Recompete Program

In Grays Harbor County, 63% of people aged 25 to 54 are employed, which is 15% below the national average.

The Recompete Strategy Development Grant will fund the development of a Region-wide Strategic Plan to address this prime age employment gap (PAEG). This Strategic Development Plan will identify and address a myriad of reasons why people in their prime age are not working or have given up looking for work. When implemented, the Plan will increase employment with rising wages and improve lives and communities.

What is The Recompete Pilot Program?

The Recompete Pilot Program was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act passed by Congress and signed into law by the Biden-Harris Administration. Our Representative Derek Kilmer authored this law with communities like ours specifically in mind. Learn more here.

El programa “Recompete” ayuda a encontrar trabajo en comunidades que viven con ciertas dificultades por tener una alta tasa de desempleo. El programa se enfoca en las personas entre los 25 y 54 años. Nuestra meta principal es ayudar a más personas a conseguir trabajos creando oportunidades a largo plazo cerca de Grays Harbor. Al responder esta encuesta, nos ayudará a crear un plan para aumentar las oportunidades de empleo en estas áreas.

Hire Me First

Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., alongside Grays Harbor high schools and Grays Harbor College, are proud to introduce “Hire Me First.” Students who are awarded “Hire Me First” cards are potential employees who have been deemed ready for work. They will present their cards to employers for consideration in the interviewing and hiring process.

Once local Grays Harbor businesses sign up, they will give students with “Hire Me First” cards an interview when they have an open position for which the student qualifies. This program is currently offered to students at Aberdeen High School. If your business is interested in participating, please contact Loretta Thomas at lthomas@graysharbor.org or call (360) 532-7888. A list of interested businesses, their contact information, and open positions will be compiled and added to this webpage in the coming weeks.  If you would like to participate in this program, please fill out this form and download the Affiliation Agreement here. More information can be found here.

Through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s website you’ll find a wealth of small business programs and resources. Discover Economic Development Units, Funding Opportunities and News HERE, as well as information on their Entrepreneur Academy and Financial Literacy modules. Additionally, there is Commerce’s Washington Small Business Credit Initiative, State Small Business Credit Initiative Program, as well as Small Business Flex Fund opportunities.
Whether you’re looking to start a small business or expand your current one, the U.S. Small Business Administration‘s digital learning platform has everything you need to educate yourself on entrepreneurial best practices and available financing options.
When you partner with Impact Washington, you’re gaining a partner whose mission is to help manufacturers grow their top and bottom lines. They are the go-to resource to assist small and mid-sized manufacturers to be more brilliant, operate more efficiently, and develop sustainable business practices.
APEX Accelerator Advisers help businesses at no cost with bid reviews, marketing assistance, contract performance, small business designations, and more. APEX can also advise your business through the OMWBE Certification process for Women & Minority-Owned Businesses.
The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a network of more than 30 expert business advisors working in communities across the state to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business.
Whether you need to hire employees, are facing layoffs, or must let an employee go, the Employment Security Department (ESD) has resources and information that can help you. Together with other partners in the statewide WorkSource system, ESD can help workers find jobs and map out new careers by connecting to a variety of training programs.
Need help to grow your business? The Timberland Regional Library offers access to computers, 3D printing, meeting space, scanning, and many online resources.
Starting a business in Washington State is one of life’s great adventures, building something from virtually nothing while making your idea a reality. To get you started on your journey, we’ve created a number of resources, programs and services to get you on your way. Learn more here. 

If you provide childcare services to your employees, you may be eligible for this general business credit. It covers qualified expenditures for a childcare facility and for childcare resource and referral.

The Employer-Provided Childcare Credit offers employers a tax credit up to $150,000 per year to offset 25% of qualified childcare facility expenditures and 10% of qualified childcare resource and referral expenditures. Find details in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 45F.

Paid someone to care for your child? Find credits and deductions for individuals. Learn more here.

Enterprise for Equity helps people with low incomes to start or strengthen small businesses by offering intensive training, expert coaching and consultation, a supportive community of entrepreneurs, and access to credit. They offer intensive business training covering market research, pricing, branding, operations, cash flow planning, and more, expert coaching and consultation, as well as access to credit through their microloan program.

As the official destination marketing and management organization for Washington, State of Washington Tourism is responsible for advocating, promoting, developing, and sustaining destination tourism for the state. Industry stakeholders are invited to explore resources, programs, marketing materials, press releases, and more.
Wellness, Arts, and the Military supports the growth of artists and arts organizations who have arts and wellness programs for military connected communities.
WorkSource The WorkSource website has a collection of information compiled to assist you and your business to help get through tough times for businesses both large and small. As well as access to On-the-Job Training programs via the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Please see more below on WIOA via DOL.
WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation’s public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. Learn more here.
Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships: AJAC is a non-profit organization founded in 2008 to skill up the advanced manufacturing workforce through registered apprenticeship.
The Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council‘s Business Solutions team works regionally to guide businesses toward available resources. The team’s collective skill focuses on identification of workforce needs, and building tools, to assist in long-term sustainable solutions.
The Association of Washington Business Institute’s Workforce Portal is an online tool that’s helping address the state’s workforce gaps by making it easier for employers to find students interested in internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing mentorships — and vice versa.
Grays Harbor Youth Works was founded in 2013 with the help of community residents concerned with the well-being of the youth in Grays Harbor County. We operate specifically to provide 15–19–year–old high school students with a $200 scholarship. These internships offer the students 20% job shadowing and 80% hands-on experience in the business and nonprofit sectors. The student is also advised and evaluated by a mentor at the business host site.
Finding the right staff for local employers is what Express Employment Professionals does best! Their combination of international resources and our connection with the local Aberdeen area provide us with both the knowledge and skills we need to give you the right workforce, saving you time, money, and resources.
WorkFirst Programs provide temporary community-based work and skill building experience to individuals who are on a TANF grant (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families). Participants who have experienced barriers in entering the regular job market can work while continuing public assistance. Learn more here.
Morningside can help you solve employment needs in your business. They can design jobs to help your business grow and prosper and improve employee morale. Some of the (no-cost) services that Morningside offers include business analysis and job description proposals, employee recruitment, ADA diversity training, job coaching a.k.a. employee training & follow-along support.

This list of programs is not exhaustive. Please Contact Us to learn more about programs relating to start-up assistance, training, financing, exporting, and more.