From Our Blog

Mason County Approved for Phase Three Reopening

It’s official! Mason County has been approved to move into Phase Three Reopening, effective on Monday, June 22. Here’s a quick video created by The Bellingham Herald  showing what that means. Business sectors listed in Phase Three may reopen only AFTER the state publishes its guidelines for the specific sector and an individual business can implement those guidelines. Those guidelines can be found here. As of June 8, face masks are required for all employees*. Beginning June 26, every Washingtonian* is required to wear a face covering when in an Read more…

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Father’s Day: Not Just a Second Christmas for Dads

So far this year, celebrations have taken a backseat or been bypassed altogether because of Coronavirus. Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 21 and it warrants its rightful moment in the sun. Contrary to popular opinion—it isn’t just another greeting card day. It’s a sincere observation that originated in Washington out of the good intentions of a 16-year old girl trying to honor her father. At the Chamber, we thought this would be an appropriate time to share an uplifting Read more…

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Music on the Estuary

Facebook Live is new venue Closures may have compromised the location, but the highly anticipated Music on the Estuary concert will continue. This year anyone can attend the annual fundraiser from virtually anywhere. The entire event will be broadcast on Facebook Live and takes place June 12-14 and does not require advance tickets. The diversion to a digital format allows the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) to proceed with their planned event and expand its audience. Typically, the event draws a Read more…

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Crime teeming during COVID-19

Unemployment claims statewide reached 15.1% in April. Loan volume for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in Washington alone has climbed to $12.1 billion so far. With an olive branch extended, fraudsters are on the prowl. During May, both the Employment Security Department (ESD) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) alerted the public to potential scammers who are targeting resources intended to provide financial relief in response to COVID-19. With identity theft rampant, it is imperative to be aware of how Read more…

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Face Masks Required for All Employees as of June 8

As of June 8, a cloth facial covering is required for all employees. A few exceptions are allowed according to “Safe Start Washington: Phased Reopening County-by-County” including when: Working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site Employees with hearing issues or when communicating with others that need facial cues or mouth movements as a part of communication Employees with a medical condition or disability that need accommodation with medical documentation from a healthcare provider When the job Read more…

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Recreate Responsibly

Recreation abounds with daycation options Memorial Day typically marks the beginning of a whirlwind summer season, packed with activities around the Olympic Peninsula. This year is admittedly different. Social distancing rules have forced closures and cancellations of events and locations alike. People are living in limbo waiting to find out when its okay to visit their favorite people and places again. For now, we are expected to stay close to home which makes a destination vacation impossible and a staycation Read more…

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Mason County Approved for Phase Two Reopening

Mason County is pleased to announce that the county has been approved to move from Phase One to Phase Two under Governor Inslee’s Phased Recovery Approach. Business sectors listed in Phase Two may reopen only AFTER the state publishes its guidelines for the specific sector and an individual business can implement those guidelines. Those guidelines can be found here. Phase Two Business Activity Guidelines (as of 22 May 2020) Additional Guidance on Voluntary Contact Information – issued May 15 Dine-in restaurants and taverns – issued May 11 Read more…

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Recovery, Reopening, Readiness Webinar

Host contact information: Heidi McCutcheon, Shelton-Mason County Chamber(360) 490-3741 (direct) Pam Volz, North Mason Chamber(360) 710-0689 Guest speaker contact information: Drew MacEwen, State Representative for District 35(360) 898-1199 Sharon Trask, Mason County Commissioner Dist #3(360) 427-9670 x419 Mark Johnson, Washington Retail Association(360) 943-0667 Julia Gorton, Washington Hospitality Association(360) 956-7279 Shared Resources:  Official Washington statewide COVID-19 guidelines, by industry The Washington state guide to reopening your restaurant, by Washington Hospitality Association Restaurant Re-opening Guidelines webinar, recorded by WA Liquor and Cannabis Read more…

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Preparing for the New Normal

Emphasize your efforts on three key areas Mason County is now considered eligible to file for a variance to move toward Stage Two per Governor Inslee’s May 19 press conference. Most states have begun reopening their economies, at least in part. That is the good news. Reopening means its time to plan for a new mode of operation—the sooner, the better. Despite uncertainty, the next step to moving forward is to reopen responsibly. So, what do you need to do that? Read more…

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#MasonHealthWeek – why local healthcare matters

We are now in the seventh week of a statewide Stay Home, Stay Healthy order enacted in response to COVID-19. Almost immediately, the pandemic created a health crisis and cast hospitals into the spotlight, raising questions about facilities capacity, supply inventories and the ability to care for patients. This became another reminder of the critical need for healthcare access. Oftentimes, that access is a livability criteria and economic indicator of an area. Mason General Hospital (MGH) is that pillar for Read more…

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