Your monthly news & updates |
|
Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more! |
|
2024 Okanogan County Prioritization and Ranking Process Update
On November 14th the Economic Alliance Infrastructure Committee heard from 22 communities and organizations who presented their public infrastructure, planning only and community/economic development projects to be ranked through our countywide prioritization and ranking process.
The Economic Alliance is very excited for this years applicants as this year we have 1.2 million dollars of funding to allocate to projects! Our Executive Director will be meeting with the Board of County Commissioners on December 11th to obtain final approval for the prioritized list and funding. We will be sharing more information in the near future through a formal press release!
Picture is of Mayor Kelly Hook and Planner Kurt Danison, presenting on behalf of the City of Pateros.
|
|
December Events:
Omak Christmas Who-Ville
December 9th, 2023
11:30 AM- 5:00 PM
Who-Ville in downtown Omak. Grinch Movie at the Mirage Theater at noon (free with a donation of food or cash for the Omak Food Bank). Pictures with Grinch at 11:30 AM. Santa House for cookies, cocoa and pictures from 2:30 to 4:30 and Twilight Parade at 5:00
Colville Tribal Museum-Artisan's Market
December 9th, 2023
10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Visit the Museum located at 512 Mead Way Coulee Dam to get to know some of the local/ Tribal artists.
Okanogan Valley Orchestra & Chorus Holiday Concert
December 9th, 2023
9:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Selections will include winter tonal themes from the river banks of historical Europe to Canadian Fanfares. Enjoy iconic winter melodies along with rich variations. $10 fee, or under 18 is Free!
Red Barn Christmas Bazaar
December 9th, 2023
9:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Starting at the Winthrop Red Barn, shop from local artists and enjoy the music!
SBDC: Impulsando Emprendedores
December 12th, 2023
4:00 PM-5:00 PM
SBDC Workshop in Spanish, únase para hacer preguntas y aprender todo sobre como abriri tu propio negocio. Haz clic aqui para registrate.
Twisp Mistletoe Madness
December 16th, 2023
2:00 PM- 6:00 PM
Explore shops with specials and sales. Enjoy the makers, musicians, dancers and food!
|
The Okanogan County Tourism Council (OCTC) recently held its annual membership meeting on November 29 at the Colville Tribes Casino banquet room. Over 40 people enjoyed a delicious breakfast and listened to presentations by OCTC marketing consultant, Jenn Tate with Earth and Sky Studios, as well as Anne Young, Marketing Manager with Sun Mountain Lodge.
Jenn recapped some of the projects that the Tourism Council has been working on over the past year. OCTC has been busy marketing the county with ads placed in several publications such as NW Travel & Life, 1889 Magazine, the Cascade Loop Guide, Scenic Washington Byway Map, Washington State Visitors Guide, and the Hemispheres Magazine.
OCTC also had an extensive Social Media campaign during the year with eblasts to targeted audiences on Google, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter and as well as ads in niche online publications with hyperlinked to www.OkanoganCountry.com OCTC presented key information and created a dialogue with visitors and user of these Social Media platforms to promote area events, as well as all the activities in Okanogan Country.
OCTC has also expanded its video content with beautiful scenic films of all kinds of activities and places in Okanogan Country. You can see some of these on Okanogan Country’s YouTube link. OCTC also has developed Guides and Maps of activities (Hiking & Fishing) as well as several area maps for things like Winter & Summer Activities. OCTC web site also has continued to provide information on each area of the county as well as an extensive listing of lodging, dining, events, and attractions.
Some of next year’s promotions and projects include continuing to place ads in highly visible publications, online ad campaigns and social media eblasts, distribution of guides and maps, as well as continuing the installation of information kiosks around the county. OCTC is also going to be working with local Visitor Information Centers (VIC) to try to develop a cohesive way to showcase their area and gather more and better data on our visitors.
Anne Young gave a brief history of Sun Mountain Lodge and upcoming plans for this resort. Sun Mountain Lodge has over 3,000 acres of magnificent wilderness and offers fun-filled activities for every age and ability. Described as a “recreational fantasyland” by the Lonely Planet, they invite you to create the family vacation of your dreams. They also have several “Local” specials that Okanogan County residents can take advantage of over the year!
If you are interested in helping to promote the Tourism Industry in Okanogan County, feel free to attend any of the OCTC monthly Board meetings or get in touch with Carolyn at the Economic Alliance office or email at info@okanogancountry.com
|
In partnership with NCW Tech Alliance, the Economic Alliance now has available a limited number of Chromebooks to give to local businesses who need computers to get their business online, or to help them operate their business more efficiently. Please contact Martha if you are interested!
|
Attention Owners
of Commercial Buildings or Lots!
The Economic Alliance is compiling a list of vacant properties that are for sale, lease or rent throughout Okanogan County. We receive several inquires throughout the year from individuals who are looking for a locations to start/move their business to. We would love to add yours to our list!
- Location-Physical Address
- Lot/Building size
- Utility- Information-electrical load capacity, AC/Heat pump etc.
- Ceiling Height
- Rooms, Restrooms, amenities etc
- Asking price
|
DID YOU KNOW??
You can now watch all of the Economic Alliance Workshops and Training Videos on demand on our YouTube channel.
|
|
Funding Opportunity: Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants 2023-2025
The Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants program is designed to increase the number of manufacturing and research and development jobs in Washington state.
The $2 million in grants will be awarded to eligible manufacturing and research and development businesses as well as organizations defined as innovation clusters in the funding application.
Each grantee will be eligible for a grant between $200,000 and $400,000. Business Applicants are encouraged to contract their local economic development partner, also known as Associate Development Organizations (ADO), to seek support for their application. The Economic Alliance is the ADO for Okanogan County, contact us by phone (509)-826-5107 or email us at rholderdiefenbach@economic-alliance.com
DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted by December 21, 2023.
|
Rural Revolving Loan Fund
The Rural Opportunities Loan Fund helps to finance business expansion, retention and start-up projects for borrowers who do not qualify for traditional loans.
This program helps business owners in 13 Eastern Washington counties: Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties as well as in Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Whitman and Spokane counties (outside the city limits of Spokane and Spokane Valley).
|
OMWBE Waives Certification
Fees until 2024
The Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) is celebrating 40 years of service by waiving certification fees until June 2024. Small businesses throughout the state of Washington are invited to get certified for FREE!
Renewal fees have also been waived for businesses that are already certified.
Why should YOU certify your business?
- Be visible to prime and general contractors
- Gain access to valuable government contracts
- Network with contractors and governments agencies
To learn more about certification click here. Contact OMWBE today at 360-664-9750 or technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov to start your certification process today.
|
A new tax credit for WA workers
Working Families Tax Credit will provide payments up to $1, 200 to individuals and families who meet the requirements.
Who is eligible for a tax credit?
- Lived in WA a minimum of 183 days.
- Are at least 25 and under 65 years of age OR have a qualifying child in 2022.
- Filed a 2022 federal tax return with a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit on their 2022 tax return
- Go to www.irs.gov/eitc to learn more
- Meet the income requirements
Applications close on December 31, 2023.
|
Are you interested in making a difference in Okanogan County??
The Economic Alliance is now recruiting for new Board Members! We recently added new positions to our board, and we would love to have additional small business representatives join us from throughout the county! Please email Roni or call 509-826-5107 to learn more!
We have also facilitated the CCT and Okanogan County Broadband Action Team since 2019! If you are interested in participating in this great group of people who are committed to bringing broadband infrastructure to all the residents in Okanogan County, please email Roni today!
If you are interested in participating or learning more about these committees, give us a call at 509-826-5107
|
Building Permit Reports
View a report of the most recent applied and granted Building Permits in the region.
|
|
Do you need help starting, growing, or funding sources for your business?
Our SBDC Advisor is here to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business.
The Economic Alliance’s SBDC advisor Lew Blakeney provides one-on-one, confidential, no-cost advising on all phases of small business development throughout Okanogan County and Colville Reservation.
To schedule an appointment, give us a call at: (509) 826 5107
|
|
|
Worker Training Resources
for Small Businesses!
Attention Employers! Worksource Okanogan has several different programs for employers:
They can assist with:
- Free job posting
- No fees to post jobs or search for talent
- More than a job board
- Local recruiters with relationships listen and deliver real solutions
- Recruit. Retain. Resolve.
- Hiring events, training, tax credits, and more
- Workers for every type of job
- WorkSource connects you to specialized and general talent—all in one place
They can help! Give them a call at 509-826-7310 or stop by and see them at their office located at 126 S. Main in Omak.
To learn more about their small business services and programs offered go to:
|
|
Washington workers' compensation premium rate going up an average of 4.9% in 2024
The increase will be taking effect on January 1, 2024.
Workers’ compensation facts:
- L&I workers’ compensation insurance covers about 2.8 million workers and more than 203,000 employers in Washington.
- The proposed rate is an average. An individual employer’s actual rate change may be more or less depending on that employer’s industry and history of claims that result in wage replacement and/or disability benefits.
This increase means employers and workers will jointly pay, an additional $65 a year in workers' compensation insurance premiums for each full-time employee. Workers will pay about a quarter of the premium.
Employers and workers pay into the workers’ compensation system to help cover the cost of providing wage and disability benefits for injured workers, as well as medical treatment of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Every fall, L&I determines the proposed workers’ compensation rates for the following year by looking closely at several factors, including the expected workers’ compensation payouts, the size of the contingency reserve, wage inflation and other financial indicators.
“We do our best to be good stewards of this important program that helps tens of thousands of injured workers recover and return to work every year,” said L&I Director Joel Sacks. “Helping prevent workplace injuries and illness is our number one goal, yet we have to make sure that we have a healthy workers’ compensation system. This increase will help us do that so workers know they’ll have the help they need when they need it.”
Inflation, increased health care costs, and higher wages
Health care costs are rising, and so are wages — which means it costs more to help workers when they get hurt. The increase in premium rates is less than five percent, because for the fourth straight year, L&I is using the workers’ compensation reserve to lower the impact.
Contingency reserves, investment income mitigate impact
To avoid major changes in rates from year to year, L&I has steadily increased the contingency reserve by carefully managing rates and investments. That way, the reserve can help offset costs when needed and keep rate increases more manageable. L&I continues to reduce the costs of the workers’ compensation program by helping prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, providing services early in the claims process, and helping injured workers recover.
Washington’s workers’ compensation system
Most states charge rates as a percentage of payroll, so when employee wages and payrolls go up, more premiums are automatically collected. In Washington, employers are charged an hourly rate. When wages go up in Washington, it costs L&I more to provide workers’ compensation benefits, mainly wage replacement and medical services. Among the ways the state covers the increase in the cost of providing coverage is to raise the hourly rates that employers and workers pay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
