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• 4. Economic Vulnerability Due to Industry Concentration Kittitas County's overreliance on a narrow band of industries makes it vulnerable to downturns in agriculture, tourism, or seasonal sectors. The region lacks economic diversity, making it harder to absorb shocks or INDICATE THE SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED. adapt to technological shifts. 5. Barriers to Technology Adoption by Local Businesses Indicate the specific issues that will be addressed. Small and mid-sized firms in the region often lack awareness, resources, The issues outlined in this section directly correspond to the four core objectives or skilled personnel to adopt advanced technologies like automation, digital of the Old Heat project: creating high-wage employment, commercializing and platforms, and Al. The proposed ACTI program—if funded—would play a diffusing technology statewide, reusing state assets efficiently, and modeling a vital role in closing this"technology literacy gap." replicable Eastern—Western Washington economic alignment. Each challenge identified below represents a barrier these objectives are designed to overcome, 6. Limited Regional Integration to Attract High-Wage Industries and together they define the scope of transformation the project will deliver. Kittitas County lacks strong ties to nearby Metropolitan Statistical Areas like Seattle and Yakima in high-wage supply chains. The Old Heat project The Old Heat project is designed to address several longstanding and addresses this by creating a platform that connects the region to metro- interrelated economic development challenges in Kittitas County and the area supply chains and talent networks. This would make Ellensburg a surrounding region: competitive location for advanced manufacturing, ag-tech, and aerospace- related enterprises looking to reshore operations and to expand outside of 1. Lack of High-Wage, Innovation-Driven Employment their metro centers. Kittitas County's job base is heavily concentrated in low-wage sectors such as retail, hospitality, and commoditized production. The absence of local Together, these issues contribute to a pattern of economic underperformance, firms in advanced manufacturing, technology, or engineering-intensive talent loss, and missed opportunities for long-term growth. The Old Heat fields has constrained both wage growth and economic mobility for project directly addresses these challenges by serving as a catalyst for regional residents. It has also limited the career scope of local youth wanting to stay economic development enabling the region to retain its talent, diversify its in the region in their choices towards a STEM education. economy, and build resilience in a rapidly changing economic landscape. 2. Outmigration of Skilled Talent Due to limited career opportunities in high-skill fields, particularly in STEM • Workforce Development: Equipping the local labor force with skills and and applied technology, the region experiences a regular outflow of college experience for emerging industries. graduates and young professionals. This "brain drain"weakens the long- term development potential of the local economy. • Utilization of Commercial Properties: Filling and revitalizing vacant or underutilized commercial real estate through business leasing and property 3. Absence of Innovation Infrastructure sales. The region lacks facilities and institutional mechanisms—such as incubators, accelerators, or technology offices—that connect research, • Increased Lodging Demand:Attracting visitors via conferences, events, workforce development, and business creation. This disconnect limits the and accelerator programs, thereby boosting hotel occupancy. region's ability to launch and retain innovative firms. 58 1 Old Heat CERB Feasibility Study