Did You Miss the State of Grays Harbor? Read Our Post-Event Wrap-Up
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) recently presented the county’s Economic Vitality Index (EVI) at the annual State of Grays Harbor. The event took place over Zoom on Tuesday, June 22.
This signature event explores the EVI featuring extensive research into local trend data as well as highlighting key economic sectors and activity within Grays Harbor County. After taking 2020 off due to greatly skewed data as a result of the pandemic, the 2021 EVI includes special section dedicated to the COVID-19 impact.
“Given everything our community and beyond has been through in the past 15 months the data in this report is encouraging,” explains Lynnette Buffington, GGHI CEO. The EVI details the growth in wages, home prices and taxable sales that appear to show sustainability. “The dip in the county wide hotel/motel tax is nominal and our region has recently been rediscovered by many. If we continue to provide high quality experiences to those that visit our county, regardless of their destination, we will get return customers and eager explorers,” says Lynnette.
Other information gathered in the EVI includes the county’s current unemployment rate that continues to lag behind the rest of the state, and while employers are eagerly hiring, the need may not necessarily be meeting the skill demand or prospective employee capacities. Additionally, it’s noted that the hospitality sector is feeling the greatest need for a workforce. This is likely due to former hospitality workers transitioning into other industries during the economic shutdown and sector employers experiencing a shortage that will require fulfillment to sustain operations.
“Overall,” states Lynnette, “I am optimistic. “Grays Harbor County showed resiliency and strength in one of the hardest economic challenges our modern world has seen. Other, seemingly “recession proof” communities have not fared as well, and it is my hope that our performance throughout these challenges tells a positive and appealing story to those businesses seeking to locate here in Grays Harbor.”
This information and more in the EVI can be viewed online by visiting www.graysharbor.org/business/