[6/21/22] The 2022 Spotlight on Business Awards winners were announced and honored at the Chamber's Happy Hour Business Expo last Thursday, June 16th. Congratulations to all the incredible businesses and organizations who won and those that were nominated! Non-profit Organization: Korean Women's Association Small Business: Velvet's Big Easy Medium Business: The Doty Group Large Business: First Citizens Bank Minority-Owned Business: BIMA Services Veteran-Owned Business: Catffeinated Business Supporter of the Military: NineLine Veteran Services Resiliency in Business: Acts Pharmacy
[6/21/22] Last Thursday evening, June 16th, over 400 attendees walked through the doors of the Waterfront Venue to attend the Chamber's annual Happy Hour Business Expo.
This year's event was a stunning success that saw local business owners, community leaders, vendors, caterers, and partners come together to create an unforgettable evening. There were giveaways, prizes, games, food and drinks, and a novelty photo booth. This event was a great way to network with partners and socialize with friends. The winners of the 2022 Spotlight on Business Awards were also announced at the event. Relive the evening with the photo gallery below. We can't wait to see everyone again at next year's Expo! [6/21/22] “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change,” This quote from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Parable’s namesake, reflects much of the space’s philosophy. Parable started as an idea between three family members. Le’Ecia Farmer, LaKecia Farmer, and Deatria Williams are sisters and cousins who co-own and operate the space in Tacoma’s McKinley Hill neighborhood. Parable is Black-owned, woman-owned, lgbtq-owned, family-owned, and community-owned. The three had always wanted to start a business together. Walking around in the McKinley Hill neighborhood where they live, they were inspired by a retail space available for rent. “We passed by the windows of the empty space day after day and allowed ourselves to dream. We envisioned neighborhood youth popping in and out for a story circle. We could see people singing, dancing, and sharing stories over a warm cup of tea. We imagined elders resting in a big comfy chair with an old book.” Originally, each had their own idea of what the venture should be. They looked around their community and saw many different needs. Neighborhood youth needed a place to hang out without having to worry about spending money. Diverse small businesses and entrepreneurs needed a space to stock and sell their goods. Families needed somewhere kid-friendly to bring their children to experience the outside world. Artists and teachers needed a space to host workshops and events for the community. The neighborhood needed a space to come together to share stories and grow with each others’ knowledge. With all these different needs, the co-owners eventually decided: why not just incorporate them all? And so Parable was born. Well, not entirely yet. The three co-owners leading this ambitious project faced the unique challenge of starting a business during the middle of a pandemic. However, rather than be disheartened by the struggles of COVID-19, the family members were inspired by many of the issues and disparities that this global crisis highlighted. “In the midst of racial and health pandemics - opening a business seemed risky but also imaginative timing. The more we thought about it, the more we remembered all of the exploratory solutions that arose during times that felt chaotic and unjust.” They pushed forward in their mission to build a community space “that could offer events and products that affirm the members of the diverse neighborhood in the Mckinley Hill area and beyond.” They worked to bring this space into reality throughout the pandemic by holding fundraisers, collecting books, and selling at local markets and online. They also participated in the Pierce County Busines Accelerator program through Pierce County administered by the Tacoma-Pierce Chamber and were able to fundraise through a Kiva small business loan with the help of Spaceworks Tacoma. During the midst of the pandemic, the three owners delivered books and plants all over Tacoma, every bit of work going towards making their dream a reality. Then, finally, on August 21st, 2021, Parable officially opened its doors. Since its opening, Parable has received a positive reception in the McKinley Hill neighborhood and been embraced by the community. It has hosted food pop-ups, open mics, educational events, workshops, storytimes for children, and more. With tea, books, chess and checkers, Parable looks to be accomplishing its goal of providing a calm, affirming space for people to simply hang out. The retail side of the businesses seems to be thriving as well. While the owners curate some aspects of Parable such as the books, when it comes to retail, they have a tendency to welcome everyone with open arms. Such was the case when a group of 11-year-olds asked if they could sell their handmade potholders in the space. You can now find the potholders on sale alongside Parable’s other goods like records, apparel, plants, and jewelry. This ties into a goal the owners have to make partnerships less intimidating for creators and entrepreneurs just starting off. In regard to style, the owners embrace maximalism most of all. They are interested in curating an environment that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the community and prioritizes Black and minority creators, women, and members of the LGBT+ community. As graduates of the Pierce County Business Accelerator program, they have also formed partnerships with other program grads including minority-owned businesses Civic Roasters and Jan Parker Cookery. Both of these small businesses have already hosted pop-up events at Parable. At the end of the day, however, Parable’s heart is still its events and programs. In addition to giving other small businesses a space to sell, the eclectic retail offerings help Parable pay its bills and grow future program opportunities. The vast majority of Parable’s events and workshops are free and the owners want to keep it that way. In the future, they hope to fund more programs through grants and fundraising. They also hope to get more older youth engaged in what Parable has to offer. If you’re in the McKinley Hill neighborhood, make sure to stop by Parable. Enjoy a cup of tea, buy a book or record, or simply pause for a moment in an armchair in this affirming community space. Make sure you say hello to the store’s parakeets, Angelou and Morrison, while you’re there. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[6/6/2022] Tacoma is famous for its beautiful waterfront but, shockingly, around 90% of students in Tacoma public schools don’t have access to experience the waters of the Puget Sound. That’s something Monique Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation, wants to change.
Listen to Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation Executive Director and CEO Monique Valenzuela talk about YMF, developing leaders of the future, and her experience being involved with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber on this episode of Making It in the South Sound.
The Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates the Tacoma Youth Marine Center on the east side of the Foss Waterway. Formed in 1991, the Youth Marine Center serves as “a place for youth to touch the Sound.” The center’s campus houses classrooms, dock space, a boat repair shop, a fuel station, and a fleet of 24+ vessels that youth can use to experience being on the water.
Youth access to marine experiences is about so much more than the fun of being on a boat. In Monique’s view, it’s a unique way to build leadership, business skills, and responsibility. How does the Youth Marine Foundation achieve its mission of “empowering youth to navigate their future?” It starts with partnerships with the Tacoma Sea Scouts, local schools, and organizations like Metro Parks Tacoma.
The Sea Scouts, which has been operating in Tacoma since 1923, is a training program where kids can get involved in learning about, sailing, and maintaining maritime vessels. The Youth Marine Center is home to Tacoma’s Sea Scout Base and provides the group with classroom space, dock usage, and use of their fleet of vessels. This program, which is co-ed and open to youth as young as 13, teaches kids how to operate and maintain vessels year-round through active boating experience in the waters around Tacoma. In addition to practical skills, being in the Sea Scouts helps kids learn leadership skills, practice conflict resolution, and take pride in their hard work. For many kids, participating in the Sea Scouts can also put them on a path to their future careers. Many former Sea Scouts go on to have jobs in naval architecture, ports, merchant marines operations, the military and Coast Guard, and other maritime-related fields.
The lessons of being a Sea Scout are just the beginning of the learning experiences that take place at the Youth Marine Center. For high schoolers at Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) the center is likely a familiar location, as it serves as the home of their science classroom. That’s right: instead of learning science in a traditional classroom, SOTA students are taught science lessons a few days a week at the only public high school classroom on the Foss Waterway. Not only that, but the center provides chartered vessels to take students on marine science cruises throughout the school year that gives them an opportunity to conduct hands-on research as part of their learning. The Tacoma Science and Math Institute High School and School of Industrial Design, Engineering and Art also have strong collaborations with the center that offer public school students unique opportunities to learn outside of four walls.
For youth who aren’t part of the Sea Scouts or students with the schools listed above, there are still even more opportunities to experience what the Youth Marine Center has to offer. Every summer, YMF partners with Metro Parks Tacoma for a “Sails and Trails Summer Camp.” They provide vessels, staff, and the Center’s campus for education and activities to this popular camp that sells out every year. The camp also opens up opportunities for Sea Scouts by employing them to be instructors and provide vessel maintenance.
It’s clear that in addition to their goal of helping youth access the waters of the Sound, YMF is doing much more than that: they are empowering youth to navigate their futures. A big part of that comes in the form of connections to local commerce.
While YMF is a nonprofit organization, it also houses two businesses on its campus. One of these is a fuel dock that private boats and emergency vessels can use. The other is Commencement Bay Marine Services, a full-service marine vessel repair and boat parts company. Proceeds from both of these businesses benefit the programs of YMF. A direct way the Foundation is developing future South Sound business leaders is through the opportunities these on-campus businesses provide. High schoolers interested in mechanics can take part in internships with hands-on learning in the vessel repair shop. Sea Scouts can gain job experience through employment at the Sails and Trails Summer Camp. For young adults interested in careers in mechanics and marine services, the boat repair shop and fuel dock offer entry-level job opportunities in skilled trades. Even for youth who don’t plan on pursuing careers related to the marine industry, the programs at YMF teach critical skills for future success. Hard work, leadership, collaboration, responsibility, problem-solving, and conflict resolution are just some of the many skills youth learn through YMF’s programs that will give them advantages in any future career field. Kids who participate in YMF-supported programs —whether it be the Sea Scouts, science classes, or summer camps—may go on to become future small business owners, CEOs, elected officials, scientists, teachers, and more. And when they do, it will be thanks in no small part to the lessons they learned on a boat on the Foss Waterway.
This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[05/31/2022] This April, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber traveled to the nation’s capital with a delegation of local leaders as part of the 36th annual Washington to Washington, D.C. trip. This year was a unique opportunity featuring not one but two Chamber CEOs in attendance: outgoing CEO Tom Pierson and new CEO Andrea Reay. They were accompanied by a diverse delegation of leaders from different sectors of local commerce ranging from elected officials, business owners, NGO representatives, and labor leaders.
The mission of this yearly trip is to share and discuss business and community interests here in the South Sound with government representatives in Washington, D.C. Those who lead the trip see it not as a one-time discussion, but as an ongoing conversation to achieve common goals. This year’s delegation participated in discussions on healthcare, defense, infrastructure, green energy, maritime industries, the importance of bipartisan compromise, and much more. Listen to this special episode of Making it in the South Sound to hear Chamber CEO Andrea Reay talk with Tim Thompson from the Chamber’s federal advocacy partner Thompson Consulting Group to recap the 2022 trip, talk about the history and importance of this event, and share how Chamber members can get involved as part of future delegations.
View photos from the 2022 Washington-to-Washington, D.C. trip in the gallery below.
[5/24/22] We are honored to announce the list of nominees for the 2022 Spotlight On Business Awards. Each year, these awards celebrate exceptional businesses and organizations that achieve incredible things in local commerce, in their industries, and in the community.
We are thrilled to see the sheer number of amazing businesses nominated this year! We can't wait to celebrate all the nominees (and announce the winners!) at the upcoming Happy Hour Business Expo on June 16th. Nominees are encouraged to attend and bring friends and family to cheer on the great work you've done this past year. Happy Hour Business Expo is a free public event that will feature food, drinks, vendors, and entertainment— as well as the Spotlight On Business Awards ceremony! The categories for awards this year are: Non-profit Organization, Small Business, Medium-sized Business, Large Business, Minority-owned Business, Veteran-owned Business, Business Supporter of the Military, and Resiliency in Business. The 2022 Spotlight On Business Awards Nominees Accident & Injury Chiropractic Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services Aero Precision BIMA Services Bethel School District Buzzerd's on 6th Catffieinated The Doty Group First Citizens Bank Greedy Vegan Catering Gwynnelee LLC DBA Fircrest Towing Kanon Electric The Korean Women's Association MadCap Marketing My Pampered Life Seattle Neaxus The Neighborhood Plant Project NineLine Veteran Services South Sound Business St. Vincent de Paul of Tacoma-Pierce County Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS Tacoma Little Theater Tacoma Trophy Velvet's Big Easy
[5/24/22] Listen to the latest episode of Making It in the South Sound to hear Chamber Board Chair AJ Gordon interview local photographer, videographer, and small business owner Reyallan Thompson talk about his business journey to success in the South Sound.
Reyallan's journey to being a successful small business owner in Pierce County actually started thousands of miles away in the Philippines, where he was born. He moved to Washington with his family at a young age and attended Franklin Pierce School District. Following that, he graduated from Clover Park Technical College. Now, he's a business leader in a diverse community of creatives making their mark on the South Sound.
Reyallan knew for a long time that he wanted to own his own business. However, he tested out many different ideas before finding his passion. He landed on photography—specifically focused on weddings—but that was only half the battle. He credits hard work and having a strong community of supporters as what made his success possible.
He also participated in the Pierce County Business Accelerator, a program of Pierce County's Economic Development Department administered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. He states that the program helped him meet a community of like-minded individuals, access resources, and find opportunities.
"I want to create opportunities in Pierce County for students who are like myself."
Looking to the future, Reyallan is passionate about helping other young creatives in the South Sound. He wants to reach other college graduates like himself who face the challenge of knowing how to use their degree, and show them how to apply that to find their passion and success as entrepreneurs. He strongly recommends the Pierce County Business Accelerator as a pathway for individuals to make their business dreams a reality.
View more of Reyallan's photography work at nallayerstudios.com. Listen to previous episodes of Making It in the South Sound and subscribe to the podcast.
Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Making It in the South Sound? Learn more here.
[5/23/22] Last Thursday evening, May 19th, the Chamber hosted an After Hours event at the recently renovated Chamber offices. Over 100 guests attended including many elected officials, local business owners, and industry leaders. Attendees spent the evening mingling and networking with friends and business partners, enjoying catered hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and getting to meet the new Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber CEO Andrea Reay. This event was a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and business partners in-person, as well as form new connections! If you missed last week's After Hours, don't worry! The Chamber is looking forward to many more events like this in the future, such as the upcoming Happy Hour Business Expo on June 16th.
View photos from the event in the gallery below!
Listen to the latest episode of Making It in the South Sound and hear new CEO Andrea Reay introduce herself and her vision to the Chamber community!
Read the welcome letter below by CEO Andrea Reay:
[5/17/22] If you’ve ever ridden a bus in Pierce County, it’s more than likely you rode Pierce Transit. Formed in 1979, Pierce Transit gets Pierce County residents where they need to go. Pierce Transit estimates it runs 14,000 trips a day with services including bus transit, vanpool, ADA-accessible shuttles, and on-demand runner vehicles. Pierce Transit's next stop? The future of transportation. Public transportation in Pierce County began with streetcars, such as those that traveled up and down the hills of Tacoma. When automobile transit became the dominant mode of travel, buses came to serve people’s transportation needs. Pierce Transit merged various city and regional services in 1979 and is now the primary bus and shuttle transit provider for Pierce County. As our world continues to change with issues such as pandemics, advancing technology, environmental concerns, and traffic patterns, so do people’s transit needs. Pierce Transit is prepared to meet these challenges and travel alongside Pierce County into the future. “We’re bringing transit into the 21st century,” says CEO Mike Griffus. Griffus says that the COVID-19 pandemic has really shined a light on how critical their services are for essential workers. “People need to understand we're a lifeline to a lot of people.” Griffus estimates that nearly 50% of Pierce Transit passengers don’t own a car. These passengers rely on Pierce Transit to get to work, go to school, travel to grocery stores, see a doctor, and visit loved ones. Even during the height of the pandemic, Pierce Transit was still providing 9,000 rides each weekday and was an essential part of keeping the local community running. Rising to meet the complications of a global health crisis isn’t the only way Pierce Transit is gearing up for the future. When thinking about cutting-edge technology, buses might not be the first thought in most people’s heads; however, Pierce Transit is at the forefront of integrating technology in its transit services. Its technological upgrades are paving the way for better amenities, accessibility, and safety in transportation. Pierce Transit buses are equipped with free WiFi for passengers, and that’s only the beginning of the organization’s tech investments. It has also incorporated digital app services that allow riders to pay their fares electronically, view estimated arrival times, and choose the most up-to-date route options. One of the most exciting and groundbreaking tech features at Pierce Transit is its virtual reality training for its bus operators. It is one of the first organizations to use Oculus virtual reality headsets to train bus operators in a safe, controlled environment before they get behind the wheel and on the road. Pierce Transit is creating a bridge between technological advances and environmental protection as well. A major way it does this is with its fleet of fully electric buses. CEO Mike Griffus states that it is a goal to see 20% of Pierce Transit buses— around 40 vehicles— go completely electric in the near future. Griffus shares the fact that bus transit is simultaneously good for the environment as well as local residents facing traffic congestion. About 40 passengers can fit on just one bus, versus the relatively small capacity of individually-owned cars. This has the benefit of maximizing road use and helping eliminate traffic, in addition to putting less strain on the environment. Pierce Transit also has a big role to play in the future of commerce in Pierce County. A future project Griffus is excited to share about is the planned Bus Rapid Transit line that will transport riders between Spanaway and downtown Tacoma along a 14.4-mile portion of Pacific Avenue/State Road 7. This bus route is expected to cut travel times for passengers by one third vs the time it takes by car travel. With partners at city, county, and state levels, the project is expected to break ground in 2024 with a service date of 2027. Griffus anticipates even more positive impacts of this project in addition to the benefits it will bring passengers. “Usually along corridors that you put bus rapid transit in there’s a lot more development opportunities,” he says. He states that he can’t wait to see Pacific Highway go vertical as more development, housing, and retail is constructed for people who want to live close to Bus Rapid Transit. In addition to the Spanaway to Tacoma line, four more BRT lines are part of Pierce Transit’s 2040 plan that will bring $750 million of construction projects to Pierce County. “This business, like most businesses, is about building partnerships and relationships in the community.” Griffus wants people to know that the career and business opportunities at Pierce Transit range much wider than bus operator positions (although those certainly are critical). To operate as the primary bus transit provider for the second largest county in Washington takes workers in every area from accounting, to maintenance, to marketing. Pierce Transit is a leading employer in the region with over 900 employees across the county. In addition to direct positions with Pierce Transit, the transit projects it operates create countless jobs in local construction and development. “The partnerships we make at the chamber really solidify our role in this community.” Griffus shares that in his time as CEO of Pierce Transit he has made many more important business connections and formed partnerships through Chamber opportunities such as being invited to speak to the Port of Tacoma to address their transit needs. Griffus also attended the 2022 annual Washington-to-Washington, D.C. advocacy trip as part of the Chamber’s delegation. The Chamber values Pierce Transit as a member and appreciates the critical role they play in the infrastructure of Pierce County. Here’s to the future of transit! We can’t wait to see where Pierce Transit takes us next. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[5/10/22] Stepping through the front door, visitors are immediately greeted by a towering wooden statue of the mythological figure Garuda from Indonesia. Directly on each side of this stand two tall wooden posts carved with animated faces; they are Jangseung, Korean totem poles. Looking around, it would be a challenge to find a bare spot on the walls not already occupied by an eclectic mix of photos, framed prints, posters, masks, and tapestries. Further inside, glass cases and shelves are full to the brim with statues, dolls, pottery, and musical instruments from cultures all over Asia and the South Pacific. While these may sound like objects found in a museum, make no mistake, the place in which they are housed is so much more than that. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center is a hub of culture and community representing 47 different Asian and Pacific Islander nations. Their mission is “to bridge communities and generations through art, culture, education, and business.” Located in South Tacoma, the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) has an open door to all who wish to learn more and thoughtfully engage with Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. “Bringing people together, learning together, and then teaching together.” That’s what it’s all about for Executive Director Faaluaina “Lua” Pritchard. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1996 by Korean immigrant and Washington artist Patsy Surh O'Connell, who now serves as the organization’s president. While some groups existed at the time for members of specific Asian and Pacific Island national heritage, she saw a need to create a space where people of many different cultures could come together and share, learn, and grow. And grow they did. Since its founding, APCC has come to represent the cultures of 47 different Asian and Pacific Islander nations and offers a wide variety of educational, cultural, and language programs year-round. According to Pritchard, the days go by fast and there is never a boring moment at the Center. There is simply too much to do. APCC offers programs in local schools including free after-school cultural learning programs, an After School Tutoring and Youth Leadership Group, cultural presentations for K-12 students, and more. “You should see the children when we go to the classrooms and we talk about their country. They sit up straight suddenly… with such pride in their eyes. And their teachers just love it because they understand their students more,” says Pritchard about the benefits of these programs for students. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, APCC has also played a critical role in community health. The Pierce County Health Department and Washington State Health Department reached out to APCC for help getting COVID information and health services to Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Washington. Pritchard emphasizes the importance of the Center’s role in this effort, as many of these communities are often underserved when it comes to healthcare and face challenges such as language and cultural barriers to access services. “We know those cultures. We look like them and we speak their language so we had to get involved. And they come here anyway and they know us and they trust us,” says Pritchard. APCC has been involved in translation, interpretation, and home visits to help fight COVID among Asian and Pacific Islander communities. They continue to offer weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Wednesday and free walk-in COVID testing every Monday. Throughout the year, APCC offers many cultural programs and events open to the community. These include interactive workshops and presentations, culinary classes, festivals and celebrations, field trip visits, international trips, and an Asia Pacific Art Gallery located in the APCC building. As May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, APCC has many exciting events to offer the community. These include a Korea Day celebration, free food truck event, Okinawa/Japan Taiko drum performance, a virtual karate session, a virtual exploration of Pacific islands, cultural displays at local events and festivals, and much more. Check out the Center’s APA Heritage Month events calendar on Tacoma Weekly. Looking to the future, APCC has a goal of completely rebuilding and renovating their campus with a target groundbreaking date in 2023. The new planned facility will be two stories and double the space of the Center. This expansion will allow APCC to offer even more amazing programs and services for the community and will include additions such as a new art gallery, performing arts center, gift shop, garden, library, community courtyard, and conference rooms. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center has been a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber since 2012 and has brought new diversity and vibrancy to the Chamber. Executive Director Lua Pritchard recently joined many other local business leaders on the Chamber’s annual Washington-to-Washington, D.C. advocacy trip. “It was just wonderful. One of those most valuable trips I ever took,” says Pritchard. In the work they do, APCC forms many partnerships with businesses throughout the area. Pritchard states a goal of hers in being a Chamber member is to help bring more Asian and Pacific American businesses to the Chamber community so that everyone can benefit. APCC will host the Chamber's next South Sound Business Roundtable in person at their center on May 24th. The Chamber values APCC for all they do in the community and looks forward to their continued partnership in our mission to make the South Sound the most equitable and inclusive place to do business in Washington State. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[5/10/22] Earlier this month, the Washington Legislature voted to pass a bill that will further establish Pierce County as a prime region for business development. House Bill 1846 incentivizes investment in building, maintaining, and retrofitting data centers in Washington. With strong local support and hard work on behalf of our advocacy partners, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber celebrates the passing of this bill as a victory for community business interests.
Listen to the Chamber’s state lobbyist, Michael Transue, sit down with Board Chair AJ Gordon to discuss the data center bill that was recently passed by the State Legislature —and why this is a huge win for Pierce County business interests— on the latest episode of Making It in the South Sound. Background: What is a Data Center? Data centers are physical locations that store and compute data for businesses and organizations. In a growing digital age, data centers serve as an essential service for both businesses and communities to stay connected. Data center development is a market currently experiencing high demand as businesses and organizations become increasingly active in the digital world. Data centers provide critical infrastructure not only for corporations, but also for small and medium-sized businesses, research organizations, healthcare institutions, and city governments. In doing so, they also create jobs in construction and operations, drive economic growth, and stimulate investment in local connectivity services like fiber and broadband. Since 2019, advocates have been working to see legislation passed that will allow further growth and development of data centers in the region. Prior to this new bill, Washington offered incentives for data center development in rural areas exclusively. Nearby areas such as Oregon are competitors in this market due to the personal property tax exemptions offered on data center servers and a lack of state sales tax. The passing of the new data bill will provide incentives to make the Puget Sound region an attractive competitor to Oregon for data center development. What Does House Bill 1846 Do? Before the passing of this latest bill, Washington offered a sales and use tax exemption exclusively for data centers in rural areas. This new data center bill expands these tax incentives to data center development in counties with populations over 800,000. This includes Pierce County, as well as King and Snohomish counties. This bill is sure to lead to more development and investment in data centers in urban areas as a result of these tax incentives. What Role Did the Chamber Play? Chamber advocacy lobbyist Michael Transue has been involved in the journey of this bill from the very beginning. Starting in 2019, the Chamber participated in lobbying the state legislature as the data center bill was discussed in hearings. As the bill moved forward, the Chamber played a critical role in coordinating letters to the legislature from local leaders voicing their support. Leaders who supported the bill include Tacoma Pierce-County Chamber CEO Tom Pierson, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, Puyallup Mayor Dean Johnson, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County President Bruce Kendall, Pierce County Council Chair Derek Young, and Pierce County Building & Construction Trades Executive Secretary Nathe Lawver. When it came time for the bill to be voted on, the Chamber helped coordinate communications and testimony to the legislature on the importance of the bill. What Does This Mean for Pierce County? The incentives included in the new data center bill are expected to generate interest and investment in data centers in Pierce County. Data centers bring high-paying, long-term jobs in construction and operations to a region. Building one data center typically takes around 500 workers and nearly 300,000 hours of labor. After that, jobs continue to exist to support the upkeep and operations. Data center development also often leads to better digital connectivity for areas and incentivizes investments in fiber optics and broadband. An economic impact analysis conducted by ECONorthwest in 2021 reported that increased data center development over the next ten years could increase Washington State’s gross domestic product by $2.7B and add $2.2B in personal income to workers, creating 6,660 jobs during construction and 665 jobs during operations per year. To understand the effects that this increased development could specifically have in Pierce County, one can look at the city of Hillsborough, Oregon, as a case study. Between 2010 and 2015, the city saw a $695 million investment in the development of twelve data centers. Due to this it is estimated that, in 2015 alone, data centers contributed $65.2 million in output, 354 jobs, and $17.8 million in worker income in the Hillsborough area. Additionally, $5 million was generated in taxes from data centers to fund public services. If a similar investment were to take place in a city in Pierce County, it would likely create equally positive economic outcomes. In a scenario analysis included in the same ECONorthwest report it was projected that such an investment could generate $48.2 million in Tacoma alone. Curious to learn more? Read the ECONorthwest report on the Economic Impacts of Colocation Data Centers and Tax Policy in Washington State. View the letter written by Pierce County leaders to the Washington Legislature in support of the bill. Read the testimony delivered by Chamber State Lobbyist Michael Transue to the Legislature in support of the bill. Last Wednesday, April 13th, the Chamber hosted its first Military Affairs Forum in 26 months. This in-person event broke the attendance record of any Military Affairs Forum in Chamber history, with a crowd of 90 business leaders, community members, and military representatives present. The event was held at the Tacoma La Quinta Inn & Suites where attendees enjoyed a breakfast buffet and time to network with fellow business and military leaders before speaker presentations began. The featured speakers at this kickoff return to Military Affairs Forums were Colonel (Ret.) Bill Adamson, currently the Program Director for the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP), and David Fullmer, Chief of Staff at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. COL. (Ret.) Bill Adamson of the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership kicked off the speaker presentations by sharing information with attendees about the economic impacts of JBLM in the South Sound community. This included data collected in a 2020 regional economic impact analysis of JBLM by a collaboration between SSMCP and the UW Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business.
Noteworthy updates concerned JBLM’s impact on residential population statistics, business development and leadership, and statewide job and economic outputs. According to the report shared by COL. (Ret.) Adamson, JBLM helps attract talented members of the workforce to the region. In survey results, 75% of respondents did not live in the Pierce/Thurston County area prior to military affiliation. 70% of respondents surveyed are homeowners in the area. Additionally, in a survey of local business leaders, 34% reported a current or prior JBLM affiliation. It was also reported that the base is responsible for creating 34,000 jobs statewide and 25,500 in the South Sound alone. Overall, the report showed that JBLM has a 13.9 billion dollar impact on the Washington State economy. JBLM Chief of Staff David Fullmer spoke next and shared more information about the interactions between the JBLM military community and the surrounding community. He shared many of the realities service members face throughout their time serving at JBLM, from what is required to relocate to the area, to the challenges of re-entering civilian life. He discussed such topics as relocation and moving, childcare, spousal employment, and housing that the 279,664 service members and affiliated families in the area must navigate. Information about two programs was shared out to attendees at the event: the JBLM Rental Partnership Program, in which landlords can participate to help service members and families find affordable housing off-base, and the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program, in which child care providers can participate in a fee assistance program for military families. To learn more about the Rental Partnership Program, email the JBLM Housing Services Office at usarmy.jblm.id-readiness.list.dpw-rcd-hso@army.mil or call (253) 967-3581 To learn more about the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program visit www.childcareaware.org Thank you to all who attended the relaunch of our Military Affairs Forum! This was truly a spectacular event to connect our South Sound military and business communities. The next Military Affairs Forum will take place June 8, 2022. Register to attend and stay in the loop with the Chamber by signing up for our nNews! Interested in being involved in the next Military Affairs Forum? Contact Michelle Matheson at michellem@tacomachamber.org.
In this episode of Making It in the South Sound, AJ Gordon, Tacoma Board of Directors Chair, sits down with Kevin Drugge, Senior Corporate Sales Manager for the Tacoma Rainiers at We R Tacoma.
Kevin shares some history of Cheney Stadium and Minor League Baseball in Tacoma, starting all the way back in 1960 when Ben Cheney and Clay Huntington brought baseball to Tacoma. From the original Tacoma Giants, to the Tacoma Tigers, and as the Rainiers we know today, Tacoma's minor league team has had a deep and storied history in the community.
"It's almost everyone's home away from home during the summertime," says Kevin, reflecting on the role the Rainiers and Cheney Stadium play in the community fabric of Tacoma. Kevin reflects on the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic and having to go an entire season without baseball. Despite many challenges, he states his belief that We R Tacoma has emerged from the pandemic as a stronger organization. Not only did Cheney Stadium weather the COVID-19 storm, it played a critical role in community health as both a testing site and, later, a vaccine clinic.
With eyes to the future, Kevin discusses what the 2022 Rainiers season has in store for fans. Season ticket holders should be excited to enjoy the completely renovated and updated Commencement Bank Summit Club, which features luxe furnishings, all-inclusive food and drinks, games and entertainment, and a premium view of the field.
Kevin and his team are hopeful this season to see the Rainiers defend their winning titles. Triple-A West League Champions in 2021, the Rainiers hope to continue their winning streak as Pacific Coast League Champions in 2022. Listen nowFunds will support expansion of its Small Business Navigator Program for Black and urban entrepreneurs.
Tacoma, Washington—March 2, 2022—Tacoma Urban League [today] announces a $75,000 donation from KeyBank to bolster its Small Business Navigator Program, which is designed to support Black entrepreneurs expand their businesses. The funds will be used to provide services such as grant and loan application completion, technical support, coaching, mentoring and workshops to address other key skills. The programs will be offered through the Tacoma Urban League’s Black Empowerment Center, which aims to increase the net worth of African Americans in Tacoma by offering culturally anchored classes, activities and services that strengthen financial capability. The Black Empowerment Center was founded on the premise that bridging the gap between the Black community in Tacoma and the public and private sectors will lead to greater civic engagement by African Americans, increase advocacy and support racial and cultural pride by participants. “KeyBank’s mission is to help our communities thrive, and nowhere is that more important than in underserved communities that often lack access to business expertise and funding,” says South Puget Sound Market President Brian Marlow. “We are delighted to partner with Tacoma Urban League as they support our neighbors who are creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and striving for economic independence.” “The long-term impact of the Black Empowerment Center is to increase the net worth of African Americans in Tacoma,” said T’wina Nobles, President and CEO of Tacoma Urban League. “The economic disparity for African Americans is so severe - which is why the Black Empowerment Center emphasizes assistance to Black people – the investment must match the problem. We are grateful for Key Banks’s partnership and understanding that we have so much more work to do.” The KeyBank Foundation has long engaged in philanthropic endeavors that support economic access and equity for underserved communities and populations. About KeyCorp KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $186.3 billion on December 31, 2021. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC. Welcome New Members! WA Declutter & Cleaning Service Tortas Locas 8 UP Wellness Spa Kids Space Learning & Daycare LLC At Your Service Authorization LLC Price Glass Werks Parable Tacoma LLC Lumpia Love Full Circle Athletics LLC Rai of Sunshine Early Learning Center LLC ART4ORM LLC The BODYSTUDIO on Tacoma Ave Elegance & Beyond Salon LLC Tanzania Languages & Cab Service BIMA Services Mediums LLC Jan Parker Cookery Chaskas LLC Thriftapalooza Kettle & Ink LLC Lia Mo Line Pasifika LLC Fluffy Girl Creations Family Restoration Connectors LLC Diverse Community Connectors LLC Carlos Watson Real Estate LLC Relevant Marketing Solutions Blue Rooster Coffee Corporation Velvet's Big Easy Food Truck & Catering Heather's Canine Care Earth & Grain Gourmet LLC Onsight Physical Therapy My Big Sisters Shoes LLC Pure Harmony Nails & Spa Martin Building Enterprize LLC Naked Face Cosmetic Spa LLC Progressive Hair Care & Supplies Kaycha C (Kay-sha-cee) Alxandra Victoria La Vie LLC KnowGap LLC Pacific Integrated Handling, Inc. JT's Original Louisiana BBQ LLC Love By the Slice Baking & Catering Company SMART Advertisement Undeniable Bajimya Dotz Allergy Friendly Baked Goods LLC Civic Roasters Capital One Alacrity Real Estate Solutions, LLC DIRECT AUTO Insurance Historic 1625 Tacoma Place Stride K12 Insight School of Washington Black Fleet Brewing PANO 5 PR, Public Relations & Corporate Communication, LLC Real Estate Connects LLC Rettig Flyte Company PS Utiligi Communication LLC Risk Strategies Physio Movement & Performance McInnis Engineering Avelon Ballroom at The Ford Center TAPCO Credit Union-GIG HARBOR BRANCH Expert Muffler & Auto Repair Welcome New Members!
Madrona Physical Therapy, PLLC Omega Community Policing Service, Inc. Nallayer Studios/PNW Visuals R & R Electrical Services, Inc. Shamsa Global LLC DeVine Testing Solutions, LLC Emerald City Staffing, Inc., dba Nextaff Aeroforge, Inc. Royal CBD DoorDash That One Firm, Inc. Terra Dynamics, Inc. KBD Consulting Wine Spot LLC In Focus Productions Cell Shop / AT&T Dads MOVE Allstate Insurance Company DocGo Dibble Street Design Co. LLC (dba Global Backyard Industries) BrightWire Networks, LLC Yes Works Congratulations to the 43rd Business Leadership Academy class. Their graduation luncheon was held on November 18th at the beautiful new Silver Cloud Point Ruston hotel, Tacoma's newest luxury hotel and event space. The Business Leadership Academy, a partnership between the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University, offers an opportunity for current and emerging leaders to engage with the business community while developing leadership skills, linking with a mentor, and interacting with exemplary leaders. CLICK HERE for information about the next class and the application form. This Year's Graduates are: Stefan Agyemang Community Benefit Specialist MultiCare Laura Badeaux Donors Relations Officer United Way of Pierce County Jace Banta Assistant Manager Facilities Pierce Transit Lay Conn Visual Communications @ Multimedia Specialist Tacoma Public Utilities-TACOMA POWER Reinaldo Cordero Asst. VP/Branch Manager U.S. Bank-LACEY BRANCH Lucas Ellingson Sonia Garza Military Spouse Fellowship Program Manager U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation-Hiring our Heroes Malik Gbenro Assistant General Counsel Tacoma Public Schools-District #10 Kevin Green District Manager Pierce County Recycling, Composting & Disposal, LLC dba LRI Alison Hendricks Director of Operations & Administration University of Washington Tacoma Aaron Lenk Communications Technologist Assistant Manager Pierce Transit Terry Park Branch Manager U.S. Bank-FEDERAL WAY BRANCH Zellynda Perkins Financial Assistant Tacoma Public Utilities Kelso Pickett Quality Assurance Manager Tool Gauge And Machine Works, Inc. Hillary Powell Director of Recruitment Pacific Lutheran University Daniel Rodriguez Branch Manager U.S. Bank-SPANAWAY BRANCH Sabrina Rogers Director Human Potential Business Consulting MultiCare Danielle Sarber Relationship Manager U.S. Bank-GIG HARBOR BRANCH Jason Schaut VP, Business Banking Relationship Manager U.S. Bank-COMMERCIAL BANKING Lisa Simmons Communications & Public Relations Manager TOTE Maritime Alaska LLC Sarah Sweet Program Manager Tacoma Public Utilities-TACOMA POWER Lauren Taylor Program Analyst-Change Management TOTE Maritime Alaska LLC Brandy Tuggle Sr. Risk Analyst Pierce Transit Corvi Urling Certified Mortgage Advisor LoanDepot Laurie Wheeler VP, COO IS&T MultiCare Kacee Woods Training & Apprenticeship Analyst Tacoma Public Utilities-TACOMA POWER Jennifer Yahne Chief Operating Officer TRA Medical Imaging OUR NEW MEMBERS ARE: Verizon Wireless MB HANDY Marie Wulfram Photography Closets By Design Seattle U.S. Bank-LACEY BRANCH Elevated Systems LLC Brothers Auto Repair The Fernseed-SOUTH TACOMA BRANCH Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound Avamere at Pacific Ridge Koz Properties CFAH CityLocal Pro Recoverperiod NW Maids Tacoma Cleaning Service Gold Bee Edison Square Strategies360.com Alpha Coatings Toray Composites Materials America Inc. Kowchsurferz Anonymous On Friday, October 8, Tom Pierson, the Chamber's President and CEO for the past 10 years, announced to the Chamber membership that he would be stepping down from his position at the end of this calendar year. Here is the text of Tom's message. __________________________________________________ I recently shared with the Executive Committee of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board of Directors my decision to end my tenure at the Chamber at the end of December. When I accepted the position of President & CEO of the Chamber, I committed to myself and my family to serve the organization for ten years. I believe Leadership matters, and there is a point at which a leadership change is good for both the leader and the organization. It has been an honor to serve you. Let me express my sincere appreciation for your membership and participation with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. You are the reason the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber has a solid record of achievement and is the state's premier business association. I am incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished at the chamber. Your Chamber team is highly professional and effective—the best team I have worked with. This ten-year mark is an excellent opportunity for new leadership to take the organization to an even higher level. The Chamber’s Board of Directors has been working diligently and strategically to select an individual to succeed me and ensure the Chamber’s continued success. I am confident in their process and have no doubt the Chamber will continue its work making the South Sound the most equitable and inclusive place to do business in Washington state. The Chamber has retained the Valtas Group to assist the board in recruiting the next chamber leader and engaging the broader community in the process. We expect the search to be national. Additional information about the process should be shared with you soon. People who are interested in the position or would like to nominate others can reach Ed Rogan, of Valtas, at ed@valtasgroup.com. You may also reach out to Board Chair AJ Gordon at AJ.Gordon@bannerbank.com with your questions and suggestions. Again, thank you for your partnership. It has been my honor to be part of Washington’s business and political development, working with business leaders like you! Thanks, Tom Washington, DC– Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4350, the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Strickland secured passage of over 20 provisions to support servicemembers and military families at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) and across our nation, specifically addressing several aspects of housing security, military hunger, employment for military spouses, access to contraception for servicemembers and dependents, recognizing the contributions of Native American servicemembers, and more. “Congress and the Department of Defense need to show that we value servicemembers and their families, like those at Joint Base Lewis McChord, who sacrifice so much to keep us safe and secure,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “I’m pleased to have secured several provisions in this year’s NDAA which invest in servicemembers and help their families thrive. From housing security in high-cost, high-growth areas, to making sure no military family goes hungry -- investments in military communities are an investment in our nation’s readiness. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues and Chairman Smith to craft and pass a bipartisan defense bill that supports our national security and invests in the military communities at JBLM and across our nation.” “For more than sixty years this committee’s focus has been to provide the Department of Defense and the men and women who serve our country with the tools to meet the ever-changing national security threats we face. For the sixty-first consecutive year, the Armed Services Committee has fulfilled its critical responsibility and completed, on a bipartisan basis, a defense bill that will bolster our national security and provide for the common defense. I want to thank Congresswoman Strickland for her tireless work in our Committee to ensure a defense bill which addresses crucial needs of servicemembers and their families, including military hunger, housing security and other priorities, in Washington and across our nation,” said Chairman Adam Smith (WA-9). Over 20 Strickland priorities were included in the FY22 NDAA, which passed the House today after passing out of committee on September 2nd, several of which are listed below:
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland serves as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and is the only African-American woman who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. She is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress and the first African-American to represent the Pacific Northwest at the federal level. We've recently added 31 new members to our community and we couldn't be happier. The more businesses that join our ranks, the greater impact we can have. Help us give them all a great big welcome!
OUR NEW MEMBERS ARE: Kitsap Credit Union-PUYALLUP/SOUTH HILL Dania Smoke Shop-TACOMA Dania Smoke Shop-UNIVERSITY PLACE Ranta CPA & Associates LLC Ace Group - Mosaic Real Estate Interstate Batteries Full Spectrum Face and Body Linton Insurance Agency of Farmers Insurance Two Busy to Cook Catering, LLC Bliss Law Group Camp Colvos Brewing Soaring Heart Natural Beds Shook Home Group First Citizens Bank-Tacoma SpotOn LLC Avrio Surfaces Participant First 401K by Ekstra, The Botanicaz LLC Landlord Solutions Inc. Chase Construction North West, Inc. U.S. Bank-FEDERAL WAY BRANCH MTD Electric LLC SKIS Painting D. Lark Inc., McDonald's Springbok Intellectual Property ASFAPOG-African School of Family Wellbeing, Policy & Government HCON, Inc. Basehubs Pacific Northwest Transportation Services, Inc. dba Premier Airport Shuttle by Capital Aeroporter Contractors Granite & Marble, Inc. Brewin Co. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber communications@tacomachamber.org More Information and application at: www.pcba.biz The Business Accelerator program will serve entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Pierce County with a focus on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities to help foster innovation and create wealth-building opportunities. September 9, 2021 - Pierce County, WA - The Pierce County Business Accelerator is a program of Pierce County funded through an allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The accelerator will provide direct access to business resources including relevant training, coaching, technical assistance, and networking support to launch and grow micro businesses in Pierce County. Upon completion, participants will receive:
Participants must be a start-up or a micro-stage business with 2019 annual revenue under $325k, or a pre-revenue business, and must be physically located in Pierce County. For application assistance, interested parties may contact us at (253) 798-6150 or PCBizAccelerator@piercecountywa.gov. Spanish language assistance is available. Or contact one of the following accelerator partners for assistance:
The first cohort of the Pierce County Business Accelerator will kick-off by the end of September. Applications submitted after September 17 will be considered for a later cohort. All BIPOC business owners who qualify should apply for the first round application due September 17, 2021. More information and online application can be found at www.pcba.biz Financial and Other Business Resources
Healthy Washington--Economic Reopening
Employer/Employee Resources
Events & Training UPCOMING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER WEBINARS
OTHER WEBINARS/TRAINING:
DOWNTOWN FARMERS' MARKET OPEN. The Broadway Farmers Market located on Broadway between S. 9th and S. 11th Streets is open each Thursday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
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