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1. Read the Chamber's response to Weyerhaeuser's closing in Chamber President LeRoy Tipton's "Whatchamacolumn."
Grays Harbor "Assets" | Culture of Success | Our Ship is Coming In | Archives | Link Five | Link Six | Link Seven
Grays Harbor’s
ASSETS
Winter 2005-2006
OUR SHIP IS COMING IN
Economic activity on Grays Harbor
Compiled by the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce
A partial list of the economic development activity on the Harbor is listed here. To see Grays Harbor as it really is, you may need to remove “scatomas” (mental blind spots, which keep you from seeing what is here.) If you know of other development please let us know. Thanks to the cities, county, EDC, Tourism Grays Harbor and the staff of Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce for providing information.
Some general statistics:
- One Billion Dollars is on deposit in local banks.
- 1.3% increase in population in 2003- 2004 to 70,343 U.S. Census Est. April 2005
- Unemployment Rate: 8% March 2005; 7.4% June 2005; 6.6% September 2005 (Compare 9.7% Average 2003)
- 2004 Retail Sales increased 8.9% in Unincorporated County; 1.8% in Aberdeen; 4.5% in Hoquiam; 13.2% in Ocean Shores; and 44.1% in Westport. Retail Sales are up in all sectors, including Construction, Retail, Services, Wholesale, and Finance.
- 2005 Retail Sales first two quarters are up 13% over same time 2004.
PORT CITIES
Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Highlands, new homes, apartments and medical clinic under construction and growing rapidly
- The New $50,000,000 Aberdeen High School is well under construction and will be completed in 2007
- Grays Harbor College is building a new $21 million, 71,000 sq. ft. Instructional Building and Two other projects -- $350, 000 to improve a college building in Willapa Harbor, plus $5.6 Million to create better vocational instruction facilities
- Grays Harbor Community Hospital is constructing a $14 million Emergency Department expansion
- New Renal Care Center recently opened
- New Imaging Center recently opened with the highest technology in the State of Washington
- New Medical Clinics continue to be added throughout the city
- New Masco Petroleum Warehouse
- Numerous new retail and service stores including a New Curves site and Sweet Nothings Popcorn and Coffee Shop
- New Home Depot retail store
- The City has initiated a downtown improvement, which includes street bulb-outs, pedestrian lights, new light standards, decorative “Endangered Critters” and new sidewalks are planned
- New zoning for commercial growth along the waterfront and on Boone Street
- Abatement Program underway for future development
- WorkSource Grays Harbor, recognized as outstanding one-stop in the Nation, has a 23% market share compared to the statewide average of 7 to 9%
- Businesses have hired more than 2,500 referrals from the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce Business-to-Business partnering with WorkSource Grays Harbor since its conception in 2000
- Downtown Aberdeen’s ARM has spearheaded new sidewalk benches and a “Walk of Fame”
Hoquiam
- Paneltech plans an expansion, which will result in increasing their workforce from 50 to 75.
- Paneltech is Grays Harbor Paper’s largest customer.
- Paneltech is the owner of the largest fleet of rail cars in America.
- Grays Harbor Paper is adding an additional Biomass turbine.
- Rick Burgess has received permits to begin construction on his new 12,000 sq. ft. Sidney’s Casino in East Hoquiam
- The City of Hoquiam sold their pool to Ben and Mario Winkleman who will operate their new business, LD Comfort, there. Their website www.ldcomfort.com explains their business
- Hoquiam Mayor, Jack Durney reports the City is, “Turning the corner economically, and with a new positive feeling.”
- Hoquiam has received a grant to finish restoration on the train station
- Westport Shipyard expansion bringing total jobs in Hoquiam to 150
- McHugh’s Ken Schoenfeld Furniture has recently given the interior of their store an extreme makeover
- Hoquiam River RV Park is new and expanding, and has been full most of the summer and fall
- Summer Haven Condominium Development is getting a new kick-start in North Hoquiam. Chuck Maples plans to build out the remaining 66 lots and a community room
- Emerson Manor’s major renovation is complete
- Polson Museum has received a grant to create a Logging Camp Display celebrating our history
- New retail and service businesses, including Irene's Glass Shop, The Morning Fix Espresso stand on Lincoln. Fishy Business Pet Shop, Enchanted Florist, Blues’ Brothers Tubs and Spa’s, Mac’s Pizza, Hoquiam Subway, Hoquiam Therapy Services, Payday Loans, The Flower Shop, Red Raven Wine Bar, West Coast Prosthetics & Orthotics, Allstate-Loni Butcher-Broten, Island Café, Finders Keepers Antiques, and Wired Games (Live Video Gaming)
- Timberland Bank administration center is in the renovated former River Haven
- Sales tax revenue up by 9.8%, B & O tax up by 11%
- Building permits up by 7.1%
- Hometown Hoquiam promotion has rejuvenated spirit
- Bay View Estates development
- Broadway Manor Estates
- Ocean Protein has made a $9 million investment and has 35 employees
Cosmopolis
- Paisley Creek Development sold out and started Phase II of Paisley Creek in the Summer 2005
- Premier Forest Products Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail, plan to open in Cosi soon.
- Phase II of downtown corridor improvement project begins
NORTH BEACHES & RAINFOREST
Ocean Shores
- Convention Center is completed and beginning to host conventions.
- New Ramada Inn & Water Park was completed summer 2005
- The Marina dredging is scheduled
- Number of tourists exceeded 4 million per year in 2004
- New construction – assessed value of $18 million
- Condominium project near jetty is underway
- National Recreation’s sale of 800 lots has increased sales dramatically
- City of Ocean Shores is averaging two new homes each week
North Beaches
- New cabins at the Sand Dollar Inn
- Seabrook Oceanfront Community is constructing, more than 400 new homes, a recreation center, stores, theater, etc. They are currently finishing one house a week and have a large waiting list of buyers.
- Major development at Hogan’s Corner, includes Resort, Water Park, Golf Course, Runway, Condominiums, Deluxe Coach Park and more.
Lake Quinault
- New Locke’s Landing Golf Course
- Newly renovated Quinault River Inn
- Gorgeous new Cedar Wooden Signage
- New Internet Café & Visitor Center
- Premier Forest Products is growing
- And still one of the most awesomely beautiful areas in the world!
South Beaches - Westport - Grayland
- Home to Westport Shipyard, the largest yacht builder in America and 7th largest in the world, they employ about 600 people in Grays Harbor
- Cohasset Beach Single Family Homes Development in permitting process
- Westport by the Sea has completed nearly 200 condos
- Permitting is under way for a large Townhouse addition next to Westport by the Sea
- Vacations by the Sea is a new business renting vacation condos
- Renovated Islander Motel and Restaurant
- Grays Harbor Lighthouse deeded to local historic group
- New viewing station for Lighthouse with deli and public restrooms across the street
- New retail and office mall planned
- Two new condominiums planned and in the permitting process for the Marina area will include retail, covered parking, tourist amenities and more.
- Cranberry Market is up
EAST COUNTY
Oakville
- Oakville Forest Products expansion
- Lucky Eagle Casino’s Motel Eagle’s Landing completed construction
- Egg Plant producing 900,000 eggs per day continues strong
- New housing development containing 17 new homes
McCleary
- The new bedroom community for Interstate-5 employees
- Current development of a 37 lot subdivision
- Future plans for the development of a 90+ lot subdivision
- Additional 200 acres of timberland to be converted to residential development property
- Brogan Homes Summit Place development @ $2.3 million
- King Homes Evergreen Heights @ $1.2 million
Elma
- New Downtown revitalization
- Headquarters for the highly successful Puget Sound & Pacific Short-Line Railroad, which was bought by Rail America - the largest Short-Line Rail company in America
- Microtel Inn & Suites a $3 million construction investment, was completed and open in summer of 2005
- East County Industrial Park has several new tenants in last two years, including Pacific Bottling and Girard Wood Products
- Wastewater treatment center expansion to 5,000 unit capacity, using 900 units currently
Satsop Development Park
- Received the Governor’s 2004 Economic Development Award, one of only four statewide awards, in recognition of its efforts to promote a growing economy by “undertaking or facilitating a strategic infrastructure investment that has brought immeasurable benefit to the community.”
- Received the National Outstanding Rural Economic Development Award 2005
- Ended 2004 with $9 million in reserves, a 33% increase over 2004’s ending cash position. The amount represents three years of working capital for the Park.
- Recognized as one of the top three Office Parks in Washington State by CEO magazine. The Park was also ranked ninth out of the Top 25 Industrial Parks in the state.
- Construction of Technology Lane, the final phase of a three-year, $3 million transportation project to improve the road system to and through the Satsop Development Park.
Montesano
- Many new quality homes The Woods at Sylvia Creek, including in the Bowers-Willis Construction addition
- 100 new homes planned for the Vetter farm
- New well doubles water supply
- Received grant to beautify South entrance to City
COUNTY AT LARGE
- GH EDC announced that there has been more than $1.5 billion dollars of permits in an 18 month period
- 2004 retail sales were the third highest in history, exceeding more than $700 million for the fourth year.
- Workforce is up 3,500
- Number of people employed is the highest since the downturn of 1989 – 95
- We have a new full-service YMCA and Aquatic Center
- Sierra Pacific is permitting a new stud mill, adding 150 employees
- Hotel/Motel Tax increase is more than 10% (19% increase for August 2004)
- Website visits to www.graysharbortourism.com increased by 75% in 2004 and is growing in 2005
- Grays Harbor County Fair and Events had 213 days reserved for events
- World of Outlaws set a record sellout crowd and will continue in 2006 under new name
- The Warm Company is constructing a significant expansion of their East County plant for a new world-wide product and will move their Seattle headquarters to this plant
Port Of Grays Harbor Development:
- “AGP is the most significant change on the water front since 1962.”
- AGP shipping volume increased 155%
- Other agricultural commodities are also now being shipped from the Port
- Home Depot far exceeded is projections in first year sales
- Three major companies expanded
- Westport Marina marked steady growth due to private investment
Grays Harbor PUD
- PUD Transmission line installed from Grays Harbor City to Copalis Crossing
- Grays Harbor has Triple Broadband Redundancy, making it as technologically advanced as any urban city.
- New Substations have been built and trees cleared from line right of way for fewer ower outages
AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NEW DEVELOPMENT EVERY MONTH!
Culture of Success
Courtesy of Windermere Real Estate/Grays Harbor, Inc.
It is said that "all roads pass through Grays Harbor." It's interesting to note how often a "Harbor" connection to some very notable person, or event, is encountered. Here is a list of Harborites who have been very successful in various endeavors. It is primarily of persons recognized nationally or universally. However, there are many Harborites who have received a great deal of regional notoriety. It's impossible to list everyone - this is only a sampling. This is not intended to be a biography; rather, it is a list to remind people of the great minds grown and nurtured on Grays Harbor. I hope you find it enjoyable.
Tom Quigg
WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE/GRAYS HARBOR, INC.
Link to Culture of Success
To Get a Copy of the Culture of Success booklet, please contact Tom Quigg at 800-825-2449
Don Baker - "Baker, armed with an insatiable curiosity, ravenous desire to learn, and problem solving smarts he learned as a kid, turned his assignment into a lifetime quest that revolutionized the field of medicine, by refining ultrasound into the most vital, cost effective, diagnostic tool available."
"In recognition of his accomplishment, the University of Washington and the UW Alumni Association have bestowed upon Baker their highest honor: The 2002 Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award."
"His early inventions will go on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History in the fall of 2002". - Columns, University of Washington Alumni Magazine, June 2002.
Spent early years on a farm in Rochester. Graduated Raymond High School, circe 1949. Played football for Grays Harbor College Chokers. Schience Degree, University of Washington.
Eldon A. Bargewell - Brigadier General, US Army. A founder and leader of Delta Force, U.S. Army counterterrorism and hostage-rescue unit, founded 1977. - Fayetteville Online, April 5, 5001.
Formerly Chief of Staff, Military Operations SFOR, Joint Headquarters Centre, Allied Command Europe, Currently Director of the Center of Operations, Plans, and Policy, United Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Promoted to Major General by President George W. Bush, 2001.
On July 20, 2002 threw out the first pitch at New York Yankee Stadium at a game honoring the United States Military. - NFNS
Born, raised and educated in Hoquiam. Hoquiam High School, 1965.
William Boeing - Founder, Boeing Airplane Company. "Boeing, who had studied engineering at Yale until quitting in 1903, opened up a profitable lumber business (Greenwood Logging Company) in Hoquiam when he was 22. While Boeing made his first fortune with lumber, he had, as history knows, a side interest in a new kind of machine called the airplane." - Seattle Times, December 29, 1999
Kurt Cobain - Songwriter and lead singer for the musical group Nirvana, Revolutionized rock music in 1992, with what came to be known as "grunge music".
"Clearly, he was the most famous person in the history of Aberdeen, Washington . . ." "Dead at 27: What a waste," - The Daily World, April 10, 1994.
"Nevermind - an album that would sell more than 10 million copies, revolutionized rock and roll and taught Michael Jackson, who had an album about to be ejected from the No. 1 spot, the real meaning of the word dangerous." - cover story, "Cries From the Heart", by Lorraine Ali, Newsweek Magazine, October 28, 2002.
Born in Aberdeen. Raised and educated in Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Cosmopolis and Montesano,
John Elway - NCAA and NFL football star, and future Hall of Fame member.
Both parents were born and raised in Hoquiam. Lived in Central Park (Aberdeen Suburb) as a youngster, and attended kindergarten at Central Park Elementary - Information provided by his aunt, Barbara Elway Rottle.
OUR SHIP IS COMING IN
Economic activity on Grays Harbor
Compiled by the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce
A parcel list of the economic development activity on the Harbor is listed here. Please remove the “scatomas” (mental blind spots, which keep you from seeing what is here) and if you know of other development please let us know. Thanks to the cities, county, EDC, Tourism Grays Harbor and the staff of Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce for providing information.
Population 1.3% increase 2003- 2004 to 70,343 U.S. Census Est. April 2005
Unemployment Rate 8% March 2005
PORT CITIES
Aberdeen
-Aberdeen Highlands, new homes, apartments and medical clinic under construction
-The New $50,000,000 Aberdeen High School will be completed in 2007
-Grays Harbor College is building a new $21 million, 71,000 sq’ Instructional Building, Two other projects -- -$350, 000 to improve a college building in Willapa Harbor, plus $5.6 Million to create better vocational instruction facilities
-New Renal Care Center
-New Imaging Center with the highest technology in the State of Washington
-New Medical Clinic
-New Masco Warehouse
-Numerous new retail and service stores including a New Curves site and Sweet Nothings Popcorn and Coffee Shop, Priscilla’s Café
-New Home Depot brings retail store
-The City has initiated a downtown improvement of our downtown street, bulb outs and “decorative critters”
-Rognlin’s awarded downtown revitalization contract
-Abatement Program underway making for future development
-WorkSource Grays Harbor recognized as outstanding one-stop in the Nation has a 23% market share
compared to the statewide average of 7 to 9%
-Businesses have hired more than 2,000 referrals from the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce Business-to-Business partnering with WorkSource Grays Harbor since its conception in 2000.
-ARM has spearheaded new benches and a walk of fame.
Hoquiam
-Westport Shipyard expansion bringing total jobs in Hoquiam to 150
-Hoquiam River RV Park is new and expanding
-Summer Haven Condominium 55 Unit Development
-Emerson Manor major renovation
-New retail and service businesses, including Enchanted Florist & Anthony’s, Blues’ Brothers Tubs and Spa’s, Mac’s Pizza, NW Pocket Rocket, Hoquiam Subway, Hoquiam Therapy Services, Payday Loans, The Flower Shop, Red Raven Wine Bar (opening June), West Coast Prosthetics & Orthotics, Allstate-Loni Butcher-Broten, Island Café, Finders Keepers Antiques.
-Timberland Bank administration center in renovated former River Haven
-Sales tax revenue up by 9.8%, B & O tax up by 11%
-Building permits up by 7.1%
-Hometown Hoquiam promotion has rejuvenated spirit
-Continued renovation of the train station
-Bay Ridge Estates development
-Bay View Estates development
-Broadway Manor Estates
-Ocean Protein-Francis Miller, owner; $9 million investment and 35 employees
-Cosmopolis
-Paisley Creek Development sold out
-Premier Forest Products Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail
-Phase II of Paisley Creek begins Summer 2005
-Phase II of downtown corridor improvement project begins
NORTH BEACHES & RAINFOREST
Ocean Shores
- Convention Center under construction with completion by 2006
- New Ramada Inn & Water Park under construction with completion by summer 2005
- Marina Dredging scheduled for 2005
- Number of tourists exceeded 4 million per year.
- New construction – assessed value of $18 million
- Condominium project near jetty
-National Recreation’s sale of 800 lots
- Building two new homes each week
North Beaches
- New cabins at the Sand Dollar Inn
- Seabrook Ocean Front Community under construction leading to more than 400 new homes, recreation center, stores, theater, etc.
- Major development at Hogan’s Corner
Lake Quinault
- New Locke’s Landing Golf Course
- Newly renovated Quinault River Inn
- Premier Outdoor Adventures retail headquarters
- Gorgeous new Cedar Wooden Signage
- New Internet Café & Visitor Center
SOUTH BEACHES
Westport - Grayland
- Cohasset Beach Single Family Homes Development
- Renovated Islander Motel and Restaurant
- Grays Harbor Lighthouse deeded to local historic group
- New Viewing station for Lighthouse
- New Retail and office strip Planned
- New Condominium Project Planned for the Marina area
- Cranberry Market is up
EAST COUNTY
Oakville
- Oakville Forest Products expansion
- Lucky Eagle Casino Motel under construction
- Egg Plant selling producing 900,000 per day
- New housing development containing 17 new homes
McCleary
- The new bedroom community for I-5 employees
- Current development of a 37 lot subdivision
- Future plans are for the development of a 90+ lot subdivision
- Additional 200 acres of timberland is to be converted to residential development property.
- Brogan Homes summit Place Development @ $2.3 million
- King Homes Evergreen Height @ $1.2 million
Elma
- New Downtown revitalization
- Headquarters for the highly successful short-line rail road, Puget Sound & Pacific, which was bought Rail America by the largest Short-line Rail company in America
- Microtel Inn & Suites is under construction.
- East County Industrial Park has several new tenants in last two years, including Pacific Bottling and Girad Wood Products
- Microtel Inn and Suites, which necessitated a $3 million investment
- Wastewater treatment center expansion to 5,000 unit capacity using 900 units currently
Satsop Development Park
- Received the Governor’s 2004 Economic Development Award, one of only four statewide awards, in recognition of its efforts to promote a growing economy by “undertaking or facilitating a strategic infrastructure investment that has brought measurable benefit to the community.”
- Ended 2004 with $9 million in reserves, a 33% increase over 2004’s ending cash position. The amount represents three years of working capital for the Park.
- Recognized as one of the Top 3 Office Parks in Washington State by CEO magazine. The Park was also ranked 9th out of the Top 25 Industrial Parks in the state.
- Construction of Technology Lane, the final phase of a three-year, $3 million transportation project to improve the road system to and through the Satsop Development Park.
Montesano
- Many new quality homes
- New well doubles water supply
- Annual Festival of Lights; a resounding success
- Received grant to beautify South entrance to City
COUNTY AT LARGE
- GH EDC claims there has been or will be more than $1.5 billion dollars of permits in an 18 month period
- Retail sales are likely to be among the third highest in history exceeding more than $700 million for the fourth year.
- Number of people employed the highest since the downturn of 1989 – 95
- We have a new full-service YMCA and aquatic Center
- Sierra Pacific eyes expansion, adding 150 employees.
- Grays Harbor Community Hospital broke ground for a new $14 Emergency Department expansion 2005.
- Hotel/Motel Tax increase over 10% (19% increase for August 2004)
- Website visits to graysharbortourism.com increased by 75%.
- Grays Harbor County Fair and Events had 213 days reserved for events.
- Annual Fair set all time record attendance of 59,557; up 13%.
- World of Outlaws set record, first time ever sellout crowd on Saturday.
Port Of Grays Harbor Development:
- “This is the most significant change on the water front since 1962.”
- AGP shipping volume increased 155%.
- Three major companies expanded.
- Westport Marina marked steady growth due to private investment.
Grays Harbor PUD
- PUD Transmission line to be installed from Grays Harbor City to Copalis Crossing.
- Grays Harbor has Triple Broadband Redundancy.
- Making it as Technologically advantageous as any Urban City.
- New Substations have been built and trees cleared from line right of way for less power outages.
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