GGHI Top 10 of 2021
Looking in the rear-view of 2021 we are proud to say that Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. stayed as active as ever. We loved promoting local businesses, administrating, and providing economic relief and being responsive to the immediate and long-term needs of our community. Check out some of our highlights from 2021. Here’s to a productive and prosperous 2022!
10. Virtual Business Forums and Signature Events– While we were relegated to Zoom for most of our events in 2021, it didn’t stop us from rolling out relevant content and training. From our annual Legislative Send Off in early January and Lunch with the Mayors in March to the new State of Tourism event and an Aberdeen City Council Candidate Forum, the GGHI team worked hard to keep you informed. We also hosted several Facebook Live events around PPP applications and making the most out of your GGHI online benefits. You can view both the State of Grays Harbor and the Candidate Forum on our YouTube channel by visiting this link. Don’t forget to register for the 2022 Legislative Send Off by visiting this link.
9. Ribbon Cuttings Return – After having to hibernate ribbon cuttings for a year because of COVID-19 related shutdowns we were happy to bring those activities back in Spring of 2021. These business milestone events celebrate local business growth and expansion and provide local businesses great visibility. GGHI Ambassadors work with local businesses to prepare for the event and GGHI staff promotes the events community wide. To see coverage of our latest ribbon cuttings, visit our GGHI Facebook page.
8. Online Directory Helps Locals and Visitors Alike Find What They Need – Improving on 2020’s efforts to provide an online presence for not only our members, but also as a courtesy listing to our hospitality sector GGHI continued to add to our online business directory. In the past year this online listing had over 70,000 visitors with nearly 10,000 visitors looking for restaurants, lodging and retail shopping opportunities alone! An ever-growing listing of the regions local establishments including both GGHI members and tourism industry partners can be found here.
7. Legislative Affairs – Starting in early 2021 GGHI hosted weekly virtual legislative affairs meetings. Every Wednesday during the Washington State Legislative session over 20 local public and private sector individuals joined a Zoom call to hear from our state legislative delegation, congressional offices, and policy leaders in key industries. This is an exclusive benefit to members and funders. To be added to the access list please contact GGHI CEO Lynnette Buffington directly at lbuffington @graysharbor.org.
6. Holiday Gift Guide – For the second year in a row GGHI Marketing Coordinator Kelsey Norvell built a local gift buying guide. This guide covers ideas for every gift giver and focuses on local establishments. New this year was a purchased ad running the entire month of December on the South Sound Magazine webpage. Share our link in the community, get shopping and support local!
5. Economic Vitality Index – After taking a year hiatus the Grays Harbor Economic Vitality Index returned in 2021. The annual economic research and report was expanded in 2021 with the addition of a COVID-19 impact report that outlined the economic relief dollars coming into the county and other recovery data. To view both segments of the report click here.
4. Discover Grays Harbor Blog Expands its Reach for Tourism Economic Development– Supported by Lodging Tax Advisory Committee investment GGHI purchased digital ad space in both South Sound and 425 Magazine’s digital newsletters. This original content, created by GGHI staff, targets tourists coming to our region. With 11 blogs released this year and more scheduled for early in 2022 the GGHI Communications Department has already engaged nearly 2,300 readers about the wonders of our county. To read all our blogs and the businesses we feature click here.
3. Ocean Shores Branch of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. Launches– In the absence of a business advocacy group in the area Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. has launched a “branch” of their organization in Ocean Shores. A need to organize the business sector in the fast-growing community was identified and the branch provides local businesses a place to hear relevant updates, express needs and concerns and network with each other. This fall the branch hosted an Ocean Shores Candidate Forum that was well attended by the community and broadcast live on local media. Each month the Shores Insider newsletter is released to our email distribution list and features relevant business news, a business spotlight, and featured events in the area. Check out the November edition of Shores Insider here.
2. Shoppes at Riverside Relocation Support – As a result of a winter snowstorm and structural instability our region’s only mall, The Shoppes at Riverside was forced to close unexpectedly. With the announcement over 23 tenants were forced to relocate under short notice. GGHI launched a resource roundtable for all tenants and convened the group every week for over a month. As a result of those meetings, the responsiveness of the Downtown Aberdeen Association and the City of Aberdeen Hospitality Relief Grant many of the tenants were able to find new locations and remain in the Harbor. To read ore about this effort and outcomes click here.
1. Economic Relief Grants Support Local Businesses – In 2021 the economic relief opportunities didn’t slow down! GGHI worked to promote grant relief opportunities through Working Washington 3 and 4 and launched their own relief programs as well. Thanks to funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce, GGHI allocated a portion of those dollars to enterprises that opened in 2020. Largely ineligible from most COVID-19 economic relief dollars, businesses that opened for the first time in 2020 were left behind while venturing into an uncertain economy. GGHI was proud to fund these ten enterprises and support their commitment to the Harbor. In Fall 2021 GGHI launched another grant program for microenterprises to include a special allotment of funds for childcare providers. Partnering with Enterprise for Equity GGHI is providing eligible businesses with application assistance and business coaching. This grant has reopened and will run throughout the end of 2021. For more information click here.