 From left to right: Jon Rossman, Owner of Chuckals Office Products & Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board; Andrea Reay, President & CEO of Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber; Eli Taylor, Vice President/Senior Private Wealth Advisor at U.S. Bank & Past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board; Kierra Phifer, Manager, Public Engagement-Northwest at DoorDash & Chair Elect of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board. Since 2006, the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Governor of Washington have been acknowledging the people behind efforts that make their communities flourish. It takes a lot to make a community vibrant; planning in areas of parks and recreation, job growth, housing affordability, economic development, homelessness, transportation, and subarea development are at the forefront of every community leader. But each city in Washington State has proven time and again that they are capable and willing to do what it takes. To really recognize and thank these local governments, the dynamic duo, Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Governor of Washington, created The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Seven categories of achievement are available:
Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) Program Director, Ryan Spence, states: "Thank you to the governor for recognizing the City of Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy as a pioneering effort to build a greener economy. The strategy identifies manufacturing as a key opportunity to provide low barrier high wage jobs for a greener, more equitable and more prosperous Tacoma.” Thank you, Governor Inslee, and the Washington State Department of Commerce, for the homage. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the City of Tacoma will continue to work on the betterment of our community and the beloved place we call home. To read more about the other recipient cities, click here. To learn the requirements of the categories, click here.
 Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in February 2024:
 The Chamber’s annual Horizons Economic Forecast event took place on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, and saw over 400 guests in attendance! The program featured expert economists, industry executives, and local business leaders to candidly discuss the economic outlook of 2024, as well as offer insights and advice to business owners. Some of the top topics on everyone’s mind this year were workforce, interest rates, and community investments. The event speakers covered these topics and more through presentations and live discussions. Take a look at the top 10 takeaways from this year’s Horizons Economic Forecast: 1. Pierce County: A Hub of Investment & Growth The program commenced with an address from Bruce Dammeier, Pierce County Executive, during which he underscored Pierce County's reputation as an attractive destination for both investment and employment opportunities. Highlighting two notable investments within the county, encompassing over seven million square feet of leased property, he emphasized the success of these ventures, with one property achieving full occupancy and the other surpassing the 70 percent mark. This emphasizes Pierce County's enduring appeal as a robust investment hub and vibrant community that continues to attract new residents.
3. Legislative Initiatives Aimed at Tackling Economic Challenges Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland of Washington's 10th District began her address by acknowledging the significant developments witnessed by the South Sound and Washington State at large over the past year. She further acknowledged widespread concerns voiced regarding labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, infrastructure needs, and the evolving marketplace dynamics necessitating continuous adaptation. In response to these challenges, she highlighted key federal legislative initiatives aimed at addressing these pressing issues:
While acknowledging the positive strides made through these legislative efforts, Congresswoman Strickland emphasized the ongoing commitment to further legislative action, promote continuous progress, and advocacy to address emerging challenges.
6. Collaboration & Progress in the South Sound Congressman Derek Kilmer of Washington’s 6th District delivered a memorable address focusing on the power of community collaboration and shared progress in the South Sound region. He highlighted a few significant achievements, including the $54 million investment in the Husky Terminal at the Port of Tacoma, enhancing the region's global economic standing. He also emphasized the tangible impact of federal investments in areas such as affordable housing through the Tacoma Housing Authority and expanded services at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, addressing crucial needs ranging from addiction recovery to workforce development. Furthermore, Kilmer celebrated the secured funding for the preservation and enhancement of Puget Sound, a vital environmental and economic resource for the region. Concluding his address, he urged continued innovation, partnership, and a steadfast commitment to preserving the spirit of collaboration, as he believes that through collective action, there are boundless opportunities for progress and prosperity.
8. Housing Activity to Decline in 2024 Dr. Johnson also delved into the analysis of housing activity outlined in the PCEI Report. Throughout 2023, housing activity notably underperformed initial projections, with new listings and closed sales experiencing declines of 30 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Moreover, the Pierce County Housing Affordability Index witnessed a substantial 28.7 percent decrease by the conclusion of 2023. Looking ahead to 2024, the housing market is expected to maintain its subdued trajectory, contingent upon potential reductions in mortgage rates. Projections indicate that the Pierce County Housing Activity Index is poised to decline by 9.5 percent by the culmination of 2024.
10. JBLM Addresses Recruitment Challenges
JBLM serves as a significant economic driver within the South Sound region and Washington State at large. As part of the local panel, Lt. Col. Dane Franta of the 62nd Airlift Wing at JBLM provided invaluable insights into the military community's resilience amidst global uncertainties and ongoing challenges in labor and recruitment. A key emphasis by Lt. Col. Franta was the revitalization of community outreach initiatives, recognizing the importance of re-establishing connections lost during COVID. JBLM is actively engaged in attending hiring fairs, organizing air shows, and participating in Armed Forces Days to reinforce their commitment to engagement and recruitment efforts. Remarkably, statistics for 2023 indicate that JBLM currently hosts the smallest military personnel presence in its history. Consequently, recruitment efforts have been intensified to meet operational requirements. As part of their recruitment messaging, JBLM fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, emphasizing the unique benefits of a military career path.  Attendees of the Chamber After Hours in February - the month of Valentine’s and burning love - had no wild flames to worry about thanks to Patriot Fire Protection, our amazing host! The venue, equipped with a gym, wet bar, and even a putting green, was the perfect spot to spend the evening. Guests were welcomed by Chamber Ambassadors, along with Patriot’s Mascot, Sprinkler Man. Catering offered by Gallucci’s was exquisite; flat-bread pizzas, lettuce and pasta salads, meatballs, and more delicious bites to enjoy. In the glow of the (flameless) tealight candles and homemade marquee sign, conversations ranged from which snow sport was best, to the father-son duo who have been with the company for many-a-year and all the great changes they have seen within the company to get it to where it is today. Thirty-four years of servicing new construction (commercial and residential), conducting inspections, testing and maintenance, and fire alarm monitoring to name a few of the many operations Patriot Fire Protection’s team handle day-to-day. With locations in Vancouver, Spokane, and of course Tacoma, the PNW can rest easy knowing that Patriot Fire Protection has been (and will continue to) “protecting lives and property” for years to come! If you missed this Chamber After Hours and want to join in, please visit our event calendar to discover more.  On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, over 400 members of the business community joined us for the 2024 Horizons Economic Forecast! The morning kicked off with coffee and networking, then moved into the main program where local and regional leaders discussed the Pierce County economy. Thank you to all you attended, especially our event sponsors and speakers! Sponsors
Speakers
 Downtown Tacoma welcomed a new business to the area on Friday, February 2, 2024. Located off Pacific Ave, you will find Maxwell Synové Photography! Krystian Francuz-Harris holds many titles including Photographer, Wife, Mother of two young boys, and now proud Downtown Tacoma Business Owner. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, there were delicious doughnuts for the attendees, and best of all, Krystian’s friends and family. Also present to support Krystian were a few Chamber Ambassadors, The Downtown Tacoma Partnership team, and other fellow photographers. Jon Rossman, Board Chair for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, and Owner of another business in Tacoma, Chuckals Office Products, had the chance to say a few words to welcome Maxwell Synové Photography. When Krystian had the chance to speak, she shared the meaning behind the studio’s name. Maxwell is the middle name of both her sons, and Synové is Czech for Son. It was important for Krystian to bring her culture into the company name, and of course, her precious children’s middle names. The studio itself is spacious and has large windows at the front to let in natural light. There are plenty of areas within the studio to create different sets, and the soft colors of the room make for a great canvas to get creative with. Along the walls are many prints from past photoshoots that show the variety and skillset Krystian has…you may even find her oldest son toddling around if you’re lucky! Next time you need some photos taken, be sure to check out Maxwell Synové Photography! Welcome to all the new members who joined our business community in January 2024:
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