From Our Blog

Harmsworth Reviews Legislative Issues

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center was the guest speaker at the Chamber’s Government Affairs committee meeting in September. As Director of its Center for Small Business, he laid out key issues he anticipates to be addressed during the next state legislative session. Although it’s just a few long weeks for the legislature, several issues are vying for urgency and attention. A few of those priorities relevant to business include: The capital gains tax created by SB 5096 is Read more

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Plastic Bag Ban Now in Effect

Washington’s statewide plastic bag ban was originally slated to begin January of 2021. Implementation was delayed due to supply chain issues of reusable bags related to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 13, theGovernor set the single-use plastic bag ban effective date for October 1, 2021. The ban applies to: all retail, grocery, and convenience stores; any restaurant or establishment offering takeout or delivery food or goods; temporary stores or vendors; and any event where food or goods are sold or Read more

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Halloween Happenings 2021

Ghouls and Goblins, the Chamber is pleased to provide a map of Halloween activities throughout Shelton-Mason County. Look for our star Chamber members and note that any icon styled purple is a drive-thru event. For more detail, including hours and links to events on Facebook, click on the black and purple pin drops. View the map below or open the custom map in Google. Sidewalk Spooktacular Once again, the Chamber is partnering with Shelton Downtown Merchants to present Spooktacular. This Read more

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Sidewalk Spooktacular

Once again, the Chamber is partnering with Shelton Downtown Merchants to present Halloween Spooktacular. This year’s festivities will return to Railroad Ave with all activities being held outdoors. The community is invited for an evening of trick-or-treating with local businesses! The event hours are 4:00-6:00p on Friday, October 29. Railroad Ave will be closed from First to Fifth, beginning at 1:00p. What you need to know:• This will be a ONE WAY event. No matter where you enter, proceed clockwise Read more

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A Warm Welcome To Mason County

The Mason County Board of Commissioners recently approved funding for further development of plans to create a tourism Welcome Center on Hwy 101 near Taylor Town. The project had originally been proposed after the County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee examined long term strategies to meet changing needs of visitors and tourism providers. At that time, the County contracted with a local Shelton corporation, Northwest Event Organizers to examine the feasibility of a full-service Welcome Center in Mason County. The goal Read more

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Seeking Volunteers

The Chamber is seeking community volunteers to help make this year’s Bite of Reality Financial Reality Fair a success for several hundred Shelton High School students! This year’s event will be held on the Shelton High School campus on Tuesday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 3 from 7:15-11:30a. At least 30 volunteers are needed each day. Kindly let us know if you can participate on both days or just one. See below for greater detail. Volunteer Now! More about the Read more

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State of the Community: Tribes

The Chamber is proud to convene this conversation on the state of the community. On Friday, September 17, both the Skokomish and Squaxin Island Tribes provided perspective about how they’ve fared this year and touched on accomplishments, challenges, and future plans. This Event is in Partnership of the Presenters: Heidi McCutcheonShelton-Mason County Chamber(360) 490-3741 directheidi@masonchamber.com Tom StrongVice Chair and CEOSkokomish Indian Tribe(360) 426-4232 ext. 2022tstrong@skokomish.org Marvin CampbellTribal Administrator and TreasurerSquaxin Island Tribe(360) 432-3909mcampbell@squaxin.us

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Nominations Open for Chamber Awards

Local businesses are doing much more than surviving, they are inspiring! It’s time to celebrate the best in our local business community by nominating those individuals who exemplify initiative for the Annual Awards presented by the Shelton-Mason Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber celebrates businesses within Mason County each year for their unique contributions, successes, and spirit of community. There are five distinguished categories to earn accolades this year so it’s time to reflect upon the past year in a positive Read more

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A Welcome Center for Mason County

Guest article by Rachel Hansen of Northwest Event Organizers The Mason County Board of Commissioners recently approved funding for further development of plans to create a tourism Welcome Center on Hwy 101 near Taylor Town.  The project had originally been proposed after the County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee examined long term strategies to meet changing needs of visitors and tourism providers. At that time, the county contracted with a local Shelton corporation, Northwest Event Organizers to examine the feasibility of Read more

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Lack of Childcare: #1 Culprit to Job Shortage?

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 affect parents, employers, and childcare providers, and develop locally-driven strategies to respond. The findings share some of what had been anticipated: parents are lacking choices and ultimately employers feel the Read more

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