The Thurston Regional Economic Recovery Task Force* is developing and coordinating a multi-faceted response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its specific impacts to and throughout our broader Thurston County Community.
This is a difficult period for our community, and we want you to know, you’re not alone. Local partners are coming together in an effort to figure out how we can reduce impacts today and position ourselves for a quick and effective recovery in the months ahead.
We will endeavor to provide local businesses and impacted workers relevant information through this resource site and other means as events unfold. We’re working fast to bring you information as we learn about it, so please forgive any errors or omissions and be sure to share with us any resources or solutions you think could help others.
Together, we will make it through this.
* The Task Force is represented by a growing number of partners, including the City of Lacey, City of Olympia, City of Tumwater, City of Yelm, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Experience Olympia & Beyond, Olympia Downtown Alliance, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, Port of Olympia, Thurston Chamber of Commerce, Thurston County, Thurston Economic Development Council and local Tribal Nations.
For existing businesses that may need help transitioning or rebuilding operational models due to COVID, scholarships are available for a range of technical training modules. This includes but is not necessarily limited to: online commerce and market strategies; social media promotion and presence; site reconfiguration planning; important and exporting; and many other programs.
We are pleased to welcome Thurston County’s new BIPOC Business Community Liaison, Mayra Pena! Mayra will operate out of the Thurston Economic Development Council and is available to support minority businesses (and prospective businesses!) throughout Thurston County.
Thurston Strong will soon announce a new round of business and nonprofit grants to help those most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and resulting cessation or reduction in normal business operations. Thanks to America Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding provided by Thurston County, the Cities of Olympia and Tumwater and South Puget Sound Community College, Thurston Strong, anticipates reinvesting at least $10-$12 million into the local economy over the next year.
Sign up – we’ll keep you updated as new information becomes available.
