By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA
Last week, I attended the 14th Annual Regional Economic Forecast and Innovation Expo convened by Greater Grays Harbor Inc., Economic Alliance of Lewis County, Economic Development Council of Mason County, Pacific County Economic Development Council and our own Thurston Economic Development Council.
This expo, the largest economic summit in our region, focused on the role of workforce development in building a resilient economy. This year’s theme was Building a Strong and Resilient Regional Economic Ecosystem. Since the focus of this column is the nonprofit community, you may be wondering what that has to do with the economy – the answer is a lot! But unfortunately, as you read on, you will see the news is not good.
As mentioned, one of the convenors of the expo was the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) which houses not one but two area nonprofit organizations. As a 501(c)4, the EDC partners with over 52 different nonprofit and government organizations to build a quality community. According to Michael Cade, executive director of the EDC, “the EDC looks to develop opportunities for excellence for everybody. We build wealth not just in dollars but in better…
