July 2018 VOICE Magazine

JULY 2018

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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The Housing Squeeze Hits Home

BU I LDI NG CO MMUNI TY PROSPERITY FOR OVER 140 YEARS

A National Problem In Need of a Local Solution

By David Schaffert, Thurston Chamber President/CEO PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

EDITORIAL

In this month’s VOICE Magazine, we touch

Email: dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com

CONTRIBUTORS David Schaffert Doug Mah Doria Maselli Natasha Ashenhurst Dinea Norell

across our community.

in short supply.

•

available in the aftermath of the

Coalition Housing Task Force, co-chaired

financial crisis.

by Congressman Denny Heck, reveals housing costs are rising faster than wages

•

Construction labor productivity and the labor pool is not increasing.

and construction is not keeping up with demand.

So how do we have impact? In Thurston

The rising cost of shelter is the single

Sales and Marketing:

biggest squeeze on household budgets

Krystal Barkus

and a significant drag on the economy.

Blake Knoblauch

Construction funding is not as readily

A recent report from the New Democrat

Greg Raines

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Demand has shifted to walkable, transit-served urban areas, which are

Editor: David Schaffert Phone: (360) 357-3362

•

on the housing crisis and its rippling effects

County, there are significant efforts underway by government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

Aaron Bernhard

In extreme cases, it is forcing Americans

Phone: (360) 357-3362

One of the groups leading the charge is

to live on the street, which reduces gross

Thurston Thrives. The Thurston Thrives

domestic product (GDP) by trillions of

Housing Action team is comprised of 120

dollars, substantially reduces Americans’

members and its subgroup -- Incentivized

retirement savings, and undermines our

Housing -- has over 15 members. All of

ability to recover from the recession.

these people are working together to create

Email: info@thurstonchamber.com

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

DESIGN Mosaic Marketing Studio

The study points to several factors that

COVER ART

have restricted or slowed the supply of

Image from Dreamstime

housing:

CONTACT THE CHAMBER PO Box 1427

non-profit sectors.

In order for many of these strategies to be successful, our community will have to be

PRINTING Print NW

a strategy involving the public, private and

•

Zoning and land-use regulations

bold & begin thinking about solutions in

are slowing and restricting new

ways we might not have thought of in the

development.

past. https://bit.ly/2sCu8qj

809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com Website: 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.

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS DIAMOND INVESTORS: Capital Medical Center Little Creek Casino & Resort Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Phillips Burgess, PLLC Port of Olympia Providence St. Peter Hospital TwinStar Community Credit Union South Puget Sound Community College Washington Business Bank

PLATINUM INVESTORS America's Credit Union - Lacey Greene Realty Group

Heritage Bank - Olympia Mills & Mills Funeral Home Morningside Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Print NW Saint Martin's University TAGS Awards and Specialties

GOLD INVESTORS Bakala State Farm Boggs Inspection Services Cabinets by Trivonna Charter College C.P.C. Landscape, LLC The Creative Office Firs Senior Living Community

GHB Insurance Grays Harbor Fair & Tourism Great Wolf Lodge Hometown Property Management Hooper Financial Services Jessica Jensen Law PS LoanStar Home Lending Nicholson & Associates Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions Puget Sound Energy RHD Enterprises SCJ Alliance South Sound Radiology Venables Pest Management Wells Fargo Community Bank

EXPERIENCE THE CAPITAL ADVANTAGE

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

©2018 BCI

4 • July 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

thurstonchamber.com

July 2018

CONTENT & CALENDAR

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.

Thurston Young Professionals Join the Thurston Young Professionals on Thursday, July 5 at

In This Issue...

7 Jim Larson Retires

and expand your network.

Morningside congratulates President/CEO Jim Larson on his retirement after 29 years at the helm.

July Forum: The Housing Squeeze

8

5:30 p.m. at Octapas Cafe. Enjoy a large selection of beverages & snacks. Join us and meet with other Young Professionals

Join the Thurston County Chamber's July Forum and learn about the current housing shortage in Thurston County on Wednesday, July 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel RL Olympia. Housing is increasingly unaffordable because prices and rents are rising faster than wages and new construction is not keeping up with demand. We'll hear from a panel of experts about what it will take to ease the housing squeeze.

Business After Hours at OCCU Join the Thurston County Chamber on Thursday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. for Business After Hours at Our Community Credit Union. Business After Hours is a free networking event. Hosts provide light appetizers and

Survey Results Public Policy Division surveys Chamber Members on Recent Actions to Address Homelessness.

12 The Housing Squeeze Is there a local solution to the housing supply problem in Thurston County?

beverages, games and raffles. This is a great chance to learn about a local organization and expand your network. Where: Our Community Credit Union | 6541 Sexton Dr NW, Building H, Suite 103, Olympia, WA 98502

Save the Date for Olympia Brew Fest 2018!

The Olympia Brew Fest is an annual summer beer festival that takes place

16 Acme Fuels Olympia Acme Fuel has served Olympia for nearly one hundred years.

at the Port Plaza in Olympia, WA. It features 30+ hand-picked, northwest breweries and over 60 different beers. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Thurston County Chamber Foundation Small Business Development (Incubator) Program. Come and celebrate Olympia's fine brewing heritage! The date for the 2018 Olympia Brew Fest is August 4.

20 Summertime in Thurston County Make your summer plans with this guide to local food, drink and fun in the sun!

Thank you Sponsors!

thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 5

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6 • July 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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Morningside Congratulates Jim Larson on His Retirement

J

im Larson, Morningside’s President/CEO will retire at the end of July 2018. We sat down with him to reflect on his 29year tenure leading the organization and his life long career working on behalf of people with disabilities.

Q: Congratulations on your long and stellar career! What are your plans for retirement?

A: Spend more time with the grandchildren and family. Travel a bit and then do some consulting project work. I like to work. It’s always been an important part of my life. It gives me purpose and when you’re passionate about your work, like I have been throughout my career, it doesn’t seem like work.

Q: How important is work to people, especially someone with a disability?

A: People identify themselves with their work and you see that when you meet new people and they ask “what do you do?” It is such an important part of a person’s life and that’s why it’s been so important to people with disabilities, many who enter the workforce never holding a job before they come to us. It’s powerful getting a job and adding to the success of an organization. And then when you can say where you work and what you do, you’re just like everyone else in the community.

Plus you’re earning your own money! How life changing is that?

Q: Morningside has provided employment services to people with disabilities for a number of years. The organization was formed in 1963, but has evolved quite a bit over the past 55 years into its current state.

How has Morningside changed since the beginning and since you took the helm in 1989?

thurstonchamber.com

A: Morningside was one of two programs in the Olympia at the time and we provided sheltered workshop services. We received permission to begin what is known as supported employment in the early 1990’s and that led us to later reinvent our company by closing the sheltered program and promoting everyone working in the community at their own job. Our reputation of providing quality services led us to expand geographically and we are now in four other counties, with Pierce County being added most recently.

Morningside now is the largest provider of individual supported employment in the state and is recognized as the best.

Q: What are some challenges ahead for Morningside and people with disabilities in general?

A: Not going backward. Every few years the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is threatened in some form. This law forbids people with disability from discrimination.

Why wouldn’t you want people with disabilities to have the same rights as every other American? I tell people who love to text that they can thank people who are deaf because without the ADA we wouldn’t have texting as it is designed for individuals who are deaf. Most young people when I tell them that just stare at me blankly – they must think it was invented for them.

A: Closing the sheltered workshop was probably the most notable. Think about making a monumental paradigm shift in an organization and all the pieces that need to come together. It wasn’t easy but often times things that are very important and life changing don’t come easy. I am very proud of our staff. They are so creative and focused on our mission. I hope I have created an atmosphere where creativity and security abound.

Q: What will you miss most?

A: The people who I work with. I have spent years, decades with many of those folks I work with and I will miss sharing our life together. I love the challenge of my job and will miss leading Morningside on to new possibilities.

Jim Larson was named a “Boss of the Year” in 2017 by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce for a reason. We tip our hat to him and his lifetime commitment to make the world a better place for people with disabilities, their families, and the businesses who work to diversify their workforce- without him we aren't sure where we would be.

We will miss you, Jim! •

Q: What are you most proud of in your career?

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 7

Homeless man sits while a woman passes. Image courtesy of Dreamstime.

Survey of Chamber Members Reveals That Homelessness is the Most Urgent Issue Facing Our Community

By Doug Mah

H

omelessness continues to be the single most significant and urgent issue of public concern facing our community. A recent survey of Chamber members has validated this statement.

The Chamber sought input regarding the

agree that homelessness is the single

day center in Olympia, while 30

Olympia City Council’s Resolution M-1942.

most significant and urgent issue of

percent indicated disapproval and

This resolution established immediate

public concern facing the Olympia

the remaining 14 percent neither

action items to address homelessness in

community.

approve nor disapprove.

Olympia. Over an 11 day period, Chamber

•

The vast majority of respondents

•

It is important to note, that approvals

members completed more than 780

agree that Downtown Olympia has

for permitted camping and a low

surveys—Members who work at or own

exceeded its capacity to absorb more

barrier day center increase with

businesses across the region.

services.

greater awareness of what is being

Respondents do not agree on

done and working in downtown.

solutions. About 40 percent indicated

Familiarity with the problem appears

• Here is what we learned:

approval for legal camping, and •

The overwhelming majority of

more than 45 percent indicated

respondents, regardless of business location or familiarity around what is being done to address homelessness,

•

to increase the urgency to act.

•

We need to improve the civility of the

disapproval.

dialog, especially with people that

More than half of responses

work outside of Olympia where more

indicated approval for a low-barrier

than 60 percent indicated that the

8 • February 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

thurstonchamber.com

Homeless man sits in a sleeping bag by a handmade cardboard sign. Image courtesy of Pixabay.

•

dialogue around the homelessness

agrees. As written by a different

we are at risk of losing them if this

issue was sometimes, rarely, or never

survey respondent, “Regardless of the

issue isn't addressed in a sustainable

civil.

options selected to address homeless

Most important, we need to do a

challenges in Olympia it needs to

better job of informing people about

be a countywide plan and require

need to be raised and the priority of

current challenges and what steps

accountability.” Look for future

housing needs to be there; however,

we are taking to solve the problem.

efforts by the Chamber to better

we cannot lose sight of the fact that

Almost 75 percent responded that

engage members and stakeholders.

homelessness is only part of the

they were somewhat, not so, or

The survey indicates there are

problem. Health care, mental health

not at all familiar with the work of

opportunities to better inform, build

care, jobs, nutrition, addiction are

the city to address the problems of

accountability, and work together to

all components of the problem.

homelessness. This number increases

build a better community.

Addressing one without addressing

and business-friendly manner.”

•

to more than 80 percent for those outside of Olympia. It appears that

them all will not solve the problem.”

Thoughtful comments from the survey:

•

respondents have opinions yet self-recognize that they are not

“There is no easy answer. Funds

“Stop asking for money before you show us where the current money is

•

“We appreciate the Chamber’s

being spent. More money will never

familiar with the work to address

efforts to make our voices heard.

solve this problem unless you target

homelessness.

This has been a longstanding issue

specific areas of need.”

that needs to be addressed. We

•

“Many people have criticized inaction

This survey focused on possible actions

believe Tacoma is actually doing a

from the City of Olympia and its

initiated by the Olympia City Council,

great job at addressing this issue

residents. That can't be further from

but the issue is much larger than a single

and we should look to what they are

the truth- this city has a huge heart.

city. As one respondent wrote, “As a

doing as a reference. Let’s also be

Thank you for your work. My big

community we need to come together

accountable for how funds are used

request is please don't abandon the

more on this issue. It’s become so divisive

and expended! Fund solutions not

economic realities of businesses

we are struggling to make progress

studies!”

and tax payers who ultimately pay

• •

“Be mindful of the burden placed on

for social services- either directly

We need to get the other jurisdictions

local small businesses. The issue of

through taxes or as donors. If they

on board with helping. It’s not just

homelessness is costing them money

can't make money – there will be no

Olympia’s problem.” The Thurston

already. Our community claims to

money to meets these needs.” •

Chamber Public Policy Division

support local small businesses, but

thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 9

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thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 11

The Low Income Housing Institute (LiHi) develops, owns and operates housing for the benefit of low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people in Washington State. Above is a LiHi building on Adams, downtown Olympia, that has set aside 16 units to house homeless veterans. Photo by Greg Raines of Lionsdenpro.

The Housing Squeeze Hits Home in Thurston County

By Natasha Ashenhurst

H

ousing in Thurston County is increasingly scarce and expensive, which means residents are struggling to meet a basic need. “The data is telling us that we don’t have enough housing,” said Marc Daily, executive director of Thurston Regional Planning Council. “Vacancy rates are so

low that the lack of supply and increase in demand due to population growth is causing prices to go up higher than we expected. “This is complicated by the demographics of our community — our population is getting older, household sizes are decreasing and housing options are not reflecting this change.”

Andrew Barkis, owner of Hometown

the area or are economically strapped.

Property Management and Washington

According to Zillow, the median home

State Representative of the Second District

value in Thurston County is $299,600,

Hall said that creates a whole new set of

agrees. “I have no inventory right now. For

representing a 9.9 percent increase over

problems, such as highway congestion

every property that comes up for rent we

the past 12 months and Zillow predicts

and reliance on single-use vehicles.

receive 20 or 30 applications,” said Barkis.

they will continue to rise.

In addition, it changes a community’s demographic, as younger families are

“Recently, we listed a property on a Friday and by Saturday we had 187 inquiries.”

income for shopping or eating out.”

“When demand is so much higher than

often priced out and the community ages.

supply, it creates an imbalance and leaves The housing supply problem is great news

people out of the equation who can’t afford

Why the housing squeeze? “One word,”

for property owners -- who celebrate

rent,” said Olympia City Manager Steve

said Barkis. “Supply.” Zach Kosturos,

an increase in equity and the potential

Hall. “When people can’t afford decent

president of Prime Locations, agrees. “The

for wealth creation -- but it is bad news

housing it forces them to move out of the

housing sector is strong, but inventory in

for those who are renting, relocating to

urban area and spend less disposable

the single family market is way too low,”

12 • July 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

thurstonchamber.com

Above: Market rate housing off Legion near Three Magnets Brewing and Commencement Bank. Developed by, Walker John.

Photo by Greg Raines of Lionsden Pro. said Kosturos. “Ten years of not a lot of new supply in the pipeline

higher rents,” said Severn. “Non-profits will never have the scale

coupled with low interest rates and inflationary pricing on both

to solve the problem housing supply. Government alone can’t

the rental and ownership sides means we have a supply problem.

solve this problem.

“This is great if you are a property owner because it means your

“Ultimately, we can’t solve this without involvement of the

investment increases, but the flip side of the equation means that

private sector.” Barkis and Severn both point to a sub-group of

more people become cost burdened or — in a worst case scenario

the Thurston Thrives Housing Action Team called Incentivized

— homeless.”

Housing. “We’re creating a housing affordability model to incentivize private sector involvement to help solve the housing

Why the lack of supply? Experts such as Barkis, Kosturos and Hall

crisis, which will in turn help ease the homelessness crisis,” said

all believe our current imbalance between supply and demand is

Thurston County Commissioner Bud Blake, who leads the action

caused by a complex web of factors.

team. “We’re working to create a public private partnership that agrees on a package of incentives that will help ease the costs

“We’ve gotten ourselves into a regulatory environment that makes

associated with developing affordable housing. “We’ve created

the building process take longer than it should and additional

what we refer to as a menu of options. In some cases a developer

costs will ultimately get passed onto the market,” said Kosturos.

may receive a sales tax break; another may see a reduction in

“Combine that with a consequence of the recession — a lot of

impact fees or water setup fees. We need between 1,500 and 2,000

skilled labor had to leave the construction industry and find work

units of affordable housing to ease this crisis and we want to

elsewhere — and today there is a shortage of skilled labor, so

make this work financially for developers.”

contractors have to pay more and they pass along those costs to the consumer.”

Severn and Hall both believe that in addition to government easing the cost and regulation burden on development, residents

Increased cost and increased population mean the pipeline of new

have to think about this problem in different way. For years

housing is not keeping up with demand. In addition, the types of

our focus has been on providing single-family homes. The

housing contractors are building aren’t keeping up with changes

average size of homes keeps increasing yet our demographics

in demographics.

are changing. Daily points to Thurston County data showing that in 1960 the average household size was 3.1 individuals per

Jill Severn is a former Ponza Board member and an affordable

household and today it is 2.6 with further decreases projected.

housing advocate. “This is a problem of scale. We need more units

Retiring baby boomers and young professionals both are showing

of affordable housing to help house people who can’t afford the

interest in smaller homes in more urban environments.

thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 13

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Join us for a black-tie gourmet affair that includes an exquisite five-course dinner, cooking demos, and a live auction benefiting Saint Martin s student scholarships.

Reserve your table at www.stmartin.edu/GalaHawaii2018 or call 360-438-4366.

'View from corner of State Ave, and Jefferson St. looking NE' is the architect’s rendering of the Westman Mill project, created by Olympia architecture firm, Thomas Architecture Studios.

Partners include Walker John, the developer, Port of Olympia, landowner, and Korsmo, general contractor. Westman Mill is a mixed-use development slated for construction.

Experts argue that new housing should reflect these trends. Daily points to new development downtown Olympia and Lacey’s Woodland district as models to follow and the Tumwater City Council is holding work sessions to look at alternate housing models to accommodate growth.

Severn, also a volunteer at Quixote Village, believes alternate housing models will work for affordable housing too. “I used to work in Seattle’s Pioneer District in the 1970s. Folks could rent a room in a flop house for $.50 a night. It kept them off the streets and gave them a warm place to stay,” said Severn. “I’m not saying we want a return of the flop house, but we do need to consider alternate housing models. We need to think about shared use of facilities — such as bathrooms and kitchens — to make housing more affordable for those on the margins.”

“We’ve been working hard [on] downtown [Olympia] for the past 10 years,” said Hall. “The current housing boom downtown is the result of 10 years of planning and incentivizing development. So now, we need to look at this more broadly and balance [incentives] with market forces.”

Kosturos is also hopeful good planning and public-private partnerships will create real difference in Thurston County. “Where this discussion often goes off the tracks is when something inflates faster than a person’s ability to pay,” said Kosturos. “This is our situation. Ultimately, people who pay the biggest price are those who are already marginalized.

“The good news is that for the first time in a long time, people on all sides are working together to create solutions.” •

thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 15

Acme Fuel Vice President Christophe Allen (left) with General Manager, Todd Deck. Photo by Dinea dePhoto.

Acme: Fueling Olympia Since 1925

By Doria Maselli

I

n 1925, Springer Mill Company needed a way to sell off their waste wood products, so they established Acme Fuel company to provide heating needs for homes. Soon after, they began selling coal and heating oil as those energy sources became more common. Thomas Allen Sr., worked for Springer Mill, then as a salesman for Acme Fuel.

Allen Sr. bought the company from Springer Mill in 1941, and Acme Fuel has remained in the family ever since.

Thomas Allen, Jr. came to work for Acme

for home energy needs. They provide

him over 30 years of experience in the

in 1967, and his son -- Christophe -- is

a variety of services to homes and

petroleum industry. Deck serves on the

currently at the helm of Acme as vice

businesses throughout Thurston and

Washington Oil Marketers Association,

president of the company.

Mason counties and partner with Capital

an industry trade association, and

Heating and Cooling to install and repair

was recently elected to serve as the

“My father told me that after high school,

all types of equipment. Additionally,

association’s second vice president. The

I should go out and do something on

Acme owns and operates two gas stations

state-wide association holds an annual

my own for awhile, rather than jump

for both businesses and individuals.

conference and conducts meetings three to four times a year to discuss the latest

right into the family business,” said

happenings in the industry.

Christophe. So he did, graduating from

“We provide non-ethanol gas for people

the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma

with boats and other performance

and working for Starbucks in Seattle

equipment,” said Christophe. “Many

“One of the best things about working

before returning to Acme in 1995.

times we are sought out specifically by

at Acme is being on a first-name basis

customers for that service.”

with so many of our customers,” said

Acme’s primary business is home

Todd Deck joined the Acme team as

Deck. “Our drivers know their customers

delivery of propane and heating oil

general manager in 2008, bringing with

by name, and as a local company, we’re

16 • July 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

thurstonchamber.com

really able to provide a superior customer service experience.”

Acme Fuel employs 17 employees between full time, part time, and seasonal workers. Employee longevity is common at Acme, with many staying with the company for their entire career.

“We have an annual outing every year at a Tacoma Rainiers game, a Christmas party, and we celebrate everyone’s birthdays,” said Christophe. “It’s a real ‘family-feel’ environment here.”

Acme partners with local staffing agencies Express Employment and Professional Temp Staffing to recruit for open positions.

Acme is proud to work closely with many community organizations -Alzheimer’s Association, St. Peter Foundation, South Puget Sound Community College, Community Youth Services, Olympia Downtown Association Business Week, and Olympia High School Sports. Allen sits on the Providence St. Peter Foundation board, the Community Cares Center Advisory Committee, and the Olympia Free Clinic Board of Directors.

Alzheimer’s research has become important to owners Allen Jr. and Christophe. Christophe’s mother, Jeannine, passed away in October 2016 at the age of 74 after a long battle with earlyonset Alzheimer’s. The company painted a delivery truck purple to highlight their commitment to ending Alzheimer’s disease.

For every gallon of propane the truck delivers, Acme donates 1 penny to Alzheimer’s research. They estimate the annual donation to be around $4,000 per year.

Acme often assists those customers in financial need through organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Community Action Council. They were recently able to help a customer who was diagnosed with cancer. Acme employees started a fund by donating their own money, and Acme matched their contribution, providing the customer with a gift card to Safeway.

Responsible environmental stewardship is important to Acme.

They are a pioneer in selling non-ethanol gasoline, and Acme

Acme Fuel Truck in front of the Legislative Building,1935.

Photo courtesy of www.olympiahistory.org. installed high efficiency LED lighting at both of their gas stations in 2009 -- reducing energy usage by more than 50 percent. Acme is constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency and offer efficient and responsible products and services.

Christophe enjoys spending time with his family in the Olympia community, and has spent time coaching his son’s and daughters’ soccer teams. His golden retriever, Bear, is often seen lounging at Acme’s office. “[Bear has] become somewhat of a company mascot,” Christophe jokes.

Deck has two sons, and one works for Acme. He enjoys spending time with his five young grandchildren, playing on a senior softball league, and just purchased a home on Steamboat Island with his wife.

Since 1925, Acme has been committed to providing the best products and services with superior customer service, and that commitment continues to stand the test of time. •

Acme Fuel's Downtown Olympia location. Photo by Dinea dePhoto. thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

May 2018 17

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18 • July 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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thurstonchamber.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2018 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

UPCOMING EVENT

Chamber Forum – The Housing Squeeze Join the Thurston County Chamber's July Forum and learn about the current housing shortage in Thurston County.

Forum takes place on Wednesday, July 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel RL Olympia.

A recent report from the “New Democrat Coalition Housing Task Force” co-chaired

by Congressman Denny Heck finds that housing is increasingly unaffordable because prices and rents are rising faster than wages and new construction is not keeping up with demand.

In fact, the document points out; the high cost of shelter is the single biggest squeeze on household budgets and a significant drag on the economy.

In the extreme cases, it is forcing Americans to live on the street, reducing GDP by trillions of dollars, substantially reducing Americans’ retirement savings, and undermining our ability to recover from the recession. Several factors have restricted or slowed the supply of housing including:

• Construction labor productivity and the labor pool is not increasing

• Zoning and land-use regulations are slowing and restricting new development

The cost to attend Forum is $35 for general admission; $25 for online prepaid Chamber members and $30 for members at the door.

• Demand has shifted to walkable, transit-served urban areas, which are in short supply • Construction funding is not as readily available in the aftermath of the financial crisis

Join the Forum and hear from a panel of experts and learn how the public and private sectors are working together to solve this crisis.

July Forum is sponsored by CPC Landscape, Olympia Orthopaedic, The Firs Senior Living Community, TAGS Awards & Specialties. •

TRANSIT SURVEY Heading Home We’ve turned your 10,000 suggestions to improve transit into some transformational service ideas for the future. Now help choose the best path forward!

Help Us Move Forward Take the IT Road Trip survey online by July 31, 2018. Enter to win one of two $250 VISA gift cards.

What Matters Most?

• Service to New Areas

ITRoadTrip.net

• Improved Frequency • On-Time Performance • Extended Span of Service • Enhanced Commuter Service

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• Enhanced Capital Facilities • Alternative Fare Structures • Bus Rapid Transit • Night Owl Service

Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 19

We Are Your Solution For Janitorial And Sanitation Supplies.

Beyond soap and paper towels.

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

July 2018 21

Summertime in Thurston County Suggestions contributed by Experience Olympia & Beyond

Events in Thurston County You can find fun every weekend at events throughout Thurston County.

Enjoy delicious barbeque at the South Sound BBQ Festival, drink beer in the shadow of the brewery at the Tumwater Brewfest or close out summer at Harbor Days. Find your fun on the events calendar at ExperienceOlympia.com/Events.

South Sound Craft Crawl Taste more than 100 different handcrafted beers from breweries throughout Pierce County and Thurston County. Local favorites like Fish Brewing, Matchless Brewing, Three Magnets, Top Rung Brewing and the new Well 80 are included.

South Sound Wine Trail Follow the South Sound Wine Trail and sip along five wineries, each with a unique handcrafted taste. From Lacey to Tenino, you can visit a few stops or make a weekend of it.

22 • July 2018 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

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South Sound Coffee Trail Learn the origin of the bean at a coffee cupping, taste the variety of roasts or order your favorite coffee and take in the local scenery at one of three local coffee roasters (Batdorf & Bronson, Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. and Olympic Crest Coffee) along the South Sound Coffee Trail.

LIFE WITH A VIEW

Thurston Bountiful Byway Explore the 60-mile, self-guided adventure to sample and bring home craft beverages, spirits and farm-fresh fare straight from the source. •

OWN THE BEAUTY, CONVENIENCE AND LIFESTYLE OF OLYMPIA’S NEWEST LANDMARK Located in the heart of the city near Percival Landing Park, this contemporary, 28-home building will feature five floors of homes, two floors of parking and infinite views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and the Capitol.

1 AND 2-BEDROOM OPTIONS RANGING FROM 1,316 - 2,376 SF 322 Columbia Street NW Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 943-8060 percivalcondos.com

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Thurston County Chamber VOICE 

DEVELOPED

July 2018 23

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PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427