December 2019 VOICE Magazine

Be Prepared Planning Ahead for an Emergency at Your Home or Business

Artisans Group

Local Architecture Firm Brings Leadership in Passive House Design to Olympia

GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY

magazine PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com

CONTRIBUTORS David Schaffert Doug Mah Natasha Ashenhurst

ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider Blake Knoblauch

SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com

DESIGN Ben Hawkes, Mosaic Marketing Studio

COVER ART

Artisans Group Leadership Team – Roussa Cassel, CFO; Tessa Smith, CEO; Randy Foster, COO. Photo by Poppi Photography courtesy of Artisans Group

PRINTING Print NW

Be Prepared. Make A Plan.

by David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston Chamber

In last February’s snowstorm, the building that houses the Thurston County Chamber suffered significant damage to the roof due to heavy snow. Months later, the repair work is finally complete. The repair process was expensive and disruptive, but we are thankful no one was hurt. While we hope it never happens again, we recognize that whether it is flooding, snow, or an earthquake, disaster will strike in one form or another, and we need to prepare.

The looming winter weather reminds us that it is time to review our emergency and disaster preparedness plans – both at home and at work - for the inevitable emergency that will affect our business and our lives either tomorrow or in ten years. First, we will review the basics such as food, water and heat, and then we need to think about our intangibles and figure out if we have the proper insurance coverage and if our data is protected.

We do these things so that our business and community will endure long after a disaster strikes and because we know that a prepared community is also a resilient community.

According to the Federation of the Red Cross, communities that overcome disasters possess the following characteristics: • • • •

CONTACT THE CHAMBER

809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com

COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE 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 printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2019 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.

Its people are knowledgeable and healthy and have prepared for emergencies, therefore, recover more quickly with less loss of life.

It is organized so it can identify problems, establish priorities, and act.

It is connected and provides a support network as well as goods and services when needed.

Finally, resilient communities have stable housing, transportation, power, water, and sanitation systems.

Ultimately, a prepared business is a resilient business, and a prepared community is a resilient community, so – please – spend time today to put a good plan in place both at work and at home. You’ll be thankful you did.

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS

DIAMOND INVESTORS

SCJ Alliance

GHB Insurance, Inc.

Capital Medical Center

Grays Harbor Fair & Tourism

PLATINUM INVESTORS

The Evergreen State College

South Puget Sound Community College

Greene Realty Group

The Rants Group

Heritage Bank - Olympia

GOLD INVESTORS

Hometown Property Management, Inc.

L & E Bottling Company, Inc.

American Workforce Group

Morningside

Caliber Home Loans

Olympia Federal Savings

Charter College

Nisqually Red Wind Casino

Olympia Nissan Commercial Vehicle

Commerce Home Mortgage LoanStar Division

Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions

TwinStar Credit Union Corporate Office

Phillips Burgess, PLLC

Community Youth Services

Radia Inc., PS

Providence St. Peter Hospital

Washington Business Bank

Puget Sound Energy

The Creative Office

Wells Fargo Community Bank

Saint Martin's University

America's Credit Union - Lacey FORMA Construction Company Little Creek Casino & Resort Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC Port of Olympia

The Firs Senior Living Community

Great Wolf Lodge

Hooper Financial Services Mills & Mills Funeral Home

Timberland Bank Venables Pest Management

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY SINCE 1874

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December 2019 THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE

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

In This Issue...

Morning Mixxer at Fieldstone Cooper Point Please join our host Fieldstone Cooper Point on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:30 a.m. for the Thurston Chamber's Morning Mixxer. Fieldstone will provide breakfast treats, and our sponsor, L&E Bottling, will host the

Emergency Planning p. 7

coffee bar and you can enjoy a morning of networking. Morning Mixxer

Emergency preparedness is a must in the Pacific Northwest's winter weather.

is free to attend. Where: 810 Fieldstone Dr SW, Olympia, WA 98502.

Forum: 2019 Boss of the Year Awards & Recognition Join the Thurston County Chamber on Wednesday, December 11 at 11:30 a.m.

Artisans Group Brings Passive Design to Oly p. 12

at Hotel RL Olympia for the tenth annual Boss of the Year Awards & Recognition Celebration. This event will highlight outstanding leaders in the workplace. Forum

Where: Hotel RL Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr SW, Olympia, WA 98502

Local architecture firm brings innovative sustainable approach to Olympia homes.

Thurston Young Professionals at Hotel RL Olympia

Advocacy Update p. 17

Join Thurston Young Professionals on Thursday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Improvement District will create a clean, safe and welcoming Olympia.

includes a lunch buffet. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members in advance; $30 for members, $35 for non-members at the door. Make your reservation today.

at Hotel RL Olympia. Enjoy a selection of beverages and snacks, meet with other Young Professionals (21-39 year olds) and expand your network.

Where: 2300 Evergreen Park Dr, Olympia, WA 98502.

Upcoming Events p. 20

Business After Hours at Olympia Furniture Co.

2019 Boss of the Year & the 2020 Distinguished Leader Awards celebrate leadership in Thurston County.

Join the Thurston Chamber on Thursday, December 19, at 5:30 p.m. for Business After Hours at Olympia Furniture Co. Business After Hours is a free networking event. Hosts provide light appetizers and beverages, games and raffles. This is a great chance to learn about a local organization and expand your network. Where: 2302 Harrison Ave Suite 101, Olympia, WA 98502.

Caught in the Lens p. 22

Save the Date! LTC Distinguished Leader Awards

A glimpse at Thurston

Join the Thurston Chamber and Leadership Thurston County on Thursday,

Chamber events over

January 16, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Distinguished Leader

the past month!

Awards. The event recognizes leaders who demonstrate outstanding initiative and make a significant impact in our community and beyond.

Where: Hotel RL Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr, Olympia, WA 98502.

Thank you Sponsors!

thurstonchamber.com

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WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU.

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Matt DeBord

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Disaster Preparedness Is A Must For Your Business

by Natasha Ashenhurst

Photo taken after the May 2017 microburst in Lacey.

Photo courtesy of the City of Lacey. This story was originally published in October 2017.

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ason outlined the steps organizations should take to prepare for a disaster or emergency. And while most of us think of disasters arriving in the form of an earthquake or flood, Eason cautions that businesses also need to plan and drill for an active shooter situation, wide-spread flu outbreak or a fire.

Step One: Prepared Personnel According to Eason, the first step to create a prepared business is to make sure employees are prepared at a personal level.

First, individuals and families should think about how they will receive emergency alerts and warnings.

Eason recommends following the

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Most successful businesses have a business plan, a marketing strategy and long-range goals in place, but not many have drafted a disaster preparedness plan, let alone drill employees through mock disaster situations. Vivian Eason, Emergency Management Coordinator for Thurston County would like to see that change.

Thurston County Emergency Services on Facebook and Twitter and recommends that both households and businesses should have batteryoperated radios in order to follow NOAA and the Thurston County alert system. She cautions that people always check the source of the news they receive and should avoid secondhand information, as it often is false.

Instead, rely on first-hand information from a reliable source.

weeks of food and water.

Organizations also need to designate essential personnel from non-essential personnel. Outline strategies for essential personnel getting to and from your organization in events such as snowstorms, floods and any situation where the roads are difficult to navigate.

Step Two: Emergency Employee Communication Plan Next, households should have a “Once your employees have a plan and shelter, evacuation and communication know how they will communicate with plan. This includes thinking about food their loved ones, you need a way to and water. In the past, Eason and her communicate with your employees,� colleagues suggested three days of said Eason. She recommends food and water, but after the Cascadia creating a phone tree to communicate Rising drill, they now recommend two important information in a fast and

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Serving All of Thurston County ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THURSTON COUNTY

1. Provided $70,000 for the renovation of the Historic Oddfellows

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Building.

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Olympia

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2. Provided $75,000 to complete the Master plan for the SW

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Washington Innovation & Business Park.

Lacey

3. Provided $10,000 for the installation of wider sidewalks,

bulb-outs and landscaping along Binghampton Street to build downtown character and enhance the setting for local and visiting shoppers.

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Tumwater

4. Provided $20,000 to assist with the design and construction of

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the community center.

5. Provided $15,000 to support investment in the Lacey Yelm

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Tenino

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MakerSpace project.

6. In partnership with the City of Tumwater and U.S. Fish and

Wildlife, developed a Habitat Conversation Plan to provide long-term preservation and management of protected and endangered species.

7. In partnership with the Frank Family, Squaxin Island Tribe and

Salmon Defense, developed and maintains the Billy Frank Jr. Park and Trail to provide a historical and educational self-guided walking tour.

PORTOLYMPIA.COM 360.528.8000

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE

Inquiries@PortOlympia.com

thurstonchamber.com

Photo taken during flooding of the Deschutes River at Tumwater Falls. Photo courtesy of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation.

efficient manner. The communication plan can be as simple as a brochure that employees carry in their car or briefcase.

emergency so they are well prepared if disaster strikes.

Planning will not only save lives but it can save the business from financial loss. In Rochester, an egg farm has an “The more you drill and the more agreement with Northwest Helicopters you practice, the better you will react to fly eggs out and supplies in if a flood in stressful situations. O Bee Credit Step Three: Create a “Shelter in or natural disaster cuts them off from Union worked with the fire department their supply chain. A local veterinary Place” Plan to learn how to evacuate in the case of clinic recently installed a generator so Most organizations have a first aid a fire, and taught all of their employees that in the event of a power outage kit and fire extinguisher in a central location, but not many have a supply of how to use a fire extinguisher. they will not lose valuable medicine.

Know the risks your business faces emergency food and water on site. based on where it is located and drill Eason said, “Ultimately, businesses accordingly. If you are in an area prone and individuals need to be prepared “If a disaster takes place when to flooding, drill for that. If you are on employees are at work and they can’t to be on their own at home and at the fifth-floor of a building and have get home, businesses need to think work. They need food and water. staff who can’t take the stairs, drill for about having desk kits or a supply of Most importantly for the community, food and water set-aside,” said Eason. that,” said Eason. they need to be ready to come back Some businesses keep dehydrated strong and resilient after a disaster food on hand; others have a kit for and they need to be ready to help their Local fire departments are an excellent each employee. No matter what neighbors.” resource to help create an emergency system you choose, you need to be evacuation plan, said Eason. She said able to take care of your staff until you these plans are especially important Editor’s note: In addition to the handy, can get help.”

'Two Weeks Ready' Survival Kit to think about if any employees have Checklist on page 11, you can find an a disability, which could make it more Step Four: Drill, Drill, Drill excellent emergency preparedness and difficult for them to quickly evacuate.

Finally, once communication planning checklist for businesses here: Drill for other things like an active and shelter plans are in place, bit.ly/emergencyprepchecklist shooter situation, a chemical leak, organizations need to drill for an actual terrorist threat, an earthquake or a flood. thurstonchamber.com

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SPOTLIGHT

Are You Prepared?

Build Your '2 Weeks Ready' Survival Kit

Water (1 gallon per person, per day)

Glasses/Eye Care

Can Opener

Tools

Non-Perishable Food

Identification & Important Documents

Personal Hygiene Items

Batteries/Chargers

NOAA Alert Radio

Cash

Comfort/Entertainment

Medications

Flashlight

Medical Equipment

Warm Clothing

First Aid Kit

Toilet Paper

Fire Extinguisher

Pet Supplies/Food

Sturdy Shoes

The Firs Senior Living

For more emergency planning tips for your business, visit bit.ly/emergencyprepchecklist.

thurstonchamber.com

The Firs residents, Art & Carolyn

F

or the last 34 years, it has been our purpose here at The Firs, to consistently exceed the quality, service and care expectations of those we serve here in Olympia.

We are extremely grateful for the amazing residents we have.

Growing up in Washington and graduating from Gonzaga University, Art and Carolyn have enjoyed every bit of their time here in Washington. Before becoming residents at The Firs, both made careers as bankers in the area.

They loved to travel every year especially to Europe with a total of 26 trips. When the day came and they decided that maintaining a large yard and house was getting to be too much, they decided to come take a look here at The Firs.

Having now spent nearly two years at The Firs, Art and Carolyn are very pleased with where they are at. When asked why they decided to move, Art responded with “Why sit at home and be alone? You have companionship here”. This is one of the many reasons why residents enjoy living here.

After all, Art says the biggest feature here is the staff and residents.

At The Firs, part of MBK Senior Living, it is our principles and core values that set us apart. Our customer focus, our inspired staff and our dedication to financial responsibility drive our pursuit to be the senior living provider of choice in each market we serve.

Find more information at: www.mbkseniorliving.com/seniorliving/wa/olympia/the-firs/

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A new book called "Downsize: Living Large in a Small House," written by bestselling author Sheri Koones, featured two Artisans Group designed homes, including this home on Legion Way in

Downsized: Local Architecture Firm Puts Olympia On the Map As A Leader in Passive House Design

by Natasha Ashenhurst | Photography by Poppi Photography | Courtesy of Artisans Group

How does where we live and what we live in translate into financial freedom, living simply, and lowering our environmental footprint? Are we willing to give up large, energy-intensive homes for something more modest? Are the gains worth the sacrifice?

According to architect Tessa Smith, CEO of Olympia-based Artisans Group, more people are choosing smaller, more energy-efficient homes because they are yearning for the financial freedom a smaller mortgage provides, want to live more sustainably and have less house to take care of while living in a beautiful, thoughtfully designed space. “When you own and operate something that is right-sized, you have

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more financial resources while living in something that is higher quality and is much easier to care for,” she said.

A 2018 survey by the National Association of Home Builders confirms that the small house trend is gaining momentum — over half of Americans say they would consider living in a home that is less than 1000 square feet compared to 2,700 square foot

Thurston County Chamber VOICE

home that is the national average.

Olympia is at the epicenter of the passive and small house movement, thanks, in part, to the work of Artisans Group. “We weren’t the only reason it happened — rather, it is our community’s culture of caring about each individual’s role in the greater community as well as our desire to lower our environmental

thurstonchamber.com

footprint,” Smith said. A new book called Downsize: Living Large in a Small House, written by bestselling author Sheri Koones, features two Artisans Group designed homes.

History – From Remodeling Firm to Architect Innovators In 1999, Randy Foster was operating Artisans Group as a small remodeling firm. As its reputation spread, the company grew to a team of over 30.

Tessa Smith joined the firm when she was 20-years-old with a degree in sustainable design, working with businesses doing green-building residential work. Then the recession hit, and the team went from a staff of 32 down to five employees.

The construction industry was contracting, and Foster and his team started looking for alternatives to building and remodeling.

Around 2009, Smith went to a lecture in Seattle about the new Passive House movement. A Passive House is a building standard and construction concept that combines energy efficiency, a comfortable space, is affordable, and has a lower ecological footprint.

“I came back from that lecture in Seattle passionate about Passive House design. I told Randy I was committed to pursuing Passive House design and construction. Randy started asking questions about what I learned, and he became very interested in Passive House design as well. Eventually, we both became Certified Passive House Consultants, and I bought into Artisans Group as a 50 percent owner,” she said. Smith was only 23-years-old.

Soon after, they designed their first Passive House, only the 2nd completed home in Washington State.

The trajectory of the firm changed thurstonchamber.com

The Artisans Group team.

overnight and many more such Passive Houses followed spanning the region. After several years as Design/ Build they realized that their design opportunities were limited by scope and geography as a design-build firm, so they converted into an architecture and planning firm with great success.

By that time, Smith was a licensed architect—a process that takes eight years total. Eventually, architect Roussa Cassel joined the business bringing a background in residential and hospitality design.

The team was soon collaborating on projects such as 222 Market, Dillinger’s Rum Room, Little General, and all of Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. cafés. They continued to design residential homes but also moved into commercial design, which includes medical clinics, multi-family, and

mixed-use design projects.

Today, Smith is CEO, and Foster and Cassel are CFO and COO respectively — each owning an equal share of the firm. Artisans Group recently received its Women Business Enterprise status with the State of Washington, so they’re qualified to partner with other Architecture firms on larger design projects for the state, which requires that 10 percent of projects are awarded to Women and Minorityowned businesses.

Future Projects and Trends As passive building gains momentum, so does Artisans’ reach with projects from Vancouver, B.C. down through Portland, Oregon. They are currently designing a 12,000 sq. ft. co-working space in an old granary at the Port of Bellingham. In addition, they are

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Below: Concepts of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that Artisan Group planned for the City of Lacey.

Artisans Group designed all of the Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. cafés.

planning a yet-to-be-named restaurant that will go in the ground floor of Olympia’s Views on Fifth. However, their passion project is working throughout Thurston County to find innovative ways to help solve the housing crisis. “We’re excited about bringing together the Passive House and multi-family housing sectors. We believe that one the most sustainable things you can do for a city is to increase density. All of the nice things we love about cities – such as walking

A few interior angles of the Artisans Group's home on Legion Way.

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to our favorite coffee shop or grocery store – all come from density and sustainable growth. We applied for and won a project offered by the City of Lacey to design Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) plans that Lacey will offer to residents at no charge,” said Smith.

Artisans Group designed cottage-style plans (with optional energy efficiency upgrades built into the plan) that Lacey residents can use to build ADUs in their back yards – adding density and helping alleviate Thurston County’s

The Artisans Group team. thurstonchamber.com

housing crisis while offering residents rental income.

often times less expensive than other architects in the region, especially for our portfolio prowess and energy One of the problems with receiving efficiency specialty. Many of our awards and national attention for residential clients are solidly middlearchitectural design is that potential class. Living in a smaller passive home clients are under the impression that and lowering one’s environmental custom architecture and Passive House footprint should be available to design is only for the wealthy. Smith everyone. Most people—when given wants to throw that misconception the opportunity — want to live smarter, out the window. “Although we always surrounded by great design, and we’ll enjoy a project with the budget to be continue to do our best to remain very expressive and unique, we are friendly and accessible,” she said.

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Community Youth Services is embarking on 50 years of excellent service to youth-at-risk and youth experiencing homelessness in the South Sound region. With over 20 interrelated programs and service to 6,500 youth and Afamilies each year, we are in need of some building restoration and improvements to ensure continued excellence for the next 50 years! We hope you will join us in this endeavor to change young people’s lives.

To learn more, please visit:

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ADVOCACY

Downtown Improvement District (DID): Creating A Clean, Safe & Welcoming Olympia

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director

This Fall, the Olympia Downtown Alliance started working to establish a Downtown Improvement District or DID. Thurston Chamber members will soon hear more about this proven means to help communities prosper and thrive.

T

he District goals are simple: create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming environment for everyone in downtown Olympia.

The Improvement District uses a private sector funding model to bring improvements and new services to a designated area. New services, such as enhanced safety and maintenance, are provided exclusively within the district, and are an enhancement to – rather than a replacement of – those already provided by the City. Districts work in the same way as a “common area maintenance agreements” used in shopping malls and office parks.

State law allows districts to be selfimposed by property owners in the designated area. It is not a tax.

However, formation of the DID requires that property owners petition the City to establish the district. The petition to

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create the district must be supported by more than 60 percent of the total assessment to be paid. When there is sufficient support through the petition process, a public hearing will be held by City Council, and the City Council will consider establishing the new Downtown Improvement District through city ordinance.

The proposed DID differs from the current Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) that was established more than a decade ago.

According to Todd Cutts, Downtown Alliance Executive Director, “the PBIA assessment is placed directly on business owners. The DID differs by placing assessment on property owners”. The assessment, or cost to property owners, will vary based on a formula that accounts for property location within the district, property

type, frontage, and assessed value. The proposed DID assessment provides a greater level of service to those in the district than the PBIA can afford since the PBIA budget is about $100,000 per year and the proposed DID budget is larger at about $560,000 per year.

However, the proposed governing board of directors for the DID will include both property owners and business operators within the district.

It is expected that the Board will represent a wide variety of geographic subdistricts and use-types within Olympia’s downtown. Clean & Safe Services will be the primary and initial focus of the district and the new board of directors when they are established.

Clean and safe services include a hospitality and safety ambassador program that may include offering

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WE’RE BUILDING SO YOU CAN TOO

PLEASE WELCOME TADEU VELLOSO, a new Associate focusing his practice on land use, real estate, and environmental law through our Olympia office. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and the University of Portland, Mr. Velloso recently completed a Judicial Clerkship with the Washington State Supreme Court. He holds membership in the Thurston County, Tacoma-Pierce County, and Washington State Bar Associations. tvelloso@phillipsburgesslaw.com

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Also feel great knowing when you wash with us, you’re helping the environment by saving water and keeping pollutants out of our lakes, streams, & rivers!

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ADVOCACY information, assistance, and safety escorts to downtown visitors, workers, and residents; outreach and connection to local service providers for downtown’s street dependent population; and management of nuisance issues. Other activities supported may include comprehensive sidewalk sweeping, scrubbing, and power washing; litter removal; and landscaping maintenance.

As proposed, the DID will have an initial term of 10 years.

Five years into the district’s formation, a formal evaluation will be conducted to determine if the services and assessment methods are consistent with the needs of the district. To extend the DID beyond the initial 10-year term, a new petition process will need to be undertaken to affirm support for the district.

Downtown Improvement Districts are common across the country and in Washington found in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Yakima, and Spokane. Improvement districts are also found in state capitals such as Sacramento, Boise, and Madison. According to Kevin Stormans, business and property owner of Bayview Thriftway within the proposed

district, “once in place, Downtown Improvement Districts have strong support from downtown property owners”.

According to Stormans, “the renewal rate for districts across the nation is about 99 percent.”

The Olympia Downtown Alliance would like to have the district in place and operational by mid-2020. This requires significant outreach; business plan development; agreement on the size of the district and assessment formula by the property owners; and the gathering of petition signatures by the district proponents. The City will need to hold study sessions with stakeholders; draft and pass council resolutions and ordinances to bring the district to life.

The Thurston Chamber of Commerce supports the efforts of the Downtown Alliance and the creation of the Downtown Improvement District. The Public Policy Division believes that the proposed DID is a viable and proven means to better support Olympia’s Downtown. We encourage Chamber members to learn more about the district at www.downtownolympia.org and to help support the creation of the DID.

EVENTS

Thurston Chamber Celebrates Boss of the Year Honorees The Thurston County Chamber is proud to announce the tenth annual Boss of the Year Recognition and Celebration. Co-sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, this award recognizes outstanding individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the workplace through innovation, communication, vision and performance.

“For the 10th year in a row we are recognizing outstanding leaders in the workplace. What makes this award unique is that nominations come from the leader’s direct reports. In the lab of actual workplaces, around 25 students from Saint Martin’s

University are examining a dozen finalists to uncover what makes these bosses excel in leading their teams.

The student’s analysis is incorporated into the selection process for the 2019 Boss of the Year Awards,” says Reid Bates, owner at Express Employment Professionals.

The recognition event will take place on Wednesday, December 11 at the Hotel RL Olympia beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a lunch buffet and recognition program starting at 12 p.m.

Thank you to our sponsors, Bakala State Farm, The Firs Senior Living

Community and TwinStar Credit Union.

What: Thurston Chamber December Forum: Boss of the Year Recognition and Awards When: Wednesday, December 11 at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Hotel RL Olympia-Downstairs Ballroom - 2300 Evergreen Park Dr SW, Olympia, WA 98502 What: Forum includes lunch, and the cost is $35 for general admission, $25 for prepaid Chamber members, and $30 for members or $35 for nonmembers at the door. To make your reservations, register online at www. thurstonchamber.com.

Let’s sharpen your business focus.

Success-driven professionals depend on Olympia Federal Savings for business accounts and other sound financial programs.

Talk to Carrie Whisler, OlyFed's Commercial Relationship Manager.

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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EVENTS Join Leadership Thurston County for the 2020 Distinguished Leader Awards

L

eadership Thurston County is proud to announce the 2020 Distinguished Leader Award honorees: John Doan, City of Tumwater; SCJ Alliance; and Retired Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander.

RL in Olympia. The evening begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, to make a reservation, or for partnership opportunities, please call Alisha The event recognizes leaders who Blain at 360.357.8515 or email demonstrate outstanding initiative, LTC@ThurstonChamber.com. inspire others and make a significant Leadership Thurston County is a impact in our community and beyond. program of the Thurston County Honorees will be recognized through Chamber Foundation and has been live and multi-media presentations. developing informed, skilled and The 19th annual Distinguished Leaders committed community leaders since Awards celebration will take place on, 1994. For more information, visit Thursday, January 16th, at the Hotel leadthurstoncounty.com.

This Year's Honorees

Gerry Alexander, Retired Supreme Court Justice

John Doan, City of Tumwater

360.456.4999

venablespestmanagement.com info@venablespest.com

TRUSTED BY THOUSANDS Venables Pest Management is a locally owned and operated company using pet-friendly, professional pest management solutions for ants, termites, mice, beetles, spiders, bed bugs, yellow jackets and rats. We also offer commercial and residential maintenance services and real estate inspections. Give us a call today. thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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December 2019

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Caught In The Lens

Caught in the Lens is a place to catch up on all of the Chamber happenings over the past month - whether its Morning Mixxer, Business After Hours, Thurston Young Professionals, Chamber Forum, an awards ceremony, fundraising event, or a Ribbon Cutting. For more photos, follow the Thurston Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThurstonCountyChamber.

PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427