The annual State of Grays Harbor, hosted by Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI), will feature a economic development keynote speakers and the release of the 2023 Economic Vitality Index (EVI). This year’s event will take place at the Rotary Log Pavilion located at 1401 Sargent Blvd in Aberdeen on June 27, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Visiting from the University of Washington (UW), one of State of Grays Harbor’s keynote speakers will be Jacob Vigdor, Ph.D., Professor of Public Policy and Governance at UW. Professor Vigdor holds affiliations as a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, and an external fellow at the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration at University College London. At the UW Evans School, he specializes in teaching quantitative methods, with an emphasis on techniques for inferring the causal impact of policy interventions.
Professor Vigdor has published more than 60 scholarly articles and reviews on a range of topics in social policy, including education policy, immigration policy, housing policy, and racial and economic inequality. With co-authors, he has twice been awarded the Raymond Vernon Memorial Prize for best article published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. Professor Vigdor received a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 1999 and a BS in Policy Analysis from Cornell University in 1994.
The second speaker will be Chris Green, Assistant Director, Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness.Chris joined the Department of Commerce in 2015 as assistant director for the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, which includes the international trade, business recruitment/retention and rural economic development units.
Chris previously served for seven years as vice president for business retention and expansion at the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. Before that, he worked in government relations for several elected officials, including former U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Pacific Lutheran University and a master’s of business administration from the University of Washington.
Attendees at the State of Grays Harbor will also hear an in-depth analysis of the recently published 2023 EVI. This report takes weeks to produce as it displays key economic data for our region and provides an inside look at trends and challenges. For a look at last year’s EVI, visit graysharbor.org/business/demographics
As one of GGHI’s Signature Events, the State of Grays Harbor often sells out well in advance. Early Bird Pricing is available until June 16 at 11:30am and is $27 for GGHI members and $36 for non-members. Regular pricing is $30 for GGHI members, $40 for non-members and will close on June 20 at 5:00 p.m. A catered lunch by Galway Bay is included in the cost of the event.
GGHI would like to thank this year’s Presenting Sponsor, TwinStar Credit Union, and EVI Sponsor, Quinault Corporate Enterprises.