Port Angeles Business Association

position Port Angeles as the premier place for business on the North Olympic Peninsula

Meeting Minutes

August 8, 2017

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am by President Kevin Hoult. Jim McEntire led the flag salute.

Minutes:

Jack Glaubert moved and Julie Hatch seconded acceptance of the PABA meet minutes from Aug 1, 2017. Motion carried.

Announcements:

NOLA has posted its elected officers in the PDN.

George announced the great attendance of Ride the Hurricane with approximately 700 registrants.

Julie announced the success of Joyce Daze with the sale of approximately 250 plus pies and running out.

Jon F let everyone know that PABA membership is $35 for the remainder of 2017.

Debbie announced a meeting planned with Roxi to talk about using the PABA website more effectively in early September.

Program

Jim McEntire led the business meeting opening discussions about labor and Clallam County economy.

  • He created a Clallam Labor Force Chart to track working age people who are employed, employed and looking, and unemployed. It doesn’t include non-employer businesses, that who are self-employed, but will try to add those numbers.
  • Wages remain level, have not grown.
  • GDP has gone down since 110, due to jobs that don’t pay as well and possibly online purchasing? Maybe include in the various reporting what jobs are currently available.
  • Newer platforms like Uber and AirBNB aren’t reported in our data – “20th Century Economy”
  • Data shows a skill gap. Brandino said less people are coming to WorkSource which means they are working, but not necessarily at a living wage. Their Strategies for Success Program teaches soft skills needed for job entry.
  • Is there an opportunity to develop city lots for rentals? Housing regulations, building codes, cost of infrastructure can be prohibitive.
  • Legislature has changed the ability for kids to have jobs after school and learn that responsibility at an earlier age.
  • Ray talked about the United Way program to help people get their GED. The average wage for those without their GED is $13K versus $23K for those with one. Workforce prep for high schoolers is important. About 7100 people in teh county do not have their GED. United Way will be paying for transportation and daycare while Peninsula College will be offering the program.
  • Jim wants to further discussion about anticipating policy impact on our county and getting ahead of it instead of reacting to it.
  • August 23 will be a community conversation – Helping to Hope: Clallam County Housing & Affordability – 9:30 – 11:30am – Port Angeles Library, sponsored by the EDC.

There will be no meeting Tuesday after Labor Day, September 5, 2017.

September 12 meeting will be changed to Wednesday, September 13 at noon to be a joint meeting with the Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting was extended by 15 minutes with a motion by Steve and a second by George.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45am.