Greetings Community Members,
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying fall. It is hard to believe the Holidays are upon us, and 2025 is rapidly coming to an end. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and a strong finish to this year.
What We Have Been Up To:
Last month’s Business After Hours was hosted by GGHI Leader’s Circle Member, Summit Pacific Medical Center. With over 50 community members in attendance, it was a fantastic evening as they recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a signature pink cocktail, pink decor, pink ribbon fundraiser and special presentations on women’s health. Summit Pacific also gave out pink swag bags, provided delicious catering, and offered behind-the-scenes tours of the facility. We thank Summit Pacific for hosting such an incredible event and for their continued support of GGHI!
On October 28th, we held our monthly Business Forum Lunch with the focus on Real Estate in Grays Harbor. This event was sponsored by our 2025 Business Forum Lunch Sponsor, Timberland Bank. We had an informative and well attended event that we plan to host again in the later part of 2026. I would like to thank the following speakers for participating:
- Georgia Miller, Grays Harbor County Commissioner District 1
- Eric Bjella, NeighborWorks Grays Harbor
- Larry Burgher, Empire Home Loans
- Jill Warne, Century 21 Real Estate Center
- David Quigg, Quigg & Co Real Estate
- Charlee Paull, US Bank Mortgage Loan Originator
- Kyle Pauley, ARC of Grays Harbor, and Event Moderator
This event was a continuation of the work started by Grays Harbor County, Commissioner Miller, and Dr. Mike McNickle with Grays Harbor County Public Health. This is a prominent issue not only in Grays Harbor, but all-over Western Washington, and we at GGHI are excited to help create solutions for this with all our partners in Grays Harbor.
As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve also been excited to welcome new businesses and new GGHI Members with our exciting Ribbon Cuttings. With the help of our wonderful Ambassador Team made up of volunteers from GGHI Members, we visit businesses and organizations across the County with our signature giant scissors and red ribbon to help celebrate business milestones of all kinds. If your business would like to schedule a GGHI Ribbon Cutting in 2026, please reach out to our staff. The cost is $100 for non-GGHI members and is offered free of charge to our membership. Click here to learn more about the Ambassadors and GGHI Ribbon Cuttings.
GGHI Membership:
Our staff here at Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. have been busy working to increase our all-member communications, and plan to host a workshop in the new year to help you make the most of your GGHI membership. This will be an event to help show you what resources are available to you, how we can help your businesses stay sustainable during these trying times, and how to potentially grow your business. If you have any questions concerning your membership, please give us a call at 360-532-7888, email info@graysharbor.org. or stop by the office.
Hire Me First Program:
Is your business looking for qualified entry level workers? If so, we have an exciting program for you as a business to consider.
We are in the process of kicking off the return of the Hire Me First Program for 2025 and 2026 with the Aberdeen School District, Co-Superintendents Lynn Green, and Traci Sandstrom. Lynn and Traci have developed a program through the AHS CTE Program, and partnerships with Grays Harbor College, Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., for Hire Me First which is designed to grant high school students possible priority interviews, improved chances for employment, recognition, and healthy relationships between school and work. Participating students are pre-screened and qualified to become high school job applicants that have gone through an extensive program to be eligible.
For more information contact: Loretta Thomas, GGHI’s Director of Business Development at 360-532-7888 or lthomas@graysharbor.org
Home Values & Mortgage Affordability:
For November, our monthly economic indicator in Grays Harbor is Home Values & Mortgage Affordability. This data is courtesy of Dr. Kevin Decker, Coastal Economist with Washington Sea Grant at the University of Washington.
Upcoming Events:
Join us for our November Business After Hours on Tuesday, November 18th from 5:30pm – 7pm! This month’s host will by Foothills Family Furniture at Selmer’s in downtown Aberdeen. Expect a signature GGHI Member Ribbon Cutting to kick off the event, great networking opportunities, snacks and refreshments, and a chance to truly relax “after hours” by testing out their huge selection of beds, recliners, and couches. We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate their new ownership!
In December, we’re excited to highlight Five Star Ford’s newly renovated storefront during the most festive Business After Hours of the year. Their event is set for December 9th and will also begin with a GGHI Member Ribbon Cutting at 5:30pm followed by an evening of holiday cheer. Mark your calendars for this exciting final Business After Hours of 2025!
Finally, we’re excited to open the ticket portal early for the 2026 Legislative Send-Off a Signature GGHI event. Taking place on Friday, January 9th from 11:30am – 1pm, this unique event brings together lawmakers from the 19th and 24th Districts to share their insights, priorities, and perspectives on key issues impacting our communities and the state in the year ahead. Don’t delay as this event sells out each year!
Other events we have coming up can be found at: chamber.graysharbor.org/events/calendar/
Warmest Regards,
Darrin C. Raines
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. Contact Information
Darrin C. Raines, CEO
Phone : 360-532-7888, Email : draines@graysharbor.org
Candie Gleason, CFO
Phone: 360-532-7888, Email: candie@graysharbor.org
Kelsey Norvell-Williams, Marketing Director
Phone: 360-532-7888, Email: knorvell@graysharbor.org
Loretta Thomas, Director of Business Development
Phone: 360-532-7888, Email: lthomas@graysharbor.org