4— Wednesday, February 3, 2016
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
County Economic Development Council workshops Brochure Design Workshop by EDC
The San Juan County Economic Development Council, in partnership with the San Juan Islands Visitors’ Bureau are offering two free workshops entitled Effective Design for Tourism Feb. 23 and 24 on San Juan Island and Orcas Island. The workshops will be presented by Jill Andrews of Certified Folder Display Service, Inc., who currently provides brochure distribution and display service for Washington State Ferries. Andrews has worked in tourism and hospitality sales for over 20 years, consulting tourismdriven businesses with a focus on reaching in-market visitors. The workshops focus on designing brochures for tourism marketing, revealing aspects of print marketing design which can be used by any business, and showcasing highlyeffective brochures. Workshop attendees are invited to bring their current brochures and print materials for an interactive review. The workshop is Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 2:30-4p.m. at the San Juan Island Public Library; Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 9:30-11:30a.m. at the Orcas Island Public Library.
Crowdfunding Workshop offered by the San Juan County EDC
Crowdfunding is an exciting way for entrepreneurs to ask for monetary pledges from individuals using online services like Kickstarter. Learn how to procure money for your business through crowdfunding during an informa-
tive workshop offered by the San Juan County Economic Development Council on Monday, February 8th from 9:30-11:30am at the San Juan Island Public Library. Crowdfunding has significantly expanded the way that small U.S. companies can raise growth funds, launch new products and find new customers. But the legal and disclosure requirements for seeking crowdfunding, the type of liability and the crowdfunding platforms can be difficult to navigate for small businesses. The presentation, led by EDC director and marketer Victoria Compton, will cover crowdfunding law, how much money companies can raise (and where they can raise it), and how to set up a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The workshop is Monday, Feb. 8 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the San Juan Island Public Library, at 1010 Guard Street, Friday Harbor. Materials and snacks are included, cost: $20 per person. The EDC, thanks the Washington State Department of Commerce, San Juan County government, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Ports of Friday Harbor, Lopez and Orcas, Island Market, Heritage Bank and Islanders Bank for their support. The San Juan County EDC strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community. The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs. We serve business: linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.
EDC offers Financial Planning & Retirement workshop
Want to plan better for retirement or to know if what you are doing currently is sufficient? Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council for a free informative workshop and one-on-one session with a certified financial planner on Friday, Feb. 12, from 11a.m.-1p.m. Advance registration is required. The workshop course material will be presented by Tom Zebroski, Certified Financial Planner Professional, member of the Financial Planning Association, and an Accredited Asset Management Specialist with Columbia River Advisors in Bellevue, WA. Mr. Zebroski will cover general financial planning, how to get out of debt, how to manage credit, and how to save for retirement. Topics covered will include a consideration of how to mitigate impacts from San Juan County’s cyclical economy. Through this workshop, attendees will get a clearer picture of their current financial situations and future planning. Mr. Zebroski will also be available after the workshop for one-on-on sessions. Details: Friday, Feb. 12, from 11a.m.-1p.m. at the San Juan Island Senior Center at 589 Nash Street in Friday Harbor. Advance registration is required for all three workshops. Please call 360-378-2906 to reserve your space, or email: info@sanjuansedc.org.
Town hall meeting with county councilman Bob Jarman By Heather Spaulding Journal reporter
On Thursday, Jan. 28, San Juan County Councilman Bob Jarman discussed a number of community concerns, OPALCO’s broadband efforts, transient rentals, affordable housing, and brought up a few of his goals. “The year 2015 was a good year for the county. We’ve made some big changes, in fact over the last two or three years we’ve made changes, and we have a full plate ahead of us.” Jarman said, opening the town meeting at the Skagit Community College sponsored by the Friday Harbor Grange #225. While Jarman stated that customer service has improved, one of his goals is to continue enhancing that area. Recent changes in personnel, and department heads he said, helps. “Public Works’ new Director Brian Vincent is very polite,” Jarman said as an example “and the first word out of his mouth isn’t no.” Improvements to the county’s public records requests process were also brought up. Jarman highlighted some key changes including new computer software, and increased staff time. Jarman also discussed updates to the comprehensive plan, and the importance of following through on land use
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designation changes promised to landowners by the county years ago. The county has been cracking down on transient rentals, making sure all bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals are properly permitted. “Part of it is a safety issue. People need to know where they lay there head at night is safe.” Jarman said. Affordable housing is an age old issue in San Juan County, “We could talk about housing for hours.” Jarman joked, and went on to say there are many areas to consider when addressing this issue. One answer might be in the comprehensive plan, changing land use regulation so affordable housing is more allowable. Another solution might be granting long-term guest house rentals, or perhaps a tax break for landowners who rent to long-term tenants. Jarman also brought up road and construction project goals and credited Councilman Rick Hughes with passing a bill that allows the county to use state road funds to maintain county docks. OPALCO became part of the discussion during the ques-
tion and answer period, focusing on broadband, increased rates, and financing. “I want to know if Rick Hughes was speaking for himself, or the entire council when he voiced support for OPALCO,” one member of the audience said, referencing Q and A with Rick Hughes article published in the Jan. 13 edition of the Journal. Rick was quoted as saying, in regards to the council’s 2016 goals and OPALCO’s efforts, “We want to support the fiber capability OPALCO is working on… there is no one else out there willing to provide this kind of infrastructure.” At that time the council had not officially set their goals, as specified by the editors note attached to that question, as well as by Rick Hughes during the interview, indicating his response was his own perception. “It was his own personal opinion.” Jaman answered. Jarman, who will be running for re-election this year, was the first speaker of the Civic Education Series held by the Grange.
A look at December unemployment rates for San Juan County
San Juan County had a 5.7 percent unemployment rate for December 2015. Ferry County had the highest count with 11.2 percent and Yakima had the second highest count that month at 10.2 percent. Whitman and King County scored the best rate for December with only 4.5 percent. The county’s rate has decreased from 6.1 percent found in December of 2014. In the last 15 years, the lowest rate for December was 3 percent in 1990. The highest rate for December was 8.1 percent in 2010.
State statistics
On an annual average basis, from 2008 to 2010, Washington state and the United States each lost an estimated 5 percent of their respective employment bases. San Juan County lost about 11 percent of total nonfarm jobs from 2008 to 2011. In short, employment losses were deeper and the downfall was longer than for either the nation or the state. The recovery has also been slow and tentative. After reaching an employment low, jobs began to rebound in 2012 and then suffered another short-term setback in 2013, primarily a loss of government jobs. Annual average employment in 2014 was 5,420, 1.7 percent higher than observed in 2013. This is still 9 percent below pre-recession levels and close to the levels of employment observed in 2003 and 2004.