Cannabis Market, Energy Among Discussion Items at Economic Forum

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A burgeoning cannabis industry and Lewis County’s wide-scale transitions in energy production were among the many business-related subjects cited by local Economic Development Council (EDC) directors before a large gathering of registered attendees at the annual Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation Expo 2019 held Thursday at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound.

When touching on the emerging cannabis market, Dru Garson, the CEO of Greater Grays Harbor Inc., reported his county, as of the latest 2018 statistics, received about $9 million in cannabis tax revenue; collected approximately $6 million in cannabis sales tax and also mentioned $66 million in total cannabis sales countywide since the legalization of marijuana in 2012. 

To date, he added, there are 10 cannabis retailers in the county, along with 36 producers/processors. 

“So, (if) the question is: Where are some of the emerging economic sectors that we did not see five years ago? I think we kind of have to put cannabis in that sort of pot,” Garson said. 

Executive Director of the Lewis (County) EDC Matt Matayoshi highlighted the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project — Tacoma Power’s largest hydroelectric facility located along the Mossyrock Dam — as one of the “biggest” developments on the horizon in terms of the local shift to renewable and sustainable methods of generating electricity. 

In addition, the Lewis EDC spokesperson singled out UNFI’s (United National Foods, Incorporated) recent relocation of its distribution facility from Tacoma to Centralia Station as a major “win” in 2019 that brought 300 new jobs into the area.

In communicating what expansions he foresees gaining significance over the next several years, Matayoshi added: “Distribution and transportation sectors will continue to grow. We are not certain what specific projects will locate here, but there will be growth in transportation-logistics. To respond to this we will continue to plan for and construct improvements to our transportation network.”

He later gave The Chronicle key statistics concerning the industrial growth and development of Lewis County, which included: 

• A 6 percent unemployment rate for September.

• Lewis County wage totals, which are highest in utilities, with TransAlta, Tacoma Power, Lewis County PUD and Chehalis Power leading the way, as average wages total $90,064. 

• The sector with the best job growth over the past five years is the manufacturing sector, with more than 449 jobs; followed by transportation and warehousing, with more than 406 jobs and accommodations and food services, with more than 398 jobs.



• Lewis County’s largest GDP (gross domestic product) sector is manufacturing, with $408 million.

Matayoshi also said his organization works to provide support to prospective business owners through an initiative called Smart Tank, consisting of an annual competition inviting business-minded individuals to make their pitch to top industry experts for cash and prizes in the tradition of “Shark Tank.” 

“(It’s) followed up by workshops and a little assistance with consulting that works with everyone everywhere from the business idea to companies that want to scale up and get to the next level,” he explained. “So, in just a few weeks, we’ve been talking to people about Smart Tank 2020. We’re in discussions with a group out of Seattle; it’s a venture capital (firm). They have an amazing culture and system for scale-ups and capital investments to start-ups.” 

Going forward, continued Matayoshi, he anticipates helping a host of small businesses — from semi-trailer truck accessory dealers to gluten-free and vegan cookie manufacturers — get off the ground in the year ahead. 

Michael Cade, the executive director of Thurston (County) EDC and Center of Business Innovation, discussed The Craft Brewing and Distilling Center, a Tumwater-based incubator for small brewers and distillers. 

The city-backed partnership reportedly is committed to extending industry reach, education, workforce training and offering public information. 

“These individuals that go through that system … can become certified as craft distillers and craft brewers. We as a council have to make sure that we’re ready for them to operate and push their product into the community and to market (it), which isn’t necessarily just the local market, but the national and international markets,” said Cade. 

Promising ventures in the imminent future weren’t the only topics of interest for the panel of five — which also included Pacific County EDC Director Jim Sayce, Mason County EDC Executive Director Jennifer Baria and Josh Dunn of Premier Media Group, who served as the moderator of the Q&A session. In fact, Garson referenced the lack of child care for locals in the workforce as an issue that “keeps me up at night.” 

Garson said some people choose not to work due to the costs and lack of options associated with securing adequate child care. 

“It also affects our ability for retention, expansion and traction of businesses,” he said. “Our goal is to make child care more accessible here in Washington State. When you take a look at the cost of infant care or child care, it rivals the cost of sending a child to the University of Washington. Something’s wrong with this system and it needs to change.”