PORT TOWNSEND — An all-volunteer county economic development agency has opened an office from which to dispense information about starting and maintaining small business.
“We are a resource that is available to people who want to start, grow and sustain their business,” said Peter Quinn, Team Jefferson project leader. “We hope this will lead to a thriving economic climate in the community.”
The new Team Jefferson office at 2410 Washington St. in Port Townsend will be open from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, welcoming walk-ins who have questions about a variety of business topics.
Follow-up appointments or discussions with local experts also can be scheduled.
“People have questions about business plans and succession planning and other specific issues,” said the chairman, Bill Wise.
“There are people who are looking to start a business, but in this tough economy, there are more questions about how you sustain that business.”
Team Jefferson has 18 members, each with expertise in such areas as retail, wholesale, manufacturing, food and farm, hospitality and technology industries.
When a specific question arises, it is referred to the team member most adept in that area.
“The team approach is special,” Quinn said.
“We have consultants and specialists who can help to explore business opportunities.”
If the issue is outside the expertise of a team member, the team will find a way to answer the question, Wise said.
No Team Jefferson member or board member is paid for his or her participation, though someone seeking advice may choose to hire one of the Team Jefferson members on a separate contract.
Team Jefferson, the state-designated economic development council for Jefferson County, annually has received $40,000 from the state Department of Commerce — though, given state budget woes, that amount is now “in flux,” Quinn said — and $25,000 each from Jefferson County and the Port of Port Townsend.
The port has also offered a “very favorable lease rate” on its new building, Wise said.
Team Jefferson evolved from the county’s Economic Development Council, which Wise said had “ceased to function” after it had been established under the auspices of the Washington State University Extension office in 2006.
Team Jefferson separated from WSU one year ago.
Among its accomplishments was to get the WSU energy team to conduct an audit of the Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill, which led to a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to support the cogeneration upgrade at the mill.
Wise said Team Jefferson drove the recent effort to install broadband in East Jefferson County, pulling together the 32 anchor institutions to act as hosts, recruiting Northwest Open Access Network to build the system and securing grant money.
Most recently, it is involved in the creation of the Quimper Mercantile Co., which seeks to expand Port Townsend’s retail offering.
The new facility will be used for conferences and classes about different business aspects, such as accounting and marketing.
Wise said the winter class schedule will be announced in a few weeks.
Many people who most need the instructions can least afford the classes, but participants are asked to give what they can.
For more information about Team Jefferson, visit www.edcteamjefferson.com or phone 360-379-4693.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
