Chamber Celebrates New & Booming Businesses

 — by Margie Doyle —

Orcas Chamber of Commerce Director Lance Evans

Updated Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.

Orcas Chamber of Commerce Director Lance Evans kept the crowd at Rosario’s Beach House moving right along last night, as some 140 guests celebrated at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.

At the evening’s conclusion, the annual awards were announced:

Community Service — to journalist Margie Doyle (yes, that Margie Doyle) and Orcas Issues for providing “an online community forum. ”

Environmental Excellence — to Dan and Denise Wilk of Eclipse Charters for their “respect for the environment and respect for our Salish Sea.”

Island Friendly Spirit, two awards — to Brown Bear Baking for “promoting the islands as a friendly place to visit and do business” and to Orcas Village Store for “tireless service and overall excellence.” In accepting the award Ron Rebman of the Orcas Store said, “You’re the reason we survive; thank you for that.”

Business Innovation and Creativity — to Toni Knudson and Mark Sawyer of Buck Bay Shellfish.

Business Marketing — To Donna Laslo, who brought digital technology to the Se View Theatre among other Orcas Open Arts non-profit projects. In accepting the award for Donna, Jared Lovejoy praised Laslo “who works tirelessly for so many people.”

Evans also introduced new Chamber members, among them:

• Sarah Shaefer of Terra Dolce, old-fashioned Candy Shoppe;
• Marian O’Brien, for The Concerto Project non-profit providing transitional programs for young adults with autism;
• Audra Lawlor of Girl Meets Dirt preserves, now at an Eastsound retail location;
• Kelly Puccio of All the Happy Dogs, providing training, daycare and overnight stays for dogs.

Speakers at the meeting included Victoria Compton of the County Economic Development Council, Deborah Hopkins-Buchanan of the San Juan Visitors Bureau and County Councilman and Orcas businessman Rick Hughes, who credited his wife Marlace for running their store and pharmacy, Ray’s Pharmacy.

Evans summed up the four-fold mission of the Orcas Chamber of Commerce:

1. to support local businesses
2. to make known information about local businesses
3. to sponsor networking among businesses
4. to represent businesses to government.

In addition to the annual meeting, the Chamber promotes its mission by the Business at Sunset mixers, workshops and the Chamber Blast that goes out online every Thursday.

Compton gave a brief slideshow update on the state of county businesses. She cited a 9% improvement in the unemployment rate since 2008, at the start of the Great Recession, and said seasonal employment rates are “finally normalizing”. She pointed out that only businesses in  Friday Harbor as the only municipality in the county, are required to obtain business permits.Reportin g businesses spoke of strong growth; however wages are stagnant, and still reporting lower than 2007 wages.

She displayed “pie” charts of employment sectors for  2013 and 2014 and reported the top areas of employment are retail, construction and accommodations/hospitality. holding steady over the past two years. She noted that on Orcas Island, the retail sector is 35% vs. the 29% county figure, and that utilities are higher employers on Orcas, in contrast to finance, insurance and real estate, which are larger on San Juan Island.

Current property sales show that while there are a lot of sales, there is a shrinking inventory.

She said that survey results of 223 county businesses indicated that the positive aspects of community, natural beauty, location and people are offset by the impacts of the ferries, broadband, parking permits, sustainability and affordability.

This year, the County EDC launched the San Juan Islands Business Plan, helping to start 12 businesses.The winner of the competition will be announced in December.

The EDC also began the “San Juan Islands Made” branding program to promote products made by hand in the county, from earrings to fudge to telescope parts and woodstoves. Cost to join the branding network is $30 and there will be a presentation on Dec. 10 at the three main county libraries. www.sanjuanislandsmade.com

Compton also noted that there will be another Business Planning and Financing Meeting with James McCafferty, director of the Skagit County Economic Development Council at the Orcas Public Library on Nov. 18.