February 2026 • Volume 39

Your Monthly News & Updates

Upcoming Events, Industry news, and More!

Economic Alliance News

January 2026: What We’ve Been Working On

The Economic Alliance is stepping into 2026 with strong momentum and a full slate of work already underway. January focused on quarterly reporting and outcome tracking across all programs, including business startups, retention, workshop participation, and job creation. Staff coordination continues to keep services aligned and responsive as we plan workshops for January through June in partnership with WorkSource Okanogan, the Okanogan County Community Action Council, and TwispWorks.

As we move into the second half of our fiscal year, our program work continues to build. We have a couple of classes left with Caroline Sancken, we’re preparing another Digital Discovery cohort in Tonasket, and we’re developing a new Start Simple series with both WorkSource and Community Action. Behind the scenes, staff have also been steadily streamlining internal processes to support smoother reporting and program delivery.

A public hearing was held for the Loomis Fire District project, and CDBG has indicated that once documentation is submitted, they intend to award funding for a new fire hall — an impactful and exciting step forward for the Loomis community.

Looking ahead, we’ll participate in a community listening session at Mid Valley Hospital. And as part of our ongoing alignment with statewide economic development efforts, Roni and Mason will attend the Winter WEDA Conference later this month.

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:

Feb 10 - Finding Your Audience Online, With Caroline Sancken, Define your ideal customers, find them, and craft content that resonates
Mar 2 - Digital Discovery @ Community Cultural Center in Tonasket.
Mar 10 -Using AI to speed up your marketing, With Caroline Sancken, Discover how AI can help you plan smarter, improve your website, and create compelling marketing content with ease.
Spring 2026 - Start Simple Workshops with Work Source and Community Action

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: Rocklynn Culp

This month, we’re excited to introduce one of our dedicated board members, Rocklynn Culp, who joined the Economic Alliance Board in 2024.

Rocklynn first connected with the Alliance more than 20 years ago through our role in the .09 Prioritization Process, but it wasn’t until last year that she felt called to step in more directly. With encouragement from Don Linnertz — her colleague from the Methow Housing Trust Board — she decided it was time to move from cheering on the work to actively contributing to it.

Rocklynn brings a deep belief in collaboration and the power of working together to build a stable, resilient economy for all of Okanogan County’s unique communities. Her professional focus on affordable housing and local infrastructure aligns closely with her role as the Town Planner for Winthrop, and she brings that same passion and perspective to the board.

A fourth‑generation Okanogan County resident, Rocklynn’s roots here run deep. When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll likely find her on the ski hill, hiking in the North Cascades, or relaxing at home with a knitting project — her favorite way to unwind.

We’re grateful for dedicated leaders like Rocklynn, who work every day to strengthen the communities that make Okanogan County shine.

February Feature: Okanogan County Tourism Council

Okanogan County Tourism Council

The Okanogan County Tourism Council (OCTC) has been championing our region’s story for nearly four decades, working to showcase the landscapes, communities, and experiences that make Okanogan Country truly “Open for Adventure.” Their mission is simple but powerful: bring together the many tourism efforts across the county and amplify them with a unified,

county‑wide voice.

OCTC’s work touches every corner of the region. They create and distribute the guides and maps visitors rely on — from the annual Travel Planner to recreation maps, hiking and fishing guides, and a growing collection of regional tear‑off maps. Their website highlights lodging, recreation, events, and downloadable resources, helping travelers plan their trips and discover new places to explore. OCTC also maintains a strong presence in statewide publications, digital advertising, and visitor outreach, ensuring Okanogan County stays visible to potential visitors year‑round.

Beyond marketing, OCTC plays a hands‑on role in local tourism support. Board members attend community meetings, share information about upcoming events and resources, and help connect partners across the county. Their weekly e‑newsletters reach tens of thousands of readers, promoting local businesses, activities, and seasonal opportunities. OCTC has also invested in visitor infrastructure, installing informational kiosks in multiple communities and planning additional installations in 2026.

As part of their 2026 membership drive, OCTC is actively seeking new members — especially lodging partners in the Methow Valley. Strengthening representation from that area helps ensure the full diversity of Okanogan County is reflected in countywide marketing efforts. If you’re interested in joining or learning more, reach out to OCTC directly or visit okanogancountry.com.

Click here to learn more or become a member

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 February Toolkit: Resources, & Essentials

Tariff Strategies - Practical Guide for Businesses in 2026

The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington, will kick off the 2026 International Trade Talk series with this informative session

Wednesday February 11, 2026

10:00AM - 12:00PM

NCW Food & Farm Trail Project Meeting

A new NCW Food & Farm Trail is taking shape, and organizers are gathering input from farmers, growers, and makers across the region. The next planning meeting will take place in Cashmere, and community participation is encouraged.

Save the Date:

Tuesday, February 24

12:30 PM

Yonder East, Cashmere

Lunch included

If you’d like to stay connected, share ideas, or learn how to participate, you can find updates and project information on the organization’s website.

Click here to learn more

Money Trauma 101

A supportive two‑day workshop designed to explore the emotional roots of money stress and build healthier financial habits. Participants will meet at the NNDF offices in Grand Coulee to learn tools for shifting patterns, understanding how financial trauma shows up, and developing a stronger relationship with money. This training blends Oweesta’s Building Native Communities framework with Trauma of Money teachings to help participants take back control of their finances by addressing underlying causes

Feb 28, 2026- Mar 1, 2026

10:00AM - 4:00PM

Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA)

The Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) is a free, virtual, on‑demand training program designed for young adults ages 16–30 who want to explore self‑employment. Co‑designed with young entrepreneurs, YEA offers ten self‑guided units covering everything from developing business ideas to marketing, legal basics, and managing burnout. Participants can access the program anytime and work through the content at their own pace.

Click here to learn more

New Washington State Laws for 2026

Several statewide policy changes took effect on January 1, including updates to unemployment benefits for striking workers, new business‑related taxes, transportation fee increases, and changes to consumer laws like plastic bag fees and right‑to‑repair requirements. Click the link below to read the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business article.

Click here to learn more

With the new year comes tax season, and it’s a great time to make sure you’re working with the most accurate and up‑to‑date information. The IRS regularly updates forms, guidance, and filing resources as January begins, so we encourage businesses and individuals to check IRS.gov for the latest details and reminders. Staying informed now can help make tax season smoother and far less stressful.

Visit IRS.gov to stay up to date on the latest tax information.