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June 2020 THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 crisis, please visit ThurstonChamber.com and click on the Events Calendar for the latest information regarding Chamber events.
ANNUAL MEETING THURSTON CHAMBER
The Thurston County Chamber Holds Its 115th Annual Meeting (Virtual) in June The community is invited to join the Thurston Chamber for its 115th Annual Meeting and the beginning of its 146th year on June 10, 2020. The program will include a brief report out and a glimpse at an exciting program of work for 2020. Our keynote speaker is futurist Crystal Washington. Thank you to our presenting sponsors, The Port of Olympia and Heritage Bank.
In This Issue... Eastside Big Tom's p. 6 Michael Fritsch, owner of Eastside Big Tom's is taking a creative approach to service amid COVID-19
LTC Class of 2020! p. 8 Congratulations to the Class
WHAT: The Chamber’s 115th Annual Meeting WHEN: Wednesday, June 10, at 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Virtual via Zoom. Register at www.thurstonchamber.com.
COST: There is no fee to attend. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Krystal Barkus at events@thurstonchamber.com.
The Thurston Chamber and Thurston EDC have partnered to offer a virtual talk show for small business owners and open to the general public. Thurston EDC Executive Director, Michael Cade and Thurston Chamber CEO/President, David Schaffert host various guests to provide the latest information on business resources, state, federal and local actions, and the COVID-19 status and advocacy efforts for our community. This virtual talk show takes place every Thursday at 2:15pm. For a registration link and topics, visit ThurstonChamber.com
of 2020 Leadership Thurston County (LTC) graduates!
Sofie's Sanity Scoops p. 10 Sofie's Scoops adapts to COVID-19 by putting of Olympia's favorite gelato on wheels with new delivery option
Be Informed, Voters p. 13 Staying engaged as informed voters is essential amidst the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis.
Visit ThurstonChamber.com or our YouTube channel to view past episodes Business Essentials is a Webinar series focused on providing listeners with information to help their business survive and thrive during the time of COVID-19. This webinar takes place every Wednesday and Friday. Visit ThurstonChamber.com for time and registration links.
Leadership at all levels matters.
JBLM is Critical p. 14 Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) is an indispensable economic engine for the region.
New Leaf Hyperbarics p. 17 The Thurston County Chamber is pleased to introduce the Paint Your Presence contest. The Chamber asks every member to submit UGC (user-generated content) or BGC (brand-generated content) to the Chamber. The Chamber will enter every member who sends UGC into a weekly drawing for a $10 Batdorf & Bronson gift card. The Chamber will choose one or two videos each week to share on our Facebook, YouTube and Instagram channels. If we didn’t choose your video you can submit again! Thank you to the Paint Your Presence sponsor, Flying Colors Painting Company! WHAT: Paint Your Presence Contest: Submit UGC WHEN: The month of June, 2020. WHERE: For more information, contact Krystal Barkus at events@thurstonchamber.com. thurstonchamber.com
Chad & Cat Redinbo upskill their workforce through the Chamber's Future of Work program
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Tying Our Community Back Together magazine
by David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston Chamber
When I wrote this letter, we were moving from Phase I to Phase II in reopening Thurston County businesses and we were all excited to turn that closed sign to open. Today, our country is in upheaval due to events unrelated to the pandemic and our 'Tying Our Community Back Together' campaign takes on an entirely different meaning.
PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
The Thurston Chamber stands against racism. We believe in the right to peacefully protest, and we condemn all violence.
CONTRIBUTORS
Over the coming days, we hope to see healing and unity and over the coming months and years, we hope to see continued gains in addressing inequality, healing our community and putting opportunity in the hands of all.
David Schaffert Doug Mah Natasha Ashenhurst Alison Bailey Doria Maselli Heidi Smith
We live in uncertain times, but our commitment to an inclusive region, one that is free of violence, hate speech and discrimination, will not waver. We are proud to call this place our home.
ADVERTISING
Our business community set an example and made an incredible sacrifice when we closed our doors to slow the spread of COVID-19. Let’s also set an example in supporting our communities of color and using the platform we have as employers to build a community that is stronger, more equitable and more resilient than before. Only then, can we truly tie our community together.
Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider
SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com
DESIGN Ben Hawkes Mosaic Marketing Studio
COVER ART "Tying Our Community Back Together"
PRINTING Print NW
CONTACT THE CHAMBER 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com
COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the
T
he last 70 days have been challenging, and we expect a disruption to ‘business as usual’ to continue for some time. Phase 2 provides hope that businesses will reopen and that our community can move ahead toward recovery. Collectively we should celebrate how our community has come together to create the infrastructure to support people through the COVID-19 crisis; including remarkable work by business organizations in our region. Despite all of the disruption, businesses have been engaged with our organization at a staggering and unprecedented level. When we look at the data since COVID-19 hit Thurston County we’ve served over 750 individual businesses one on one, provided over 2,000 services and over 40,000 business engagement points.
VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2020 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.
Our new project list includes ways to stimulate the local economy through programs, events and services including: • Partnering with Thurston Strong and the Economic Recovery Taskforce • Working with municipal governments on an economic recovery task force to obtain additional resources for Thurston County • Producing two new webinars
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER
• •
(DECLASSIFIED and Business Essentials) to provide information and technical support unique to COVID-19 Launching virtual networking groups to keep you connected Creating a Facebook group for members to share best practices, resources and opportunities ....and more!
Finally, what we’re most excited about right now is preparing for reopening and recovery. In May, we launched the Smart Restart Toolkit, and this month we’re launching our back to business campaign called "Tying Our Community Back Together.” The Thurston County Chamber is committed to helping make this transition as smooth as possible, and we’re all eager to help you celebrate turning that sign from closed to open. As we move forward from the COVID-19 crisis, celebrate the reopening of your business with a ribbon tying event. The Thurston Chamber is helping 'Tie Our Community Back Together' with ribbon tying events to celebrate the reopening of businesses throughout our community. Stay tuned for more information.
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EASTSIDE
BIG TOM'S
TAKES A CREATIVE APPROACH TO SERVICE AMID COVID-19 by Heidi Smith
In an industry that has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, [Michael] Fritsch (right) has been able to modify his business model while minimizing risks for his team.
At 2:30 on a Friday afternoon at Eastside Big Tom’s, an employee interrupted owner Michael Fritsch’s conversation to deliver some news. “We’re out of ketchup packets again,” he announced. It was the third time that day, and the demand for ketchup and every other item on the menu showed no signs of slowing down. The popular and historic drive-through restaurant briefly closed when the COVID-19 outbreak hit but is back in business with limited hours, an adapted menu, and several innovative strategies for staying afloat amid the crisis. In an industry that has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, Fritsch has been able to modify his business model while minimizing risks for his team. Fritsch’s parents bought the restaurant in 1969, and it was Washington State’s first drive-through, as well as the first to incorporate solar power long before it was a recognized industry. In 2019 Big Tom’s celebrated its 50th anniversary. When he first realized it would be necessary to close, Fritsch was distraught (or in his terms, “I laid around in bed and cried for days on end”). Technically, Big Tom’s didn’t have to shut down but morally there was no other choice, he explains. “Nobody was following the rules in the beginning at all. I have a couple of employees who take medicines that are destroying their immune systems, so they can’t work under those conditions. Some of my older workers who are more at risk have been with me for years. I didn’t have to shut down, but I did it because I needed to be able to live with myself.” Once the business re-opened several weeks later, new measures were in place to keep staff and the public safe. Before COVID-19, it took eight to ten people to run the inside thurstonchamber.com
of the building; now just six are allowed. All business is done via the drivethrough, customers can no longer walk up to the back door if they aren’t wearing a face mask, and the menu has been stripped down to make it manageable for the reduced staff. “We brought back burger baskets,” says Fritsch. “We haven’t had baskets in 51 years. We’re trying to streamline it so that we’re just offering a few things instead of the 14 things we would normally be cooking.” Hours of operation have also changed. For now, the restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for two shifts, one from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the other from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Even with a limited schedule, it’s been hard to keep things in stock. “Within those three hours of being open, the building gets stripped clean,” Fritsch observes. “It’s like piranhas.” He’s also gotten creative with other ways to bring in funds to cover expenses like property taxes and payroll, including selling t-shirts and gift certificates online. Big Tom’s has hosted special events with pre-sales featuring items like donut breakfast sandwiches that they typically offer only once or twice a year. On Easter Sunday they sold hundreds. “We’ve been doing these oddball things,” says Fritsch. “We’re busy, but we got so far behind while we were closed, and taxes don’t stop.” While some customers have responded positively and understood the need for changes, others have not been so receptive. Repeatedly over the past six weeks since re-opening, his staff has been told that COVID-19 is a hoax, in some cases in an abusive fashion. At one point a group had one of his employees surrounded while they shouted about the government not being able to tell them what to do.
For now, the restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for two shifts, one from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the other from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
our fault,” he says. “I want them to stop taking their frustrations out on my wife. She’s getting hounded.” In another effort to support its staff, Big Tom’s is participating in the Employment Security Department’s Shared Work program, which provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. The program supports businesses in avoiding layoffs while reducing payroll costs and benefits employees through training programs that develop workforce skills. “It’s a fairly amazing program,” says
Fritsch. “They have a webinar that my wife did where they’re able to get to questions that people have. They’ve heard these questions so many times they know what’s coming before anyone asks it. We’re working it out so our staff can continue to do these strange shifts every day.” As Washington slowly re-opens for business, local landmarks like Big Tom’s will continue to play an important role in the community. For the public who loves their products, the best way to support them is to continue to enjoy their products – in a civil manner.
Even with a limited schedule, it’s been hard to keep things in stock. “Within those three hours of being open, the building gets stripped clean,” Fritsch observes. “It’s like piranhas.”
It’s not an acceptable way to treat his staff. “I want people to know that it’s not thurstonchamber.com
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Leadership Thurston County Celebrates Class of 2020 by Alisha Blain, Program Director
L
eadership Thurston County (LTC) and the Thurston County Chamber Foundation are pleased to announce the graduating members of the LTC Class of 2020! They began their journey in September of 2019 and have wrapped up their program year virtually over the course of the last several weeks. Though not the traditional full day Challenge Day sessions, the content was every bit as impactful with many thanks to our virtual presenters. During the 10-month program, LTC class members met with local, community and statewide leaders; learned about issues surrounding South Sound communities; expanded networks and resources; and explored numerous opportunities to get involved. Topics ranged from business and economic development to environmental issues, education and health and human services. Site visits included tours of local businesses, schools, public agencies and non-profit organizations. Thank you to our Graduation Sponsor, Creative Office, all the employers who sponsored participants, local leaders who contributed to the monthly sessions, LTC Sustaining Trustees and Board of Regents, and the Thurston County Chamber for all their outstanding support during the past academic year! The LTC Class of 2020 graduation ceremony is currently postponed, be on the lookout for a date coming soon! This year’s class is the 26th graduating class. We look forward to many more!
Applications are being accepted for the LTC Class of 2021. 8
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Apply online today at LeadThurstonCounty.com thurstonchamber.com
Congratulations Class of 2020 Graduates! Natalie Butler, WA State Department of Licensing Greg Burnett, Chehalis Tribal Enterprises Skyler Chaney, Lakeside Industries Hap Clemons, Harlequin Productions Carly Colgan, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Paula Coviello, Beechtree Coaching & Consulting John DeHan, Neil Walter Company Farah Derosier, LOTT Clean Water Alliance Scott Devlin, City of Lacey Samantha Dotson, South Puget Sound Community College Meghan Flanagan, Frost & Co., PLLC Stephen Griffith, Express Employment Stephen Hyer Jr., Child Care Action Council Katy Johansson, Olympia School District Education Foundation
Josefina Magana, WA State Department of Labor & Industries Cathy McKay, SCJ Alliance Peter McNamara, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Andre Muldrew, Thurston County Randi Nandyal, Anonymously Yours & Compass-360 Association Sabrena Orr, Hatton Godat Pantier, Inc. Leslie Panowicz, Panowicz Jewelers Kevin Rowe, Edward Jones Benjamin Scholl, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Tawni Sharp, Thurston County Clerk Aaron Shively, Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters Allison Spector, WA State Department of Transportation Brett Stark, HDR Amanda Stevens, TwinStar Credit Union
Kevin Karkoski, Intercity Transit Scott Kennedy, City of Tumwater Amy King, City of Olympia Jessie Knudsen, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Sarah Krill, Port of Olympia
Jody Suhrbier, Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Kathleen Thomas, Saint Martin's University Tadeu Velloso, Phillips Burgess PLLC Amber Wetzel, YMCA Youth & Government
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Sofie's " Sanity Scoops"
Sofie’s been having fun with her new business model. For Mother’s Day weekend she wore a fancy dress, a fascinator and lots of glitter!
Olympia's Favorite Gelato Goes on Wheels for Ten Weeks by Alison Bailey
S
ofie’s Scoops, Olympia’s iconic downtown gelateria, was one of a handful of local eateries quick to pivot their business model in response to the conditions caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The same day Governor Inslee issued the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, Sofie’s
Scoops owners Sofie Landis and Chris Proctor unveiled their online ordering system. When the crisis struck in March, Sofie and Chris were gearing up for their fourth summer at their walk-up gelato counter in downtown Olympia’s 222 Market. After three consecutive summers of end-over-end growth, they were excited to start their busy season feeling prepared for the demand. When the governor’s order closed their doors, Sofie and Chris knew they had to take advantage of the provision allowing eateries to continue offering delivery and pick up. But would their fans be game for gelato delivery? They decided they had to try to find out.
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In the third week of March, Sanity Scoops was born. It was a pre-order system at sofiescoops.com that brought handmade gelato right to your doorstep. Sofie got the word out by alerting local radio stations and the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce. She also took to Instagram to alert her 5,000 followers.
New technology and new procedures can be challenging for any business, but Sofie and Chris were diligent about keeping track of what worked and what didn’t and making adjustments along the way.
By the third or fourth week of Sanity Scoops, their operation was dialed in. Sofie managed incoming orders, Their brand-new online ordering system customer service and marketing went live on a Monday, and in just a Monday through Wednesday. couple of days they had to turn it off because they couldn’t keep up with the On Wednesdays, Chris made all the demand. “That first week of deliveries gelato. Thursdays, they packed it. was very stressful,” Sofie says. On Friday, delivery began!
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
The whole family gets excited when Sofie arrives!
Sofie handwrites her gratitude on every tub of gelato she delivers.
On one of their busiest weekends, Sofie made over 130 deliveries!
In mid-April they opened the storefront from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays for a socially distanced pick up service. On Saturdays and Sundays, Sofie drove for five to six hours each day to deliver gelato as far as Tenino and Rochester.
the door and start screaming when they realize I’m delivering gelato.” On average, she’s been making 60 to 70 deliveries in a 3-day weekend stretch.
with those of the 222 Market and will comply with all state guidelines.
“It’s actually been really special seeing everyone where they live,” says Sofie. “I’ve definitely had a few kids answer
Sanity Scoops is in its final weeks here at the end of May. Look for news of the walk-up scoop counter re-opening in the coming weeks. Sofie says they plan to coordinate their re-opening efforts
Sofie is thrilled that they sold every last scoop of gelato they made in these ten weeks. “We are super appreciative of how incredibly supportive the community has been,” she emphasizes. “We wouldn’t be here without them.”
Follow Sofie’s Scoops on Facebook and Instagram for the fastest updates!
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CALLING ALL Informed Voters! by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Director of Thurston Chamber’s Public Policy Division
Although many government dues dates such as paying taxes were delayed by COVID-19, filing for elected office was not one of them. Candidates and incumbents wishing to run for elected office needed to file by May 15, 2020. This year is a particularly important year to stay engaged and vote – especially as we recover from the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. COVID-19 has demonstrated that leadership, at all levels, matters. Not only do we have the high-profile U.S. Presidential election, every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is up for election. All statewide elected offices, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, Lands Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction and four positions on the State Supreme Court are up for election. Also, all of the positions in the State House of Representatives are on the ballot. Portions of Thurston County are included in the 2nd, 20th, 22nd, and 35th legislative districts. Half the State Senate positions are on the 2020 ballot, including State Senate positions representing the 20th and 22nd Legislative Districts. In Thurston County, two of the three County Commissioner positions (Districts 1 and 2) and all judge positions in the Thurston County Superior Court will be on the ballot. Local races with no incumbents running for re-election include the following: •
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District (vacated by U.S. Representative Denny Heck).
•
State House of Representatives, 22nd Legislative District, Position 2 (vacated by State Representative Beth Doglio)
•
State House of Representatives, 20th Legislative District, Position 1 (vacated by State Representative Richard DeBolt)
•
State Senate, 2nd Legislative District, Position 2 (vacated by State Senator Randy Becker)
•
Thurston County Superior Court, Judge Position 8 (vacated by Judge Anne Hirsch)
Races without incumbents will draw numerous candidates with a range of experiences and perspectives. The lack of an incumbent often means that voters have no record or policy actions to help compare or contrast candidates and their positions. We must become informed voters heading into the primary election on August 4 by asking questions and learning how candidates plan to help the economic recovery in Thurston County. The outcome of the primary election will determine which of the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election. What questions do you have for political candidates? Let us know by emailing us at info@thurstonchamber.com. thurstonchamber.com
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McChord Field is a USAF base in in Pierce County, Washington, USA. McChord Field is the home of the 62d Airlift Wing, Air Mobility Command.
Joint Base Lewis McChord IS CRITICAL FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Director of Thurston Chamber’s Public Policy Division
Almost all of us in Thurston County are aware of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) located between Thurston and Pierce County. Fewer of us are aware of the substantial economic impact JBLM plays in the region, according to a recent survey. The South Sound Military and Communities Partnership, or SSMCP, recently reported findings from a new economic impact study and survey of businesses. The report confirmed that JBLM is a regional powerhouse for our region’s economy. The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be part of SSMCP and joins the other jurisdictions, such as the cities of Lakewood, Lacey, Dupont, Yelm and Thurston and Pierce counties to provide regional leadership to bridge our military and civilian communities. JBLM is located along Interstate-5 and between Pierce and Thurston Counties. The 70,000-acre active military base is home to the Army’s I Corps, the Air Force’s 62nd Airlift wing and several
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reserve components. The updated SSMCP study found that JBLM contributes over 83,500 jobs (FTEs) to the Pierce/Thurston region. These jobs and retired personnel bring in more than $8.25 billion in salaries/wages/ pensions to the area. The updated study, conducted with assistance from the Thurston Economic Development Council, estimates that the combined total gross economic impact to the region is over $12 billion.
Washington – Tacoma, reached out to area businesses and members to assess perceptions of JBLM. Survey respondents overwhelmingly saw JBLM as positive for the region. Negative impacts were associated with “traffic,” and this is something that SSMCP and the region’s policymakers are continually working on to improve.
SSMCP, with assistance from the Thurston and Pierce County Chambers of Commerce and the University of
More than half of respondents where from Thurston County. The survey found that about 58 percent of
Researchers surveyed businesses and members between December 2019 and January 2020. Over 56 percent were In addition to the private sector impacts, business leaders, managers or owners. JBLM contributes an estimated $387 Of these, 34 percent had some prior million in state and local tax revenue. affiliation with JBLM.
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
thurstonchamber.com
Sunset view of Mt. Rainer from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), McChord Airfield with Vintage Aircraft and Control Tower in foreground. A Douglas B-18A or DC-2 Bolo S/N 37505 is on the left and a Beechcraft UC-455 Expedition or Twin Beech is on the right.
businesses employ veterans and their family members, and more than one in four businesses offers military discounts. Small employers (between 1 and 9 employees) and large employers (more than 100 employees) reported the majority of companies employing veterans. The survey did highlight some interesting issues that will guide future work. Business leaders tend to report lower perceived economic impact than non-business leaders. Often, the most likely incorrect estimated economic impact was between $1 and $5 billion… more than 100 percent lower than the actual impact of $12 billion. Also, business leaders who reported no current or prior military affiliation reported lower perceived economic effects than their peers with some previous military association. Almost 80 percent of respondents attributed less than 20 percent of their business to JBLM. Plus, only 13 percent of survey participants indicated that they participate in transitioning service member mentorship programs. The Thurston Chamber encourages members to consider increased business opportunities with thurstonchamber.com
JBLM and the military community highlighted by the SSMCP survey. We also see further opportunities for workforce development and consider JBLM as a larger recruiter of skilled employees with a strong desire to stay in the region after their military service. We envision that together, the region will seek more flexible professional licensing for separating service members and military spouses seeking employment opportunities. This will benefit military families and local employers. In a post-COVID-19 economy, the Thurston Chamber’s Public Policy Division will continue to recognize the importance of JBLM to our region and communities. Economic recovery will be easier for our region due to the presence of JBLM compared to other parts of the state and nation. The Chamber will continue to work collaboratively with SSMCP and JBLM leaders to tackle common challenges such as affordable housing, affordable childcare, high-quality schools and more significant behavioral health resources. JBLM is critical for our region, and we advocate and welcome JBLM as a partner, neighbor and friend. Thurston County Chamber VOICE
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New Leaf Hyperbarics
by Doria Maselli
Upskills Its Workforce with Business Solutions
Chad Redinbo and his wife Cat first learned of hyperbaric therapy while exploring treatment options for their six-year-old daughter, who was experiencing health challenges. "We were so impressed with the results that we decided this was something we needed to share," says Redinbo. They did research, put a team in place and opened New Leaf Hyperbarics in Lacey in 2013. What is hyperbaric therapy? According to New Leaf’s website, “Hyperbaric therapy (HBT) is the medical use of creating a pressurized environment at a level higher than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve and saturate the blood plasma (independent of hemoglobin/red blood cells), which yields a broad variety of positive physiological, biochemical and cellular effects. This noninvasive therapy is the most trusted way to increase oxygen levels to all organs of the body. The typical treatment lasts 6090 minutes, during which the patient lies down and breathes normally.”
cancer patients, children with autism and ADHD, veterans with PTSD and clients of all ages. Hyperbaric therapy can help with a variety of conditions, healing and strengthening the body's cells and improving the functioning of all the body's systems.
While exploring some options for grants and resources during COVID-19 through the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC), Redinbo was referred to Michele Winn, Training & Development Manager for the Thurston Chamber. Michele serves the business liaison for the Future of Work Employee Development Program. The Pacific New Leaf Hyperbarics strives to progress Mountain Workforce Development the field of mild hyperbaric therapy (PacMtn) board set aside $100,000 for utilizing unparalleled customer service, their five-county region (Thurston, Lewis, compassion and professionalism. They Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific) to foster have an excellent team of skilled and public-private partnerships to upskill experienced staff, referred to as "Team their workforce. Employers can apply for Green," working in a clean, caring and up to $15,000 per year to upskill their professional environment. Their focus is staff, helping them acquire new skills on overall health and well-being. New that help them move into higher skilled Leaf works with athletes, stroke and and higher-wage jobs in the company. thurstonchamber.com
Chad Redinbo (pictured), and his wife, Cat, own New Leaf Hyperbarics together. Photo courtesy of Chad.
Employers must agree to cost-sharing requirements based on the size of their workforce, and contributions can be in-kind with the employer paying employees their wages to attend the training. PacMtn contracts the Thurston County Chamber as a business solutions provider for the program, where Winn
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acts as the business liaison for the program in the five-county region. She promotes the program to Chamber members, as well as the community at large. Lee Childs, Senior Program Specialist at PacMtn, assists businesses with paperwork and other tasks required of the business after the grant is awarded.  Christina Chestnut, Business Solutions Coordinator for the Thurston Chamber, helped to determine eligibility for both New Leaf Massage and New Leaf Hyperbaric, both owned by Redinbo. "It was so great to learn this resource is available," says Redinbo. "Being a small business owner can be overwhelming at times, as there are so many different hats to wear that it's a relief to have support and resources. Everyone at the Chamber was incredibly helpful and informative with the process. It's as if I didn't even know I was thirsty, but the Chamber offered me a glass of water," jokes Redinbo. Redinbo will utilize training that will allow two of his baseline technicians to move into management positions, educating and providing customers with more comprehensive information about their treatment as well as doing additional back-end business administration. Additional training will allow his therapists to better integrate their services with other services provided at New Leaf and count as education credit for their field. "Not only was everyone so helpful with this process during the current COVID-19 crisis, but this program allows us to not only deal with what's happening now with our business but continue to put us on a growth path for the future by providing additional training and skills to our employees. I'm so thankful I learned about this amazing resource in our community," says Redinbo. For more information about New Leaf Hyperbarics, visit www.newleafhyperbarics.com. For more information about the Future of Work Program, visit: thurstonchamber.com/workforce/the-future-of-work
1970
2020
Community Youth Services is embarking on 50 years of excellent service to youth-at-risk and youth experiencing homelessness in the South Sound region. With over 20 interrelated programs and service to 6,500 youth and families each year, we are in need of some building restoration and improvements to ensure continued excellence for the next 50 years! We hope you will join us in this endeavor to change young people’s lives. To learn more, please visit:
The Rants Group Heritage Bank - Olympia L & E Bottling Company, Inc. Morningside Olympia Federal Savings - Olympia South Puget Sound Community College Providence St. Peter Hospital Pardiman Productions SCJ Alliance Phillips Burgess, PLLC
Port of Olympia
Puget Sound Energy
Saint Martin's University
FORMA Construction Company
Wells Fargo Community Bank
Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel
Little Creek Casino & Resort
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC
Washington Business Bank
TwinStar Credit Union - Corporate Office
The Thurston County Chamber sends a BIG THANK YOU to ALL of our investors. With members like you, we are able to provide a sustainable business community in Thurston County as well as foster growth and positive change. Only through your support can we continue to fund important community initiatives and lead the way for business.
Thank You!
South Sound Behavioral Hospital
PLATINUM
DIAMOND
Caliber Home Loans
1st Security Bank Home Lending
Hooper Financial Services
American Workforce Group
Charter College
Olympia Furniture Company
Great Wolf Lodge
Venables Pest Management
Hometown Property Management, Inc.
Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Columbia Bank - Downtown
The Creative Office
Community Youth Services
Mills & Mills Funeral Home
GHB Insurance, Inc.
GOLD
Express Employment Professionals The Firs Senior Living Community First Citizens Bank TAGS Awards and Specialties Budd Bay Cafe KeyBank - Martin Way AAA Washington - Inland Michael White Agency - Farmers Insurance Nicholson & Associates Insurance Edward Jones - Dirk Farrar, Financial Advisor Big Brothers, Big Sisters of SW WA Window Genie Jensen Milner - Cap City Law PS Greene Realty Group Charlie's Safari - The Family Fun Center RHD Enterprises, Inc. Madcap Marketing Bakala State Farm Family Education and Support Services Morgan Stanley - Mike Marohn, Financial Advisor 94.5 ROXY T & S Cleaning, Inc.
SILVER
PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427