Skagit Insight
November 2016
EDASC Convenes Industry Cluster Meetings
EDASC is hosting a series of industry sector or “cluster” meetings in an effort to create a framework of strategies and actions that facilitate a great economy and business environment in Skagit County. The purpose of these meetings is to share information regarding collaboration opportunities and to generate aligned activities that will contribute to the greatest impact for selected sectors within Skagit County.

Meetings will be held at EDASC unless otherwise noted. Please contact Andrew Miller at EDASC at  andrew@skagit.org or call 360.336.6114 for more information. 

Cluster Meetings Schedule
 
Nov. 4th 12pm @ EDASC - Outdoor Recreation/Tourism
Nov. 7th 4pm @ EDASC - Lenders, Insurance & Financial Professionals
Nov. 8 4pm @ Port of Anacortes Meeting Room - Maritime
Nov. 10th 9am @ Port of Skagit Hearing Room - Conservation & Environment
Nov. 15th  4pm @ EDASC -  Nonprofit & NGOs
Nov. 17th 4pm @ EDASC - Builders & Real Estate Professionals
Nov. 21st 4pm @ EDASC -  Professional Services
Nov. 30th 11am @ EDASC - Critical Infrastructure, IT, Transportation & Logistics
Nov. 30th 4pm @ EDASC - Clean Tech & Energy
Dec. 1st 11am @ Port of Skagit Hearing Room - Value-added Agriculture  
Dec. 8th 4pm @ Littlefield Celtic Center -  Arts, Culture, Events & Entertainment    
SCOG Revolving Loan Fund offers Financing Opportunities
The Skagit Council Of Government (SCOG) Revolving Loan Fund programs offer affordable financing options to help local businesses create and/or save long-term family wage jobs in. Loans are available to qualified businesses looking to retain existing jobs or to grow the business and create new jobs. The three available loan programs are designed to help businesses grow and increase employment in Skagit County.

Visit the new  Skagit Loan Fund website for information.

EDASC Explores Economic Opportunities for Skagit County with International Partners

During October, EDASC had multiple opportunities to introduce government and business delegations from China and Japan to Skagit County. On October 17, Sean Connell and Andrew Miller of EDASC presented a briefing in Seattle on Skagit County’s economy and potential investment opportunities to a delegation of senior government officials and business executives from Liaoning Province in China, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Commerce. Liaoning is a heavily industrialized region, and delegation members were interested to learn about Skagit County’s advanced manufacturing sector. 

On October 27, EDASC welcomed a visiting delegation from Hanshan County in Anhui Province, China, to Skagit County, in partnership with the Washington State China Relations Council.  Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt and Sedro-Woolley Mayor Keith Wagoner, together with EDASC, met with Hanshan County Executive Tian Xin and representatives of a Hanshan-based food and restaurant business for introductory discussions about the two counties' agriculture sectors. Hanshan County is a primarily agricultural community working to balance industrial development with environmental protection, and their delegation was interested to learn about Skagit County’s approaches and activities to promoting sustainable agriculture and economic growth.      

On October 28, EDASC welcomed Consul Naoki Hayasaka of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle for a visit to learn more about Skagit County’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors. During his visit, Consul Hayasaka and EDASC met with Washington State University Extension, the WSU Mount Vernon Research Station, and the WSU Bread Lab, to learn about Skagit County’s leading agricultural commodities, WSU’s world-leading research activities here, and ways these initiatives are attracting new businesses to Skagit County and supporting economic growth.  

EDASC will continue active efforts to build Skagit County’s brand with international partners. For more information on these visits and other international projects, contact Sean Connell, Director of Business Recruitment, at sean@skagit.org.

A delegation from Hanshan County in Anhui Province, China visited with Skagit County officials and EDASC in October 2016.

Skagit County Economic & Employment Data: October 2016 Update 

According to the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), total non-farm employment in Skagit County was 49,900 jobs in September 2016, a slight decrease from the revised figure of 50,200 during August 2016. Skagit County’s unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in September 2016 was 6.3%, a decrease from August 2016 and up from 6.0% in September 2015. This is higher than the state’s unemployment rate of 5.6% (seasonally adjusted) and the national rate of 5.0% (seasonally adjusted). 

Skagit County’s labor force totaled 58.351 in September 2016.  This represents an increase of an estimated 1,969 workers over the year (September 2015 to 2016), though a decrease of 801 jobs from August.  The number of unemployed workers decreased, to 3,661 workers in September 2016 compared to 3,945 in August 2016 (revised), but year-on-year increased from 3,408 in September 2015.  More detailed information on current employment in Skagit County is available through ESD, the Northwest Workforce Council, and EDASC’s page on ZoomProspector.com.

Save the Date:  Economic Forecast Dinner January 26, 2017
Save the date for the 2017 EDASC Economic Forecast Dinner on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes. This annual event provides a year-in-review and look ahead to the economic trends that will shape Skagit County and the world's economy. This year's keynote speaker is  Craig Fehr, Principal Investment Strategist with Edward Jones.

Reservations open in December and event sponsorship inquiries are welcome. Visit www.skagit.org for information.   
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