Resolution_PF Funding 2026_KC Chamber of Commerce

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.r 1. Request Description: Please describe the work this position will perform. Include a job description and any other pertinent information. This position will serve as a countywide community outreach, economic development and workforce implementation role, focused on business sustainability, workforce availability, and long- term talent retention across Kittitas County. Primary responsibilities include direct engagement with employers to identify workforce challenges, skills gaps, and emerging needs; coordinating with education, workforce, and economic development partners to align training and talent pipeline efforts; and supporting the delivery of workforce -focused programming for local businesses. The position wilt act as a front- line connector, translating employer input into actionable strategies that align with county -led economic development priorities. The role will also coordinate consultant -supported efforts funded through this request, including strategic communications, Small Business Development Center —aligned workforce programming, and countywide grant writing support. This includes ensuring activities remain aligned with approved scopes of work, supporting outreach and participation, and tracking measurable outcomes related to employer engagement, workforce programming, and partnership development. This position does not duplicate county or municipal functions. Instead, it strengthens coordination across jurisdictions by providing consistent employer engagement, convening partners, and supporting implementation where shared capacity is needed. The work performed will help improve workforce readiness, employer retention strategies, and overall economic resilience across Kittitas County. 2. Is this a new position for your organization? if so, please describe why this position is needed. If not, why is it a necessary for this fund to continue to support this position? This is not a new position. The funding supports the continuation and expansion of an existing role that provides countywide economic development and workforce coordination on behalf of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. Continued funding is necessary because workforce availability, talent retention, and business sustainability remain primary constraints on economic growth in Kittitas County. Employer needs in these areas are ongoing and evolving, particularly in a frontier rural county with multiple municipalities and unincorporated areas where coordination and implementation capacity are limited. This position ensures consistent, on -the -ground engagement with employers and partners, allowing emerging workforce challenges to be identified early and addressed collaboratively. Support from this fund enables the Chamber to sustain a dedicated capacityfocused on implementation rather than short-term projects. The position complements county and municipal economic development efforts by engaging the private sector, coordinating across education and workforce systems, and supporting the delivery of workforce -focused programming aligned with county -led priorities. Without continued funding, these coordination and implementation functions