February 12, 2015 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
©
Shelton Mason County Journal. All rights reserved. Upgrade to access Premium Tools
PAGE 25 (25 of 40 available) PREVIOUS NEXT Jumbo Image Save To Scrapbook Set Notifiers PDF JPG
February 12, 2015 |
|
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader ![]() |
, , , .
, tt ' . ,
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015 -Mason County Journal- Page A-25
North Mason chamber touts
new businesses in Belfair
By NATALIE JOHNSON
natalie@masoncoun cam
Business is getting better in Washington, ac-
cording to the state Employment Security Depart-
ment.
Employment increased by an estimated 82,900
jobs in Washington from December 2013 to De-
cember 2014, the highest increase in one year
since 1997, according to the department.
Growth in Mason County has been more mod-
est, according to regional labor economist Jim
Vleming of the state Employment Security De-
partment.
Mason County gained 80 jobs overall in 2014,
he told the Journal.
"We are experiencing growth in the Belfair area,
especially with new businesses," said Stephanie
Rowland, president and CEO of the North Mason
Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses new to Belfair include a new Verizon
Wireless retailer, a Taco Bell, a new RE/MAX of-
rice, a photography studio and a printing business.
Rowland said the growth is "encouraging."
"As a chamber director, I can feel the excite-
ment in the air when both new and established
businesses and organizations seek us out for mem-
bership," she said.
Washington's unemployment rate was 6.3 per-
cent in December 2014, up from 6.2 percent the
previous month. The state unemployment rate
was 6.7 percent in December 2013.
In Mason County, the unemployment rate also
increased from November to December, from 8.3
percent to 8.8 percent. The county's unemploy-
ment rate was 9.4 percent in December 2013.
"While Washington's unemployment rate rose
slightly to 6.3 percent this month, the state had
its best year since 1997 when it comes to total em-
ployment for Washington," said economist Paul
Turek with the Employment Security Department
in a statement last month. "The state gained jobs
every month except one in 2014 and experienced
see JOBS, page A-26
GOLF
Herald photo by Ron Quinn
North Mason sophomore Sydney Garrett attempts a jump shot Friday during the Lady Bulldogs' game
against Olympic in Belfair. It was the last game of the season for North Mason. For the full stow, see
page B-5.
,ason
mmerce onors mem
Three-way tie for Citizen of the Year
By GORDON WEEKS
gordon@masoncounb/, cam
The North Mason Chamber of Com-
merce honored outstanding members
at its annual Red & White Installation
Gala and Sweet Things Auction Satur-
day at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa
in Union.
Faith in Action Senior Services was
named Non-Profit Organization of the
Year.
Faith in Action Senior Services is an
interfaith and community organization
that supports independent living for
senior and disabledresidents.
The organization's free services in-
clude transportation to appointments
and shopping, respite care for caregiv-
ers, light housekeeping and chores,
yard work and gardening, minor home
repairs and visits, and phone calls. The
group last year broke ground for its
new HUB Center for Seniors in Belfair.
Leanne Sanchez of Hood Canal
Travel was named Member of the Year.
She has welcomed chamber members
and guests to monthly luncheons since
2002. She also served as a chamber
trustee for six years.
Sanchez has returned to the
chamber board to serve a member for
2015-16. She owns Hood Canal Trav-
el, a business her father launched in
1980.
Local Wrench, owned by Jeff and
Dena Baker, was named Business of
the Year.
The couple opened their busi-
ness in a two-stall shop before mov-
ing to their present location, a
6,500-square-foot building at 23530
NE state Route 3.
The Bakers were applauded for
their efforts raising money for non-
profit organizations. The person who
nominated them for the award wrote,
"Dena and Jeff are so generous with
their time and money, right up to ca-
tering a beautiful Christmas dinner for
all of their clients at their shop."
Gretchen Shawd, the founder of
Harmony Hill Retreat Center in Union,
received the Chairman's Choice Award.
Harmony Hill opened its doors as a
see CHAMBER, page A-26
Herald photo by Kathy Brooks
Cat Ross of North Mason Resources
reacts to being one of three women
named North Mason Chamber of
Commerce Citizen of the Year.