Thurston County Chamber's Annual Report 2021/2022

A YEAR OF

RENEWAL ANNUAL REPORT 2021/2022 21/22 ANNUAL MEETING

M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2

T H U R S TO N C OU N T Y C H A MBER • A N N UA L R E P O R T 2 1 / 2 2 The past 12 months have been a time of renewal for the community and the Chamber.

2021/2022 was characterized by people working to pursue a semblance of business and personal aspirations before COVID. We strive to support people and businesses to reach their goals. Our operations moved away from the reactionary response COVID required, and we resumed our mission-driven work.

We returned to in-person events, supporting opportunities to convene conversation and provide networking engagement absent during the previous 16 months. Chamber Member service utilization was high, with over 10,000 members served and 12,500 direct services. Members were active, taking advantage of renewed visibility and engagement opportunities.

The Chamber’s work plan focused heavily on workforce development efforts. The workforce crunch has become the most significant issue facing employers trying to recover and grow post-COVID. In partnership with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, the Chamber stood up short-term training cohorts that assisted people in developing career paths within high-demand industries in our region.

This work will continue in the coming year. Businesses took advantage of technical support from the Chamber’s Workforce Division, focusing on recruitment, retention and development of employee pipeline opportunities. Over 5,400 businesses were served, receiving 6,369 services. WorkEx and Aviation Pathways programs supported 6,500 transitioning service members with career opportunities.

The Chamber and its Public Policy division continued remarkable work advocating for business needs while looking to address several significant community needs such as chronic homeless. The Chamber collaborated by being an early supporter of Challenge Seattle’s efforts to create State resources for chronic homelessness, which was also part of our shared legislative agenda. The Chamber launched a business advisory committee with Thurston County Permitting and development community members to facilitate greater efficiency and reduce the backlog and expense of the permitting process. The Chamber cited this backlog and delay as a barrier to increasing housing stocks in our community.

Supporting all businesses, especially those in their early years, has always been critical for the Chamber. This year, through the Chamber Foundation, the Chamber created additional resources to provide support and office space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community member businesses. We are excited to watch the mission in action as these businesses have begun to flourish, in part because of the wrap-around support by the entire community. The Chamber and its Foundation also support South Sound BIPOC as the backbone organization. South Sound BIPOC works to support businesspeople through networking, marketing and technical support.

The Foundation continues programs supporting youth career pathway development and increasing the interaction of employers in education. Community health is a vital component of a vibrant community; Thurston Thrives is continuing its efforts to close the health equity gap, so everyone in our community can live a longer and healthier life.

The Chamber business model is performing at a high level.

A tremendous thank you to members. You continue to support the Chamber, its mission and the opportunities it provides.

The Chamber member retention rate (members renewing their membership) is at an all-time high at over 90% retention.

As we have emerged from Covid, member engagement is at prepandemic levels. Remarkable, talented, and capable individuals comprise the Chamber team. They are also extraordinary entrepreneurs who continually evolve, adapt and develop how the Chamber delivers its mission.

The Chamber is positioned well for the coming year.

In Partnership,

David Schaffert President & CEO

Michelle Wickett Board Chair

21/22 Financials THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER

REVENUE: Membership Contracted Services Business Promotions Products & Services TOTAL REVENUE

$390,000 $1,241,000 $244,200 $191,800 $2,067,000

EXPENSES: Personnel Operating Business Promotion TOTAL EXPENSES NET INCOME

$1,030,000 $173,850 $793,000 $1,996,850 $70,150

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER FOUNDATION

REVENUE: Incubator Services Programs Events TOTAL REVENUE

$120,500 $316,390 $280,000 $716,890

EXPENSES: Operations Programs Events TOTAL EXPENSES NET INCOME

LOCATION OF MEMBERS Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm/Tenino/Rural Thurston County Lewis

557 166 121 37 12

Mason Grays Harbor King Pierce Snohomish Remaining

12 14 193 99 38 93

$189,500 $276,890 $155,000 $621,390 $95,500

TOTAL: 1,342 Members

2021/2022

Board of Trustees

Michelle Wickett, Chair Axia Home Loans, Senior Loan Originator

Trenton Fluetsch, Vice Chair Sunset Air, Vice President of Operations

Kevin Stormans, 2nd Vice Chair Stormans Inc., President

Kim Adney, Treasurer AccountSource, Inc., Owner

Joseph Lanham, Past Chair Wells Fargo, District Manager

Paula Bloemendaal The Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake, General Manager

Tessa Bradley Artisans Group Architecture & Planning, Principal

Ron Bruchet Bruchet Holdings, Owner

Michael Cade Thurston Economic Development Council, Executive Director

Will Callicoat MultiCare Capital Medical Center, President

Dr. Debra Clemens North Thurston Public Schools, Superintendent

Sam Gibboney Port of Olympia, Executive Director

Perry Hanchey Diamond Technology Innovations, President

Kelsey Hulse Puget Sound Energy, Tribal Relations Manager

Todd Monohon Olympic Rental Properties, Owner & Designated Broker

Miguel Pineda Porcupine Media, Director of Operations

Ebony Washington Yonic V-Spa, Owner

Dave Wasson Dancing Goats Coffee, President/CEO

Joanna West Washington Business Bank, VP/Marketing Director

Michael White Farmers Insurance, Agent/Owner

David Schaffert Thurston County Chamber, President/CEO

2021-2022 CHAMBER

Staff David Schaffert President/CEO

Krystal Barkus Vice President of Operations

Megan Feiss Vice President of Workforce and Strategic Initiatives

Joanne Stimac Finance Officer

Christina Chesnut Program Manager, Workforce Development

Alisha Blain Director, Leadership Thurston County

Ashley Chandler Membership & Engagement

Andrew Garate Director of Military Transitions

Shelly Chamberlain Workforce Navigator

Elizabeth Bretschneider Membership & Visibility

Jessica Houchin Operations & Events Coordinator

CHAMBER AMBASSADORS Lori Bodnar Great Wolf Lodge

Elizabeth Cooper Homestreet Bank

Cecilia Felix Jet Realty NW

Kevin Harris PrintNW

Shirley Jones T&S Cleaning

Kamika Bruland Colab Media Company

Shamika Cordis Phoenix Rising Wellness Center

Molly Gruse AAA Washington

Ted Jones T&S Cleaning

Avalon Kragness Olympia Lamplighters

Damian Magista Workforce Solutions Navigator

Micah Pong Business Solutions Navigator

Zach Nibler Business Solutions Navigator

Laurel Mack-Wilson Contractor for Workforce Communications & SSBIPOC Business Engagement

Natasha Ashenhurst Marketing & Communications, Contractor

Doug Mah Director of Public Policy Division, Contractor

Corey Lopardi Pardiman Productions

Tim Shaw ThurstonTalk.com

Charlie Terminelli America’s Credit Union

McKim Odom 1st Security Bank

Raina Stuberg American Workforce Group

Anthony Varela Century21 North Home Realty

Denise Parker Harborstone Credit Union

Evette Temple Bank of the Pacific

Nichole Wachtman Evergreen Financial Services

Allie Bair Project Manager, Sector Strategies

Amanda Walker Caliber Home Loans

Workforce Development WORKFORCE CRISIS & EMPLOYEE CRUNCH The current workforce crisis and employee crunch we’ve seen over the past 12 months is expanding.

We’re working diligently to create platforms and coordinate events to support industry sectors to meet the needs of businesses in the region.

ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF EMPLOYERS We continue developing career training programs and pathways from education to employers by providing innovative employee development training at little to no cost to businesses.

BUILDING NEW CAREER PIPELINES We are sparing no effort and will stop at nothing as we develop the talent of tomorrow to ensure a skilled workforce for the business community. We’re helping businesses tap into the existing highly skilled workforce by working with Transitioning Militaryover six thousand people transition out of JBLM every year. Our team connects transitioning military and their spouses with employers in our region.

With leadership from Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, we serve businesses within the five-county region of Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties. By connecting with and understanding the business community’s workforce needs, our team is improving the talent pipeline, providing training and development, and preparing for tomorrow’s workforce by connecting business and education.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION NETWORK Yelm Community Schools - Network Chair Pacific Education Institute Alicia Sanders Allstate

PacMtn WDC

AMCOR

Pepsi Northwest Beverages

Builders FirstSource

Port of Olympia

Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW)

Print Northwest

Career Connect Washington

Rainier School District

Print NW

Crown Beverage Packaging

Rochester School District Diamond Technology & Innovations (DTI) Sensory Tool House Equus Youth Career Services - Tumwater South Puget Sound Community College ESD 113 and Capital STEM Alliance

South Sound YMCA

First Citizens Bank

St. Martin’s University

Griffin Fire Department

The Evergreen State College

Griffin School District

Thurston EDC

Hands on Children’s Museum

Truss Components of Washington, Inc.

Mathnasium

Tumwater School District

New Market Skills Center

Twinstar Credit Union

North Thurston Public Schools

United Way of Thurston County

Olympia Furniture Company

Washington Retail Association

Olympia Master Builders

Wells Fargo Community Bank

Olympia School District

Window Genie

for

Life

2021 NUMBERS BY THE

CHAMBER SERVICES

TOTAL SERVICES PROVIDED

12,537

BY THE NUMBERS

TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS ENGAGEMENTS

29,399

TOTAL JOB SEEKERS AT HIRING EVENTS

1,314 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

BY THE NUMBERS

MEMBER RETENTION

89%

AVERAGE HIRE RATE UPON GRADUATION

21.20

$

7,955

TOTAL SERVICE MEMBERS & SPOUSES SERVED

624

TOTAL NUMBER OF TRANSITIONING MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS SERVED:

656

139 TOTAL NUMBER OF ATTENDEES

TOTAL BUSINESSES SERVED

9,535

TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS

TOTAL NUMBER OF SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS GAINED

288

2 1 / 2 2 A N N U A L R E P O R T • C H A M B E R F O U N D AT I O N P R O G R A M S

Chamber Mission In Action

for

Stronger Together THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER

Life SCHOLARSHIP & SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

2 1 / 2 2 A N N U A L R E P O R T • C H A M B E R F O U N D AT I O N P R O G R A M S

Foundation Programs Dedicated to developing informed, connected and committed community leaders.

A 10-month program featuring monthly community immersion challenge days.

“Leadership Thurston County is nurturing the next generation of leaders making our community a better place to live and work.”

– Patty Belmonte, Hand’s on Children’s Museum

Providing opportunities for job pathways, work readiness, and positive youth development for a strong and successful community.

“Business 2 Youth Connect is having a great impact on connecting students with their career path.”

– Dr. Timothy Stokes, SPSCC Supporting academic success for historically underrepresented minority students in Thurston County creating educational opportunities and pathways to a better quality of life within our communities.

Community-wide effort to improve public health and safety throughout Thurston County.

“I’m continuing to chase my dream and work hard This initiative ensures that we on my studies thanks to the Diversity in Business live in a strong and healthy community – clean air Scholarship I received.” – Yuho Fuji, Student, SPSCC and fresh water, pleasant neighborhoods, fresh and nutritious food, great schools, living wage jobs, affordable housing and thriving kids and families.

Partnership between local businesses and school districts to “Because of the work of Thurston Thrives, for promote real-life math skills in a Thurston County is moving to close health scavenger hunt form, across the equity gaps in our community.” county, including rural areas.

SCHOLARSHIP & SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

Life

– Commissioner Tye Menser, Thurston County

Creating jobs by helping entrepreneurs and small businesses access to resources they need for growth and long term success.

“Our companies dream of serving the community has become a reality thanks to the Small Business Incubator.”

– Tony Taylor, Leaders Lead Podcast

“I get to choose where to go on the map, and I really like answering Math questions from the businesses.”

– Kendall Hooper, Student Career day connecting students to area professionals available at no cost to the 1,000 high school students and parents that attend.

“We know more about financial aid for our son and our son now knows more about potential careers.”

– Parent, Find Your Future 2022

Thurston Thrives!

Thanks to the generous support from the Thurston Chamber Foundation, the community has ushered in a new way to achieve positive social change.

The Chamber Foundation provides backbone support to Thurston Thrives. Thurston Thrives is a community initiative that uses a framework called collective impact. Collective impact initiatives around the country share five common characteristics: a common agenda, shared/common measures of success, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and a backbone organization. John (Kanian and Kramer, Winter 2011, Stanford Social Innovation Review) Using the collective impact framework, Thurston Thrives acts as a collaborative network of community partners and leaders.

Together, the network creates the platform and leverage to inform regional policies and develop innovative actions.

Thurston Thrives aligns cross-sector efforts to get measurable results focused on improving health for all residents.

Last year, Thurston Thrives conducted a review and analysis of local health data and records by race and ethnicity. The assessment revealed a serious health equity gap in health and life outcomes between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and White residents in Thurston County. In addition, the events and community unrest experienced in 2020 created a stronger and renewed community awareness, understanding, and urgency to correct long standing racial inequities and end racism in all its forms. Finally, COVID-19 exposed and magnified known and longstanding racial disparities in our communities, including inequitable access to quality health care, one of the social determinants of health.

Thurston Thrives saw growing commitment and new opportunities to actively engage in racial justice efforts as they relate to health equity that advances overall community health.

Thurston Thrives is excited about moving forward with renewed purpose and passion. Looking ahead, Thurston Thrives, as the backbone agency, is committed to convening meaningful conversations and training opportunities to establish shared understanding about our individual and collective roles in order to end racism and advance health equity.

Advocacy

21/22 ANNUAL REPORT

WHAT WE DO The Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber is your leading advocate for business and the private sector across the region.

The division serves as your channel to the public sector. We exchange information and represent your interests with all public sector entities. We seek to inform, collaborate, and champion projects and polices that build better communities.

The Business and Economic Development Committee meets every month and is our primary way to share information with Chamber members about emerging public issues, significant public and private investments, and government changes that have an impact on business and the community.

The Shared Legislative Partnership is convened every year to identify and champion regional investments with the State legislature. These investments maintain and enhance the region’s economic vitality and generate opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region.

Local Advocacy is the core of the Public Policy Division’s work. We inform local policy makers on the impacts new policies and regulations will have on local businesses. We provide support for meaningful and significant public and private sector projects that will improve economic health of our community.

Collaboration and enhancing our voice by joining other entities that share our mission and values extends the depth and breadth of our influence. Most recently we worked with Challenge Seattle, an alliance of CEOs from 21 of the region’s largest employers, to successfully call for greater state investments that address chronic homelessness.

Public Policy is made by those that show up. Rules and regulations are created by those that participate. Because Chamber Members remain highly engaged, we sustained our presence and participation in the affairs of government.

The past several years have taught us that our community is resilient and strong.

When we advocate for our interests, we create a better environment for business that builds a more vibrant community for all.

“Thank you for the early support of our call to action to address chronic homelessness.”

– Chris Gregoire, CEO, Challenge Seattle “The Thurston Shared Legislative Partnership is a proven success for regional collaboration and advocacy.”

– Scott Spence, City Manager, City of Lacey “The B&E committee is a great source for understanding economic issues facing our community.”

– Janine Ezzell, Sales Manager, Chicago Title “The Public Policy Division is an important voice of support for mixed-use projects like West Bay Yards.”

– Brandon Smith, West Bay Development Group

21/22 ANNUAL REPORT • THE VOICE

The monthly VOICE Magazine, published by the Thurston Chamber, has a mission to build community, reinforce belonging, foster economic interaction while remaining hyper-local and business-centric.

Over the last 12 months, we’ve used the VOICE to share critical information essential to business and the community during the pandemic. Scan the covers of the past year, and you’ll see a community focused on resilience and recovery.

FIND ALL PREVIOUS ISSUES AT

ISSUU.COM/THURSTONCHAMBER

R Y J A N U A

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Andy Ryder, right: Lacey Mayor Pictured, left to r Mayor Cheryl Selby, Tumwate Olympia Mayor DePinto, Yelm Mayor Joe Debbie Sullivan, Tye Menser Commissioner Thurston County

T H U R S T O N

Good Times Childcare's Mother Daughter Duo

C O U N T Y

C H A M B E R

Overcome COVID Adversit y to Keep Their Dream Alive

Vote YES on Replacement School Levies

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Chamber Supports and Endorses Four February 8 Levies

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38,660 IMPRESSIONS 33,600 ISSUES 1,492 READS

Exacerbated by COVID19, the Costs of Child Care have Skyrocke ted for Parents and Providers Alike GROWING A P ROSPEROUS

A P R I L

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The Chehalis Tribe Diversifies to Generate Thurston County Jobs

ECONOMY & V IBRANT COMM UNITY

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DIGITAL EDITION

Earth Homes:

Building Living, Breathing Shelter

West Bay Yards:

Beach Restoration at Forefront of West Bay Development Project

C H A M B E R

21/22 (12 MONT DIGITAL EDITIOHS) N MADE

The Child Care Crisis

EROUS A PROSP ROWING

C O U N T Y

Tony Taylor Inspires 24/7

Former Marine and Fire Captain Shares Experience from the Heart to Inspire and Lead with Compassion

BIPOC-Owned Business Directory

South Sound BIPOC and Thurston County Chamber Team Up to Develop Community Directory

J U N E

BRANT COMMUNITY ROUS ECONOMY & VI GROWING A PROSPE

GROWING A PROSPEROUS S E P T E M B E R

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The State of Hospitality Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO, Annette Pitts, will speak on the State of Hospitality in Thurston County at the Chamber's September Forum

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Inspired Burgers and Frozen Custard on the Same Block

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Restaurateur husband/wi fe duo Jef Dukes and Julie Guarino own Cascadia Grill and Juju's Iced Cream and Frozen Custard, just 58 steps apart, in Downtown Olympia

Serving the Neurod iverse

C H A M B E R

The Nisqually Tribe Remarkable Journ ’s ey to Economic Sovereign ty

T H U R S T O N

C O U N T Y

has transformed itself into a robust economic presence, generating hundreds of regional jobs and contributin g millions to local organizations in charitable giving

YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER FUN IN THE SOUTH SOUND

Quality Products & Skilled Workmanship Set This Tumwater Company Apart

ASHHO Cultural Center

GROWING A PROSPEROU S ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY

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GETTING TO KNO W

Gotti Sweets

Rally for Recovery

ALL NATURAL BEAU TY

Terra Firma Cosmetics

C2 3D MANUFACTU RING

Father-Son Duo

sOffer 3D Printing Vaccinate to Save LivesService in Lacey & Get Back to Busines GROWING

GROWING

C O U N T Y

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Get Out & Play!

The Nisqually Tribe

The Sensory Tool House assists families with their neurodivers e needs – autism, ADHD, intellectual, learning, genetic and physical disabilities

Truss Components

The ASHHO Cultural Center Brings the Community Together Around Good Food and Brave Conversation

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ECONOMY & VIBRANT COM MUNITY

BRANT COMMUNITY GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VI

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Caught in the Lens

21/22 ANNUAL REPORT C AUGHT IN THE LENS

Contact Us 809 Legion Way SE PO Box 1427 Olympia, WA 98501 (360) 357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com

Thank You Annual Meeting Sponsors PRESENTING SPONSOR

EXECUTIVE SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS

MICHAEL WHITE

OMETOWN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT