June 2021 Economic Report

Rich Honored as He Steps Away from LEDC

Photo by Lewis Economic Development Council

Lewis Economic Development Council Executive Director Richard DeBolt, center, and LEDC Chair Ben Kostick, right, enjoy some levity at this past Thursday’s board meeting. At left is Dan Rich, a longtime member of the LEDC Executive Board and past Chair. Rich, upon retiring from the LEDC board on Thursday, was honored with a Mr. EDC sash, a royal crown and a dozen roses. Rich is the past owner of Tin Men Supply in Centralia.

News Briefs

LEDC Golf Tournament to Fund Micro-Business Lending Program

The Lewis Economic Development Council is hosting a golf tournament in the final days of summer on Friday, Sept. 17 at Riverside Golf Club in Chehalis.

Along with an announcement by the LEDC, the day of golf will help raise funds to power the newly-created micro-lending program, which assists small businesses with low interest loans during trying times such as the end of the pandemic.

This best-ball tournament invites teams of four to sign up. Opportunities for major sponsorship, as well as a hole-in-one sponsorship, are available. For additional information, call LEDC External Relations Manager Eric Sonnenberg at at 208.206.5407 

United Learning Center Breaks Ground in Centralia

Supporters of the United Learning  Center, a community education collaborative project, celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month at its future site located at 415 Pearl Street in Centralia, at the corner of Pearl and Maple streets across from The Chronicle.

Funding for the initial stage of construction came from $3 million from the state Legislature and $1.9 million via REET funds through the City of Centralia.

The center will offer affordable, full-day early learning for children two to five years old of working families. Project partners are the City of Centralia, United Way of Lewis County, the Discover Children’s Museum and the Boys & Girls Club. 

A press release from the United Way of Lewis County stated, “In Lewis County, only approximately 25% of children under five years of age have the opportunity to participate in a quality child care program; lack of child care centers playing a large part in this. Center numbers are on the decline, leaving families and children unable to access programs that promote child success. 

“Parents of infants and young children all across Washington struggle to find and afford high-quality, licensed child care, often paying more for child care than the cost of college tuition.”

When completed, the United Learning Center will provide quality early learning programs for up to 150 children. With scholarships, children will be able to attend at little or no cost to the family.

For the business community, this increases the availability of employees by providing day care services combined with an education program.

Unemployment Drops in Lewis County

Unemployment in Lewis County dipped by 1.1% in May, according to the state Employment Security Department’s (ESD) most recent report.

Lewis County now sits at 5.9%, not seasonally adjusted, after hovering around 7% since early this year. That’s higher than the state average of 5.3%. The last non-pandemic month of May — back in 2019 — showed a similar level of unemployment in Lewis County, at 5.6%.

Currently, Lewis County is faring better than most of its neighbors. Thurston County sits at 4.9% and Pierce County 5.8%. But Grays Harbor is at 7.6%, Pacific at 7.7%, Wahkiakum at 6.4%, Cowlitz at 6%, Skamania at 5.9% and Yakima at 6.6%.

Seasonally adjusted, the state’s unemployment rate of 5.3% falls below the nationwide rate of 5.8%

Jobs in May were up by 8,300 — smaller gains than in the last four months. The biggest swells in employment were made in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and government, while the biggest losses were in construction, retail trade and manufacturing.

Member Spotlight

Chehalis Industrial Commission a Solid Partner With LEDC

Volunteer Group Helped Form LEDC Back in the Early 1980s

Buck Hubbert stands up to present the Gail and Carolyn Shaw Industry Award at the Lewis EDC annual uet a few years ago in this Chronicle file photograph.

By Lewis Economic Development Council

This month’s Lewis Economic Development Council’s Member Spotlight shines on the Chehalis Industrial Commission, a group that helped form the LEDC back in the 1980s.

The Chehalis Industrial Commission was created by a group of Chehalis-based business leaders in the 1950s in an effort to attract decent-paying jobs to the area. The group sold stock at $50 per share and raised an initial $50,000. A second stock offering in 1957 raised another $50,000, giving the Commission enough to purchase 135 acres just south of Chehalis. From there the Commission continued to grow and attract businesses, but needed a marketing arm to help spread the news that Chehalis was open and ready.

That’s where the Lewis Economic Development Council entered the picture. Encouraged by the Chehalis Industrial Commision, the LEDC formed in 1983 to “encourage business and industrial growth throughout the county,” according to the book “A history of the Chehalis Industrial Commission: A Community-Owned Not-For-Profit (501c3) Group of Friends!” written by local Toledo author Julie McDonald Zander.

For the first decade, the LEDC worked with more than 80 companies to locate to Chehalis, bringing in about 2,300 jobs. The LEDC also assisted in the expansion during that first decade of more than 300 businesses. By 1969 the Chehalis Industrial Commission had attracted industries employing 557 people with an annual payroll of $4 million.

Buck Hubbert, the former owner of Tires, Inc. in Chehalis, was appointed president of the Commission in 1994, and serves as chair today. 

“We originally bought land and built buildings to bring people to town with good wages,” Hubbert said. “And it hasn’t changed.”

One of the original leaders of the Chehalis Industrial Commission was Gale Shaw, who passed away in 2014. Shaw is described as a visionary and mentor by many he worked with over the years. Hubbert said Shaw was wise beyond his times, but had a simple approach.

“Gail Shaw would say, ‘Yes we can, we can do it.’ He never told anybody ‘no,’ but that we would figure it out,” Hubbert said. “He would never tell a potential client ‘no.’”

Hubbert said the LEDC was formed in part as a marketing arm for the Commission. Hubbert said the LEDC has access to county, state and federal programs that help with funding needs for local business retention and expansion. He said the LEDC is valuable in bringing in clients to Lewis County. Hubbert said he is impressed with new LEDC Executive Director Richard DeBolt.

“Richard is an asset,” Hubbert said. “The EDC is in good hands and we’re looking forward to the future. It will be a lot easier with Richard. He will help pre-screen clients.”

Hubbert said the Chehalis Industrial Commission continues to thrive. He said the Commission board is talented and engaged, with assistance by Commission President Tom Bradley and Vice President Brian Tornow.

“It’s not just me; we’ve got a good board,” Hubbert said.

Hubbert said the Commission can be “picky” with the businesses it shakes hands with. 

“We don’t want a chicken farm in the middle of the port,” Hubbert said, for example. “We don’t sell our land cheaply or to people who can’t take care of it and they must provide good jobs.”

After all these years, the LEDC and the Chehalis Industrial Commission remain jointly focused on the mission at hand: good jobs and plenty of them.

Tardiff Joins LEDC Team; Will Lead Business Development Center

By Lewis Economic Development Council

Dolly Tardiff has joined the Lewis Economic Development Council as the program manager of the newly formed Business Development Center (BDC). 

Tardiff was previously the office manager for the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, where she worked on events, memberships, sponsorships and bookkeeping. 

“We’re fortunate to have someone join our team with so much local experience and knowledge,” said LEDC Executive Director Richard DeBolt. “Dolly’s new position is key in helping new and existing businesses. In addition, Dolly is just a pleasure to work with and one of those persons who just gets things done.” 

Tardiff’s duties are wide ranging, she said, sort of a Business Opening 101 program. She can help businesses with obtaining proper licenses, filling out tax identification papers, assistance with L&I requirements, to name a few of her duties. 

“Implementing the BDC will help people starting a new business,” she said. “I will help give business owners the fundamentals in helping them with their startup.” 

Existing businesses who need assistance are also part of the BDC’s mission. 

“Richard is starting to assemble an impressive team, and Dolly fits the bill as far as the LEDC being able to promote and assist area businesses,” said LEDC Chair Ben Kostick, about LEDC Executive Director Richard DeBolt. “I’m excited about the future of this group.” 

Tardiff grew up in Lacey and moved to Centralia in 1991. She enjoys fishing, camping, gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends. She also recently joined the race car circuit after her boyfriend bought a race car. 

Since 1992 she has owned Western Washington Management Patrol, a private security business with 14 employees, a position that gives her first-hand experience in running a business. She works her business on evenings and weekends. 

“I’m a workaholic,” she said. “I can’t sit still.” 

She’s excited to head up the BDC, where she’ll have plenty to do. 

“I just like being in the community and having that one-on-one with the businesses in the community, to make where we live and work a better place and to help it grow,” Tardiff said.