Message from the CEO, May 2021

Advocacy. At GGHI advocacy in action tends to look different every hour. From providing policy education resources like our weekly Legislative Briefings to conducting trainings for the local business community on economic relief options and gathering data on small business needs related to emergency relocation. Advocacy for economic development is a fluid concept.

This month there is going to be several opportunities for the Grays Harbor business and economic development community to have access to their elected leaders and engage on key issues related to our economy and recovery.

At the state government/agency level, you can engage at this event.

Join us this Wednesday, May 5th at 1:30pm to hear from Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz in a conversation moderated by Representative Mike Chapman (24th LD). From wildfire management to shellfish and aquaculture the Department of Natural Resources is relevant to the economy of Grays Harbor County. It is valuable to bring statewide elected leaders to the Grays Harbor community to engage, ask questions, and express our community’s needs in relation to the agency’s scope. Sign up here.

At the state legislative level, you can engage at this event.

In place of my monthly Legislative Update, I want to encourage everyone to join our county’s state legislators for a Legislative Session Wrap-Up. This virtual event will take place on Thursday, May 13th at Noon and will provide a rearview mirror look at our recent Washington State Legislative Session and the impacts on Grays Harbor County. You can register for this event here.

At the community level we need your input on this issue.

Workforce – A day does not go by that the crisis surrounding staffing our local businesses is not brought to my attention. It is an issue felt across the nation, and is hitting tourist economies the hardest, but we know other industries are feeling similar pain. The theories behind the cause of this shortage, especially given the high unemployment rate and the extended economic shutdown are varied. Like most complex issues it is not just “one” thing, but rather the perfect storm of scenarios creating chaos and prolonging the stress of uncertainty for local employers.

Recent data from www.tracktherecovery.org shows that as of late-April job postings in Washington State have increased by over 13% and the Leisure and Hospitality industry has seen a 22% jump in postings while manufacturing saw a nearly 26% increase in job opportunities in the same period. In reviewing the chart(s) below (Opportunity Insights, Economic Tracker) the pattern indicates that job postings in some industries have decreased since late-March and the reasoning might be due to job fulfillment, opening rollbacks or employers experiencing defeat in the process. As with all data there can be criticisms and assessments as to the picture it paints however it is interesting to review, nonetheless.

GGHI will continue to elevate this concern to public officials at all levels and will work with employers on solutions to help stimulate the workforce. In coming weeks, we will be digging into this issue further and seeking employer insight

For immediate action we encourage employers to take advantage of these tools in our community.

  • All active members of GGHI can post job postings, free of charge. These postings show up on our social media feeds and website. To access your account please visit graysharbor.org and click on “Member Log-In” on the top of the page. If you have never logged-in, please follow the prompts for Forgot Log-In/Password to be guided through the process. If that fails or you would like assistance, please contact our office to set-up your log-in and password. Once you have access you are free to post jobs, special customer offers and your organization’s own news.
  • Connect with GGHI Members that are experienced in helping businesses find staffing. Use this link to identify GGHI member firms that specialize in employment services.
  • Register as an employer with WorkSource and take advantage of the employer tools to help you find talent and become an employer of choice.

Are you looking for work or retraining experiences? Now is the right time to jump back into the workforce. Wages and benefits are competitive, and you will get a jump start on those prospects looking to return in the fall.

WorkSource Grays Harbor provides a broad depth of resources for workers looking for their next employment opportunity. This link highlights job search readiness and career planning tools. You can also register with WorkSource to receive updates and alerts about hiring and training events as well as career exploration resources and tools. Do not forget we have resources right here in the county that know our employers and our residents. You can contact our region’s staffing agencies here.

It wouldn’t be a monthly message from the CEO without a reminder to monitor our COVID-19 Resource page at this link as new resources for non-profits and tourism organizations are coming out in the coming days and we always update this page with the newest information.