In the second week of April, we kicked off our third year administering the Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) program. Cohorts 15 and 16 began classes at the Rhodes Center in Downtown Tacoma. Cohort 16 is a Spanish-speaking class.
 
So far, 339 small business owners have graduated from the award-winning program. Discover unique goods and services by visiting the online directory featuring all graduates at PCBAmap.biz.

Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma is buzzing with construction of new businesses on the street. What used to be a MultiCare facility, now homes the most recent addition, Comprehensive Life Resources’ new care center.

Dating back to 1957, CLR has been in Tacoma helping those seeking treatment for substance abuse, and behavioral and mental health matters, to name a few. The Chamber was proud to celebrate the grand opening of the care center and had a wonderful turnout from the community.

Even while still being an active construction site at the time of the ceremony, the building felt welcoming, and the sunshine was a perfect touch to the brisk morning. Some furniture and artwork were already placed in the lobby, and the big floor to ceiling windows on both floors let in the warm sunshine.

CLR’s CEO, Kim Zacher, was able to share more about the history of care they have provided over the last several decades as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Zacher thanked the investors that played a large role in the relocation, including Umpqua Bank and more. She also recognized those who are experts in the fields of medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health who will be hard at work every day providing treatment to their patients.

Slated to officially open on Monday, April 22, 2024, we are excited to see the new footprint they will make in Downtown. If you or a loved one is wishing to learn more about the services Comprehensive Life Resources offers, please visit their website, or give them a call:

Website: www.comprehensiveliferesources.org
Phone: (253) 396-5800

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Executive Bruce Dammeier presented the State of the County, which reviewed the challenges faced and successes achieved for the people of Pierce County in 2023. Also shared were the steps being taken to help create a brighter future for Pierce County residents - especially the youngest ones.

To watch the entire State of the County address, visit Pierce County's website.

​The Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) is proud to partner with the Washington State Fair featuring businesses that shape our communities. The Chamber was proud to join Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, Renee McClain, CEO of the Washington State Fair, and Grant Twyman, NEXT Consulting Firm, in welcoming PCBA graduates as vendors to the Spring Fair during a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 10.
 
When you’re at the fair this week, April 18-21, stop by the Showplex and check out the products and services PCBA businesses have to offer:​
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27 West
5 Star Restoration LLC.
777ish Cookie Desserts
Around the Clock Child Care Center Inc
BahLake Family Group
Bennys Artesanias
C&C Electric Connected & Continuity
Carols Kreation and Boutique LLC
Crown Beauty Supply
Cute Teacher Things
Finesse4uboutique
Inyenga
Jammin On The One
KA'LALO LLC
Mediums Collective
Paint By A Girl
Ready Set Craft
Relentlux Beauty
The CRWS Company
The Garden
Uniquk Gifts and Handicrafts
Vimbai Madya
 
The PCBA program serves entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Pierce County with a focus on BIPOC, women, and veteran -owned small businesses to help foster innovation and create wealth-building opportunities. Shop with a purpose and feel more connected to local and regional businesses in supporting the PCBA program by visiting the online directory featuring all graduates at PCBAmap.biz.

The Tacoma Art Museum was the venue for April’s Chamber After Hours with Georgio’s Catering providing a comfort style food buffet dinner, a well-stocked bar, and even custom branded cookies for attendees to enjoy.

During a regular day at the museum, you may mistake the room where the reception was held for a simple wall, but the wall is a huge sliding door that opens to a private room that can accommodate many styles of meetings. It has brightly colored soft seating and greenery to contrast the monochrome interior. The pull-down screen had a slideshow projected on, which flipped through the many offerings of TAM, including a monthly yoga meet up, every Thursday being free to attend, and more. 

It was many guests’ first Chamber After Hours, and for some it was the first time in a long time that they had been to the Art Museum. Luckily, they were able to take advantage of the opportunity and walked through the halls filled with the creative work of hundreds of artists.

The Tacoma Art Museum is a wonderful addition to the museum walk that Tacoma is lucky to have. Just a short walk from the Link Union Station, and open Wednesday through Sunday, go check out this unique museum!

Don’t be confused when you’re driving down Pacific Ave in Parkland and you come across a vibrant purple and red restaurant. No, you’re not in New Orleans - you have just discovered Velvet’s Big Easy!

The Chamber was proudly a part of Velvet’s Big Easy’s business milestone celebration on April 2, 2024. Joined by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Pierce County Executive Dammeier, friends, and family, the owner and chef, Brenda Miller, cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening of her beloved restaurant.

From rooftop to cement, this homemade Cajun/Creole comfort cuisine eatery will transform you on to the streets of the namesake ‘Big Easy’ Louisianna city. Brenda has worked hard for this dream of hers to come true. She started with a food truck selling her delicious creations and has grown so popular, that she now has her very own restaurant.

Before taking on the role of full-time Chef, Brenda was a Quality Assurance Manager at Boeing, which is sure to explain why this homestyle Chef’s dishes are always done to perfection. Brenda is also a Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) program graduate and has been invited to speak about her successes on multiple panels, including the Chamber's 2024 Horizons Economic Forecast.

Brenda takes pride in every aspect of her new endeavor, from original art pieces from the New Orleans natives that decorate the walls, to the memorable homage of her inspiration and late husband, Ray Miller, who shared the love of jazz music, the Crescent City, and the food from that region.

The restaurant is in its final stages of opening-preparation and will be officially ready for hungry customers soon! ​Be sure to follow Velvet’s Big Easy’s journey on their Facebook page in the meantime.

Pierce County leaders are working to establish a planned community of micro homes, work opportunities, and onsite physical and mental health care, patterned after the stunningly successful Community First! Villate near Austin, Texas.
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Last October, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber convened local leaders to tour the Communities First! Village as part of the 2023 Aspire Intercity Leadership Conference in Austin. The program, first inspired by Mobile Loaves and Fishes in 2004, has now grown to include 51 acres of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless people with plans to expand to 127 additional acres with room for 1400 more homes in the coming years.

This new community in Pierce County would address the biggest challenge to homelessness in Pierce County: permanent housing for the chronically homeless. No homeless housing strategy is credible without addressing the chronically homeless. 

Pierce County commissioned an advisory board to make recommendations on the feasibility and merits of the Pierce County Village project. The findings of this advisory board were overwhelmingly positive. Those findings include:

• This is an ideal location. There are no other properties available as well suited considering many factors including proximity to services, cost, size, or impact on neighbors.
• The environmental concerns have all been addressed in a way that is beyond the minimum needed environmentally to proceed with the project.
• The impact of the village development on the environment and land use is significantly less than the impact single-family housing would have, which is what the land is currently zoned for.
• The operations and capital funding budgets are solid.
• This is a fantastic opportunity to serve our most chronically homeless, and there are no other barriers from the Mission to serving all people who want help.