PORT HADLOCK — Team Jefferson, a volunteer group designed to develop business strategies for Jefferson County, will hold two focus groups this week to gain feedback on its economic development work plan now in draft form.
“We need to find where the holes are in the community and identify the people with the local support that can start those businesses,” said Washington State University Extension Director Katherine Baril, a Team Jefferson board member, in a talk at the Monday luncheon meeting of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
The focus groups will assemble from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock.
The basis of the meetings’ discussion will be the 2010 Business Cluster Report, which was developed from nine roundtable discussions that began in the spring from key industry sectors, centering on strengths, challenges and opportunities in the local economy.
Separate discussions about food and farm, marine trades, arts and culture, tourism and retail, real estate and construction, home-based business and entrepreneurs, manufacturing and technology, education and health care occurred as preparation for the 30-page report, which can be read at http://edc.jefferson.wsu.edu.
“We want to be able to connect businesses with the reserve resources in the community and get a sense of what is available to them,” said Team Jefferson board member Bill Wise.
“We want to connect them with what they need and increase their access to local capital, which provides what they need the most.”
Baril said local capital not only benefits business but the community, because that money stays in Jefferson County rather than “leaking” to other places.
The focus groups are free and open to the public but attendees are asked to RSVP to Shelby Smith, 360-379-5610, ext. 222, or shelby@jefferson.wsu.edu.
