Posts by pgriffin@edcislandcounty.org
Island County to Begin CEDS Planning Process
In April 2023, the Island County Board of Commissioners voted to support the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Island County. Island County, the Cities of Langley and Oak Harbor, and the Town of Coupeville generously support this project. This CEDS planning and development process will be overseen by the Economic Development…
Read MoreSmall Business Disaster Relief Grants
The Economic Development Council for Island County (EDC) is assisting the Washington State Department of Commerce to conduct outreach and support applications for new Small Business Disaster Relief grants. Commerce has $9.7 million available in grants for small businesses with annual gross receipts of $5 million or less. Applicable businesses will have sustained a reduction…
Read MoreFirst-Ever Initiative of its Kind: Advancing Island County & Skagit County Businesses Through a New State-Funded Small Business Innovation Fund
Free Business Services: Accelerators, Bootcamps, Grant Funds, Technology Tools, Mentors, and More The Economic Development Council for Island County (Island County EDC) submitted a bold proposal to the Washington Department of Commerce’s Small Business Innovation Fund grant program in partnership with the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) and the Regional Accelerator & Innovation…
Read MoreGrants for Arts Projects – Opportunity Open!
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) is the NEA’s largest grant program for organizations, providing expansive funding opportunities for communities across the nation in a wide range of artistic disciplines. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the…
Read MoreFinancing For Valuable Community Development Projects in Oak Harbor
Do you or someone you know, have a commercial real estate project in Oak Harbor that needs financing with better rates and terms with more flexibility than the market? The EDC is pleased to share this exciting opportunity brought to us by the Heritage Bank Community Development Entity (HBDE). The program provides loans to help…
Read MoreEDC Now a Local Hub for L&I Resources
The Economic Development Council for Island County (EDC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), through their Small Business Outreach Contracts program. What does this partnership mean for our local businesses? In addition to the existing business support that the EDC provides, we will now serve…
Read MoreGeeky But Useful Demographic Data
Great post from guest blogger Tim Trimbath! Whidbey is changing, and always has been. Data can be dull, but it can be surprising how many times people talk about how many people are on the island, a few facts about who is here, and how expensive housing is. Thanks to the Economic Development Council for…
Read MoreLeadership Whidbey Now Accepting Applications
Skagit Valley College, the Economic Development Council for Island County, Sno-Isle Libraries, The Whidbey Institute, and community partners are proud to announce that applications are now being accepted for the third annual Leadership Whidbey program. The program will take place from October 28, 2021 through May 19, 2023. Skagit Valley College, the Economic Development Council…
Read MoreTake your business to the next level! Join the ScaleUp Program
Island County businesses are invited to participate in this great advanced business training series, at no cost! Starts August 24, 2022 Register: https://scaleupwashington.org/ ScaleUp is training for companies that have moved BEYOND startup and launch. It is about building capacity, increasing profitability, and automating business systems. The program will show you how to position your business for…
Read MoreWorking Washington Grants: Round 5
The Department of Commerce partnered with ArtsWA on a new funding opportunity to support businesses struggling from the impact of COVID-19. The Working Washington Grants: Round 5 program gives pandemic relief funding to small businesses and non-profits. In this round of grants, portions of the available funds are set aside for specific targeted groups or…
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