OlyCAP buys Port Townsend buildings
By Jeff Chew, Peninsula Daily News
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OlyCAP leaders completed the purchase of the 43-year-old nonprofit agency's administrative offices in Port Townsend last week.
"It was very exciting to put pen to paper and actually close a deal we have been working toward for three years," said Tim Hockett, OlyCAP executive director.
"The purchase will help us significantly reduce our occupancy costs."
The savings in rent will be passed along to OlyCAP's programs for the needy, children and seniors.
OlyCAP moved into the complex in Port Townsend Business Park in May 2005.
Initial funding was arranged through a combination of loans and awards, and OlyCAP anticipates that a capital campaign will raise additional funds to apply against the mortgage.
The funding package that allowed the purchase included a $400,000 state Community Services Facilities Award and loans from the USDA and First Federal Savings.
Many to thank
"We have a lot of people to thank for their support now, and we hope to have some additional announcements in the future," Hockett added.
"First Federal really came through for us," Hockett said of the North Olympic Peninsula loan institution with a Port Townsend branch.
"They worked very hard to make sure we met our closing deadlines, and really stepped up to help get all the pieces coordinated."
OlyCAP serves both Clallam and Jefferson counties.
It began as the Clallam-Jefferson Community Action Council in 1966, responding to problems of health, hunger, unemployment and homelessness on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Peter Simpson, now artistic director of the Port Townsend Film Festival, was its first executive director.
The organization was housed in the Port Townsend Community Center, and in an office under the bleachers at the ball park on Race Street in Port Angeles.
The organization has occupied a number of leased facilities in Port Townsend and Port Angeles over the years and now has about 300 employees, 100 of whom live in Jefferson County.
In 2004, OlyCAP took a major step and leased space in the Port Townsend Business Park.
"Our former facility was really hurting our ability to serve clients," Hockett said.
"We had to take a bit of risk in the interest of serving the community."
The move to the new facility paid off, he said.
Serving more people
OlyCAP served 53 percent more families in 2006 than in 2004 and has continued to increase services in each successive year, he said.
The move also allowed OlyCAP to provide support for space for the Port Townsend Food Bank, which receives hundreds of monthly visits that are not included in OlyCAP reporting, and made space available to take over the Working Image program from Skookum Industries.
Working Image and the food bank share space in one of the buildings, which are about 4,000 square feet each.
"Just like home ownership, it is wiser to purchase," Hockett said.
"When we were renters, there was no tax advantage at all."
While OlyCAP maintains offices in both counties, it has been cost-effective to localize the administration of some services to one office or the other.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, for example, is administered through the Port Townsend office, while the Oral Health Center is housed in Port Angeles.
All of OlyCAP's services are available through any of its offices.
Plans to celebrate
Closing on the building purchase has been a big event for the agency, Hockett said, and there are plans to celebrate in the future with an open house to give the public an opportunity to see the complex and learn about the organization.
"There are more hurdles to jump," Hockett said.
"We are continuing to apply for grants to help in the purchase, and when local timing permits, we will ask our friends in the community for their support."
OlyCAP was awarded a $200,000 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant last week, which must be matched by local donations and goes toward buying the buildings, Hockett said.
Matching contributions will have to come from local businesses, foundations, nonprofit organizations, churches and other public sources.
"I think we can do it," Hockett said.
"The community's very generous."
Another important piece of funding for the purchase is the U.S. Department of Agriculture development loan that put up $800,000 with a 4.5 percent interest rate for 40 years, he said.
"It's designed to help nonprofits and community services, and to keep facilities costs low," he said.
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Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: August 03. 2008 9:00PM