Fostering and Nurturing a Diverse and Prosperous Local Economy

• Grays Harbor College completed construction of the new Childcare Center, and qualified for LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The project utilized locally-produced and recycled building materials, limited development impacts at the construction site and incorporated technologies that reduce energy and water use. More than 95% of construction waste generated was recycled for future use. (21.3)
• Grays Harbor College also updated its Carpentry Program and curriculum to include a variety of green-building content and activities. Coursework includes presentations from green building professionals, hands-on training in green building and deconstruction practices, lessons on green building rating systems and codes and, last but not least, employment opportunities. These improvements will help create a highly-trained local workforce in the years ahead. (21.4)
• Nearly 600 students from five counties visited Satsop Development Park in May and treated to hands-on demonstrations of work done in construction careers. Try-A-Trade in Construction covered painters, ironworkers, electrical workers, cement masons, roofers, sheet metal workers, laborers, plumbers, steam fitters, pipe fitters, refrigeration workers, power line clearance workers, sprinkler fitters and operating engineers. The day was made possible by U.S. Department of Labor. (20.4)
• Through an innovative partnership with Grays Harbor College, the Grays Harbor Public Development Authority provides 1,200 acres of forestland as a “living classroom” to support Forestry program at the College. This program focuses on training individuals in sustainable forestry, offers certificate programs, an Associate of Science and soon, a 2+2 program leading to a B.S. from an accredited four-year institution. (20.2)
• With the goal of increasing visitor spending, this year Grays Harbor hosted numerous large-scale sporting events, including the state little league tournament (Elma) regional basketball tournament (North Beach) girls fast-pitch tournament (Hoquiam) and Special Olympics basketball tournament (Aberdeen). (17.1)
• WSU Extension held the 11th Annual Harvest Celebration to showcase the diversity, quality and economic impact of agriculture in Grays Harbor. Co-sponsored by the Grays Harbor Chamber, Grays Harbor Tourism and Columbia Pacific Resource Conservation and Economic Development District, the event focused on the forest, fish and farms in the Humptulips area. In recognition of the event, County Commissioners issued a proclamation declaring September 20-26th “Harvest Celebration Week”. Over 100 business owners, agricultural producers and community leaders attended the Montesano Chamber of Commerce’s Farm City Dinner to kick off the Harvest Celebration. (18.1)