Parents and employers remain greatly challenged by childcare accessibility and affordability across our region. Even before the Covid crisis, Grays Harbor, Mason, and Thurston counties had already reported a shortage of childcare options. The Chamber chaired a Child Care Task Force in early 2021 to assess childcare challenges, how those Read more…
Income earners in Washington will soon be taxed for a one-size-fits-all, long-term care insurance plan. Most people are unaware of this impending payroll tax and what – if anything – can be done to avoid it. One thing is for certain, if you do nothing, you will have no recourse Read more…
In early May, the CDC face covering guidance was updated to say that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, except in certain locations (health care settings, jails, homeless shelters, schools, and public transportation). Although 33 states have eliminated it, in Washington, there Read more…
Our nation has far too many people without jobs – and far too many jobs without people to fill them. The pandemic exacerbated America’s workforce problem, and it’s only getting worse. Please help us better understand the issues by participating in one of these quick surveys. Please note: these surveys Read more…
“Last year was a tough year. I mean, it was TOUGH tough. That said, there were several areas where I believe that the Chamber overcame and succeeded although it was a difficult hand that we were dealt. Here are the top five successes that the Chamber team accomplished.” – Heidi Read more…
The Chamber has joined in the call led by Washington Hospitality Association (WHA) for the state to reopen by June 15, calling on Governor Inslee to release a plan for reopening the state by that date, joining 48 other states that have already released reopening plans. The restaurant and hospitality Read more…
In the midst of 2020’s pandemic restrictions, we saw many employees working remotely, doing their best to keep up with the workload as their environment and tools changed (and changed often). This, of course, caused delays, backlogs, and a fractured process for many organizations. Quite possibly, Mason County’s permitting department Read more…
The City of Shelton is considering a surplus of the land known as the Island Lake Watershed at the corner of Island Lake Drive and Brockdale Road, across from Springfield Loop. Here is a collection of information and presentations made on the project being currently considered. Chamber Letter to City Read more…
On February 18, the Chamber gathered members of the business community for a briefing with WSDOT on an upcoming Fish Barrier Removal project. This project is located in both Mason and Thurston Counties on State Route 108 and Highway 101 near Little Creek Casino Resort. A full copy of the Read more…
On the morning of Monday, February 15 the Shelton-Mason County and the North Mason Chambers co-hosted the 35th District Legislators for a mid-Session update. Representative Drew MacEwen (R-Union), Senator Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch), and Representative Dan Griffey (R-Allyn) shared with Chamber members an overview of what has happened, a review of Read more…