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term talent retention —key factors identified as constraints to economic growth in a rural, multi - <br />jurisdictional economy. <br />By engaging employers across industries and jurisdictions, the position ensures that economic <br />development strategies are informed by real-time business needs. Employer input is used to <br />identify workforce challenges, skills gaps, and barriers to growth, allowing county and regional <br />partners to align education, workforce, and business support efforts more effectively. <br />The role advances county and regional goals by coordinating workforce -focused programming that <br />helps businesses recruit, retain, and develop employees; supporting alignment between <br />employers and K-12, Career &Technical Education, higher education, and workforce systems; and <br />improving communication and coordination among economic development partners. These efforts <br />contribute to a more resilient workforce, reduced turnover, and increased competitiveness for <br />local employers. <br />Additionally, the position enhances regional economic development capacity by serving as a <br />neutral convener and implementation partner. By reducing duplication, improving coordination, <br />and supporting shared initiatives across jurisdictions, the role helps maximize the impact of public <br />and private investment. This coordinated, employer -informed approach supports sustainable <br />economic growth, workforce readiness, and long-term economic resilience for Kittitas County and <br />the region. <br />8. Describe any research your organization has conducted which shows the need for this <br />position. Please include the data upon which your claims are based for our review. <br />The need for this position is informed by ongoing employer engagement, program participation <br />data, and coordination with education and workforce partners conducted by the Kittitas County <br />Chamber of Commerce. <br />Through regular outreach, surveys, meetings, and workforce -focused programming, employers <br />across sectors consistently identify workforce availability, recruitment challenges, and employee <br />retention as primary barriers to growth and sustainability. Chamber -facilitated workshops and <br />forums focused on hiring, retention, benefits, and workplace culture routinely report strong <br />participation and high satisfaction, with employers requesting continued and expanded support in <br />these areas. <br />Program data further supports this need. Workforce -related events and business forums <br />consistently generate some of the highest attendance among Chamber offerings, and post -event <br />evaluations indicate that employers value practical tools related to workforce management, <br />onboarding, and retention strategies. Qualitative feedback gathered through surveys and follow-up <br />conversations reflects ongoing difficulty filling positions, high turnover, and challenges aligning <br />skills with available jobs. <br />In addition, coordination with K-12, Career & Technical Education (CTE), higher education, and <br />workforce organizations has highlighted gaps in communication between employers and training <br />providers. Employers report a need for clearer pathways to engage with education partners, while <br />educators seek more consistent employer input to align curriculum and training with local <br />