PORT TOWNSEND — Left to go its own way by the county and facing the loss of state funds, the Jefferson County Economic Development Council is nevertheless still in business, according to the president of the board.
“What we’re doing is just retooling our organization,” said Lawrence Graves, president of the 12-member board of the newly reconstituted EDC.
New EDC bylaws give the agency three months to rebuild.
“This an interim board,” said Graves, vice president and manager of Frontier Bank on Upper Sims Way.
“We’re doing the grunt work. We’re doing the basic building.
“We’re doing the groundwork to make it a successful organization.
“It’s not about us. It has to do with what we are trying to accomplish.”
Graves still strongly believes that dissolving the agency is no longer an option.
In fact, Graves passionately states that, when it comes to keeping EDC alive, “it’s the right thing to do. We have a commitment to make this work.”
On its own
The EDC was left to go its own way in February when, after several months of controversy, Jefferson County commissioners unanimously voted to assume economic development responsibilities.
Graves is uncertain when funding ends from the state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, but he believes it could last through June.
When it ends, Graves and other EDC members may be left to consider private or other sources.
“These problems, there’s no easy fix for them,” he said.
“If we can build partnerships, it’s always good to build partnerships.”
Graves said he would even support a partnership with Port Hadlock-based Diversified Resources.
County commissioners have contracted with Diversified to help the county take a new course of action: “community economic development.”