HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-17-minutes-chamber-ceo-ado-update2023-04-17 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE ROOM
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 10:00 A.M. APRIL 17, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice Chairman Brett
Wachsmith, and Commissioner Laura Osiadacz.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Amy McGuffin, Chief
Executive Officer, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce; Margaret
Reich, Director of Centerfuse.
SPECIAL MEETING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMISSIONERS
At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Wright opened a Special Meeting to receive a
quarterly update from the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.
Amy McGuffin, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive
Officer, provided an update on the first quarter which included
recruitment and marketing activities; business retention and
expansion activities; business assistance including start-ups;
readiness and capacity/asset building. She also provided a handout
on the Washington SBDC & Associate Development Organizations
Partnership County Activity and Impact report. The Chamber of
Commerce was able to assist seven businesses in obtaining grants in
the total amount of $600,000.00 for natural disaster relief.
There was discussion on the difficulty of having neighboring states
who are able to incentivize businesses and Washington is not allowed
to do that so it’s hard to compete. Many businesses are leaving the
state because of the restrictions and new legislation. Ms. McGuffin
thanked the Board for the opportunity for her to provide updates to
COG as it's helpful for collaboration between everyone. She provided
a draft economic report and asked if the Board could review it and
provide her with feedback.
Chairman Wright expressed his frustration of not having clear duties
defined between the different agencies including the ADO,
Centerfuse, and municipalities. He said although it’s been
challenging for everyone involved, everyone has strengths and good
intentions, but needed to clarify roles. He said he would bring up
the topic for discussion with COG.
2023-04-17 MINUTES 2
Meeting adjourned at 11:01 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Julie Kjorsvik Cory Wright, Chairman