August 2023

Downtown News

Greetings Downtown Partners-

Summer is Ellensburg’s time to shine as we are the “Center of Your Adventures” not only for our locals but for the thousands who will visit. Whether you’re here for a short time, long time or a good time we have visitor resources to inspire and guide you throughout Kittitas County. Sometimes it takes a guest visiting to get us out in discovery mode; there is so much to do and so much to look forward to so let’s jump right in!

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Welcome to Ellensburg!

Special Thanks to the EDA's Outreach Committee and Sophie Wagner Productions.

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Volunteers Are The

Heart of Our Downtown

EDA Committee Volunteer Highlights

BIG shout out to the EDA Design Committee for creative volunteers making a huge impact with over 450 hours of service time in Q2. Projects include:

Christmas In July- Snowflake Re-lighting
Coming to Pine St. Soon: New Ellensburg City mural

Follow the links to learn more about becoming a volunteer or joining a committee

Community Wide Debut

Ellensburg Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows

The Ellensburg Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has recently undertaken an impressive $450,000 renovation project, restoring its historic building to its former glory. Now, the Lodge proudly offers two exquisite spaces available for rent, perfect for hosting meetings and events.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to David Sturgell, the I.O.O.F Treasurer, for generously allowing us to explore and experience this historic building firsthand. Whether you're planning a corporate meeting or a special occasion, these newly revamped spaces are sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests. Don't miss the opportunity to book your next gathering in this remarkable setting!

Learn more about the I.O.O.F. HERE...

See your business featured in Ellensburg!

Interested in sponsoring an event? Click for a list of EDA Sponsorship opportunities. Contact Teresa Chanes to get involved!

Fortuity Cellars, located at 115 West Third Ave, is now offering all downtown merchants and their employees 10% off all wine bottle purchases. Just let a Fortuity Team member know which business you work for and they’ll get you in their system to start saving!

Fortuitycellars.Com/visit/Ellensburg

Have you registered your business to receive your 75% tax credit for 2024?

Thank you to all of the businesses who have chosen to keep their B&O tax dollars local by pledging to the Ellensburg Downtown Association. In return, these businesses will be receiving a 75% tax credit for 2023.

Ellensburg has the opportunity to secure $213,333.33 for 2023. By choosing to keep your tax dollars local, you are investing in the advocacy and community programming the EDA provides through the funding of this tax credit program. For more information on this program please follow the link here or contact Director@ellensburgdowntown.org.

Learn More: Keep Your Tax Dollars Local

EDA Events

Events brought to you by the Ellensburg Downtown Association

Hoedown in the Downtown- August 30th

The Ellensburg Downtown Association invites you to dust off your boots and get ready to kick off our 100^th Year rodeo week celebration with the annual Hoedown in the Downtown, Wednesday, August 30th at Rotary Pavilion. New this year is a party on Pearl Street with vendors, Kids Corral and more!

Let’s get this rodeo party started with music, dancing, bites, brews and FREE fun for all ages!

This event is sponsored by: Ellensburg Rodeo, Century 21 Center Point, Kittitas Valley Hospital, Generations Of Ellensburg, Club 301, Whipsaw Brewing, Gard Vintners, Puget Sound Energy, Waste Management, Cashmere Valley Bank, Yakima Federal Bank, Mid State Co-Op, and T-Mobile.

Buskers in the Burg- September 30th

Click Here- Become a Busker!

Ellensburg Night Market-

August 16th

Association of Universities of Asia Students (AUAP) Visit The EDA

From Japan to Ellensburg may seem like a world apart but according to our visiting AUAP students, our cities are more similar than you may think. Twice a year the EDA hosts a group of AUAP students along with Nicki Kukar, Director of AUAP and International Student & Scholar Services at CWU and Jodi Hoctor with the City of Ellensburg. The students sign up to visit different businesses in Ellensburg as part of their Career Development class. CWU has lots of students who are interested in tourism and city planning so they enjoy visiting the EDA.

During our last visit, EDA Executive Director, Brenda DeVore asked this group of 12 students what they have enjoyed about their Ellensburg experience and what is similar to their hometowns. A few students live in rural towns and villages about an hour’s train ride away from Tokyo. They love Ellensburg because it reminds them of home with nature, mountains, small town culture and how friendly and approachable we are.

We asked what we could do to improve their experience and they suggested more transportation options with more frequency between town and campus and in the surrounding area.

Ellensburg CommUnity

Within Community we find Unity and the Ellensburg Downtown Association is proud to announce a city-wide campaign focused on bringing the community together.

Continue reading here...

Do you have a community or event to share? Submit here

CommUnity Happenings this Summer:

The Mule Cocktail Bar is hiring cooks! Reach out for more information HERE...
Volunteers needed for The Ellensburg Rodeo. Reach out HERE
CWU students are returning soon. Help out by volunteering as a Mover and Shaker!
Run for Recovery 5k - register and sponsor this KCRCO event today!
Sustainability & Energy Survey
August 5th- Youth Gladiator Dash
August 19th- Junior Rodeo Parade
August 28th- Doggie Paddle
Music in the Park- Every Thursday Night at Memorial Park
Summer long Ellensburg Rodeo Centennial Celebration events
Every Wednesday- Weeding Wednesday at Olmstead State Park anytime between 9 to noon
Ellensburg Farmers Market- Every Saturday from May through October.

If you're a downtown business and would like to see an event highlighted in our newsletter please email information HERE

Business Resources: Did you know?

The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce has free resources available for businesses in all stages of development.

In partnership with Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), U.S Small Business Administration (SBA), and Washington State University, the SBDC is now providing advising services to businesses in Kittitas County on behalf of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.

Visit the links above or the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce for more information!

Meet Kittitas County's New SBDC Representative-

Hope Tinney

Congratulations to the

Business Grant Recipients!!

The Business Fund was created by the EDA Economic Vitality Committee and funded in partnership by Umpqua Bank and the EDA’s Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program 2022 business participants. The Business Grant program is designed to help businesses in need of funding business improvement projects.

Why is this program so important to downtown businesses?

Brooke Robertson and Linda Schantz from the Ellensburg Downtown Association’s Economic Vitality Committee shared “The Business Fund program is such a great way to support our small businesses in Downtown Ellensburg. Businesses must make decisions about where to spend their money and there is never enough. Giving small businesses the ability to improve their product selection, invest in new equipment and beautification shows our support for their success.”