News

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

MOUNT VERNON – Skagit Valley College in 2018 launched the state’s first brewing program for a community or technical college. Back then, it answered a looming workforce need as an influx of new breweries opened throughout the region. The timely launch of new workforce training programs is taken seriously by Skagit County’s local higher education institutions: Signature Investors Skagit Valley College, Western Washington University and Washington State University Everett. “If we sit and wait for employers to tell us when there’s a need, then we are already years behind,” said Skagit Valley College President Dr. Thomas Keegan. “It’s important for us t...

EDASC's 2019 financial outlook

Monday, January 20, 2020

EDASC continuously looks to improve the value it provides to the community, ensuring it spends your investment dollars wisely. In 2019, EDASC staff and board members took a hard look at internal processes to find where we could free up resources, augment revenues and reduce expenses. A direct outcome of this analysis was the merging of EDASC and the EDASC foundation into a single 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It was found that EDASC administrative staff spent unnecessary time maintaining two separate organizations though board meetings, payroll, tax fi lings and reporting when the organizations could have operated as one. This change will have ...

CEO Message: Happy New Year and thank you for supporting economic development

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

Happy New Year and Happy ‘20s! Please allow me to open this New Year and new decade with a note of gratitude on several fronts. I know I am in good company being thankful to live in beautiful Skagit County, which is full of people who value and care for each other and for our beloved home. We at EDASC are grateful for all the people who make what we do so successful, fulfilling, and enjoyable: our phenomenal staff and board of directors, our private and public investors at every level, and our partners in nonprofit organizations, industry, education, and government...

Tickets, sponsorship opportunities available for Economic Forecast Night

Thursday, December 26, 2019

MOUNT VERNON -- Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for EDASC's 2020 Economic Forecast Night set for Feb. 11 at Swinomish Casino & Lodge. The annual event brings together over 400 business leaders, elected officials and community representatives to look at the economic and business trends shaping Skagit County. Enjoy dinner with a no-host bar while hearing from eminent speakers. Along with EDASC CEO John Sternlicht’s year-in-review and look forward at the county’s economic trends by economists Dr. Laurie Trautman and Dr. Anneliese Vance-Sherman, attendees will be treated to a debate panel of regional leaders in higher education. Panelists include Skagit Valley Colleg...

Thank You for Shopping Small this Holiday Season

Monday, December 23, 2019

Thank you to all our community members who have shopped small this holiday season. Shopping small and supporting local businesses is critical to Skagit County’s economic growth. Small businesses reinvest in the community, create jobs, and add to the strong sense of place that defines downtowns from Mount Vernon to Sedro-Woolley. Ellen Gamson, Executive Director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association, described how important strong downtowns are. “In today’s world of telecommuting, distance learning, and virtual meetings, a strong downtown provides the critical space for people to come together and achieve that sense of direct personal connection that is increasingly harde...

EDASC, PTAC offer government procurement networking event

Friday, December 13, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – EDASC and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) hosted the Skagit County Meet-the-Buyers Event on Dec. 10 at the Skagit Transit Station, helping connect dozens of businesses with government purchasing departments. The event featured rotating 20-minute roundtable sessions with local and regional government purchasing departments, providing the opportunity for small-business owners to learn how to get their foot in the door of government contracting. Buyers included Port of Skagit, Port of Anacortes, Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy, Skagit Transit Authority and the State Department of Enterprise Services. EDASC, PTAC and the Small Business Development Center were also o...

Event raises over $6,000 in scholarships for Leadership Skagit, Bennett honored

Friday, December 13, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – EDASC and Leadership Skagit alumni hosted the annual Leadership Skagit Holiday Gathering on Dec. 5 at Skagit Valley Gardens, bringing together current Leadership Skagit participants, alumni, supporters and community leaders to raise funds and enjoy a festive evening. Leadership Skagit is a program of EDASC, in partnership with Skagit Valley College. About 200 attended the event, raising over $6,000 in scholarships, including $4,300 for the newly announced Kathryn Bennett Scholarship Fund. The fund was created in honor of longtime Leadership Skagit Director Kathryn “Kate” Bennett, who is stepping down this month. Bennett has held the position since 2008 and wa...

EDASC hires Leadership Skagit Program Manager

Thursday, December 12, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – The Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) has hired Mary Heffernan Trester as its Leadership Skagit Program Manager effective January 1, succeeding founding director Kathryn Bennett at the helm of Skagit County’s premier leadership training program. Leadership Skagit is a program of EDASC, in partnership with Skagit Valley College. Trester, an Anacortes resident, will work collaboratively with Curriculum Manager Dr. Laura Flores Cailloux to ensure the continued success and growth of Leadership Skagit. She’ll lead program fundraising efforts, manage volunteers and recruit program participants. "I am excited to join the EDASC team as the Program Manager for Leadershi...

EDASC Up Close: EDASC offers no-cost property finder tool

Thursday, December 12, 2019

EDASC Up Close is a monthly behind-the-scenes look at programs, activities and policies integral to economic development in Skagit County. Economic development often takes place behind the scenes for months and even years as relationships form and deals are finalized. This series is designed to provide a better understanding of how EDASC works to be your hub for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. MOUNT VERNON – EDASC provides a no-cost property finder tool on its website, enabling anyone to search for commercial and industrial real estate. Among its features, the tool includes robust filtering options to quickly narrow your results to fin...

EDASC's 2019 top ten

Thursday, December 12, 2019

As we round out 2019, we at EDASC would like to take the time to reflect on a year that saw incredible growth and change. Here is a Top 10 list of our activities for 2019. 1. Business Growth. If there was a theme for the economic landscape of Skagit County for 2019, it was that of business growth. Eddyline Kayaks announced its move and expansion to a larger facility in Burlington to meet increased sales volumes. Aerospace company VT Volant began its expansion plans via a Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund grant, enabling them to join forces with Chinook Enterprises an...

New state overtime rules set to be phased in starting in 2020

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

TUKWILA – The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) today announced rules changes that will restore overtime protection to tens of thousands of workers and create a fair minimum salary level for workers who don’t receive overtime pay. The new rules use a formula based on the state minimum wage to determine the minimum salary a worker must receive to be exempt from overtime. The changes will be phased in starting July 1, 2020, and will be fully implemented by January 2028. Beginning July 1, the state minimum salary threshold will increase to $675 a week ($35,100 a year) fo...

EDASC hosts Investor Appreciation Celebration in La Conner

Thursday, November 14, 2019

LA CONNER – Skagit County business and community leaders gathered Nov. 5 to sip, snack and connect at EDASC’s annual Investor Appreciation Celebration at the Museum of Northwest Art. The free after-hours event, sponsored by TRICO Companies, is held annually as a special thank you to EDASC Investors. McGregor Benefits and Landed Gentry Homes were supporting sponsors. Guests were treated to complimentary appetizers and drinks, while having the chance to enjoy the artwork on display at the museum. EDASC CEO John Sternlicht provided a brief EDASC update in the form of a 2019 top 10 list, following introductory remarks from La Conner Mayo...

EDASC UP Close: EDASC, EDASC Foundation set to merge

Thursday, November 14, 2019

EDASC Up Close is a monthly behind-the-scenes look at programs, activities and policies integral to economic development in Skagit County. Economic development often takes place behind the scenes for months and even years as relationships form and deals are finalized. This series is designed to provide a better understanding of how EDASC works to be your hub for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. MOUNT VERNON – EDASC and the EDASC Foundation are set to merge into one organization in 2020, following an October joint board vote. The move, which turns EDASC into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, streamlines operations for EDASC while opening th...

EDASC, City of Anacortes attend state maritime sector event

Thursday, November 14, 2019

SEATTLE – EDASC and the City of Anacortes attended the Washington Maritime Blue Forum on R&D Pathways for Maritime Energy Solutions on Oct. 29 at the Edgewater Hotel. EDASC CEO John Sternlicht, Business Development and Expansion Coordinator Tamsin Bell and Anacortes Mayor Laurie Gere attended the event, along with about 200 maritime leaders from across the state. The forum focused on research and development in the maritime sector, particularly regarding lower emissions and fuel usage, said Sternlicht. “The forum aligned well with our recent business mission trip to Norway,” said Sternlicht, referring to EDASC's September visit to Norway as part of a stat...

Longtime Leadership Skagit Program Director stepping down

Thursday, November 14, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – Kathryn “Kate” Bennett has announced she will step down in December from her position as Leadership Skagit program director. Bennett, along with countless partners and volunteers, has made Leadership Skagit a model program for community experiential leadership development. A member of the inaugural class of 2004, Bennett is the first and only paid director the program has known. Her contributions, expertise, knowledge and heart cannot be overstated, said EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. “Words could never adequately express the gratitude and admiration I have for Kate Bennett and all she means to Leadership Skagit, EDASC and all of Skagit County,” Sternlicht said...

Unconscious bias and why it matters in the workplace

Thursday, November 14, 2019

By JOHN STERNLICHT EDASC CEO MOUNT VERNON -- The issue of bias formed an essential part of my consciousness from an early age. As part of a New York Jewish family moving from Rhode Island to North Carolina in the mid-1960s when I started school, I experienced and saw first-hand prejudices based on not only religion and geography but, much more significantly, on race and gender. At that time, intentional bias was rampant and expected, or at least accommodated, widely. Institutional bias was in various states of strength, apart from the mostly invisible forms many of which persist today. Unconscious bias – ingrained an...

EDASC, SBDC helping local chocolatier grow

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

MOUNT VERNON — For a dozen years, chocolatier Karen Neugebauer has been perfecting her craft while running her own small business, Forte Chocolates. “Chocolate doesn’t back down,” she said from her production kitchen on Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon. That means chocolate is a fantastic medium for a self-described control freak who loves both science and art. At her retail shop on First Street in downtown Mount Vernon, at her store in the Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham, at her production kitchen and at fortechocolates.com, patrons can choose among handcrafted caramels, more than a dozen different chocolate bars, bark, macarons and a...

EDASC hosting annual Investor Appreciation Celebration

Thursday, October 03, 2019

LA CONNER – EDASC is hosting its annual Investor Appreciation Celebration on Nov. 5 at the Museum of Northwest Art, providing time to sip, snack and connect while enjoying the museum. The free event, sponsored by TRICO Companies, is held as a special thank you to our Investors. It includes a brief organization update from EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. The event is limited to EDASC Investors, businesses and organizations supporting EDASC with annual investments. View a list of EDASC Investors here. Space is limited to the first 200 guests. RSVP here. If you aren’t an Investor or have yet to renew your investment, contac...

EDASC's Norway trip fosters overseas opportunities

Thursday, October 03, 2019

NORWAY – EDASC CEO John Sternlicht visited Norway from Sept. 15-20 as part of a state delegation focusing on maritime and clean technology policy. The delegation, organized by Washington Maritime Blue and Innovation Norway, included policymakers, research directors, public officials and industry leaders from across the state. Sternlicht was joined locally by Sen. Liz Lovelett and Port of Bellingham Director of Economic Development Don Goldberg. The trip for Sternlicht helped continue fostering Skagit County’s relationship with Norway business leaders. EDASC earlier this year hosted a Norwegian delegation for an in-depth tour of Anacortes’ maritime industry. This trip, EDASC’s first to Norway, focused o...

EDASC Up Close: Grant funds keep businesses growing locally

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

EDASC Up Close is a monthly behind-the-scenes look at programs, activities and policies integral to economic development in Skagit County. Economic development often takes place behind the scenes for months and even years as relationships form and deals are finalized. This series is designed to provide a better understanding of how EDASC works to be your hub for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. MOUNT VERNON -- Over the past year, EDASC has been helping multiple companies apply for state grants designed to spur local economic development through the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund. The fund, a pool of money created by the legislature...

EDASC, PTAC hosting Skagit County Meet-the-Buyers Event

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – Learn firsthand from local government purchasing departments what it takes to earn their business at the Skagit County Meet-the-Buyers Event from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 at the Skagit Transit Station Meeting Room. The event, hosted by EDASC and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is designed to bring local small-business owners together to learn how to get their foot in the door of government contracting. The event includes time for sellers to meet with each buyer during 20-minute “speed dating” sessions, as well as time for networking. Buyers include: Port of Skagit Port of Anacortes Cascade Job Corps Skagit Transit Authority State Departmen...

Employee ownership flips script on classic business model

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

LONG BEACH, Calif – Cindy Brooks, certified business advisor at EDASC, presented on employee ownership in early September during the annual America’s Small Business Development Center Conference, a four-day professional development and networking event. Brooks served on a three-person panel, providing context for the national conversation on employee ownership and resources for fellow advisors. Employee ownership refers to ownership of a company by some or all its employees. Generally, employee ownership can be structured in a couple ways. The first is an employee stock ownership plan, where a trust is established by the business and the shares purchased from the existing owne...

Leadership Skagit students form teams for community projects

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – A newly formed team of six Leadership Skagit students walked along a trail, getting to know each other on a drizzly September afternoon at the Samish Island Campground during the program’s two-day retreat. The team, along with four other teams participating in breakout sessions, were taking their first steps toward developing community projects. By the end of the 9-month program, all five teams will have completed a project, making a positive impact on the community. How they get there and what they do is the critically important practicum of the program, said program director Kathryn Bennett. “Projects provide the chance t...

Skagit County Maritime Symposium to kick off maritime cluster

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

LA CONNER – Maritime companies from Skagit County are invited to the Skagit County Maritime Symposium from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at Maple Hall in La Conner, to discuss issues and trends and hear from policymakers. The symposium, organized by EDASC, features local and state-level speakers from Washington Maritime Blue, state Department of Ecology and the Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology. Anacortes Mayor Laurie Gere and La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes will also speak. The symposium also serves as a kickoff for a new Skagit County maritime cluster, a group of industry leaders who have continued...

Marine manufacturer TRANSPAC MARINAS builds national company out of Anacortes

Friday, September 20, 2019

ANACORTES – Founded in 1984, TRANSPAC MARINAS first made a name for itself by building a U.S. Navy boat harbor strong enough to withstand frequent typhoons. Since then, the Anacortes manufacturer has defined itself as the go-to company for custom floating systems for extreme environments, said TRANSPAC VP of Finance and Marketing Traci Stark. “TRANSPAC and its owners have never hesitated to innovate or to take a chance on something when it means keeping things exciting,” Stark said. “We embrace and encourage the ethos of creativity, excellence and pride in workmanship.” TRANSPAC, located at the Port of Anacortes, builds commercial and recreational boa...

StartUp Sedro-Woolley returns for round two

Thursday, September 12, 2019

SEDRO-WOOLLEY – StartUp Sedro-Woolley, a program for aspiring entrepreneurs, is accepting applications for its second round of training set to begin Oct. 8 at the Skagit Connection Hub. The program features free business training, ongoing support and the opportunity to win $500 seed grants, awarded to the top three businesses by a group of judges. Up to 20 emerging entrepreneurs, including up to three high school students, will be accepted into the class. Those interested in participating can apply here. The deadline to apply is Oct. 4. Those interested in becoming mentors or judges are encouraged to attend an orientation session from 5:3...

EDASC Up Close: BRE visits explained

Thursday, September 05, 2019

EDASC Up Close is a monthly behind-the-scenes look at programs, activities and policies integral to economic development in Skagit County. Economic development often takes place behind the scenes for months and even years as relationships form and deals are finalized. This series is designed to provide a better understanding of how EDASC works to be your hub for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. MOUNT VERNON – EDASC continually meets with local business owners to listen, learn and offer help. This local focus is particularly important as most job growth occurs from businesses that are already here. “Typically, these meetings are listening sessions t...

EDASC, Port of Bellingham developing regional economic recovery plan

Thursday, September 05, 2019

BELLINGHAM – EDASC and the Port of Bellingham’s Economic Development Department have partnered to create a regional economic recovery plan in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption. Natural disasters can have a devastating impact on the economy, especially to small businesses. Ninety percent of small businesses fail to recover following a natural disaster, according to the International Economic Development Council. In looking into developing the plan, port and EDASC staff discovered that little disaster relief planning exists throughout the state. Preliminarily, the planning team is looking at developing a disaster recovery strategic plan, developing an informatio...

Janicki Industries unveils new plant

Thursday, September 05, 2019

HAMILTON – Janicki Industries on Aug. 29 unveiled its new 90,000 square-foot manufacturing plant – featuring a massive cleanroom, new 5-axis CNC Zimmerman Mill, an eco-roof and more – to about 100 guests during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new plant, next door to the company’s existing Hamilton plant, was built to keep up with increased demand for aerospace parts. Over the next few years Janicki Industries may add up to 300 employees to meet demand, said Janicki Industries President John Janicki. “We are excited about the new facility and equipment,” he said. “With our dedicated professional technicians and this state-of-the-art building an...

Leadership Skagit receives charitable grant from Swinomish

Thursday, September 05, 2019

ANACORTES – Leadership Skagit, an EDASC program for current and emerging local leaders, received a $5,000 charitable grant from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community on Aug. 1 during an awards luncheon at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge. Leadership Skagit Director Kathryn Bennett and tribe Enrollment Assistant and Leadership Skagit graduate Janie Beasley spoke during the awards luncheon. “Thank you for your continued support,” Bennett said. “There is a real tradition of leadership in the tribe and that has been a part of the curriculum as well.” The tribe has been one of the most generous and consistent donors to the Leadership Skagit program...

S-W growth continues as new grocery store opens downtown

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

SEDRO-WOOLLEY – The Pioneer Marketplace has opened in downtown Sedro-Woolley, filling a long-vacant space while bolstering the feeling of excitement among the community as its downtown core continues its growth spurt. The grocery store, located at 100 East State St., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early August, with a line to enter the store stretching for blocks, said owner Sean Skiles. Sedro-Woolley Mayor Julia Johnson said the project combined with a new library being built across the street is helping rejuvenate the area. “That corner will have gone from something that was unpleasing to look at, to an area beautiful and lively,” sh...

Downtown Mount Vernon to be removed from 100-year floodplain

Friday, August 02, 2019

MOUNT VERNON -- Downtown Mount Vernon is set to be removed from FEMA’s 100-year floodplain in October, setting the stage for economic growth in the historic district. The $31 million, 1.7-mile long floodwall project has been in development for about a decade, with funding drawn from city, state, federal and other local sources. With downtown removed from the 100-year flood threat, property and business owners will qualify for flood insurance rate reductions. Development is also likely to be more affordable with the removal of flood protection standards. “It’s been a long time coming for downtown businesses,” said Mount Vernon Downtown Association Executive Directo...

EDASC program provides business counseling for Latino community

Friday, August 02, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – Viridiana Delgado’s restaurant started slowly the first 8 months. “I was really shocked,” Delgado said. “I was wondering if what I was doing was correct.” Five years later, her business COA Mexican Eatery is thriving, with a 4.5-star rating on Yelp and lots of loyal customers. The turning point, Delgado said, happened when she contacted EDASC’s Latino Business Retention and Expansion Program for business guidance. “I got the help and started taking action,” Delgado said. The Latino Business Retention and Expansion Program, established in 2004, provides free one-on-one business counseling and broad-based support for Latino entrepreneurs and business owners looking to star...

EDASC Up Close: Rapid Response Team critical for business recruitment

Friday, August 02, 2019

EDASC Up Close is a monthly behind-the-scenes look at programs, activities and policies integral to economic development in Skagit County. Economic development often takes place behind the scenes for months and even years as relationships form and deals are finalized. This series is designed to provide a better understanding of how EDASC works to be your hub for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. MOUNT VERNON – EDASC constantly fields inquiries from businesses looking for unique properties that check the right boxes. Does it have fiber for internet access? Is there access to a gas line? Is it shovel-ready? To quickly answer these questions EDASC turn...

Hundreds support EDASC at annual golf tournament

Friday, August 02, 2019

BURLINGTON -- Over 200 business professionals and community members from Skagit and neighboring counties golfed July 19 in support of economic development at the 32nd Annual EDASC Golf Tournament & 19th Hole Awards Dinner at Avalon Golf Links. EDASC's staff board of directors would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors and golfers who turned this into the most successful event in recent memory. We are deeply grateful for your support in helping us continue our mission of creating and retaining jobs and facilitating economic growth in Skagit County. "It's fantastic to see such great and growing suppor...

Opportunity in Sedro-Woolley

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

This article originally appeared in the summer edition of the Sedro-Woolley City Scene magazine. It is written by EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. SEDRO-WOOLLEY -- Sedro-Woolley has been on a roll in recent years, as industry and small business seek hospitable ground in which to grow. Particularly, the downtown has seen an explosion in businesses and housing along with an influx of talented, community-minded new residents Now, a new tax law could provide another incentive to invest in downtown Sedro-Woolley. The downtown area is nearly in its entirety designated as one of Skagit County's four opportunity zones, further boosting the city's economic development projects...

Owner of Burlington boat builder departs for Arctic adventure

Monday, July 01, 2019

BURLINGTON – Larry Graf, owner of Aspen Power Catamarans at the Port of Skagit, is going on an Arctic adventure from June 28 through July 19 to showcase the capabilities of the boat builder’s vessels. Graf, accompanied by Canadian journalist Peter Robson, plans to cruise his company’s 34-foot model boat 1,120 miles down the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories of Canada to the Arctic Ocean. The journey presents unique challenges, the biggest of which might be the lack of an accurate electronic navigation map of the remote river. “Some of the charts of the river are over 40 years old,” Graf said...

EDASC hosts opportunity zone workshop

Friday, June 28, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – EDASC hosted the county’s first opportunity zone informational session June 25 at the Best Western Plus Skagit Valley Inn & Convention Center, providing the chance for about 100 attendees to learn about the tax incentive from mayors, federal government officials, a CPA specializing in federal programs, and more. Those in attendance included property and business owners, real estate brokers, investors, developers, tax and legal professionals, elected officials, and more. Opportunity zones are the product of a relatively new tax law offering investors preferential capital gains tax treatment for projects creating housing, jobs or both in economically distressed census tracts. Skagi...

Skagit Regional Airport welcomes U.S. Customs and Border Protection services

Friday, June 28, 2019

BURLINGTON -- The Port of Skagit on June 19 hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of U.S. Customs and Border Protection services at Skagit Regional Airport. The service enables the airport to receive direct international flights, ensuring corporate jets have direct access to Skagit County, said EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. "Decision makers who travel on corporate jets want to know they'll have access here, particularly those coming from Canada," Sternlicht said. "This is a great step toward Skagit Regional Airport defining itself as a corporate air center." The Skagit Regional Airport has been transforming into a business airport since 2007 afte...

New signage requirements as smoking and vaping laws looms

Thursday, June 27, 2019

MOUNT VERNON -- A new smoking and vaping law banning the use of tobacco and vapor products in indoor public places and places of employment as well as within 25 feet of doorways and air intakes is set to affect area businesses and organizations. The ordinance also prohibits the use of tobacco and vapor products in outdoor public places where children congregate. It takes effect July 22. The law will require impacted businesses to post signage prohibiting vaping. To make it easier for businesses to comply, Skagit County has created an online template for signage. Click here to visit that resource pag...

EDASC attends D.C. summit to meet with foreign investors, site selectors

Thursday, June 20, 2019

WASHINGTON D.C. – EDASC’s Tamsin Bell, Business Development & Expansion Coordinator, attended the 2019 SelectUSA Investment Summit from June 10-12 in Washington D.C. to meet with foreign investors and site selectors as part of EDASC’s international business attraction efforts. The annual summit, attended by over 3,000, promotes foreign direct investment in the U.S. EDASC, which began attending the summit annually last year, represented the four-county region of Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island counties. During the course of three days at the summit, Bell took part in over 30 meetings with foreign site selectors and investors from several countries including Israel, South Korea...

Goodwinds Composites involved in NASA Mars helicopter project

Monday, June 17, 2019

MOUNT VERNON -- A little piece of Skagit County is heading to Mars thanks to Goodwinds Composites. The Mount Vernon manufacturing company recently constructed carbon tubes for the landing gear for NASA’s Mars helicopter, an experimental aircraft designed to test the viability of flight on another planet. The helicopter, resembling the size and shape of a large drone, performed its final test flight in January at a NASA facility in a simulated Martian environment. It’ll launch aboard a rocket in July 2020 and land on the Red Planet in February 2021. Goodwinds Composites, founded in 2008 by siblings Leland Holeman and Amelia Cook...

EDASC to host county's first opportunity zone informational session

Thursday, June 06, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – EDASC is hosting the county’s first opportunity zone informational session from 4 to 6:30 p.m. June 25 at the Best Western Plus Skagit Valley Inn and Convention Center. Register for free here. The event features opportunity zone experts from the National Development Council, HUD and tax experts. Mayors from Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes and Mount Vernon will also highlight the goals for their respective opportunity zones. Those encouraged to attend include property and business owners, realtors, investors, developers and professional service providers. Event partners include the State Department of Commerce, National Development Council, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Community Actio...

Event celebrates STEM scholarship recipients

Thursday, June 06, 2019

MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon High School senior Mixcila Sanchez’s tuition is covered at the University of Washington thanks to a $22,500 Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS), along with other scholarships and grants. “It’s nice because I didn’t want to have to take out loans or ask my parents for tuition,” said Sanchez, who plans to study microbiology or pre-med when she starts college next year. Sanchez was one among several WSOS recipients at the Skagit Valley STEM Celebration on June 4, an event honoring the 56 Skagit County students who received more than $1.2 million to pursue STEM and health car...

French business leaders tour Skagit County

Thursday, June 06, 2019

Members of a French delegation of business leaders grinned ear to ear while test driving semitrucks at PACCAR Technical Institute’s oval track and were awed at the scale of Dakota Creek Industries’ boat-building operations May 30 during a tour of Skagit County organized by EDASC and the French-American Chamber of Commerce Pacific Northwest Chapter. It was the first trip to Skagit County for the delegation, which regularly visits Seattle. “We managed to entice them to come up to Skagit County and see what’s going on,” EDASC CEO John Sternlicht said. “They were particularly interested in maritime along with AI and autonomous vehicles.” Hostin...

Leadership Skagit class of 2019 ready for graduation

Thursday, June 06, 2019

ANACORTES -- The Leadership Skagit class of 2019 graduation ceremony featuring keynote speaker James Finley, Seattle University volleyball head coach, is set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 12 at Swinomish Casino and Lodge. The annual celebration of leadership in our community recognizes the accomplishments of this year’s class. Register here. The keynote segment includes a speech and special conversation with Finley, who is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Redhawks. Finley focuses his student athletes on community service, equity and social justice, and athletic and academic excellence. His keynote will include a conversation and question and answer session wit...

Skagit County opportunity zones primed for investment

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

Eddyline Kayaks Owner Scott Holley sees potential in one of Skagit County’s four opportunity zones. He wants to build a new, expanded headquarters in Sedro-Woolley’s opportunity zone along with an industrial park to attract like-minded tenants. “We see great value in opportunity zones to incentivize investors to get behind great projects located in places that have been starved of investor capital,” said Holley, an EDASC board member. Opportunity zones are the product of a relatively new tax law offering investors preferential capital gains tax treatment for projects creating housing, jobs or both in economically-distressed census tracts. Essentially, investors in opportunity zones who meet certai...

EDASC takes holistic approach to capacity building

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

Puja Sharma, co-owner of Taste of India in downtown Mount Vernon, said she likely wouldn’t have been able to reopen her business after it burned down in 2015 if not for the help of the Small Business Development Center at EDASC. “Our advisor helped with everything,” Sharma said. “Three years later, we are more successful than we thought possible.” Capacity building is anything EDASC can do to make the community stronger and more prosperous. Our small-business development services like the one Sharma used are one piece of the pie, and can also be classified as part of business expansion and retention. EDASC take...

Lisa Janicki honored with Skagit Change-Maker Award

Friday, May 03, 2019

MOUNT VERNON – Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki was presented May 2 with the 2019 Skagit Change-Maker award at McIntyre Hall for her contributions to Skagit County, including her professional and volunteer leadership, service as a mentor, and efforts supporting public health. The award was presented during the annual public health update event Powerful Partnerships – Healthy Community organized by the Population Health Trust. The event, with nearly 200 in attendance, highlighted local progress in addressing the opioid epidemic, early learning and childcare, and housing availability. Janicki, one of 17 nominees for the second annual Change-Maker Award, was the unanimous choice b...

Latino Leadership Initiative course passes midway point

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

MOUNT VERNON -- The Latino Leadership Initiative on March 16 hosted its second immersion seminar of the year for its students at Skagit Valley College, marking the midway point for the course. The seminar featured numerous speakers and interactive discussions, concluding with students providing a sneak peek at the progress of their community projects for the program. The Latino Leadership Initiative is a program designed to train and prepare young Latinos and Latinas to be leaders in their communities and the larger society. The program was developed by Skagit Valley College, Edmonds Community College, EDASC through its Leadership Skagit program, and th...

EDASC hosts annual Economic Forecast Night

Thursday, February 28, 2019

EDASC held its Economic Forecast Night on Feb. 6 at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge, featuring an exciting announcement from CEO John Sternlicht, and talks from keynote speakers on the county’s economic trends and its relationship with Canada. About 325 attended the annual event. Keynote speakers included Dr. Laurie Trautman, director of the Western Washington University Border Policy Research Institute, and Dr. Anneliese Vance-Sherman, regional economist for the Employment Security Department. Sternlicht’s opening remarks included a surprise announcement that aerospace company VT Volant is expanding to a facility in Burlington. The multi-million dollar expansion will bring an estimated 125 new family-wage job...

Progress being made on Anacortes Maritime Strategic Plan

Thursday, September 05, 2019

ANACORTES – Local stakeholders are making progress on the Anacortes Maritime Strategic Plan, a blueprint to strengthen the maritime industry in Anacortes over the next decade while preserving its authentic maritime culture. Facilitators of the strategic plan – EDASC, the City of Anacortes, Port of Anacortes, and Anacortes Chamber of Commerce – met in July to share updates and discuss upcoming objectives. The meeting served as a six-month progress report after the strategic plan received final approval by the city council in February. Key updates focused on infrastructure improvements, business attraction, workforce housing and more. Below is a list of some of th...

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