North Mason School District is proud to be a member of the newly formed #IGNITEMason Coalition an initiative to promote economic development in our county, to improve public infrastructure and support the growing workforce. If NMSD is successful in accessing grants through the IGNITEMason Coalition, the goal is to enhance the aquaculture and ecology offerings through our CTE program by building salmon pens in partnership with our ports.
For more information on the IGNITEMason Coalition please read the full news release below, or visit the website at http://www.choosemason.com
IGNITE Mason Coalition: Economic Development Council of Mason County, Mason Transit Authority, Mason PUD 3, Olympic College Shelton Campus, Green Diamond Resource Company, Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Bank, Hood Canal Communications (HCC), Mason General Hospital Foundation, Skydive Kapowsin, City of Shelton, WA - Government, Peninsula Credit Union, Commissioner Kevin Shutty, Port of Allyn, Belfair Water District, Port of Grapeview, Port of Shelton, All For A Good Cause, Mary M. Knight School District, & The Ridge Policy Group.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IGNITE Mason economic development coalition announced
Shelton, WA: September 8, 2023 – Economic development leaders across Mason County have formed a coalition of more than two dozen local public and private sector partners to pursue federal economic revitalization funds. The United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has launched the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) competition. Communities will be eligible to submit funding plans as part of this new five-year federal program authored by Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and championed by Senator Maria Cantwell (WA) that aims to revitalize economic activity in distressed communities.
In addition to the Mason County Economic Development Council, the coalition includes Mason County, the City of Shelton, Port of Shelton, Mason County Public Utility Districts 1 and 3, Belfair Water District 1, the school districts of North Mason, Shelton, and Mary M. Knight, Olympic College, Olympic Health and Recovery Services, and several private sector organizations. The coalition named this initiative IGNITE Mason. The acronym encompasses the work we are doing to Initiate Growth, Networking Innovation, and Technology in the Economy of Mason County to grow and bring job opportunities to the entire community.
The Recompete Pilot Program will invest in projects over two phases that spur economic activity in distressed communities across the country, especially areas where prime-age (25-54 years) unemployment is higher than the national average. Grants will help communities develop and implement local economic development plans that create good jobs, invest in the workforce and businesses, while helping residents access resources for job training and placement.
“I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula and was in high school right around the time the timber industry took it on the chin,” said Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “The Recompete Pilot Program brings hope to distressed communities, addressing their economic challenges head-on. Through flexible, multi-year grants, the federal government can breathe new life into local economies, create jobs, and unlock opportunities for long-term success.”
By working together to improve the local economy, IGNITE Mason is committed to overcoming obstacles that have stood in the way of broad-based economic development in Mason County, including access to affordable housing, creating career pathways for students and workers seeking higher-paying jobs, and expanding critical infrastructure like water, sewer, power, and broadband.
“We face some costly hurdles to reinvigorating our local and regional economy. Rep. Kilmer’s Recompete legislation, has given Mason County an amazing opportunity to target areas most in need of economic resources and assets to ensure we can support our citizens for many generations. This coalition is helping build the relationships that will direct Mason County’s future,” said EDC’s Executive Director, Jennifer Baria. “This type of investment is long overdue!”
To learn more about economic development efforts, please visit us at www.choosemason.com.