August 2016 VOICE Magazine

AUGUST 2016

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Family owned Valley Freightliner, Inc. p. 12 Forrey's Forza p. 9 & Port of Olympia Hires new director of environmental programs B UI L DI NG CO MMUNITY PROSPERITY FOR OVER 14 0 YEARS

CALM YOUR NERVES Advanced treatment options for the brain and spine You’ll rest a little easier in the care of Capital Medical Center’s expert team of highly skilled neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons. Our board-certified physicians provide the highest quality care to patients with advanced conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system. We’re proud to be the first in Washington to utilize a robotic-guidance system for spine surgery procedures.

And, we’re the only South Sound hospital to earn a Gold Seal of Approval® from The Joint Commission, the nation’s leading organization for health care accreditation.

For more information, visit us online at capitalmedical.com or call 360-754-5858 3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW • Olympia, WA 98502 • 360-754-5858 • 888-677-9757 • capitalmedical.com

Capital Medical Center is partly owned by some of the physicians who serve our patients.

©2016 BCI

driving the economy

PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

EDITORIAL Editor: David Schaffert Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com

CONTRIBUTORS Natasha Ashenhurst David Schaffert Jessica Coen Amy Georgeson Tamika Pearman

ADVERTISING Sales and Marketing: Marny Bright, Beth Johnson or Korey Twombly Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Phone: (360) 357-3362

By, David Schaffert, THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER PRESIDENT/CEO & Jessica Coen, THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

T

his issue of the VOICE includes three stories about seemingly different people and organizations.

The Startup Playbook features a small café chain of two stores that hopes to grow to 10. Our cover story highlights a local Freightliner dealership that sells and services trucks that range in price from $80 to $100 thousand. Finally, we profile the Port of Olympia’s new director of environmental programs. However, when we dig a little deeper we realize that each story has one overriding similarity—they all contribute to the economic well-being of our community.

Email: info@thurstonchamber.com

DESIGN Mosaic Marketing Studio

PHOTOGRAPHY Heather Harris, Elements Photography

PRINTING Print NW

GENERAL ENQUIRIES PO Box 1427 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507

Forrey’s Forza is a small, family-owned, business with exciting plans for future growth. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses are incubators for innovation and employment and play a vital role in our economy—accounting for 63 percent of net new jobs created between 1993 and 2013. In fact, small firms in the 20-499 employee category led job creation.

Valley Freightliner, Inc., also a familyowned business, sells and services

diesel trucks, representing a robust segment of our local economy. Sales at new-car dealerships, for example, account for 15% of all retail sales in the U.S. and new-car dealerships generate 15% of all U.S. sales tax revenue, according to research by the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Additionally, the franchised dealership network is one of countless small businesses that are often family-owned and operated; 92% of them are privately owned, according to NADA as is Valley Freightliner.

Finally, ports are the backbone of a strong economy while at the same time are committed to environmental sustainability. The Port of Olympia’s contributions to clean water and land are crucial for our sustainable future. Having Rachael Jamison lead the Port’s environmental programs is exciting for the economic development and sustainability efforts of our entire community—she is committed to building a path forward that is both economically vibrant and environmentally sound.

Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com Website: www.thurstonchamber.com

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS

COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE

DIAMOND INVESTORS:

printing, but the publisher accepts no

Anchor Bank Capital Medical Center Heritage Bank Phillips Burgess Physicians of Southwest Washington Port of Olympia Xerox Services

responsibility or liability for the accuracy

PLATINUM INVESTORS

Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of

of any information contained in the text or advertisements.

America's Credit Union - Lacey Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Mills & Mills Funeral Home &

4 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

Memorial Park Morningside Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Print NW Providence St. Peters Saint Martin's University TwinStar Credit Union Washington Business Bank

GOLD INVESTORS Express Employment Professionals First Citizens Bank Cabinets by Trivonna Columbia Bank The Creative Office FirstLight Home Care

GHB Insurance Great Wolf Lodge Hometown Property Management Mantis Graphix Jessica Jensen Law PS Nicholson & Associates Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions Puget Sound Energy RHD Enterprises Hotel RL Olympia Saint Martin’s University SCJ Alliance TAGS

www.thurstonchamber.com

Featuring...

CONTENT & CALENDAR

Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums & workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss.

In this issue...

6 Caught in the Lens

August 2

Photos from Chamber events.

Morning Mixxer at Anchor Bank Enjoy delicious food and plenty of coffee when Anchor Bank hosts the August Morning Mixxer. You won’t want to miss the Anchor Bank Money Machine for some cold, hard cash! When? August 2 at 7:30 a.m.

Where? 601 Woodland Square Loop, Lacey.

August 4

YPN Will Uncork & Unwind!

Y The Thurston Chamber Young Professionals (YPN) Network is a great place to interact with new, younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment. Join us at Uncork & Unwind on Thursday, August 4 at 7:30 p.m., 324 Custer Way SE, Tumwater.

August 6

5th Annual Olympia Brew Fest Come and celebrate Olympia’s fine brewing heritage and

12 Valley Freightliner, Inc. Learn more about this family-owned dealership and service center.

The first in a new series takes a look at Hot Jobs in Thurston County.

p.m.- 8:30 p.m. www.olybrewfest.com

The Business of Cannabis JJoin the Chamber for our August Forum at the Hotel RL Olympia on August 10 at 11:30 a.m. Our panel of experts will discuss the cannabis business model, the impact on real estate and the licensing requirements for expansion and industry growth.

BAH at Bay Mercantile On August 18 at 5:30 p.m. join us for Business After Hours at Bay Mercantile, 5025 Mudd Bay Rd NW, Olympia. BAH is a great way to meet new friends, network and enjoy great food—oysters anyone?

For more event information, please visit www.thurstonchamber.com

www.thurstonchamber.com

We talk to Christine and Tom Forrey of Forrey's Forza in Lacey.

By the Numbers

support the Chamber Foundation. Port Plaza, August 6, 1

August 18

Startup Playbook

14

Enjoy beers from 30+ hand-picked, Northwest breweries.

August 10

9

19 Curb Water Use Learn how your business can save money by curbing water use and taking advantage of rebates!

22 Executive Profile Meet Rachael Jamison of the Port of Olympia.

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 5

Caught in the Lens...

6 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

A collection of photos taken at Chamber events during June and July.

www.thurstonchamber.com

FOOFARAW

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Learn more at www.thurstonchamber.com

www.thurstonchamber.com

Presented by:

Thurston County Chamber VOICE ď Ź August 2016 ď Źď&#x20AC; 7

FORUM

the business of cannabis

Join the Thurston Chamber for our August Forum on 8/10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel RL Olympia. Hear from a panel of business owners about this emerging industry & its economic impacts on Thurston County.

The conversation has changed—we’re no longer talking about the legalization of cannabis. Instead, we’re talking about the business model and the industry’s impact on the economy.

Join the Thurston Chamber’s August Forum on Wednesday, August 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel RL to hear from producers/ manufacturers in the industry and from those whose businesses are directly impacted by the business of cannabis—real estate in particular. The panelists will also discuss the impact on workforce and we’ll get a glimpse of what this industry may look like in the years to come.

Visit www.thurstonchamber.com for ticket information.

8 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

STARTUP PLAYBOOK

Forrey's Forza: A Journey From Press to Pies

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Above: Christine and Tom Forrey at Forrey's Forza in Lacey. Photo by Heather Harris.

By Natasha Ashenhurst

This is the eighth article in our Startup Playbook series, where we examine Thurston County startups—and the entrepreneurs behind them—in order to learn what's working and what's not, and search for a pattern to success.

Here's the Forrey's story.

om Forrey was a pressman in the newspaper

2015. Tom and Christine

industry throughout the Pacific Northwest, from

were able keep their

Idaho to Seattle, for more than 30 years. When

Lacey café open, and they

the Seattle Post-Intelligencer began publishing

purchased the Forza in

exclusively online in 2009, Tom lost his job. It

Dupont in December. The

was two weeks before Christmas.

cafe celebrated its grand

Tom, 53 at the time, decided to go back to school to study wastewater management, but he was continuously passed over

“Both locations are doing

for jobs. Tom’s wife, Christine, explained what happened next.

great,” Christine said. “We

“We talked about options, about what he does well and what he

are no longer part of a

enjoys doing,” said Christine. “At the top of the list was pie —

franchise, but we continue

Tom makes really good pies. He started making pies for family

to work with Dillanos Coffee

gatherings years ago and has perfected it.”

Roasters out of Sumner, who

Tom and Christine decided to start TC Pies, but knew the pies alone would not bring in the volume they needed to thrive, so they partnered with Forza Coffee and opened Forrey’s Forza in Lacey. Christine was the regional vice president of PartyLite

purchased the Forza name.

Dillanos lets us use the name and they supply us with cups, napkins, logos and beans.”

at the time, but once the Forrey’s Forza was running she no

When you walk into the

longer had time to do both. She gave up her leadership role to

Lacey café these days, you’ll

devote her energy to her and Tom’s new business. That was

see the pie case filled and

three years ago.

smell the coffee brewing, but

Since opening the café, the business has changed rapidly. The Forza franchise, which included 27 stores, went bankrupt in

www.thurstonchamber.com

opening on Jan. 2.

you’ll also notice the beers on tap, wine bottles on the shelves and a menu for every

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 9

SPEED NETWORKING!

Wednesday, October 26, 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

South Puget Sound Community College, Lacey Speed Networking takes the traditional values of face-to-face networking and combines it with smart-matching software that enables participants to pre-select the types of people they are interested in meeting using customized matching parameters.

Each participant receives a customized schedule of meetings based on their interests. We’re Presented by: taking the guess-work out of networking events and determine the best possible connections for each person to make.

Visit www.thurstonchamber.com for more information.

10 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

demand for meeting space. We’ve had

meal in the day.

see someone you know.

“We started out just making pies, but

“People come here to network and

we’ve expanded,” said Christine. “My

do business,” said Christine. “If our

mother, Maureen McLemore, retired from

community didn’t support us, we wouldn’t

Community Youth Services in 2013, and

be here. We are filled with gratitude for

Expanding the Lacey location is just the

offered to make cakes, muffins, biscotti

the support they’ve given us.”

beginning. Now that the Dupont location

and cookies in her free time. Now she

to expand our staff to accommodate the catering need — we just hired a prep cook and a kitchen manager.”

is doing well, the Forreys have further

bakes for us every week.

It recently became apparent to the

“Tom expanded from pies to quiche. We

order to accommodate the community, so

“Our goal is to have 10 stores, and

have a full kitchen and we put a lot of

they added a 96-person conference room

eventually have our son and daughter

time into our food. We believe in giving a

and a 18-person board room. Both are

take over the business,” said Christine.

really good product.”

available for a set fee, or they waive the

“We are building something to leave our

fee if the event is catered by their kitchen.

family. We’re building a legacy.”

As the Forrey’s menu expanded, so did

Forreys that they needed to expand in

the patronage. Forrey’s Forza feels like

“A lot of groups meet here on a regular

the de facto hub of the Lacey business

basis,” said Christine. “The conference

community. Stop in and you’re bound to

plans.

and board room will help meet the

Christine Forrey's Startup PLAYBOOK 1. Find a mentor.

2. Know your audience. For example, “We tried hosting an open mic night,” wrote the Forreys.

“It attracted high school students and at one point we were putting out fights in the hallway.

Now we know better.”

3. It is better to be great at one thing than mediocre at a bunch of things.

4. Don’t give up your day job until your new business is profitable.

5. Know your numbers. Look at your profit and loss statement, know your labor costs, know your food costs. These numbers can be hard to look at, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you are doing better than you are.

6. Read. Every successful business person I know spends time reading every day. This habit, more than any other, has kept us on track.

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 11

Valley Freightliner, Inc.

By Natasha Ashenhurst

WE COUNT ON THEM TO PICK-UP

Maytown.

company’s president. There were three branches at the time; Mount Vernon,

GARBAGE, TRANSPORT FRESHLY

Valley Freightliner is a dealership and

Olympia and the company headquarters

service center, and truck fleets around

in Pacific. In the last few years, they

HARVESTED OYSTERS AND PLOW THE

the county depend on VFI day in and day

grew that number to 11 full-service

out to move goods and services.

dealerships. In addition, VFI acquired

T

ROADS AFTER A RARE WINTER STORM.

Pacific Power Group’s Detroit Diesel in

These trucks transport

We had a chance to sit down and talk

Ridgefield -- and with it the distribution

our food, medical supplies

to Branch Manager Sean Bolan, who

rights for Washington, Oregon, Alaska,

and fuel. Their customers

oversees VFI’s day-to-day operations

Hawaii and the Idaho panhandle.

include LeMay, Taylor

in Olympia — including parts, service,

Shellfish and Washington

truck sales, property dealings,

As a part of the transaction, VFI became

State. They are the

certifications and safety. We learned

a full-service Western Star dealer in

workhorse of modern commerce and an

about the history of VFI, the business

Olympia and maintains that status

often overlooked sector of the business

model and the challenges they face in an

in Coburg, Oregon. The company has

community.

ever-changing landscape.

also acquired Pacific’s four FUSO truck

We’re talking about trucks, more specifically trucks sold and serviced at Valley Freightliner, Inc. off Interstate 5 in Olympia, an area often confused as

franchises in Oregon and Hawaii. This The Gordon family, who had owned and

acquisition further expanded VFI’s

operated Gordon Trucking since in 1946,

position as the largest Freightliner,

sold the company in order to focus on

Detroit Diesel and aftermarket sales and

dealerships. Scott Gordon serves as the

service provider in the Pacific Northwest

12 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

— including new and used commercial

service and quality work. We are always

parts and diagnose any issues that may

truck and trailer sales, service, parts,

looking for ways to improve, and this

result from the innovations,” said Bolan.

maintenance and equipment financing.

attention to quality differentiates us in

“Several years ago, when oil prices were

the marketplace.”

high, there was a push for alternative

Bolan said VFI does not see a lot of foot traffic for new and used trucks at their Olympia branch, rather, their sales associates go out and visit with customers at their offices, or they reach

There are 40 full-time employees at the Olympia branch. They represent a mix of managers, sales associates, technicians and parts department employees.

another works with the city governments of Tumwater and Aberdeen. Along with local contracts, their customers include large trucking fleets and owner-operator truckers from Washington, Oregon and California.

to work on that equipment.

“We have to have the necessary tools to do the work. This goes along with our core value of continuous improvement. A week doesn’t go by when we don’t have

customers online. One associate works directly with the State of Washington,

fuels. Our technicians have to know how

a technician out getting trained on new

Challenges

tools or new software so they can work

“One challenge we’re seeing in the trucking industry is a driver shortage.

For us, we are facing a technician

on the equipment.

“Not only do we have to have great technicians, we have to have computer

shortage. It is very difficult to find technicians who have the qualifications

literate technicians.”

we are looking for,” said Bolan. “Right

From left to right: Valley Freightliner, Inc. off I-5 in Olympia, Sean Bolan, technicians working in the service department.

Bolan said they do get a lot of customers

now, we are working with technical

in the parts and service department for

schools to bring graduates into the

RVs, coaches and motorhomes with the

dealership, but just like hiring anyone

same large diesel engines as the trucks.

right out of school, there is a lot of on-

They also deliver parts to school districts,

the-job training that we’ll have to invest

trucking companies and local repair

in.

shops. Bolan said the only thing they don’t sell for trucks are tires.

Company Culture

“It is very difficult to find skilled people to work in this industry.”

relationships and exceeding expectations. It might start with a cold call, but that will eventually transform into a lasting relationship,” said Bolan.

much a family-owned and -run company at its core.

“I’ve worked for the Gordon family for 14 years. Whether I’m at an annual meeting part of the family,” said Bolan. “They’ve established a great company to work for.”

Emerging Trends

And while VFI focuses on continuous

Technicians must stay up-to-date on changing industry regulations, like EPA emission standards.

improvement, emerging trends and challenges, at its core, it is still very much a family-owned, family-run company.

“The same system works for parts and

“As a dealership, we have to be able to

service. We deliver outstanding customer

support the new innovations, supply the

www.thurstonchamber.com

trends and challenges, it is still very

or a company picnic, I’ve always felt like

Core Values “A lot of our work is about cultivating

While VFI focuses on improvement,

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 13

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creating a positive climate for business and community

ADVOCACY UPDATE

One of the Thurston County Chamber’s primary missions is advocacy, which can take many forms—providing beneficial services and products to Chamber members; supporting nonprofit, education and government organizations; and, of course, lobbying government bodies on issues impacting business and community.

On any given day the Thurston County Chamber is working with local government representing business interests, is on a panel discussing the future of education or workforce and is meeting with community leaders advocating for a stronger economy.

Here are a few of the issues we are actively engaged in this month:

Gopher Interim Permitting Process In November 2015, Olympia Master Builders, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and Hinkle Homes filed a lawsuit against Thurston County in Lewis County Superior Court and concurrently filed a related petition with the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB), requesting that the Board reject the County’s interim gopher habitat review process because it implicitly modifies Thurston County’s Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) without motion, resolution, or public participation, all in direct violation of Washington state’s Growth Management Act (GMA).

In May, the GMHB issued its Final Decision and Order stating that Thurston County’s 2015 Interim Process for reviewing permits in Mazama Pocket Gopher soils violated the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The Chamber, the OMB and Hinkle Homes remain open to reaching a reasonable agreement with Thurston County, but so far efforts to do so have not been successful. The complaint now turns to Lewis County Superior Court.

Chamber to Launch Public Policy Division It is time to increase the Chamber’s capacity to advocate for complex public policy initiatives that impact Thurston County. Over the past five years the Chamber has taken on significant public policies with a resource development model for professional and technical support. The public policy staff will support public policy initiatives, such as the Shared Legislative Partnership as well as ongoing issue management. In addition, it will facilitate legal and technical support for other actions.

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 15

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REAL ESTATE LAW FROM THE GROUND UP Real estate is at the center of all that we do.

With more than a century of combined legal experience, our talented attorneys provide high-quality, timely, and personalized legal advice on all matters related to real estate.

We bring enthusiasm, business savvy, and a healthy dose of common sense to every case we handle. The result? First-rate legal work you can count on. Every client. Every time.

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WWW.PHILLIPSBURGESSLAW.COM

16 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

The Thurston Chamber Welcomes New Members from April, May & June Papa Bear's Small Engine Repair Brian Montague 360-350- 0489 Power Tools

Hans-On Technology Solutions John Hansman 360-545- 3201 www.hans-ontechnology.com Computer Training

Gibbs & Olson Vicki Wiggins (360) 352-1120 www.gibbs-olson.com Engineers – Civil

WarrenMicro Jacob Warren (360) 474-5542 www.warrenmicro.com Computer Software

MJL Marketing, Inc. Robbin Lopeman (360) 858-4940 Consultants

Serenity Home Care Victoria Campbell (360) 918-7223 Home Health Services

Advance Auto Parts Colin Christiansen (360) 357-3347 Auto Parts; Supplies

Curves - Tumwater Talia Manu-Pati (360) 528-3422 www.curves.com Health &; Fitness - Clubs/Gyms

www.Papabearsrepair.com

MobileOne, LLC Revel Stark (858) 208-9817 www.MobileOnellc.com Telecommunication Equipment, Repair, & Services

Curves - Lacey Talia Manu-Pati (360) 918-8449 www.curves.com Health &; Fitness - Clubs/Gyms

Evergreen Financial Services Joshua Logan (509) 452-6574 www.efscollects.com Collection Agencies

Harrington Investigations - Shane Harrington, PhD Shane Harrington (360) 918-7333 www.harringtonpi.com Investigators

Abstract Precision Exercise - Tumwater Jeff Turner (360) 754-7544 www.abstractbodyworks.com Health; Fitness - Clubs/Gyms

Northwest Collectives Joe McConkey (360) 464-0256 www.northwestcollectives.com Marijuana Products

Communication by Design Lee Doyle (360) 709-9028 www.leecomdesign.com Graphic Designers

Vadis Jen Carroll (360) 701-7177 www.vadis.org Consultants - Employment Services

Ascent Internet Marketing Jason Nelson (360) 451-0072 www.ascentinternet.com Internet Marketing

www.thurstonchamber.com

Advocare - Tina Taylor, Independent Distributor Tina Taylor (360) 915-3938 Consultants – Nutrition

NEW MEMBERS

Olympia Estate Law Richelle Little (206) 234-9349 www.olympiaestatelaw.com Attorneys; Legal Services Derma Medical Spa Amanda Berg (360) 350-5321 www.dermamedispa.com Day Spas Clear Choice Mortgage, LLC Jessica Wells (360) 529-3905 www.ccm.loans Banks/Mortgage Companies Victoria S. Byerly, P.S. Victoria Byerly (360) 616-1749 www.victoriasbyerlyps.com Attorneys; Legal Services Kenzie Property Management Julie Brannberg (360) 539-1226 www.kenziepm.com Real Estate - Property Management

Gypsy Greens - Chehalis Jenna Rodriguez (360) 996-4030 www.gypsygreens.org Marijuana Products Olympic Body Works Holly Franco 719 502-9620 olympicbodyworks.com Health Maintenance Organizations Mint Landscapes, LLC Josh McCarty (360) 507-8616 www.mintlandscapes.com Landscape Designers

Rachael Cook (360) 701-1418 www.newdaymidwifery.com

Midwives; Doulas

RooLan Health Care Center Christopher Kistner (360) 491-1765 www.roolan.com Rehabilitation Service

Metamorphic Wellness Michelle Herron (360) 520-3011 www.matamassageinc.com Health; Fitness – Massage

Firehouse Subs Lane Tittle (360) 878-9180 www.firehousesubs.com Restaurant - Sandwich Shops

Gypsy Greens - Olympia Jenna Rodriguez (360) 943-9338 www.gypsygreens.org Marijuana Products

Northwestern Mutual Misha Davis (360) 970-2388 www.mishamdavis.nm.com Banks/Mortgage Companies

New Day Midwifery

Candlewood Suites Annie Choi (360) 491-1698 Hotels & Accomodations

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 17

Curb your outdoor water waste and green your business

O

THURSTON GREEN

By Amy Georgeson | Water Resource Specialist | City of Tumwater ne way to green your

how they ensure that your landscaping

business is to identify

is efficiently using water when you hire

ways to be more

them. Learn what questions to ask to

efficient with your

select a qualified landscape professional

outdoor water use.

in How to Choose a Landscape Company.

Some steps that

business owners can take include efficient landscape design, efficient outdoor maintenance, minimizing turf areas and evaluating your sprinkler system. Your business may also want to hire a water efficient landscaping professional. Don’t forget to check out the business rebates available in your area.

As the rains decrease and temperatures rise, water use increases and irrigation can be expensive. Water utilities see a dramatic increase in water use during the summer; normally due to an increase in outdoor irrigation. To keep your summer water bills in check, learn how to make your landscape water efficient.

Excessive irrigation increases our water’s cost, depletes our water supply, increases pollution run-off from lawn and landscape chemicals, wastes energy and requires additional time and labor.

As our communities grow, we can either build costly facilities or we can conserve water to reduce the demand on our existing limited supply.

Hiring the Right Landscaping Professional Often it makes sense for businesses to hire a landscaping professional. Look for certified landscapers or ask landscapers

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County participates in the relatively new ecoPro landscaping certification program. Check out their website to find a certified landscaper in your area or learn more about what to ask your landscaper to ensure that they are using sustainable landscape practices.

Landscape Planning Water conservation starts with a smart landscape design.

•

addition, watering lawns is inefficient; up to 50% of water is lost to evaporation,

Plan ahead for a water-smart

runoff, over spray and over watering.

landscape •

Recognize site conditions and plant appropriately

•

Group plants according to water needs

•

Use regionally appropriate, drought-

If you want to include lawn in your landscape, consider how much lawn your business needs. Then try to pick a cool season grass and implement natural lawn care practices.

tolerant and native plants •

Spruce up Your Sprinklers

Minimize and place lawns strategically

• •

Use organic slow release fertilizers,

The main

compost and mulch

sources

Install new plants and turf during

of wasted

the fall when the rain will irrigate

irrigation

for you

water include poor irrigation scheduling,

Lawns are Thirsty Lawns can use 2 to 3 times as much water as other plants in

inefficient irrigation systems and poor maintenance.

Here are four tips from the EPA on efficient sprinkler care.

the landscape. In

Continued on page 20 Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 19

Continued from page 19 •

Inspect – Check for clogged, broken

Tumwater

each year.

or missing sprinkler heads. Use the right kind of sprinkler nozzles for the area being watered. Move or raise blocked sprinkler heads.

•

Connect – Examine where the sprinkler heads connect to pipes or hoses. If water pools in your landscape or you have large wet areas, you could have a leak in your system.

•

Direct – Keep water off of sidewalks and driveways, and direct water only to landscaped areas. Turn off sprinkler heads that are not needed.

•

Select – An improperly scheduled irrigation controller can waste water and money. Update your system’s water schedule to align with the seasons, or select a WaterSense

Tumwater also has irrigation rebates

Outdoor Rebates within Thurston County

available. This program provides a

Lacey

availability.

Lacey has a Commercial Irrigation Upgrade Rebate. This program provides a rebate for up to 50% of the cost of upgrading irrigation system components to more water efficient components. size and number of water meters used by the commercial irrigation account. ¾-inch meters are eligible for rebates of

Technology Rebates. These rebates cover up to 75% of the cost for indoor waterefficient upgrades. Some of the projects

information, Benedict at (360) 438-2687.

leak

•

Do not install or use water features, unless they recycle the water

•

Fix leaking hose connections with hose gaskets and Teflon tape.

Mandatory Watering Schedules Some jurisdictions use mandatory watering schedules to reduce peak demand during the summer and encourage water conservation. Check to see if your water service provider has an irrigation schedule. Lacey has a mandatory irrigation schedule that is enforced June 1st thru September 30th of

machines, washing machines, sink faucets, spray nozzles and other watersaving equipment. Contact your City representative listed above for additional

FURNITURE

may help you identify a

shut-off nozzle

of high-efficiency toilets/urinals, ice

Manufactured Outdoor

Monitor your water bill -

Control hose flow with automatic

that maybe eligible include installation

information.

unusually high water use

•

In addition, to the rebates above, all

installation.

rebates and other water conservation

of hosing off

Rebates for Businesses Connected to LOTT system are also eligible for WaterSmart

controller to take the guesswork out

Sweep or blow paved areas instead

4144.

projects must be approved prior to

For more information about Lacey

water goes and where it is wasted

contact Amy Georgeson at (360) 754-

businesses served by the LOTT sewer

Other Landscape Practices for Efficient Water Use

•

rebates and water conservation ideas

rebates of up to $10,000. To be eligible,

labeled weather based irrigation

Perform a water audit - see where

For more information about Tumwater

up to $250; 6-inch meters are eligible for

contact Kim

•

based irrigation device. Call to check on

The maximum rebate depends on the

of scheduling.

•

rebate of up to $200 to install a weather-

Olympia

ADIRONDACK CHAIRS Ɣ OUTDOOR SWINGS BUNK BEDS Ɣ BIRD HOUSES

Olympia offers irrigation rebates of up to $2,500 to upgrade irrigation systems.

Apply for the rebate prior to purchase.

Once you receive an approval letter, purchase and install the equipment then submit the invoice for rebate.

For more information about Olympia rebates and other water conservation information, contact Erin Conine at (360) 753-8271.

20 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

MJL MARKETING Open Friday - Sunday 9 am - 5 pm Open Monday - Thursday by Appt.

7505 183RD SW, BLDG. C, ROCHESTER, WA 98579 (360) 858-4940

www.thurstonchamber.com

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EXECUTIVE MOVES

Meet the Port's New Environmental Director: Rachael Jamison “I've worked for some amazing organizations, but the people at the Port are the best in class. They are truly and authentically committed to doing our work in the most sustainable and thoughtful way possible. ”

T

he job was the perfect mix of policy and on-the-ground work, but it was meeting the staff that finally convinced Rachael Jamison to accept the position of director of environmental programs at the Port of Olympia.

“I’ve worked for some amazing organizations, but the people at the Port are the best in class,” said Jamison. “They are truly and authentically committed to doing our work in the most sustainable and thoughtful way possible.”

An Olympia resident for the past 20 years, Jamison started working at the Port in April 2016, and her path here was a long one, giving her the wealth of experience the Port was looking for.

Both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Evergreen State College are environmental science-based, and her previous work -- the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Ecology, the Department of Natural Resources,

22 • August 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

and Weyerhaeuser Company -- gives her a firm foundation of policy, compliance, sustainability and innovation from which to continue the sustainability work of the Port and to launch new initiatives.

What’s on Jamison’s desk?

A lot of Jamison’s work is related to compliance, which is on-going.

“I manage the Port’s environment program,”

www.thurstonchamber.com

Jamison said. “Our first priority is to

determine if one might be a good fit

that is both economically vibrant and

ensure that the Port of Olympia is in

for the Port Jamison said Thurston

environmentally sound, and that also

compliance with all federal, state and

County is supportive of environmentally

has community understanding and buy-

local environmental laws.”

sustainable initiatives and getting third-

in.”

party certified is one way to demonstrate The Port is collaborating with the State

the Port’s commitment to this end.

Department of Ecology on two clean-up

On the weekend you’ll find Jamison

projects in Budd Inlet. Jamison’s team

Finally, Jamison is working to strengthen

also manages the marine terminal’s

relationships between the Port of

stormwater treatment system, which is a

Olympia and the people of Thurston

major element of the Port’s commitment

County.

meetings, Rachael hits the trails.

the discharge of pollutants into Puget

“One of our challenges is to educate the

ultramarathons,” she said. “I’ll take any

Sound. Jamison and her team do this by

public about the role of the Port in our

working closely with port tenants and

community,” said Jamison. “Ports are

Ecology.

one of the environment’s strongest allies

managing teams and spearheading “I enjoy endurance trail running,

to preventing, reducing and eliminating

and a window into the world economy. I want to be part of effectively telling the

At the Olympia Regional Airport,

After a week of intensive policy work,

opportunity I have to spend time in the mountains.”

She has a 21-year-old daughter and when her daughter is home from college the two love to travel.

Rachael Jamison, above, enjoys endurance trail running, ultramarathons and travel.

good story of the Port of Olympia.

“We’ve been traveling together since my

of Tumwater on the development of a

“Ports are an incredible vehicle for

Italy, Costa Rica, and China ... all over,”

habitat conservation plan and is leading

actualizing community goals, creating

several new initiatives for the Port.

jobs and helping repair the environment

First, she is in the process of initiating

from historical mis-use. They bring

a greenhouse gas assessment with the

together environmental sustainability

intent of understanding the relative

and economic development efforts, two

impact the Port has on Washington’s

seemingly disparate ideas, in ways that

overall greenhouse gas emissions and

are absolutely compatible.

“My position at the Port is an

can be reduced. Next, she is assessing

“My hope is that I’ll be a bridge builder

my area of passion,” said Jamison. “I am

Port-specific certifications systems to

in this role, building a path forward

Jamison has initiated work with U.S.

daughter was young — we’ve been to

Fish & Wildlife Service and the City

As passionate as she is about being outdoors and travel, her work remains a passion too.

opportunity for me to work deeply in

identifying ways the Port’s footprint

www.thurstonchamber.com

she said.

delighted to be here.”

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  August 2016 23

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