From Our Blog

Flower Baskets Fundraiser Begins

The hopeful, sunny days we’ve seen this spring seem to have many looking ahead to the summer season. The Chamber has already begun receiving phone calls and folks dropping by our office asking if the oversized flower baskets will be going up again this year. Yes! We aim to have them in place for Mother’s Day. You can call it small town class or curb appeal; we call it beautification. Whatever you call it, the bright blooms that adorn streets Read more…

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Chamber Meets with Partners, Discusses Rural Development

The Chamber met with Congressman Derek Kilmer and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small during the duo’s tour of the Olympic Peninsula to visit with elected leaders and economic development professionals. The February 14 meeting was held at Little Creek Casino Resort and highlighted issues such as capacity and technical assistance; workforce housing and inventory limits; infrastructure serving residential and commercial purposes, childcare, and more. There was some conversation about opportunities to identify and seek Read more…

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Drive Traffic to Your Website with SEO

Anyone with a website or business presence online can benefit from search engine optimization (SEO), the process of helping search engines find and display your site in search results. Hosted by Jason, one of Google’s internal SEO experts, this workshop gives a behind-the-scenes view into how Google approaches SEO for its own sites. Learn practical strategies to help drive traffic from Google Search to your site. The video is now available on-demand (registration required). SEO Resources:Google Ads Keyword PlannerGoogle TrendsGoogle Read more…

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WA Cares Act Delayed 18 Months

The long-term WA Cares Act is delayed and premium collection won’t begin until July 2023. On January 27, Gov. Inslee signed bill 1732 to postpone collection of a new worker payroll tax for now. He says this pause allows the State to get the program right. Updated program information and guidance is available on the WA Cares website. For now, employers should: Stop withholding WA Cares premiums from employee earnings. Reimburse employees for WA Cares premiums within 120 days of Read more…

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Chamber Board Convenes at Retreat

The Chamber staff and its Board of Trustees convened on January 31 at St. Andrew’s House in Union for a retreat to formalize board appointments and set priorities for the year. The cozy space and hospitality at the venue was ideal for the twenty Chamber leaders comprised of past and present Board members and staff. The group spend the day reflecting on prior year results and focusing upon the year ahead.  According to a survey of our membership, overall member Read more…

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UPDATE: Supreme Court Halts Biden Policy Creating COVID-19 Vaccine or Test Rules for U.S. Businesses

Read full story from PBS here. Related statement from OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (1/13/22) Remarks by President Joe Biden on the Supreme Court’s Decision OSHA’s Nationwide Vaccine Mandate on Hold (originally published 11/17/21) Employers with more than 100 nationwide workers were bracing for the impact of a federal mandate requiring vaccination or weekly COVID testing. On November 4, the Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the Administration’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Since then, a court order has temporarily Read more…

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Chamber Convenes Partners for Legislative Sendoff

On Friday, January 7, the Shelton-Mason County and North Mason Chambers of Commerce, EDC of Mason County and City of Shelton hosted a Legislative Sendoff for Senator Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch), Representative Dan Griffey (R-Belfair), and Representative Drew MacEwen (R-Union) of the 35th Legislative District. Following introductions, each legislator shared their thoughts on the previous year and what they hope for in the short, 60-day session. All three legislators acknowledged the necessity of addressing the long-term care act. Sheldon self-identified as Read more…

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February Business After Hours

Holly Cahoon, recent Boss of the Year, welcomes area professionals to mix and mingle at her fabulous salon space in downtown Shelton for February’s Business After Hours. Drop in at 2nd Street Design Studio anytime on Wednesday, February 9 from 5:30-7:30p to socialize and connect with fellow Chamber members, local business owners, organizational leaders, elected officials, and friends. RSVP requested. Business After Hours is a monthly event hosted at member businesses on the second Wednesday of each month as a complimentary Read more…

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New law will reduce the use of single-use utensils, condiments, straws beginning January 1

Washington’s plastic waste reduction goals begin January 1, 2022. Washington restaurants will no longer automatically include single-use food service items like utensils, condiments and straws with food orders. A new state law restricts the use of these items and prohibits packaged bundles of single-use items in order to reduce waste and litter – although customers can still request individual items if needed. Single-use food serviceware items covered by the new requirements include:– Utensils (knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks) – Cocktail picks, splash sticks, and Read more…

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