A feature of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) is to provide business assistance and resource referral. 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, marketing woes, workforce needs, or just getting started – GGHI is here to assist. This month we are sharing some business assistance resources to help you explore workforce and other resource options.

Small Biz Manufacturing Resource

  • Are you a small business that manufactures goods and are looking for free resources? Check out Impact Washington as they will be aiding underserved, rural small businesses that create products in a wide array of goods, such as breweries, food processing, crafts, and much more. If you create a product, this free resource might be for you. Resources include strategic planning, implementing process improvement strategies, making and developing a marketing plan, developing and implementing workforce recruitment, and much more.

Hiring and need to get the word out? Here are a couple FREE resources for you!

  • WorksourceWA is a state-run, free website where businesses can post open positions. You can post as many different positions as you need and additionally have access to free templates that can aide you in creating those tough job descriptions. If you need help you can also stop in at the local WorkSource office at 415 W Wishkah St. Suite 2D, Aberdeen WA office and get in-person help in creating your online account.
  • If you are a GGHI member you can also post your job for free on our website chamber.graysharbor.org/jobs/! Need help accessing your member login? Contact Stephanie Conway at sconway@graysharbor.org.

Willing to train? Here are some recruitment resources for you to check out.

  • The Washington Workforce Portal site matches your requirements with those of a student looking for a work-based learning opportunity in your region. But don’t just post your opportunity and hope the perfect candidate finds you — you can search the site for students, too!
  • Are you interested in placing young adults into your business to learn your trade? Grays Harbor Youth Works provides work experiences to youth 15-19 years of age that could be a great fit for your industry. You can establish a relationship with a high-achieving youth and potential future employee.
  • Grays Harbor College’s Business Contract Training program collaborates with community partners to provide training that is aligned with industry needs for a skilled workforce. The focus of contract training is to be the bridge between educational programs and on-the-job skill training.
  • WorkSource has cost reducing strategies to support your business in developing career pathways. They offer paid internships for adults and youth, on the job training and upscaling current employees and then you can back fill those roles. You get to play a part in developing a workforce with the skills your business needs.
  • GGHI hosts a Business Assistance page on our website that provides a lengthy list of resources related to 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.