Guests at the 35th Annual EDC Banquet Thursday night at the Jester Auto Museum and Event Center mingled amid a backdrop of classic American cars, superpowered boats and a vintage plane.
About 200 people attended the 35th Annual EDC Banquet Thursday night at the Jester Auto Museum and Event Center in Chehalis.
Bob Mohrbacher, Centralia College President, speaks Thursday night at the 35th Annual EDC Banquet after the college was named the recipient of the organization’s Economic Development Leadership Award.
About 200 people attended the 35th Annual EDC Banquet Thursday night at the Jester Auto Museum and Event Center in Chehalis.
Reggie Hamilton reacts Thursday night at the 35th Annual EDC Banquet after learning he would be the recipient of the organization’s Gail & Carolyn Shaw Industry Award.
Lewis County Commissioner Edna Fund and Lewis County PUD Manager Daniel Kay speak with Sen. John Braun Thursday night at the 35th Annual EDC Banquet at the Jester Auto Museum and Event Center.
Moments after receiving the Lewis Economic Development Council’s Gail & Carolyn Shaw Industry Award for his contributions to Lewis County, Reggie Hamilton took a moment to speak about what he learned of local politics during his recent tenure as EDC board chairman. He urged Lewis County residents to come together for the good of the community.
“I wish that the Ports and the EDC and the Chamber could all get together, because all of us could make a difference together … because we all see things differently,” he said. “But when you look at things differently you’ll come to a solution.”
Hamilton alluded to the efforts of One Lewis County, formed by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, to begin a Home Rule Charter process in Lewis County, which on Wednesday achieved enough signatures on a petition to place the charter and election of freeholders on the November general election ballot. He expressed support for the Board of Lewis County Commissioners and for the work they do each year to manage the county’s budget.
“Some of the people are thinking maybe something different is better and maybe it would be, and maybe we do need a change,” he said. “But as a community, maybe we all need to get on the same page.”
About 200 people attended the 35th Annual Lewis Economic Development Council Banquet, which took place Thursday evening at the Jester Auto Museum and Event Center in Chehalis.
“If anything tonight … at least you can say you got to look at some awesome cars,” said EDC Executive Director Matt Matayoshi.
Centralia College President Bob Mohrbacher accepted the EDC’s Economic Development Leadership Award on behalf of the college. Award winners are selected by EDC board members.
Matayoshi said some people might wonder what the college does to promote economic development in Lewis County.
“The answer is ‘a lot,’” he said. “I don’t think a week goes by I go without calling someone at the college. The college is one of the best incentives we have to attract business and industry to our community.”
Matayoshi cited the college’s commitment to building out its campus with new facilities with the “feel” of a four-year university. The college has also added programs tailored to what businesses in the community needs, he said.
“We really have a goal to have a job-ready workforce in Lewis County and the Southwest Washington region,” Mohrbacher said. “All of our workforce programs have advisory boards made up of industry professionals.”
Bob Guenther, EDC board member and past recipient of the Gail & Carolyn Shaw award, spoke about Hamilton before presenting him with his award.
“Gail and Carolyn Shaw are among the most giving people to ever live in Lewis County,” Guenther said. “I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to meet both of those folks and get to know them because they truly were great citizens of Lewis County.”
The award is given to people who emulate the couple’s qualities, he said.
“Reggie is a man of few words, but his words make a contribution to his community, and I’ve witnessed that,” Guenther said.
Hamilton, past chairman of the EDC board, was visibly surprised and emotional when he was announced as the winner of the Gail and Carolyn Shaw Industry Award.
“I’m very honored,” he said. “I’ve always looked up to Gail, big time. I’m just shocked I got awarded this.”
Matayoshi gave a quick rundown of the EDC’s activities over the past year, including successes in bringing businesses to Lewis County.
In particular, he noted $1.5 million set aside in the state’s capital budget for development of industrial property owned by the Benaroya Company in Winlock. Matayoshi credited state Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, for his work getting the funding in the budget.
“That will be a catalyst for future development on 320 acres the Benaroya Company owns,” he said. “We’ll be one step closer to getting that site shovel ready.”
The EDC also completed a study on Lewis County’s workforce in the past year.
“Some of what we do might not be considered that exciting,” Matayoshi said. “We spent several months this last year going through the process of doing a workforce demand study.”
The study shows gaps in workforce training, helping the EDC work with Centralia College, school districts and other organizations to fill those needs. The biggest gaps were in industries such as manufacturing, Matayoshi said, and involved an aging workforce.
The EDC plans to work with schools to promote career and technical education, he said. The college is looking at expanding or creating programs based on this research, Mohrbacher said.
“We’re in conversations now about developing a 10- to 12,000 square foot light industrial building,” Mohrbacher said.
The multi-use building would be set up for a number of purposes, such as CDL licensing and heavy equipment simulators.
In 2018, Matayoshi said the EDC will work to promote internships in the county.
“Think about how you can hire one internship,” he said. “How to get folks who are coming home for the summer from college to see your business. That’s a seed I want to plant this evening.”
