San Juan County
Economic Development Council

Announcements Archive

October 18, 2010 - EDC offers FREE workshop on business planning and financing

The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE half-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Orcas, Monday, October 18, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

As part of the workshop, McCafferty will cover business financing, discuss a variety of financing options and will provide a reality check for those considering a new or expanded business venture. He will be available for one-on-one consultation after the workshop.

Participants in the workshop will leave with the resources and support they need to create a business plan including a realistic financial plan. In addition, McCafferty will cover current federal and Washington State tax incentive programs for small businesses.

Date: October 18, from 9:00-12:30. Advance registration recommended. Sponsored by the San Juan County Economic Development Council and hosted by the Outlook Inn, 171 Main Street, Eastsound. Call 360-378-2906 to reserve your space, or email: info@sanjuansedc.org. The EDC thanks the Outlook Inn and San Juan County for supporting our Business Education Series.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council’s Business Education Series was created by the EDC in response to concerns from local business owners and overall increased demand from new businesses. This series will present a variety of business topics designed for both those opening a new business or those wanting to take their business to the next level.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community. The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs. We serve business: linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.

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September 17, 2010 - EDC offers workshop on social media and SIM

Social media is revolutionizing the way we use the Internet, and its low- or no-cost tools can be used by small businesses to achieve remarkable results. Join instructor Victoria Compton to learn more about social media and SIM – social influence marketing.

The course will start out with a basic overview of social media and SIM – definitions, best practices, and most effective platforms. Then it will cover tutorials on setting up a Facebook page, a Twitter account, a YouTube channel, and tracking SIM campaigns using tools like Google Analytics.

Additionally, the class will look at SEO – search engine optimization – with an eye toward results in Baidu and Tencent, China’s biggest search engines. The participants will leave the workshop with all the tools they’ll need to create a robust marketing program through social media.

Workshop instructor Victoria Compton has worked for over 20 years in marketing and advertising. She founded At Home Magazine and published the first three official Visitors’ Guides to the San Juans in collaboration with the SJI Visitors’ Bureau. She also worked for 5 years as a marketing consultant in Manhattan and the NY metro area, with a particular focus on helping small- to mid-sized companies get the word out about their products and services with tiny marketing budgets.

Date: October 11, from 9-1. Cost: $50 to cover course materials. Advance registration required. Sponsored by the San Juan County Economic Development Council and hosted by Skagit Valley College, 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor. Call 360-378-2906 to reserve your space, or email: info@sanjuansedc.org. The EDC thanks San Juan County for helping to fund our fall Business Education Series.

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5 May 2010

EDC offers FREE workshop on business planning and financing

In partnership with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center and the Lopez Center for Community & the Arts, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE all-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Monday, May 24, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The business workshop will include a course on business planning, and will run from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. As part of the morning workshop, McCafferty will cover business financing, discuss a variety of financing options and will provide a reality check for those considering a new or expanded business venture.

Participants in the workshop will leave with the resources and support to create a business plan including a realistic financial plan. In addition, McCafferty will cover current federal and Washington State tax incentive programs for small businesses.

As part of the afternoon session, one-on-one business counseling will be offered and will run from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m.

The workshop will be held at Lopez Center for Community & the Arts, 204 Village Road, Lopez Village. Advanced registration is recommended: info@sanjuansedc.org, or (360) 378-2906.

22 April 2010

EDC Offers FREE Tax Workshop

In partnership with the Washington State Department of Revenue, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Wednesday, May 5, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The workshop is part of the EDC’s Business Education Series.

This fact-filled workshop helps business owners learn about Washington State taxes that apply to their businesses. In this workshop, you’ll get answers to specific tax questions, find out about record-keeping requirements and learn how to complete a tax return. You’ll leave the workshop with the knowledge you need, and receive a take-home workbook that answers frequently asked questions.

The workshop will be held at Whidbey Island Bank’s community room, 535 Market St., Friday Harbor. Advanced registration is recommended: info@sanjuansedc.org, or (360) 378-2906.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council’s Business Education Series was created by the EDC in response to concerns from local business owners and overall increased demand from new businesses. This series presents a variety of business topics designed for both those opening a new business or those wanting to take their business to the next level. All of the EDC’s workshops, including the tax series, will be held on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands, in rotation.

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7 April 2010

EDC offers FREE workshop on business planning and financing – plus a social media presentation

In partnership with the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce and the Outlook Inn in Eastsound, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE all-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Tuesday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The business and financing workshop course material will be presented by James McCafferty, director of the Skagit/San Juan Islands Small Business Development Center, and a management consultant for over 10 years. An afternoon session in social media and marketing will be presented by Victoria Compton, director of the San Juan County Economic Development Council.

The business workshop will include a course on business planning, and will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. As part of the morning workshop, McCafferty will cover business financing. The workshop will discuss a variety of financing options and will provide a reality check for those considering a new or expanded business venture.

An afternoon session on social media will run from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and will be presented by Compton. Marketing in the San Juan Islands can be tricky, particularly for businesses with small budgets. Using social media as a marketing tool is an easy and effective for way for many of them to do additional marketing inexpensively.

As part of the afternoon session, one-on-one business counseling will be offered and will run from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.

The workshop will be held at the Outlook Inn, 171 Main Street in Eastsound. Advanced registration is recommended: info@sanjuansedc.org, or (360) 378-2906.

“The San Juan County EDC has responded to the current difficult economic climate by increasing the scope of the critical direct support that business owners and managers need,” said Compton.

13 January 2010

2010 Predictions for the San Juan Islands Economy

By Bill Watson and Victoria Compton

As we in San Juan County enter 2010, many people are wondering what will happen this year in our local economy. While in some ways it’s anyone’s guess, a few trends do suggest themselves.

First let’s hope that as the world and national economies stabilize, they do not take another significant dip (a “W” instead of a “V” recovery). The national financial services sector may be the determining factor whether we have another dip or not, as we watch the national and consumer debt levels and the value of the dollar.

If these sectors stabilize (the “V” scenario), the housing market should solidify with prices holding and sales volume starting to pick up. The Washington State unemployment rate should flatten and begin falling.

The national economy will determine much of our local real estate market recovery by determining if off-island buyers feel comfortable enough to invest in second and retirement homes. These same “off-islanders” are needed to restart our single-family home construction recovery.

Tourism may remain slow as individuals recover some of their lost wealth and regain their comfort with vacationing. Construction and tourism are the top two drivers for our local economy, and our top two employment sectors. Over 27% of all state and local retail tax dollars in San Juan County are generated by tourists. Construction alone generated nearly $160 million in retail sales for San Juan County. As these sectors recover, local municipal spending will also recover.

Best-case scenario is stabilization of the local economy with a slight recovery in the traditional industry sectors and thereby the local “public” revenue streams.

But, what is recovery? Do we simply want to return to the economic state and methods that led to the recent economic collapse, or are we interested in taking this opportunity to expand beyond the traditional drivers of our economy? Our local economic challenges in the future include recovering our traditional industries (single family home construction, real estate, retail, tourism and the municipal sector) while we begin to increase the year-round sustainability of the local economy.

First, to recover jobs in our traditional industry sectors we’ll need to continue importing dollars by expanding and better targeting tourism and real estate promotion. This will maintain our competitive high ranking as a tourism and second home destination.

Second, we need to increase our self-sufficiency and reduce our imports. We can do this by increasing and improving our inter-island transportation and storage facilities, our communication and by enabling businesses to better fulfill our needs with local products and services. Increasing business-to-business awareness and “shop locally” values applied to businesses will all contribute to strengthening our economy and community.

We can diversify the local economy beyond construction and tourism, and maintain agriculture as a locally sustainable industry sector. As we improve these sectors of our economy, new jobs will be created. This will increase the local “multiplier effect” which keeps more local dollars circulating in local hands. We can also become more open to expanding businesses that will improve year-round sustainability, and target businesses that complement the islands’ values.

Lastly, we can protect our community’s natural resources and beauty while streamlining our local land use regulations to make the rules and processes effective and efficient. All of these efforts will help enable our community of businesses and citizens to maintain their quality of life and sustainability.

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23 December 2009

Shop Wisely, Shop Locally

Victoria Compton

It doesn’t seem like such a big deal, hopping aboard the ferry to spend a day shopping on the mainland. What fun to check out the scintillating decorations, to spend some money at the mall, to have lunch away from home.

But let’s pencil out the math. You’ll spend $29.18 for ferry fare if you use a commuter book, $35.05 if you don’t. $2.50 a gallon for gas; figure at least a few gallons burned. $10-20 for lunch. Average cost per trip: $54.62. You’ll need to add that cost to what you spend when you get to the mall.

Okay, hold onto that figure and let’s work through the rest of the economics of your shopping trip.

When you spend a dollar locally, at least 33 cents^* will stay here to be reinvested in our community – partly through direct expenditures and partly through taxes that pay for governmental services. When you spend a dollar off-island, not one penny of it comes back to the islands.

That means you’ll be working a little harder back home to pay for the fact that 33% less money will have the chance to work its way back to you. People who rely on the goods or services that you provide won’t have as much money to spend with you.

You may start to earn less because the business you work for can’t afford to pay you as well because they’re trying to compete with mainland businesses and can only cut costs by cutting wages. In addition, as revenue from sales tax is reduced, local government has only one other source to raise revenue – through raising taxes.

As more money is spent off-island, less money is available locally to support and create jobs, and for community improvement and development. Local business people will also have less to spend on local charitable giving.

All of this can cycle viciously – the worse it gets, the worse it will get. This year – more than any other year in recent memory – it’s critical to consider more than the few dollars you think you might save by traveling to the mainland to shop.

Neighbors, I ask you to consider what you want your community to look like. Consider your friends who work alongside you here. Consider the message you want your kids to learn this holiday season. Consider the reason you may have moved here originally – to join the community of neighborly people who make the islands such a wonderful place to live. A community you’d like to see continue to thrive and improve.

Please – shop wisely this season. Shop locally.

^* While some studies have shown that shopping locally keeps as much as 70% of each dollar spent within the community, a rate of 33% is appropriate for the San Juan Islands as most retail products are produced elsewhere and shipped here. Of course, for locally produced products, the rate of dollars remaining in the community is much higher, in some cases even exceeding 70%. For more information: http://localfirstaz.com/downloads/procurement-matters.pdf, http://www.andersonvillestudy.com/AndersonvilleSummary.pdf, http://www.ptvermont.org/publications/HomegrownEconomy/Homegrown%20Economy.pdf

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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

San Juan County Economic Development Council Announces Staff Changes

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) is pleased to announce the hiring of two new employees.

The EDC welcomes Victoria Compton as their new Executive Director. Victoria has been an island resident since 1989, working as the advertising director of the Journal of the San Juan Islands, and as the founder of At Home Magazine. She has also worked in New York City as the marketing director of a giftware manufacturing company, as a PR agency owner, and as the director of Westcott Bay Institute on San Juan Island. In years past, she served as the vice president of the San Juan Islands Chamber of Commerce board of directors and on the board of the San Juan Islands Business Association (now the Visitors’ Bureau). Victoria starts with the EDC/ARC on December 1st, 2009.

The EDC, in partnership with the San Juan County Agricultural Resources Committee, welcomes Peggy Bill as the EDC’s new ARC Coordinator. Peggy brings twenty years of professional experience advancing land conservation, natural resource management and innovative market approaches to conservation in the Puget Sound region. Some of her work experience includes the Cascade Land Conservancy, King County, and the Washington Department of Ecology. Locally, she has served on the Agricultural Resources Committee, the Lopez Community Land Trust, and the San Juan County Land Bank. Peggy’s family has been involved in agriculture on Lopez Island for decades. She starts with the EDC/ARC on December 1st, 2009.

Please join us in welcoming both Victoria and Peggy and lending them your support as they begin their new roles. We also wish to thank Bill Watson and Eliza Buck for their outstanding contributions to the EDC and ARC respectively. We wish them well as they begin their future endeavors.

The EDC and ARC will host an open house on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 3-5 PM. All are welcome to drop into the EDC/ARC office at 540 Guard Street, Suite 110 and say hello/good-bye. Refreshments will be served.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) advocates to diversify and strengthen the economy of San Juan County and to promote and preserve the overall quality of life of islanders. The EDC is the county’s primary source for island business-related information. The EDC strives to enable business success by linking resources, rendering assistance, and improving conditions for local business.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

San Juan County Economic Development Council is recruiting to hire an Executive Director

The San Juan County Economic Development Council is recruiting for an Executive Director to be responsible for achieving the goals and objectives of the EDC Board of Directors consistent with the Economic Development Elements of the San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Comprehensive Plans.

The EDC Executive Director reports to the EDC Board of Directors (and their designee) and has the following major responsibilities:

Achieve the goals and objectives of the EDC Board of Directors consistent with the Economic Development Elements of the San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Comprehensive Plans.
Establish and maintain the Economic Development Council as the economic resource within San Juan County.
Establish and grow the relationship with local businesses and other business organizations.
Establish and grow the relationship with local municipalities to work toward joint economic objectives.

Additional responsibilities will include activities and deliverables toward board relations, business assistance retention and recruitment, government relations and coordination, community outreach, and office administration.

This position is expected to be a .75 (3/4) position and does provide benefits. There may be an opportunity for additional compensated hours via grant funded projects approved by the Board. There is no funding for relocation expenses.

A full job description can be found here. Full Job Description.

Deadline for applications is October 30, 2009. It is desired to have this position filled by December 1, 2009. Submit a resume, cover letter, and references to Ralph Hahn, EDC President, San Juan County Economic Development Council, PO Box 3053, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or info[at]islandway[dot]org. For questions, call 360-378-2906.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Leadership San Juan Islands Class VI Begins January 2010

Leadership San Juan Islands announces that preparation for Class VI is well underway as the application period has officially opened. Applications and information can be found on the web at www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org.

The deadline to submit applications is November 13.

Leadership San Juan Islands is a county-wide program which fosters leadership skills such as facilitation, collaborative problem solving, and public speaking as well as the analysis of local systems related to governance, economics, social services, history and culture, education and the environment. Participants are selected in the fall and spend five months together, January through May, with LSJI staff, alumni, and many regional leaders.

LSJI Coordinating Council Chair Bill Watson says, “We are pleased to announce our sixth year of offering this proven model of leadership experiences to San Juan County residences. We are especially excited to have LSJI Alumnus Amy Windrope, as this year’s Program Coordinator. Her expertise and talents will contribute highly to the growth and success of this year’s program.”

Windrope will work closely with the Curriculum Development Committee led by former Chair and Program Coordinator, Liz Illg. “Now that we have five years under our belts, we can really see the tremendous give back of many of the alumni. Each system challenge day, and the three retreats reflect the collaborative design and planning of committed folks. They know how LSJI changed their lives and they want to see the same happen for other community members! Last year’s class was full with 20 participants, so we encourage interested applicants to meet the November 13 deadline.

Businesses and agencies across the County have played a part in the success of Leadership San Juan Islands. Last year’s program appreciated significant donations by Smuggler’s Villa and Heartwood House on Orcas, Lopez Islander Bay Resort on Lopez, and Harrison Suites/Tucker House on San Juan Island. Many Class V participants were sponsored in part or wholly by their employer or by a local nonprofit. The 2009 program was generously supported by the following sponsors: San Juan County Community Network, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Friends of the San Juans, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Lopez Island Family Resource Center, MindPlace, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership, Orcas Family Connections, Skagit Valley College, Skinner and Saar, P.S, Port of Friday Harbor and the San Juan Preservation Trust. Institutional co-sponsors were Skagit Valley College by providing space for the program and staff time, and the San Juan County Economic Development Council provided administrative support.

If you are interested in participating, sponsoring, or getting more information about this dynamic Leadership program please contact Amy Windrope at 378-9683 (w) or 370-5470 (h), or go to LSJI website at www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Leadership San Juan Islands Open Houses

Are you between the ages of 19 and 109 and live in San Juan County? Leadership San Juan Islands is for YOU!

Develop your professional leadership skills and potential
Learn more about issues facing the San Juan Islands within our "systems" of culture, governance, education, economics, environment, and community health, and
Determine how you can help!

COME!!! Find out more and network with graduates at our Open Houses:

Tuesday, October 14, 5:00-7:00 pm, Skagit Valley College, San Juan Island
Sunday, October 19, 1:00-3:00 pm, Heartwood House, Orcas Island
Tuesday, October 21, 4:30-6:30 pm, Lopez Library, Lopez Island

For more information see www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org or call Cynthia Stark-Wickman, Program Coordinator, 378-9683 or 370-5470 (evenings)

Sponsored by the San Juan County Economic Development Council and Skagit Valley College

Monday, May 12, 2008

SAVE THE DATE: September 17th, 2008

The San Juan County 2008 Transportation Summit is being planned for September 17, 2008, 10am-5pm at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, in Friday Harbor, Washington.

You are invited to join in a dialogue among citizens, policy makers and transportation providers to explore economically and environmentally sustainable multimodal transportation solutions for San Juan County. Visit our website at: www.islandway.org/transummit.

To request to be added to our email distribution list, send email to
transummit[at]islandway[dot]org providing your name, email address and your organizational affiliation and/or area of transportation interest (if any).

Monday, May 12, 2008

Leadership San Juan Islands Class IV Graduation
3-5pm Friday May 30th at Skagit Valley College

Graduates of the 2008 Leadership San Juan Islands class will celebrate from 3-5pm on Friday May 30th at Skagit Valley College in Friday Harbor. The twelve members of the graduating class will present their proposed service projects and receive certificates of completion. Commencement Speaker will be Merle Lefkoff, PhD, internationally know systems analyst specializing in post-pessimist studies and mediation. Refreshments will be provided and friends, family and the public are invited to attend.

Leadership San Juan islands is a county-wide program which fosters leadership skills such as facilitation, collaborative problem solving, and public speaking as well as the analysis of local systems related to governance, economics, social services, history and culture, education and the environment. Participants are selected in the fall and spend five months together with a staff of five and many regional leaders. For more information see: http://www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org/.

Monday, February 4, 2008

SJCEDC announces the results of their October 2007 Business Retention and Expansion Surveys

The San Juan County Economic Development Council announces the preliminary results of their "October 2007 Business Retention and Expansion Surveys". The purpose of the annual BRE project is to gather a sampling of the current business climate in our county so the EDC can better serve it’s constituents. This year the EDC received results from 26 out of the 46 companies solicited across the 4 main islands, across 12 local industry segments (Construction, Food Service, Retail, Mortgage/Banking, Insurance/Investments, Services, Lodging, Real Estate, Manufactures, Professional Services, Marine Related, and Farming).

The BRE Survey process includes multiple steps. First, a random selection of businesses is made and an invitation to participate in the BRE Survey is sent out via US Mail. Then a company representative is led through a 2-page Company Background form and questionnaire by an EDC interviewer. After all the interviews, the EDC interviewer compiles the questionnaire answers into an aggregated summary delivered to the EDC Board with the interviewer's comments, suggestions and conclusions from the interviews. All company information is confidential and only the aggregated results of the surveys are utilized. The EDC Board evaluates the survey summaries and utilizes this information in their deliberations about the EDC's Work Plan for the coming year.

Preliminary conclusions from the "October 2007 Business Retention and Expansion Surveys" list these top four issues:

Ferry System: Important element to our economy and needs improvement.
Worker Education: Young workers need better training for preparation to enter the work force (especially seasonal workers which rely heavily on younger workers).
Affordable Housing: Real Estate costs are too high and there is not enough housing for workers.
Tourism vs. NOT tourism: The community continues to be divided about the value of tourism.

These are preliminary results as the EDC Board decided to expand the survey and another round of interviews are presently under way. The EDC has defined a project in their 2008 Work Plan to try to address the "Worker Education" issue. The EDC has been and continues to monitor the Washington State Ferry System and the Affordable Housing issue.

The EDC would like to publicly thank the businesses who were able to participate in the survey and would encourage others to participate who might be randomly invited in the future. Survey results are located on the EDC website at www.islandway.org/resources/reports.htm.

Wednesday, November 12, 2007

LSJI Welcomes Class IV

Leadership San Juan Islands is a community leadership program that increases leadership capacity, networking with community leaders and opportunities to understand the complex systems that exist in our diverse County. The program, begun in 2004, is supported by San Juan County EDC, United Way and Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center.

We are pleased to announce the participants for Class IV, beginning in January 2008. We are welcoming into the class: David Bentley (San Juan); Oak Boesky (San Juan, formerly Orcas); Carrie Burke (San Juan); Georgeanna Cook (Lopez); Anna Maria deFreitas (San Juan); Grisha Krivchenia (San Juan); Christine Roberts-Myers (San Juan); Gail Leschine-Seitz (San Juan); Kyle Loring (San Juan); Paul King (Orcas and Seattle); Tracie Red Elk (Lopez); Anji Ringzin (Orcas); and Amy Windrope (San Juan).

Help us maximize our enrollment and sponsorship. We have a few openings and will accept late applications for a very limited time. More information and the application form can be found at http://www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org or by calling Program Coordinator Liz Illg at 360 -317-4010.

Monday, October 8, 2007

The Economic Development Council in partnership with the Orcas Research Group will present a Forum for Entrepreneurs and others who are seeking to build or expand their own businesses in the islands. The forum will be held in the Conference Room at the Orcas Island Public Library from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 20th. The first part of the session will include presentations by entrepreneurs who have or are in the process of establishing business on the island, and how they “made it happen.” In the second part of the forum, there will be presentations by individuals and organizations that act in support of small business, including specialists in finance and accounting, small business consulting, services provided by the EDC, and a representative from the Governor’s office to discuss support that is provided through the Community Trade and Economic Development Office. Those who wish to sign up for this half-day forum are asked to please contact Steve Garrison at garrison@rockisland.com or 376-2883. Please do not wait until the last minute, as space will be limited.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Leadership San Juan Islands Holds October Open Houses to Recruit Class of 2008: Leadership San Juan Islands (LSJI) will hold three open houses in October to recruit current and aspiring leaders for the Class of 2008. LSJI seeks candidates from all sectors of the community, from businesses and non-profits, to education and government. Alumni from LSJI Classes 2005-2007 are also invited to the open houses, as well as graduates of other leadership programs held around the country who now live and/or work in the San Juans.

The three open houses will take place as follows:
Thursday, October 11, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Skagit Valley College in Friday Harbor;
Saturday, October 13, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Lopez Island Library;
Sunday, October 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Heartwood House on Orcas Island, 70 Langell Lane near Eastsound.

San Juan County, like many communities across the country, is taking the initiative to develop its own network of home-grown leaders through LSJI. 2008 will mark its fourth year of seminars designed to educate and motivate the islands’ current and aspiring leaders of today and tomorrow. LSJI is searching for adults who would like to develop their professional leadership skills while learning more about issues facing the San Juan Islands within our “systems” of governance, education, economics, environment, social/community health and history/culture.

A total of six, Friday “challenge days,” plus two weekend retreats, will be held January through May 2008. Applicants must be capable of communicating via email and be prepared to commit to a significant public service project upon graduation. Sponsors include Skagit Valley College, United Way of San Juan County and San Juan County Economic Development Council. Deadline for applications is November 19. For further information or to download an application see www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org or call Liz Illg, Program Coordinator, 317-4010. The EDC is a sponsor of LSJI.

Monday, August 6, 2007

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (SJC-EDC) has released its Ferry Fare Study Report. This report begins to understand the economic impact of recent Ferry Fare increases by the Washington State Ferry System on the San Juan County community. The report is provided in two forms, an Executive Summary and the Full Report. The Executive Summary contains the following conclusions drawn from the study: there has been a significant increase in utilization of the Commuter Fare, "Year-Round Residents" are carrying a greater percentage of the cost burden, and Tourism is down in San Juan County while it has increased in Washington State overall (when adjusted for inflation). The SJC-EDC has provided a Cover Letter with the Study which includes recommendations from the EDC Board. (The report is available under "Resources", "Reports / Studies").

Monday, July 16, 2007

2007 Business Climate Report by Island County EDC and San Juan County EDC, was released. This report is an update of the 1999 and 2000 Business Retention and Expansion surveys that were taken during 2006 and early 2007. These surveys and report were performed under a joint contract with Island County EDC with the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED). These surveys are part of the ongoing effort to monitor our current economic climate and business attitudes. The interviews confirm the positive and negative conditions which exist for businesses in our areas, and substantiate what improvements could be made to both Counties' economic plans to assist our local businesses. (The report is available under "Resources", "Reports / Studies").

Friday, June 22, 2007

Northwest Washington Marine Industry Cluster Study Final Report, June 20, 2007 by Berk & Associates, was released. This report is the result of a focused, six-month research effort to explore and analyze the marine sector in Skagit, Island, Whatcom and San Juan Counties. The study defined this sector as comprising of ship and boat manufacturing; boatyards and shipyards; boat and ship suppliers; ship and boat repair and maintenance businesses; marinas; boat charters; and boat storage and non-marina boat storage facilities. The products and outcomes of this study include a deeper understanding of the sector, its economic benefits and strategic opportunities; a set of actionable strategies to help propel the industry towards more job growth and increased competitiveness nationally and globally; and an industry directory that can be maintained by the partners following completion of the study. (The report is available under "Resources", "Reports / Studies").

Monday, June 11, 2007

Smart Growth Principles by John D. Pagini, AICP will be held Wednesday June 20th and Thursday June 21st. The program will look at what worked and didn't work in Nantucket from 1995 to 2005. Pagini, a certified land use planner in private practice with over 32 years of experience as a municipal and regional planner, will introduce "Smart Growth Principles" and open a discussion of the parallels between Nantucket and the San Juan Islands. This workshop will tackle specific issues such as housing, tourism, managing growth, and environmental protection. Panel discussions and small group work-sessions are planned, with an opportunity for questions from the audience. Meetings will be held Wednesday at the Mullis Community Senior Center from 9AM to 4PM and Thursday at the Friday Harbor High School Commons from 9AM to 4PM Check our the San Juan County website for more details and RSVP information (www.co.san-juan.wa.us). (Slide Presentations are available under "Resources", "Reports / Studies").

Monday, June 11, 2007

Attendance is free at the Washington Small Business Fair 2007 being held Saturday, September 8th, 2007 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Renton Technical College, Renton WA. Starting a business? Talk with representatives from federal, state and local governments agencies, local chambers of commerce, and business and trade associations at more than 30 exhibitor booths. Expanding your business? Attend seminars on a wide variety of topics, taught by business experts. Hear from successful small business people. Looking for tips on how to succeed? The Washington Small Business Fair can help turn your dream into a reality! Check it out at www.bizfair.org

Thursday, May 10, 2007

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) announces that 4 new members have joined the council. The EDC is mandated to include broad representation of community interests. This includes ensuring representation from each of the islands that make up our island county. At the EDC's May 8th meeting, the following four individuals were voted onto the council: Jill Blankenship - Owner of Frontline Call Center, Orcas Island; Bill Evans - Superintendent of Lopez School District - Lopez Island; Steve Hussey - Natural Resource Planner, San Juan Islands Conservation District - Orcas Island; Denise King - Director, San Juan Center for Skagit Valley College - San Juan Island. The EDC is excited to strengthen the representation of all islands and to increase the diversity of the represented economic interests of the county.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

San Juan County Economic Development Council (SJC-EDC) announces that new Business Resource information is available at all San Juan County area libraries (Lopez Island Library, Orcas Island Library, Skagit Valley College Library, Shaw Island Library and San Juan Island Library). This information will be added to the existing business reference information previously provided by the libraries. The SJC-EDC Business Resource information is targeted at county residents who are intersted in starting a new business or expanding their existing business. The pamphlets point to web based resources that help business owners navigate the steps necessary to start a new business. Additional online information includes business plan and spread sheet examples, links to government regulations, forms and requirements, and references to advice and consulting services. This and more information is available at the office of the SJC-EDC, 540 Guard St, Suite 110, Friday Harbor. Call or email to arrange an appointment or to ask questions (info@islandway.org, 360-378-2906, www.islandway.org).

Monday, February 26, 2007

In addition to the office of the Economic Development Council on Guard Street, the EDC is establishing a Business Resource Center (BRC) at each of the county's public libraries. The BRC provides information for county residents interested in starting a new business, expanding their existing business, or looking for support services in a specific business area. In the interest of space conservation, the library BRC's will contain three pamphlets of reference information that provide links to web based information and resources. County residents can still call the EDC office directly for answers to questions or references to resources.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

The EDC has initiated an economic impact study of ferry fares on selective indicators of the San Juan County economy. This study will primarily be driven by the EDC Staff, only soliciting outside consultants if necessary to gather difficult data items, and/or to assist in analyzing the indicators gathered. It is the objective of the EDC that this study not only provide insight into the current ferry fare issue, but to also lay the ground work for future discussions with the Washington State Ferries. The results of this study will be made public upon its completion. Stay Tuned.

Monday, January 15, 2007

The EDC and the Town of Friday Harbor are bringing Roger Brooks to Friday Harbor on April 5^th, 2007! Roger’s company, Destination Development, focuses on tourism, consumer trends, branding and marketing. He has a special interest in rural areas in regards to creating a healthy economic diversity. We are eagerly anticipating this day with him and are hoping it may lead to future visits and additional topics. For this first speaking engagement on San Juan Island, he will be addressing the Centennial Planning Committee, the Spring SJI Visitor’s Bureau Luncheon and other selected tourism stakeholders in the community. The SJI Visitor’s Bureau and Chamber of Commerce also support Roger Brooks’ visit.