CenterFuse

Did you know that the wood products sector in Kittitas County is considered a growth industry and that over 14% of the county's manufacturing jobs are in this cluster? ?? CenterFuse was awarded a Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grant to evaluate the potential for expanding this sector with our consultant, Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. , through a Wood Products Study, and several findings have been uncovered! ?? The local wood products cluster includes 12 businesses employing 89 people and is showing strong growth. It contributes 15.2% of the state's manufacturing taxable sales and meets housing demand, with 5,405 new homes needed by 2045. However, workforce challenges exist due to a limited labor force and lack of training. The report recommends building a facility for training, business incubation, and shared industrial space, along with developing a local workforce pipeline through partnerships. A unified marketing strategy and recruiting new businesses to fill supply chain gaps can help drive growth in our region! This study marks an essential first step in exploring future possibilities for this essential business sector in Ellensburg. A USDA Rural Business Development Grant was awarded to continue this work. ??

Save the date! We're excited about the potential to expand the value-added wood products (VAWP) sector in Ellensburg! Last year, we teamed up with Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. (MFA) to explore how this industry can grow in our region. From workforce development to marketing support and even a specialized facility, we've identified key ways to make this happen. Curious to know more? Join us at our board meeting on September 25th from 4PM - 5:30PM at the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce board room at 609 N Main, or via zoom at https://lnkd.in/gZnZZS_G to hear the results from the MFA consultant!

Business leaders, this is for you and your team! Join us on September 24th starting at 8am, downtown Ellensburg, to join an interactive Business Simulation Game by us and Impact Washington. This workshop includes breakfast, networking with other similar-sized businesses, and the game experience! We will be learning how to strengthen your adaptability by Boosting Business IQ: Gain hands-on experience and perspective. Cultivating Strategy: Understand key factors for profitability and change. Enhancing Teamwork: Foster collaboration and communication. Empower your team to adapt and thrive. Use code RON50OFF during checkout to receive $100 off! Get your tickets at https://lnkd.in/g9vcFhdK

Raise your hand if you’ve been hearing a lot about AI recently ?????? We’ve heard plenty too! This summer, our executive director went to a conference that discussed how artificial intelligence is changing the job market. AI is shaking things up by creating new jobs, changing old ones, and making it important for people to learn new skills. The event talked about how AI could both improve and replace certain jobs and why it’s crucial to use AI ethically and work alongside it. CenterFuse is here to help our local workforce keep up with these changes, offering resources and programs to help everyone adapt to the new job landscape!

Are you looking for the perfect spot to build your business? Consider the Kittitas Valley! Whether you need 2 to 5 acres or over 100 acres, our land options are available at prices typically 90% less per square foot than the Puget Sound area. From purchasing vacant land or existing buildings to leasing land, buildings, or spaces, CenterFuse is here to connect you with the right resources to help your business start, grow, and prosper. We are dedicated to making it easier for you to find the ideal location and start or expand your business in the Kittitas Valley.

The Kittitas County Boys & Girls Club celebrated its grand opening earlier this year, marking the beginning of a brighter future for local kids! Since starting operations in January, the Club has been a beacon of hope and support for our community's youth. Director Ann Leichleiter announced the Club’s ambitious goals: to establish a Cle Elum chapter by June and an Ellensburg chapter by the fall. With the expansion into Cle Elum and Ellensburg, the Boys & Girls Club will be able to reach even more children, offering them a place where they can receive homework help, participate in creative activities, and form meaningful connections with peers and mentors. This initiative ensures that more kids in our community will have access to the resources they need to succeed, both academically and personally. CenterFuse recognizes that quality childcare, like the programs offered by the Boys & Girls Club, is essential to economic development by supporting working parents and fostering future talent. By ensuring our youth have a safe and enriching environment, we create a stronger foundation for our community's economic growth.

?? Big news for the healthcare community! The Washington State Department of Commerce has invested $7.3 million to keep vital behavioral health facilities open in King, Kitsap, and Yakima counties. This funding will maintain 236 beds and improve outpatient services for thousands of individuals over the next decade. "Through intentional design of this program in collaboration with our state agency and provider partners, this closure prevention funding will ensure the long-term preservation of existing facilities that are urgently needed in communities throughout the state,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. Healthcare is one of CenterFuse's key industries, and we are thrilled to see these crucial services supported. Together, we are building a healthier future for our communities.

Elevate your business with the best and brightest from Ellensburg! One of the many reasons to start your business in Ellensburg is our young, educated workforce. With nearly 10,000 students enrolled at Central Washington University many are eager for employment opportunities during and after college. CWU also partners with local businesses to create education pathways that prepare students for the workforce, ensuring you have access to talented and ready-to-work individuals. On top of that, CWU is hosting numerous career events in October, providing fantastic opportunities for businesses to network with and recruit students. Don't miss the Engineering Technologies, Safety, & Construction Fair on October 3, the Accounting Career Event on October 4, and the Fall Career, Internship, & Grad School Fair on October 24. These events are perfect for connecting with potential employees and interns. CenterFuse is dedicated to fostering a thriving business environment by connecting local businesses with talented students from CWU. Find more information about these events at the link below. Start your business in Ellensburg and tap into this dynamic pool of potential! https://lnkd.in/gxwERYq4

Join us this Friday for a Free Temperature Extremes Training Class! CenterFuse, in partnership with the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute, Safety, Health, and Environmental Services, is excited to offer a comprehensive training class on managing heat and cold stress in the workplace. Developed under the Susan Harwood Grant, this class will cover: ?? Risk Factors for Heat Stress ?? Heat-Related Illness Symptoms, Response, and First-Aid ?? Heat Stress Control Measures and Prevention ?? Cold Stress Disorders, Response, and First-Aid ?? Cold Stress Prevention in the Workplace ?? Date: July 26th ?? Time: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM ?? Location: Kittitas County Business Development Center 216 N Pennsylvania Ave, Cle Elum, WA 98922 Don't miss this opportunity to keep your workplace safe and informed. Register now at the link below for this free training session! https://heyor.ca/KVULOI

Join the conversation about the future of electric vehicles! The Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council is hosting a virtual public workshop on Wednesday, July 17, from noon to 3 p.m. They're seeking your input on draft EV policy and funding proposals for the next legislative session. Staff will provide updates on funding programs, policies to enhance charging readiness and reliability, and consumer incentives and information. Registration is required to attend, so sign up today to secure your spot! At CenterFuse, we're committed to keeping you informed about important events and resources in our community. Don't miss this opportunity to have your voice heard and help shape the future of electric vehicles! https://bit.ly/3WkppIa