Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am. Colleen McAleer led the flag salute.

Guests:

Emily Menshew, Scott Menshew, Bernie Brabant, Maurice Ahlburg and McKay Lee Anderson.

Announcements:

2017 PABA President Kevin Hoult was presented with a plaque for his leadership.

Membership review of draft budget. Andrew May moved that the budget be accepted as presented, seconded by Julie Hatch. Motion carried.

Jim McEntire declared candidacy for State House of Representatives.

Jon Fager announced “dues are due”. Payment online will be available soon.

Betsy Schultz of Captain Joseph House Foundation thanked those who visited the Fallen Heroes display.

Bob Schroeder announced EDC event Friday about access to business capital.

Matthew Rainwater announced that Pennies for Quarters is under contract for land.

Program

Washington Business Alliance Director Colleen McAleer was introduced as today’s speaker to talk about what the WBA’s focus is: working towards a prosperous WA state. They have raised $510M in new funding for CTE eduction after finding that 69% had not acquired AA or Bachelors by the time they were 34, so SBA led 34 organizations to advocate for Vocational Training. They are actively  making connections with local schools to determine exactly what the needs are.

Major focus in 2018: I-5 is thriving while many rural communities are not. WBA proposes to reallocate funds without new taxes. Ten approaches: allow cities/counties/ports to access public data, empower local government to use location in qualification criteria when selecting professional service contractors, clarify state statute regarding preferential hiring to support local economies in public works contracts, reform EB5 to prevent gerrymandering in projects, relocate Regional Support Services to areas to economic distress, ask Dept. of Commerce to create a rural division “to strengthen communities to all residents may thrive and prosper”, reform Certificate Apprenticeship Model so rural communities can participate, allow tax increment financing, establish House & Senate Rural Economic Committees to focus on rural issues, address Greenhouse Gas Emission Life Cycle Analysis issue through legislation not SEPA. 2nd focus is to monitor proposals about Carbon Tax bill – SB6203. Major concerns.

WBA was awarded $250K for a study determining how many tax dollars are exported and how is it impacting our local community. Five counties are part of the study. They continue to advocate for training by Dept. of Commerce to local businesses so they know how to compete.

Dodge Analytics has subscribers who know contractor bidding history, Clallam doesn’t subscribe. NPBA has been asked to join to make it easier to compete in the process. Struggling rural communities is the new buzz word.

Upcoming Meeting:

Jan 23:  Forum on the proposed Port Angeles school levy.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25am.