News

The Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County is pleased to announce that WECU and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) have awarded them a $33,000 grant from the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund, tripling the impact of WECU’s $11,000 award through the Education First...Continue Reading

The EDASC Board of Directors attended a half-day retreat in Concrete in October to learn more about the issues facing east county.The board heard from Mayor Marla Reed, business owners, and representatives from social service agencies serving Concrete and the surrounding communities.One of the biggest challenges is sustaining businesses throughout...Continue Reading

EDASC was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA) to support its programming, including entrepreneurial support and workforce development. This is the second year in a row that NWBDA has awarded EDASC a grant.The NWBDA is a nonprofit certified development organization that supports business growth and...Continue Reading

En Washington, todos los contratistas de la industria de la construcción están requeridos a registrarse con el Departamento de Labor e Industrias del Estado de Washington (L&I). La ley estatal también requiere que los contratistas de construcción tengan una fianza y un seguro para proteger al público. Una vez registrados, los...Continue Reading

In Washington, all construction contractors are required to register with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). State law also requires construction contractors to be bonded and insured to protect the public. Once registered, contractors can get to work – bidding, advertising, and performing construction work. This can include...Continue Reading

Most business entities registered with the Washington Secretary of State are required to submit a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) to the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN, about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. FinCEN began accepting reports on Jan. 1, 2024.Beneficial ownership information reporting...Continue Reading

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness MonthAs businesses in Skagit County increasingly rely on digital platforms to thrive, robust cybersecurity has never been more critical. For small and mid-sized companies, cybersecurity is not just a technical issue—it's an economic one. Cyber threats can disrupt operations, erode trust, and deter growth, while...Continue Reading

The Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) is pleased to announce that its Startup School program has been awarded a $22,000 Education First grant from WECU. This funding will support the continued growth and expansion of the program, which provides essential business training to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business...Continue Reading

Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $16.66 per hour in 2025.The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced the increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.State law directs L&I to calculate the minimum wage for the coming year using the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index...Continue Reading

Celebrating the Growing Impact of Latino/Hispanic Businesses in Skagit County During Hispanic Heritage Month, it is timely to reflect on the contributions of the Latino/Hispanic community to the local economy. In Skagit County, this population is rapidly growing, already making up 20% of the residents, with projections indicating it could reach 50%...Continue Reading

Gina Eakin started as the new Community Relations Associate at EDASC earlier this month. Her primary focus will be working with the Leadership Skagit program.Gina most recently worked as the Business Development Coordinator for Washington Vocational Services, where is worked in successive roles for nearly 13 years. She has earned...Continue Reading

The entire EDASC team is extraordinarily proud of our achievement and recognition as the first Accredited Economic Development Organization in the Pacific Northwest. One of the reasons we received this accreditation is that in addition to the “bread and butter” of economic development – business recruitment, retention, and expansion –...Continue Reading

Late summer brings a bounty of fresh produce, flowers, and value-added products to farmers' markets around Skagit County. It’s also the time of year when National Farmers Market Week is observed, during the second week of August. There’s good reason to celebrate farmers' markets for their vital role in communities nationwide...Continue Reading

With any luck – and a solid safety culture – your workplace hasn’t experienced a workers’ compensation claim. However, it pays to be aware of your rights and responsibilities as an employer, so you are prepared to handle a claim with the least stress possible.With limited exceptions, all Washington state...Continue Reading

La Conner Marina: A Vibrant Hub for Work and PlayThe La Conner Marina, located in the charming town of La Conner, offers a unique blend of recreational and commercial amenities that support a thriving community. According to Linda Tyler, communications director at the Port of Skagit, “La Conner Marina offers...Continue Reading

Staff members from the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) recently attended two major economic development conferences, bringing back fresh insights and valuable connections to bolster Skagit County's economic landscape.EDASC's Economic Development Managers Aaron Weinberg (Strategic Projects) and Jorge Estefan (Equitable Economic Development), attended the International Economic Development Council...Continue Reading

New EDASC program sees successful startAt the end of June, 24 students graduated from the first cohort of Startup School, EDASC’s training program for entrepreneurs.Startup School is a partnership between EDASC and the My Own Business Institute (MOBI) at Santa Clara University. EDASC developed the program and engaged MOBI to...Continue Reading

The Skagit Community Foundation has awarded Leadership Skagit a $5,000 Blackburn Family grant in its most recent round of funding.Leadership Skagit, a program of EDASC in partnership with Skagit Valley College, is a community experiential leadership development program that has graduated nearly 600 participants since the program started in 2003...Continue Reading

The Port of Anacortes was established in 1926, and the Port District was expanded to its current boundaries in 1962. The district includes approximately 100 square miles in Skagit County, including Fidalgo Island and various agricultural and heavy industrial lands in west Skagit County. The Port of Anacortes, located primarily in...Continue Reading

Economic development can take many forms, and for Economic Development Week, May 6-10, we’ll be sharing some of the ways in which EDASC applies economic development practices to the needs of businesses and the community.Program: Leadership SkagitNeed: A group of community leaders over 20 years ago identified the need to...Continue Reading

Economic development can take many forms, and for Economic Development Week, May 6-10, we’ll be sharing some of the ways in which EDASC applies economic development practices to the needs of businesses and the community. Today, we profile one of our key partners in economic development, the Port of Skagit.Governed...Continue Reading

Economic development can take many forms, and for Economic Development Week, May 6-10, we’ll be sharing some of the ways in which EDASC applies economic development practices to the needs of businesses and the community.Business served: La Catrina Tacos & TequilaChallenge: During the floods of October 2021 and 2022, La...Continue Reading

Economic development can take many forms, and for Economic Development Week, May 6-10, we’ll be sharing some of the ways in which EDASC applies economic development practices to the needs of businesses and the community.Business served: Dakota Creek IndustriesDakota Creek Industries (DCI) was founded in 1975 in Blaine and relocated...Continue Reading

Economic development can take many forms, and for Economic Development Week, May 6-10, we’ll be sharing some of the ways in which EDASC applies economic development practices to the needs of businesses and the community.Project: NW Regional Job FairsChallenge/Need: Across all industries, businesses are having a hard time attracting and...Continue Reading