Thurston EDC

Take Your Business Idea to the Next Level! Scholarships are now available for Business Enterprise Startup Training (BEST) and Quickstart E-Commerce Training! ?? BEST offers five on-demand courses to build foundational skills, including:Business Plan Writing, Branding & Marketing, Basic Accounting, Intellectual Property, and Licensing & Structuring your business. ?? Quickstart is an exclusive e-commerce program designed specifically for women entrepreneurs to excel in the online marketplace! Apply Now: English: https://lnkd.in/gU7XNkQ2 Espa?ol: https://lnkd.in/gtTe2xkV ?? Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or call 360.426.2276. This program is brought to you in partnership with the Thurston EDC’s Center for Business & Innovation. Don’t miss this chance to grow your business! #BESTProgram #QuickstartEcommerce #WomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessTraining #MasonCountyBusiness #MasonCountyWA #EconDev

Thurston County Ranked Among Nation’s Best for Economic Growth and Equity Great news for our region—Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater have been recognized as the 8th best-performing economy in the nation, according to the?Milken Institute’s 2025 Best-Performing Cities Report!?This marks a climb from last year’s ranking at #9, reinforcing what many of us already know: Thurston County is a powerhouse for economic opportunity and innovation.? The report highlights?strong wage growth (7th best in the U.S.)?and an economy that remains one of the?most equitable in the country (ranked 4th for income equality). That means not only is our economy growing, but it’s creating opportunities that benefit a broad range of people in our community.? “The work of the region’s economic development has created a cohesive ecosystem that supports and imbues the region with innovation, market development, and a supportive environment to launch businesses,” says?Thurston EDC Executive Director, Michael Cade.? So, what’s driving this success? The report credits our?expanding professional and business services sector?and?strong job growth in information technology, both of which have outpaced national trends. And of course, Olympia’s role as the state capital continues to provide a stable employment base.? But challenges remain. The?housing shortage is a growing concern, with the report ranking Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?second to last among top-tier cities?for affordable housing. Currently, our region is?6.4% below what’s needed to meet local demand, making it harder for workers and families to find homes that fit their budgets.? As we celebrate this recognition, it’s clear there’s still work to be done. At the?Thurston Economic Development Council, we remain committed to fostering an economy that continues to grow?while ensuring access to opportunity for everyone—including tackling critical issues like housing.?? This ranking is a testament to the resilience and innovation of our local businesses, workers, and leaders. Here’s to another year of growth, collaboration, and building a thriving Thurston County together!? https://lnkd.in/gKcBJ9sB #thurstoncounty #milkeninstitute

We’re #hiring a new Accounting Manager in Lacey, Washington. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Join our team as an Accounting Manager! Are you an experienced accounting pro looking for a meaningful role in a collaborative, mission-driven organization? Thurston Economic Development Council is seeking an Accounting Manager to oversee our financial operations and support local economic growth. What we offer: Competitive salary of $80,000 - $90,000 Generous benefits package: IRA matching, paid vacation, professional growth opportunities, and more A collaborative, purpose-driven team What we’re looking for: At least 5 years of experience in accounting Strong QuickBooks and Excel skills Experience with grant reporting and financial tracking Ready to take the next step? Find the complete job description using the link below, and send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Deadline for applications is February 5, 2025. https://lnkd.in/gqgVWK9a #Hiring #AccountingCareers #thurstoncountyjobs

Congratulations to the Lacey MakerSpace team and their brilliant commission for the 2025 Governor's Ball! See more of their work or sign up for a class at www.laceymakerspace.org. #thurstoncounty #localartists #laceymakerspace

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by reflecting on his powerful call to action: service to others. In our work to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community members, we strive to live out this principle every day. How will you serve your community today and beyond? Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive Thurston County.

Join us for the 39th Annual Alliance Northwest, the Pacific Northwest’s largest business-to-government conference, happening March 19–20, 2025, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Don’t miss out – Early Bird pricing ends January 15! ?? Register today: https://bit.ly/3VMq44y hashtag #AllianceNorthwest

Thurston County is seeking qualified HVAC and plumbing contractors to participate in the 2025 Energize Thurston heat pump group purchase campaign. This initiative is a partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity and the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Tenino. Building on the success of the Energize Olympia program, Energize Thurston aims to expand access to heat pump space conditioning and heat pump water heaters (HPWH) for residents across the County. Group purchase programs like this help grow the market for heat pump technology, simplify the process for customers, and reduce marketing costs for contractors. If you’re interested in this opportunity, learn more about the Request for Proposals (RFP) at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gjUX3C2x

Join us for the 39th Annual Alliance Northwest, the Pacific Northwest’s largest business-to-government conference, happening March 19–20, 2025, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Don’t miss out – Early Bird pricing ends January 15! ?? Register today: https://bit.ly/3VMq44y #AllianceNorthwest

Thank you to our incredible community for making this year’s Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation Expo a resounding success! The day was packed with thought-provoking discussions and actionable insights. Some of the breakout sessions included: ?????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ?? ????????????, ?????????????????? ?????????????? | ???????????????? ??????????????????: ?????????????????? ?????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ???????? & ?????????????? | ???????????????? ??????????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ????????: ???????????????????????? ?????????? ???????????? | ???????????????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? | ???? ???? ????????????: ???????????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? | ?????????????????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ????????????????: ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????? See you again next year! #EconomicDevelopment #RegionalGrowth #Innovation #Expo2024