PCEDC announces the 2022 Business Awards

Photo courtesy on PCEDC Facebook Congratulation to the 2022 Pacifi County Business of the year - Willapa Bay Enterprises.

Pacific County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is pleased to announce recognition for outstanding achievement of local businesses and individuals.

"Congratulations to all the award recipients and the many worthy nominees.," said PCEDC Board President, Jeanne Brooks, "We are pleased to acknowledge the many accomplishments of our business community and local leaders." Recipients were honored at an awards luncheon on May 10 hosted at the World Kite Museum in Long Beach.

The 2022 PCEDC Business of the Year Award celebrates and honors a Pacific County business or organization that has demonstrated a record of commitment to Pacific County communities through leadership, support of a local community-based organization or has demonstrated other recent noteworthy accomplishments that directly or indirectly increases the quality of local life.

Congratulations to the 2022 Pacific County Business of the year: Willapa Bay Enterprises in Tokeland. Willapa Bay Enterprises (WBE), the economic arm of the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, is one of the largest employers in the County, providing over 100 living wage jobs. WBE has been an unflagging support to the local economy, through providing jobs, developing business ventures, providing small grants and leading in sustainable community planning.

Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic Development. This award recognizes individuals for their lifelong commitment to excellence in economic development and demonstrated work that has made a significant impact in Pacific County.

Congratulations to the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award winner: Rebecca Chaffee; Raymond. Former Manager of the Port of Willapa Harbor, Rebecca serves on the local housing authority and school board, is the President of Willapa Community Development Association, has served on multiple planning commissions, is a Port Commissioner and the lead driver of building the Willapa Center in Raymond.

PCEDC Emerging Leadership Award This award recognizes outstanding achievement by an emerging leader.

Congratulations to the 2022 Emerging Leadership Award winner: Karla Jensen, LBMA President, Long Beach
PCEDC Leadership Award for Community Service. This award recognizes an elected official, nonprofit or community leader who has served as a committed advocate for Pacific County.

Congratulations to the 2022 Leadership Award for Community Service winners:

Pacific County Immigration Services (PCIS) for providing assistance and advocates for local immigrants county-wide. They do outreach to the 10% of the local community that identify as immigrants with culturally-specific services.

Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center, Ilwaco has come to life, and is slated to have a permanent home at the Port of Ilwaco in the near future. The Center already offers pre-school, youth, after- school programs, day camps and family resources. A permanent community center will be built and launched in the near future. The center is dedicated to Dylan Jude Harrell was a local four-year-old who was lost to the community in 2020 due to a rare, incurable brain cancer.

PCEDC President's Award This award celebrates and honors a Pacific County business or individual that has demonstrated outstanding service and achievement- selected by the Board President.

Congratulations to the 2022 PCEDC Presidents Award winners:

Jamie Judkins, Willapa Bay Enterprises planner and outgoing EDC Board Chair, who led the PCEDC organization through the pandemic and organizational transition with thoughtfulness and grace.

Jim Sayce, Manager Port of Willapa Harbor Jim advanced projects in 2022 that included funding the Willapa Hills Trail, renovation and re-launch of a Raymond Saw Mill and obtained over $2 Million in funding to acquire property for the Washington Coast Business Accelerator (WCBA) in South Bend.

Service Awards: For many years of inspiration and Board service to Pacific County Economic Development Council: Congratulations to Frank Wolfe and Nancy Gorshe.

We are delighted to partner with local Chambers and Merchants organization to acknowledge their local selections for 2022 Business of the Year:

Tokeland North Cove Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business of the Year:

Congratulations to Van Adams Davis Photography

Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business of the Year:

Congratulations to Chen's South Bend

Ilwaco Merchants Association 2022 Business of the Year:

Congratulations to Spawn Fly Fishing

Long Beach Merchants Association 2022 Business of the Year:

Congratulations to Neptune Theater

Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce:

Congratulations to Chris's Custom Computers

The mission of the Pacific County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is to support and promote policies and activities which contribute to Pacific County's economic vitality. Your success is our success!