooms, the addition of expanded smoke-free and traditional gaming areas, a new circular bar, enhanced kitchen facilities, and a 250-seat buffet restaurant.
Jim Vaughan invented the world’s first chopper pump in 1960 which resulted in the birth of Vaughan Company. As the decades have passed, Vaughan Company has expanded operations greatly and now holds 40 worldwide patents that have been issued or are pending while employing over 100 people in Montesano. A completed 2017 expansion project aimed to improve the efficiency of production, inventory control, and employee safety. The total manufacturing and inventory space now extends over 250,000 square-feet including two 42,000 square-foot warehouses and a paved area of about 52,000 square-feet that connects the new buildings to the original facility.