A snapshot of the economy of Grays Harbor County and a presentation by Association of Washington Business President and CEO Kris Johnson were served up along with breakfast at Greater Grays Harbor Inc.’s State of Grays Harbor presentation at the Rotary Log Pavilion on June 2.
Dru Garson, Greater Grays Harbor CEO, drew praise from Johnson for his comprehensive presentation detailing the county’s economy.
“I get a chance to travel the state and I don’t see this level of information very often,” he said.
Garson noted that the economy is growing across the county. In 2016, there was a 6 percent increase in hotel/motel tax revenues to $1.81 million. Taxable retail sales were up 5 percent, said Garson, from $930 million in 2015 to $981 million in 2016. Aberdeen accounts for the bulk of that number, about $403 million.
The unemployment rate in Grays Harbor County is still among the highest in the state, but has declined to around 7 percent, compared to double digits just a couple of years ago. The average per capita income rose from $34,326 in 2014 to $35,625 in 2015, but is still well below the state average of $51,146 and the national average of $47,669.
The retail marijuana boom has benefited the county’s economy, said Garson. He said the county raked in $9 million in 2016, bringing in more than $6 million dollars in excise tax money spread throughout the county.
Rural jobs and a trained workforce are needed to boost the economy of the region and the state as a whole, according to Johnson, who said 75 percent of businesses in the state employ fewer than 25 workers. When he asks small businesses what their greatest challenge is, business people often say that it is finding workers.
“We need a skilled, trained workforce to be competitive,” he said. “We need strong entrepreneurial activity and a regulatory environment conducive to doing business.”
He said the economy of Washington is “a two and 37 economy.” What that means is Seattle and Snohomish County are experiencing incredible growth, a few others are doing very well, but many of the rest are struggling; for example, the unemployment rate in King County is less than half that of Grays Harbor County.
“One of the greatest challenges is finding talented people to hire,” Johnson said. “The counties that can solve the talent issues will have the best opportunity to grow.”
He also talked about the importance of reaching out to and working with millennials, finding out what kind of issues and requirements they may have as they begin their careers.
“Many millennials choose a place to live, then get a job there,” Johnson said. This is different from the generations that preceded them, when most people would find a job and choose to live where that job is located. In his workshops with millennials, Johnson has found the majority want to start their own business and be their own boss.
Johnson and the Association of Washington Business recently introduced a multimedia campaign called the GrowHere employer image campaign. The goal is to provide business owners with incentives and infrastructure improvements that will encourage them to build, grow and maintain businesses in their home areas.
“We need $180 billion in infrastructure improvements,” he said. Everything from roads and bridges to improving and stabilizing energy sources and delivery systems is part of the necessary infrastructure needed to promote business in the county and beyond, said Johnson, who added there are still some areas that don’t have access to broadband, critical to developing a modern business.
The Association of Washington Business held a rural jobs summit, inviting lawmakers and business groups to gather and talk about what was needed to promote job and business growth in Grays Harbor County and other rural counties across the state.
State Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview, called the summit “A great start.” He added, “It’s encouraging that there has been a lot of talk in the Legislature about the importance of adding jobs to rural areas of the state. It’s also been frustrating that there’s more talking than action, unfortunately.”
