PORT TOWNSEND – The reformed Jefferson County Economic Development Council has landed its first business relocation in Port Townsend, and the agency’s executive director says that more small-business recruits are likely on the way.
Eukopia Holdings Inc., formerly based in Seattle and doing business as Eukopia Financial Solutions, announced this week it was moving its office base to Port Townsend.
“It’s got elements of what I’m looking for, intellectual types of business properties,” said Ian McFall, who this year joined EDC, which has its headquarters at the Frontier Bank building on Upper Sims Way.
Aside from the need to diversify its employee base, the chief executive officer of Eukopia said that a Port Townsend headquarters was something he and his two employees could not pass by.
That was especially since two of them – Paul Shriner, vice president of technology, and Kyle Montgomery, vice president of operations – grew up in Port Townsend.
“Aesthetically, I love the town. I think Port Townsend is one of most beautiful towns I’ve ever seen,” said Roger Fernandez, a career financial planner who now lives in Seattle but who plans to join his staff soon and make the Key City his home.
Fernandez, who Shriner introduced to McFall, said the company will be based in offices on Water Street downtown, where business will be conducted by phone and e-mail.
Eukopia serves customers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and California who are in need of simplifying and clarifying their finances. The company provides credit, debt, income and savings and investing services.
The name, Eukopia, is derived from ancient Latin, and means “to facilitate with ease,” Hernandez said.
“Our goal as a company is to help people take control of their finances.”
Port Townsend will be a great place to expand Eukopia’s operations, Hernandez said, adding that he is calling on capital investors to help expedite growth at the company that incorporated this year.
He will also look to retired professionals who want to serve on the company’s board of directors as a “brain trust.”
