November 2025 • Volume 36

Your Monthly News & Updates

Upcoming Events, Industry news, and More!

Economic Alliance News

What We've Been Up To—and What's Ahead

October was a full and vibrant month for the Economic Alliance. We hosted four workshops, including sessions led by Caroline Sancken, our SBDC advisor Lew Blakeney, and a two-part offering from our very own Leonel—his class expanded thanks to the variety of Latino business owners eager to price their products confidently and correctly. We also held a special workshop to support letters of intent for our Economic Alliance Prioritization Process. We received 24 submissions, and we’re thrilled to invite all 24 to present on November 12. The energy and vision behind these proposals speak volumes about the passion in our county.

Beyond the workshops, Roni and Mason attended the IACC conference, where Brewster and Tonasket were recognized for their infrastructure projects (see Community Highlights below). Mason also joined the Okanogan Harvest Festival, which saw a fantastic turnout, while Breanna and Leonel visited the River Art Show in Coulee Dam—connecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones along the way (see photos below).

We’re also excited to share that the board approved Jord Wilson’s move from the At-Large #5 position to South County Representative. Jord’s commitment to the region continues to shine, and we’re grateful for his willingness to step into this new role (see his bio below).

As November settles in, things may slow just a bit—but we’re looking forward to time with loved ones and the chance to reflect. We hope you find a little peace in the holiday chaos that’s just around the corner.

Jordan R. (NNDF) and Breanna S. (EA)

A glimpse of a few of the vendors

Leonel M. (EA) and the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber ladies

November is Entrepreneurship Month

November is Entrepreneurship Month, highlighting the vital role entrepreneurs play in our economy. Small businesses truly are the backbone of the community. Supporting them strengthens not only the businesses themselves but also the public services funded by local budgets. At the Economic Alliance, we’re proud to be a resource for small businesses at every stage of their journey.

Upcoming Workshops

To learn more or register:

Visit the Events tab at-

Economic-Alliance.com

Or call us at 509.826.5107

We’re building out a fresh calendar of workshops aimed at helping small businesses grow with confidence. Topics may include, but aren’t limited to, business planning across a range of needs, creative tools like Canva and Reels, and digital basics to help entrepreneurs feel more comfortable online.

Here’s what’s scheduled so far:

Nov 13 - Intro to Canva with Caroline Sancken, Content Creation in Canva for Your Brand Portfolio

Dec 9 - Canva 2.0, with Caroline Sancken, Canva Deep Dive: Video + Audio Magic.

More learning opportunities are in the works—

we’ll keep you posted with new sessions, dates, and how to sign up!

Missed a class? Watch past workshops on Youtube at @OKEconomicAlliance/videos

Board Member Spotlight: Jord Wilson

We’re proud to welcome Jord Wilson as our South County Representative on the Economic Alliance board. Jord currently serves as the City Administrator and Public Works Supervisor for Pateros—a town of just 600 residents, where wearing many hats is part of the job. He oversees public works, water, sewer, streets, and parks, and brings deep expertise as a Level II Wastewater Operator and Water Distribution Manager.

Jord’s passion for learning and community runs deep. He’s an ISA Certified Arborist and leads Pateros’ annual Arbor Day celebration. His academic background includes a bachelor’s in environmental design, a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Oklahoma, and an MBA from Washington State University’s Carson College of Business.

Born and raised in Pateros, Jord is the oldest of 12 siblings and has had a family member in Pateros Public Schools for more than 50 years. His roots in Okanogan County are strong, and his commitment to seeing the region thrive is even stronger.

Jord’s steady leadership and deep roots in Pateros make him an invaluable voice on our board. We’re thankful for his continued service—and for the heart he brings to our community.

Community News

Brewster & Tonasket Honored at IACC

We’re proud to share that Brewster and Tonasket received awards at this year’s Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference in Wenatchee! These honors recognize outstanding work in public infrastructure and community development—Tonasket was celebrated for its Perfect Passage Project, and Brewster was recognized for its water/sewer improvements.

It’s a powerful reminder of the innovation and dedication happening across our region.

Brewster City Team

Congratulations to Brewster and Tonasket for their well-deserved recognition!

Tonasket City Team

Prioritization Process Snapshot: Okanogan County Sheriff's Office Radio Network Improvement Project

Okanogan County Sheriff's Office is almost done upgrading its emergency radio system to better support police, fire, and EMS agencies. The original system was outdated and limited, making it harder for responders to communicate during emergencies. The project began in 2020 as the Sheriff's Office started exploring solutions to improve coverage and reliability. At a later stage, they applied through our regional prioritization process to help move the effort forward. The Economic Alliance was proud to support a project with such clear, lasting benefits for public safety across Okanogan County. By partnering with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the County will now join a statewide digital radio network that offers more coverage, better audio quality, and room to grow.

The first phase of work was completed in early October, with equipment tested to confirm functionality. The County is currently awaiting the final invoice from the vendor. No formal economic or financial studies were conducted for this portion of the project.

Next steps include completing the installation of radio consoles in the dispatch center by the end of October. The broader system buildout—covering 11 communications sites—is expected to be completed by December 2026, pending the release of federal funding allocated by Congress. Leveraged funds will support the installation of a DC battery plant at McClure Mountain near Twisp, providing backup power to keep communications running during emergencies in the Methow Valley.

The Sheriff’s Office anticipates applying through the prioritization process again when future projects align with program goals.

*This article was informed by responses submitted by Mike Worden, whose insights helped clarify the city project’s goals and progress.*

For updates and information from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office,

visit: Sheriff

Prime Spots

Are you looking for the perfect space to expand, or start your small business? Check out these prime property options available in the area! The Economic Alliance is here to connect you with resources to help your business thrive. Have a Prime Spot ready to be utilized contact Mason!

Properties Search

Contact Mason

Your November Toolkit: Resources, & Essentials

Meet the BIGS! Networking Event

Calling all small businesses—ready to grow? Meet the BIGS is your chance to connect directly with purchasing agents from federal, state, and local agencies, plus prime contractors from across the region. Learn how to navigate government contracting, build valuable relationships, and discover new opportunities to scale your business.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 ● 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Northern Quest Resort and Casino ● $50 registration fee ● Register Here

Ag Irrigation & Energy Workshop

Join Okanogan PUD and Bonneville Power Administration for a hands-on workshop to boost irrigation efficiency and energy savings in your agricultural operation.

What’s Covered:

● Irrigation Optimization

● Pumping & System Performance

● Agricultural Program Opportunities

● Safety & Practical Skills

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 ● 5:00–7:30 PM ● Okanogan PUD Auditorium

Indigenous Origins, Global Reach Webinar

Native American and Western U.S. food producers—ready to explore international markets? This free webinar from Bryant Christie Inc. offers practical tools to position culturally authentic products for global success.

● Learn how to meet export standards and certifications

● Use storytelling and heritage as competitive advantages

● Prepare your supply chain for international buyers

● Hear a real case study from a Native-owned exporter

Nov. 12, 2025 ● 10:00–11:00 AM PST

Residential Construction & Revenue Forecast

Washington State is facing a projected $889 million budget deficit—and a major factor is the slowdown in residential construction. Fewer permits, slower housing starts, and lost construction jobs are driving down tax revenue, especially from real estate and sales taxes.

Why it matters:

● Residential builders contribute across multiple revenue streams

● Policy changes could support housing growth and help close the budget gap

● A stronger construction sector means more housing, more jobs, and more revenue

Read the full article here: Residential building slump significantly

contributes to $900M revenue forecast drop