The Shores Insider
April, 2022
Presented by the Ocean Shores Branch of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.
A Localized Voice for Business in Ocean Shores
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Earlier this month, Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. helped multiple businesses in Ocean Shores celebrate recent achievements and milestones with a ribbon cutting! Galway Bay Irish Pub & Restaurant also hosted our first Business After Hours since the start of the pandemic. Head to our Facebook page for all of the photos and videos from these exciting events!
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Dirty Dogs Dog Wash Ribbon Cutting |
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Lighthouse Ribbon Cutting |
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Too Cool Sportswear Oyhut Bay Ribbon Cutting |
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Shores Business News
City Finances
City revenues were up on the whole from 2021 including a 4% increase in property taxes, 17% increase in sales taxes, a 24% increase in utility taxes, a 16% increase in hotel/motel Tax, a 20% increase in real estate excise tax and a 15% percent increase in gasoline taxes. The one exception to this trend is building permits that have decreased by 35% from this time last year.
We feel the reasons for the decline in building permits falls on a few factors. The cost of materials has risen, there remains a lack of select supplies in the supply chain, homes are not selling like they did before in a single day, interest rates are expected to rise, Ocean Shores home prices have likely risen to a point where buyers are being priced out of the market.
Also, the new 2015-2018 Energy Code went into effect last year in February 2021, and that nearly doubled the price for meeting the State’s energy requirement for developers. For the average home, the costs went up between $18,000 and $20,000 dollars per home. This meant that we received a wave of building permits from developers trying to beat that deadline, which likely significantly increased our permit revenue volume for the months of January and February 2021. This potentially could explain our permit revenue drop-off in the early months of 2022.
Despite the downturn in Building Permits; driveways, utilities (water & sewer) and lot clearing permits remain at last year’s near historic highs.
Beautification Committee
The Beatification Committee met on April 6, 2022 and was led by Jim Hummer who has been a part of making our community look amazing during holidays, Veterans Day and of course during the City Gates project of which their efforts were showcased in the local newspapers. There were 15 community members in attendance as well as the City Administrator and City Clerk at the meeting.
The Committee discussed several options throughout the City such as community involvement, painting, holiday decorations, deer resistant plants and the upcoming Shilo Park renovations and design. The City provided drone footage of the Shilo Park area to Mr. Hummer to get a view of the project at its current state and to establish a path forward. If you are interested in being a part of the committee, please reach out to Jim Hummer on Facebook at Ocean Shores Beautification Group.
Bear Lock Garbage Cans Now Available
As of April 1, 2022 Lemay’s will be offering Bear locks for 35gal., 65 gal. and 95gal refuse containers, plus 95gal. recycle containers. This service is only available for City of Ocean Shores residents. There is a fee of $1.25 per lock per month. These locks should help with other animal and wind problems.
For more information contact LeMay’s at (360) 533-1251.
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Spring Clean Up Vouchers
The City of Ocean Shores in conjunction with LeMays Grays Harbor is providing a voucher-based spring cleanup program this year.
The spring clean-up will allow Ocean Shores residents, at no charge, to take up to one car, pickup, or small trailer of waste (up to one ton) and dispose of it at Lemay’s Grays Harbor Transfer Station in Montesano. Disposal of up to four car tires as well as one refrigerator or freezer is permissible, which is included in the one-ton limitation. No cement, medical waste, asbestos, ammunition, or explosives will be accepted. Details associated with disposal limitations are shown on the voucher. Other restrictions may apply.
This program will be available for use from May 2, 2022 to May 31, 2022. Vouchers distribution will occur from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Friday April 22, Monday April 25 and Tuesday April 26 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center at 120 West Chance a la Mer. Ocean Shores residents are asked to bring and display a current copy of their residential utility bill to show residency and receive a voucher.
For those not able to pick up vouchers in April the City of Ocean Shores will continue voucher distribution at the Ocean Shores Visitor Information Center and the Ocean Shores Public Library from May 1 until May 18 during their respective regular business hours. Please bring and display a copy of your current utility bill showing residency in Ocean Shores to get a voucher.
The Visitor Information Center is located at 120 West Chance A La Mer NW, inside the Convention Center, and is open every day from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Ocean Shores Library is located at 573 Pt Brown Avenue NW. For more information on disposal eligibility, please contact LeMay Grays Harbor at (360) 533-1251.
Upcoming Events
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Annual Youth Fishing Derby - Saturday, May 7th at North Bay Park
- Registration starts at 7:00 AM and the fishing derby takes place until 1:00 PM. It’s open to all kids up to 17 years of age in the North Beach area. Kids get a free t-shirt, free lunch and an opportunity to go out on pontoons and boats and fish the fresh waters. Typically, there are about 200 kids that participate. More information: Call the Elks Lodge at (360) 289-2581.
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23rd Annual Flag Day Parade - Saturday, June 11th
- The parade will include Miss Washington State, Miss Teen Washington, marching bands, drill teams, floats and car clubs. The parade starts at 11:00 AM and bleachers will be set up in the median between the Convention Center and Bank of the Pacific. More information or if you would like to participate: Call the Elks Lodge at (360) 289-2581.
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Quinault Beach Resort and Casino (QBRC) has been a fixture on the North Beach since they first opened their doors in May of 2000. Owned and operated by the Quinault Indian Tribe, QBRC is the only beachfront casino on the coast of Washington providing experiences and amenities for visitors and locals of all ages to enjoy.
For those of age, QBRC provides a state-of-the-art gaming floor complete with both smoking and non-smoking sections, multiple bars and various dining opportunities. QBRC is also a family-friendly hotel offering an indoor pool and hot tub, spa services, and fine dining at Emily's Restaurant, all in addition to being located just steps from the beach and near downtown Ocean Shores.
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As well as being a well-known casino and hotel around the Pacific Northwest, QBRC is also one of Grays Harbor's most important venues for events with many local clubs and businesses renting out the large banquet room. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest updates on events, room packages, club promotions and dining specials.
Thank you to Quinault Beach Resort and Casino for providing visitors and locals a place to celebrate, relax and so much more!
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"GGHI encourages all Grays Harbor residents to participate in the Community Goal Survey to help articulate your goals and priorities in terms of community economic development."
-GGHI CEO, Lynnette Buffington
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All Ocean Shores events found here.
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How to Submit Your Own Grays Harbor Event to the Calendar
Please make sure to fill in as many fields as possible and add the keywords "Ocean Shores" to your event description!
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Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.
(360) 532-7888
506 Duffy St.
Aberdeen, WA 98537
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Connect with Us on Social Media! |
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