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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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