The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched the first of five planned small business loan and investment programs aimed at increasing access to capital for small businesses in Washington state, particularly those that have been historically underserved or underbanked. A total of $163 million in funding comes from the U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business…

Chmura Analytics examined data and reported on the general health of city and metropolitan area from an economic perspective. They crunched the numbers and compiled the data shared in the accompanying report and charts.  The report and charts shown that Lacey-Olympia-Tumwater MSA is ranked #2 nationally and perceived to be very healthy and have long-term…

Given the rapid changes to consumer demand, interest rates and inflation that the nation has experienced over the last two years, we continue to be impressed with the resiliency shown by our local economy in adapting to those changes. Thurston County continues to benefit from a diversified private sector employment base and a foundational public…

On July 26, the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) held an old-fashioned BBQ & Hootenanny! That’s right – delicious food, drinks, hay bales, a Cornhole Tournament, Bluegrass music from Runaway Train, and hippity-hop races featuring local celebrities. They also gave out awards to organizations that have shown ‘Economic Courage’ including fortitude, perseverance and success in…

On July 8, the Lacey South Sound Chamber hosts this year’s South Sound BBQ Festival and there’s still plenty of time to sign up as participant or vendor. Read More

Are you an emerging filmmaker looking to fund your next project?  The Washington Filmworks are investing in the future of local visionaries with a new grant for projects with budgets between $20K-1M. This program is designed to support emerging Washington filmmakers with early stage funding commitments and funding assistance. Most types of motion picture content…

Mińsk Mazowiecki is located near the Polish capital of Warsaw and is to be distinguished from the Belarusian capital of Minsk. The Lacey students’ memorable trip was arranged through the cooperative efforts of many, including Johnson, the North Thurston High School Band Parent Association and the office of Mińsk Mazowiecki Mayor Marcin Jakubowski. Read More

Commercial Property Clean Energy & Resiliency (C-PACER) Program is a voluntary loan program that allows eligible commercial property owners in Thurston County to obtain long-term financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, and building resiliency improvements. Read More

Sharon Shadwell, LMHC, and her spouse Matt Horner, MA, co-founded The Practice NW and opened their doors in November 2022 with a goal of making all spaces “healing-centered in design.” Their office welcomes mental health and wellness practitioners of all kinds. Read More