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Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Home in Skagit County

Thursday, June 30, 2022

June is National Homeowners Month Skagit is a great place to live, work, and own a home. June is National Homeowners Month and we are sharing some tips for purchasing a home here in Skagit County. Before buying a home, you’ll need to figure out what you can afford, know your rights and shop for a loan. With the lowest rental vacancy rates in the country, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) knows how important it is to have available housing. Skagit County is working toward increasing the available residences, both as a key to a healthy and stable local economy...

Developing healthy businesses key to retention, expansion efforts.

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

As part of its business retention and expansion work, EDASC coordinates with planning departments across the county to help small businesses overcome unique hurdles. For example, in early 2021 EDASC coordinated a meeting between a local planning department and lawmakers with a local food & beverage small business to discuss zoning barriers preventing the owners from expanding and launching a farm-to-table experience. Meaningful economic development activities don’t usually have quick or simple steps and outcomes. EDASC plays the long game for many of these projects, said EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. “Some expansion or retention proposals may go on for years,” Sternlicht said. “An...

EDASC fosters healthier, more resilient community through capacity building.

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

To have a healthy and stable economy, a community must have enough residences to prevent housing prices from escalating out of reach, a current problem of Skagit County and the surrounding region. EDASC in 2021 began facilitating a concerted countywide effort to address this complex issue through the Skagit Housing Consortium, formed through a collaborative effort among government, nonprofit and business leaders to help our community address housing availability and affordability. The consortium, consisting of dozens of broad-based Skagit residents interested in solving the housing dilemma constructively, is working toward independent nonprofit status in 2022. This work is one facet of capacit...

EDASC serves as go-to organization for companies looking to move to Skagit County

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

In addition to many smaller business additions, EDASC in 2021 supported the arrival of two new major employers, with Silfab Solar and Commercial Aircraft Interiors opening in Burlington. Silfab Solar, a solar panel manufacturer headquartered in Canada, plans to employ about 400 at its new Burlington facility, doubling its manufacturing capacity over the existing plant in Bellingham. Commercial Aircraft Interiors plans to employ about 80 at its plant, providing design, testing, certification, fabrication, and delivery of aircraft interior components. These two businesses were perfect fits for Skagit County, falling under EDASC’s target industries, said EDASC CEO John Sternlicht. “Advanced Manufacturing is our bigges...

NW Washington STEM Network celebrates five years of workforce support

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

The Northwest Washington STEM Network, one of EDASC’s major workforce partners, celebrates its five-year anniversary in 2022, a major milestone for an organization that’s seen impressive growth – and results. The organization began as the Skagit STEM Network, setting a goal to provide students with the best opportunities to break into high-demand jobs of the future. STEM refers to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Careers in these fields typically offer family-wage jobs. Now, the organization has evolved and expanded to become the NW Washington STEM Network, serving as a catalyst for STEM education in Skagit, Island, San Juan, an...

PACCAR developing next generation of electric trucks

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

The electric trucking revolution is here, and Skagit County has a front row seat. PACCAR, a global leader in medium and heavy-duty truck manufacturing, is developing a new lineup of all-electric trucks. The PACCAR Technical Center, an EDASC Signature Investor located in Mount Vernon, is leading research and development of zero emissions electric trucks thanks in part to a $33 million matching grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SuperTruck 3 program. The project aims to solve two of electrification’s biggest quandaries, said PACCAR Advanced Technology Manager Dr. Maarten Meijer: cost and range. “Those are the key challenges for large-scale adoption of zer...

SBDC no-cost confidential advising helps businesses succeed

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur with a can-do attitude (what other kind is there?), the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is ready to help. The Washington SBDC, funded locally by EDASC through 2021, has been providing one-to-one, no-cost, confidential business advising to small business owners and entrepreneurs in communities across the state since 1980. When you work with one SBDC advisor, you have access to the expertise and experience of more than 30 business advisors whose primary goal is to help you succeed. Google searches and Youtube videos can only get you so far. SBDC advisors are here t...

EDASC celebrates National Small Business Week

Friday, April 29, 2022

Small Business Week is May 1 to May 6 Every year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) holds Small Business Week during the first week of May. We celebrate small businesses for many reasons, including the vibrancy they bring to the Skagit community by providing one-of-a-kind experiences. They create jobs within our local community and strengthen the local economy. In its 2021 Small Business Profile, the SBA Office of Advocacy reported that 61.2 million employees — 46.8 percent of the entire U.S. employee workforce — worked for small businesses. In 2018, American Express reported that about 67 cents of every dollar spen...

EDASC Supports Pet Groomer Through Pandemic

Tuesday, April 05, 2022

During the earlier days of the pandemic, Animal House Pet Grooming owner Germaine Kornegay felt especially bad for the animals when grooming businesses were not permitted to operate. Some of the animals suffered from ingrown nails and matted coats when they had to go long periods without grooming services. “Grooming is essential just like veterinary care is,” Kornegay said. “It hurt my heart to see the animals in need of grooming services.” The pandemic was also hard on her business when it was forced to close, but it is now back and thriving. The waitlist at one point soared over 200 for thos...

Leadership Skagit now accepting applications for class of 2023

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Leadership Skagit, a program of EDASC in partnership with Skagit Valley College, is now accepting applications for the class of 2023. Start your leadership journey today and join a network of over 550 who have gone through the program, including elected officials, business owners at all levels, executives and community members who are committed to making a difference in Skagit County. Each year, up to 35 current and emerging leaders from throughout the county are selected to participate in Leadership Skagit’s intensive 9-month community leadership training program. Class begins in September 2022, culminating with graduation June 2023. To learn more and apply, visit https://www.skagit.org/our-services/ls o...

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