December-2015-1 - Pacific County Economic Development Council

Vital Statistics
Latest (October) Pacific County Unemployment: 7.8%
New Business Licenses YTD: 99
Sales Tax Distributions through June: $2,183,930.38
Lodging Tax Distributions through June: $869,414.14
Toni Williams prepares to take the helm
A
Toni Williams
s your incoming
EDC board President I would like
to take just minute
to introduce myself to those
of you who do not know me.
I’m a South Bend girl, born
and raised. Growing up, my
Dad was a small business
owner, owning Green’s
Cleaners in South Bend until
the advent of wash and wear
pretty much forced him out
of business.
My husband and I have
lived the majority of our mar-
Minding the Store
ried life in Pacific County. We
have raised our son and our
daughter here, and are
blessed to have a number,
seven to be exact, of grandkids now living and going to
school in South Bend.
Continued on Page 4
Heidi’s Inn
 Owners: Theresa and Brian Carlson
since 2013
 City: Ilwaco
 Established: 1965 with a significant
Theresa and
Brian Carlson aren’t
afraid to try
new ideas at
Heidi’s Inn,
even when
those ideas
seem counterintuitive.
Their approach is
paying off
for the ratedriven motel.
ILWACO — For guests at Heidi’s Inn,
the high level of service, clean rooms
and an affordable rate trump the
swimming pool and continental
breakfast at other lodgings.
Owners Theresa and Brian Carlson, who bought the property in
2013, say there’s nothing at all bad
about amenities other innkeepers
offer. The variety of prices and offerings make the Long Beach Peninsula
addition in 1972
 Rooms: 26
 Capacity: 94 guests
 Employees: Five plus the owners
 Demographic: Broad range seeking
a rate-driven lodging
 Address: 126 Spruce St. E., Ilwaco
 Phone: 360-642-2387
The Carlsons also offer consulting on a
variety of businesses through their
company,
DanielCapitalInvestments.com.
more appealing to visitors.
But the people who stay at Heidi’s
want a clean room at a great rate,
and they don’t want to pay for extras
they don’t use.
“Our success has come by embracing what we are: We’re a rate-driven
property; that is our brand,” Brian
said.
And their demographics run the
gamut.
Pacific County Economic Development Council
211 Commercial St. • Raymond, WA 98577
360.875.9330 • 360.642.9330
“We have as many 1984 Honda
Accords in our parking lot as we do
Mercedes,” he said. “They spend less
time in the rooms and more time
spending money in the community.”
The Carlsons won’t hesitate to send
guests to another lodging if Heidi’s
doesn’t have the amenities they want.
Their philosophy may be counterintuiContinued on back page
Check out our new and vastly improved website:
http://pacificedc.org
Director’s Dispatch
By Paul Philpot
Businesses of the Year in action
Transitions...
As 2016 quickly approaches, I have
looked back at
the past two
years. I began
serving the
Pacific County
Economic Development Council in November 2013, and succeeded
Cathy Russ as the executive
director in January 2014. The
last two years passed by in
what has seemed like just
months. Needing to provide
some comments for our
newsletter has given me a
chance to reflect on a few
transitions that occurred
over the last 24 months.
Upon my arrival, I knew
that the EDC office was going
to move a few weeks later so
I never really unpacked. We
had been housed at the Plato
CPA building in Raymond,
which served us well, but
Mike's business had grown
and he needed the space. As
a result, we moved a few
blocks down Commercial
Street to take advantage of a
great opportunity to occupy
an empty space owned by
Security State Bank.
The empty offices were
very nice and it was surprising that the building was
waiting for a tenant. Well,
the building recently grabbed
the attention of another
agency, and the bank made
the easy decision to sell — so
we are on the move again.
Fortunately, Grays Harbor
College had a space available
and we are currently working
Continued on Page 4
The EDC recognized seven Businesses of the
Year during the Annual Meeting on Nov. 12.
Clockwise from top left: Coast Seafoods Co.,
South Bend; Oceanside Animal Clinic, Seaview;
Olde Towne Trading Post, Ilwaco; Tokeland Hotel, Tokeland; Chen’s Restaurant & Motel, South
Bend; Lightship Restaurant and Columbia Bar,
Long Beach; and Beach Home Old & New,
Ocean Park.
The EDC would like to thank the members who
supplied the delicious food for the Annual
Meeting: Pioneer Grocery & Deli, Willapa Restaurant & Lanes, Chen’s Restaurant and the
Pitchwood Alehouse.
We would especially like to thank Kathleen and
Nisbet Oyster Co. for donating the Oyster Shooters.
2016 membership drive under way
A
big thank you to members who have sent in their 2016 EDC
renewals. So far we have 71 renewals, 19 new members and
six returning members.
The EDC relies on its memberships, and we understand the
value and significance of your investment. If you have not already
renewed, membership forms are included on the next page.
Please welcome the following new and returning members:
Englund Marine Supply
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
Pacific Art & Office Supply
R & S Financial, LLC
Wilcox & Flegel Fuel Oil Co.
Willapa Marine Products
Chinook Mini Storage
Gauger Media Service, Inc.
Hobo Junction
Kenanna RV Park
Marlise Pederson Tax Service Inc.
McDonald Credit Service
Moby Dick Hotel & Oyster Farm
2015 Membership list
42nd Street Café
Active Enterprises
Adrift Inn & Spa
Discovery Coast Inn
Alber Seafoods
Andrew Monson, Attorney
Anita’s Café
ARK Plumbing Services
Arthur Strand Insurance
B.T. Wilson Construction
Baker & Son Construction
Bank of the Pacific
Bay Center Mariculture
beachdog.com Inc.
Beacon Charters & RV Park
Bell Buoy Crab Inc.
BJ & R Inc.
Blue Crab Graphics
Boreas Bed & Breakfast
Bridgewater Logging
Bud's Lumber
Chen's Restaurant
Chinook Coffee
Chinook Marine
Chris Johnson Crane Service
City of Ilwaco
City of Long Beach
City of Raymond
City of South Bend
Coast Seafoods
Coastal Community Action Program
Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
Colvin's Quality Inspections
Corner Café
CresComm WiFi
Cutler Management
Davis Real Estate
Dennis Company
Dilk Tire Factory
Discovery Coast Real Estate
Okie's Food Centers, Inc.
Olde Towne Trading Post & Coffee House
Peninsula Plumbing & Heating Company
Pickled Fish
South Bend Boat, LLC
Sou'wester Lodge and Trailer Park
The Cabin At Willapa Bay
The Picture Attic
Tokeland / North Cove Chamber of Commerce
Tokeland Hotel & Restaurant
WillaBay at Oysterville Sea Farms
Willapa Restaurant & Lanes
Doc's Tavern
Don Nisbett Art Gallery
Ekone Oyster Company
Elizabeth Penoyer, Attorney
Enterprise For Equity
First American Title
Fosse Farms
Foxglove Enterprises
Funland
Grays Harbor College
Great Northwest Federal Credit Union
Greater Grays Harbor
Hanner Enterprises
Harbor Saw & Supply
Harborview Motel, Northern Oyster
Harmony Soapworks
Hawk's Superior Rock
Heavenly Memories
Heidi's Inn
Hurley's Buffalo Studio
Ilwaco Fisherman's Cove
Ilwaco Landing, LLC
Jack's Country Store
Jessie’s Ilwaco Fish Co.
Key Environmental Solutions LLC
Lakeside Industries
Lead To Results
Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort
Lighthouse Realty
Long Beach Commercial Security
Long Beach Cranberry Growers Assoc.
Lost Roo Inc.
Marsalee's Thai Food
Marsh's Free Museum
Michael Plato, CPA
Michael S. Turner, Attorney
Mike Swanson Realty
Mike's Computer Repair
Mill Creek Nursery
Naselle Rock & Asphalt
Nisbet Oyster Co., Inc.
Northwest Ins. & Financial Services
Ocean Beach Hospital & Clinics
Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce
Oceanside Animal Clinic
Oman & Son
Pacific Co. Historical Society & Museum
Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Found.
Pacific County PUD No. 2
Pacific County Title
Pacific Eye Clinic
Pacific Realty
Pacific Salmon Charters
Pacific Transit
Peninsula Pharmacies
Peninsula Sanitation Service
Pioneer Grocery
Pioneer Market & Deli
Pitchwood Alehouse & Inn
Port of Chinook
Port of Ilwaco
Port of Peninsula
Powell, Seiler & Co.
Raymond Federal Bank
River's End Campground
Seaquest Motel
Security State Bank
Shane Resorts (Ocean Park Resort)
Shelburne Inn
Sid's Supermarket
Slater's Diner
South Bend Pharmacy
South Bend Products
Sportsman's Cannery
Sunset Air
The Breakers
The Depot Restaurant
Timberland Regional Library
Weyerhaeuser
Willapa Harbor Chamber
Willapa Harbor Health & Rehab.
World Kite Museum
Membership
highlights:
The Shelburne Inn & Restaurant added an electric vehicle
charging station in June.
Shelburne Inn
charges ahead
Guests of the landmark Seaview Inn can
recharge their batteries
figuratively and literally,
thanks to a new vehicle
charging station.
Tesla paid for much of
the station, which includes
an exclusive Tesla charger
and a universal charger for
other vehicles.
Robert Rockett (R&S
Financial, Raymond) has
been named a member
of the 2015 Chairman’s
Council of New York Life
today. Members of the
elite Chairman’s Council
rank in the top three percent of New York Life’s
sales force of more than
12,000 licensed agents in
sales achievement.
Rockett accomplished
this level of achievement
after 26 years in the financial services industry.
He has been a New York
Life agent since 1989,
and is associated with
New York Life’s Tacoma
General Office.
President, from Page 1
Director, from Page 2
I really do believe we live in a great place (I’m referring to all of Pacific County) to live and raise a family.
Professionally, I work for Security State Bank as a
lender; doing all types of lending, though primarily small
business loans. I think between growing up knowing my
Dad’s struggles and my experience working with small
business owners through my lending activities, I have a
pretty good idea of the struggles of many small businesses. As such I plan to advocate for the EDC to continue be
a great resource for all businesses, whether new or existing. Equally important is for the EDC to continue to attract new business into our area; especially ones that can
support family wage jobs so that others are as blessed as
I am.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season,
on plans to relocate. We promise to offer much more information after we have completed the move!
We have also had personnel changes — both EDC leaders and staff. As most everyone knows, Mike Williams is
the new assistant for the EDC, and we are very glad to
have him on board.
Speaking of the Board, I have had the opportunity to work
with 40+ leaders from North and South Pacific County during
my time here, and am glad to have known them all. From the
early days with Randy Dennis to the past two years with Nancy Gorshe to the upcoming term of Toni Williams, we have
had a series of good leaders at the top. I have been helped
tremendously by Randy and Nancy and look forward to
working with Toni.
As the last few weeks are certain to fly by, please accept
my wish for an excellent 2016!
Toni
Quarterly
Forms due Jan. 30
941 – L&I – ESD
— Etc.
Don’t forget; you know they won’t
Share the good news!
Personnel promotions, production highlights,
physical plant upgrades or anything you’d like to
publicize. Call 360-642-9330, 360-875-9330 or
email
edcpcog@pacificedc.org.
Pacific Council of Governments
2016 Meeting Dates and Locations
(Subject to Change)
January 27
PUD Auditorium, Long Beach
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
February 24
PUD Auditorium, Long Beach
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
March 23
Pacific Co. Courthouse Annex, Commissioners’ Meeting Room
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
April 27 Pacific Co. Courthouse Annex, Commissioners’ Meeting Room
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
May 25 PUD Auditorium, Long Beach
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
June 22 PUD Auditorium, Long Beach
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
July 27 Pacific Co. Courthouse Annex, Commissioners’ Meeting Room
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
August 24
Pacific Co. Courthouse Annex , Commissioners’ Meeting Room
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
September 28
PUD Auditorium, Long Beach
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
October 26
PUD Auditorium, Long Beach
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
November 16
Pacific Co. Courthouse Annex, Commissioners’ Meeting Room
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 21
Pacific Co. Courthouse Annex, Commissioners’ Meeting Room
TAC 10:30 a.m.
PCOG 1:00 p.m.
EDC 2:00 p.m.
Board meetings
All EDC members
are welcome at
board meetings. If
you would like to
attend, please call
360-642-9330 or
360-875-9330
three days before
the meeting to
confirm time and
place.
EDC North Board
2016 Meeting Dates
st
The 1 Monday of Every Month
8:00 a.m.
(Subject to Change)
Willapa Restaurant & Lanes, 128 E. Robert Bush Drive
Chen’s Restaurant & Motel, 206 E. Robert Bush Drive
th
January 4 - Willapa Restaurant, South Bend
February 1st - Chens, South Bend
March 7th - Willapa Restaurant, South Bend
April 4th - Chens, South Bend
May 2nd - Willapa Restaurant, South Bend
June 6th - Chens, South Bend
July 11th - Willapa Restaurant, South Bend
August 1st - Chens, South Bend
September 12th – Willapa Restaurant, South Bend
October 3rd - Chens, South Bend
November 7th - Willapa Restaurant, South Bend
December 5th - Chens, South Bend
Board meetings
All EDC members
are welcome at
board meetings. If
you would like to
attend, please call
360-642-9330 or
360-875-9330
three days before
the meeting to
confirm time and
place.
EDC South Board
2016 Meeting Dates and Locations
The 1st Thursday of Every Month
Noon – 1 pm
(Subject to Change)
January 7th — 42nd Street Cafe - 4201 Pacific Highway, Seaview
February 4th — El Compadre - 1900 Pacific Highway, Long Beach
March 3rd — Anita’s Coastal Café, 1414 260th Place, Ocean Park
April 7th — Shelburne - 4415 Pacific Highway, Seaview
th
nd
May 5 — 42 Street Café - 4201 Pacific Highway, Seaview
June 2nd — El Compadre - 1900 Pacific Highway, Long Beach
July 7th — Shelburne - 4415 Pacific Highway, Seaview
August 4th — 42nd Street Café - 4201 Pacific Highway, Seaview
September 1st — El Compadre - 1900 Pacific Highway, Long Beach
October 6th — Shelburne - 4415 Pacific Highway, Seaview
November 3rd — Anita’s Coastal Café, 1414 260th Place, Ocean Park
December 1st — 42nd Street Café - 4201 Pacific Highway, Seaview
Board meetings
All EDC members
are welcome at
board meetings. If
you would like to
attend, please call
360-642-9330 or
360-875-9330
three days before
the meeting to
confirm time and
place.
Heidi’s, from Page 1
tive, but Brian says it’s more important told them the six smoking rooms were
to have a visitor who leaves satisfied
the most popular, but after implewith his experience on the Peninsula
menting the system, data showed the
rather than just getting the money once opposite. They learned the first month
and having them
that the smoking
not return.
rooms don’t sell.
That’s why
Nearly all the inn’s
the Carlsons
growth has been in
focus on serving
the off-season. There
their guests,
has been growth in
whether they
the busy summer
need help at the
season, Theresa said,
inn or directions
but it’s minor comto the area’s
pared to what’s hapmany attracpened in the offtions.
season.
Brian has
February of this year
been in lodgings
was generating June
for 25 years. He
numbers.
was a resort
The Carlsons plan
Brian Carlson, co-owner,
general managcapital imHeidi’s Inn
er and later re______________________
gional director
of operations. Theresa grew up around provements to the inn.
her family’s Vancouver, B.C., restauThis year they updated
rant. She’s worked around the world in the in-room artwork, reproject management and brings expe- placed lighting and addrience in licensure and operations effi- ed blackout curtains and
ciency to the business.
window screens.
They found Heidi’s Inn when they
“Those all come didecided to go into business for themrectly from guest
selves. It had what they were looking
feedback,” Brian
for: an underperforming property with said.
plenty of potential and owners ready to
In 2016, they
retire.
plan to address
They started making improvements exterior issues includimmediately.
ing siding and the parking lot.
“We did a massive clean,” Theresa
The couple are invested in the
said.
area, and Heidi’s probably won’t be
They also upgraded linens and towels. their only venture. They won’t say
“Revenue turned immediately,”
specifically what they’d like to do,
Brian said.
but their vision is for businesses that
The Carlsons implemented a prop- enhance visitors’ experience, Brian
erty management system that allows said.
them to offer commission-free online
Their
booking. That helps guests find them
guests
easier and saves money.
seem to
The data it provides helps them
prefer the
make smarter business decisions.
no-frills
For example, when they first
strategy. It
bought the inn, the former owners
has a lot to
____________________________________________________________________________
“Our success has
come by
embracing what
we are: We’re a
rate-driven
property; that is
our brand.”
do with managing expectations, Theresa said. Heidi’s doesn’t oversell itself to
get bookings.
“All of our photos online are taken
with our iPhone,” she said. “So what
you see is what you get.”
They’re not staged to the nth degree to look perfect, Brian said.
“It’s what I want when I book,” Theresa said. “I don’t want some fancy
fairy tale that crashes into the ground
when you check in.”