The Economic Current

What does public power actually mean, and what role does it play in growing Mason County’s economy? In celebration of Public Power Week, Tiana sits down with Mason PUD 3 Public Information Officer Sheila Corson to talk all things public power, from where our electricity comes from and the infrastructure that keeps Mason County running to broadband, business development, energy efficiency, and planning for future growth. They also dive into how PUD 3 works with businesses considering locating or expanding in Mason County, the growing conversation around AI and energy demand, and some of the programs and resources available to PUD 3 customers. Plus, Tiana finally gets an answer to one of Mason County’s great mysteries: What happened to PUD 2?

#PublicPowerWeek #PublicPower #MasonPUD3 #MasonCountyWA #MasonEDC #EconomicDevelopment #EconDev #Energy #Broadband

Check out:

Mason PUD 3 Website - https://www.pud3.org/

PUD 3 Energy Efficiency Rebates - https://www.pud3.org/rebates

Project Share - https://www.pud3.org/

Economic Development Council of Mason County - https://masonedc.org/

What role does a community college play in building a stronger local economy? Tiana sits down with Mychal Walz, Director of Branch Campuses for Olympic College, to talk about the Shelton campus, workforce development, Running Start, career pathways, and the many ways Olympic College is adapting to meet the needs of Mason County students and employers. Whether you’re heading back to school, exploring a new career, or simply curious about what’s happening at our local campus, this episode highlights why Olympic College is truly our community college.

#CommunityCollege #OlympicCollege #BacktoSchool #EconDev #MasonCountyWA #MasonEDC #WorkforceDevelopment

Check out:

Olympic College Website - https://www.olympic.edu/

Running Start Program - https://www.olympic.edu/directory/department/running-start

PRESS RELEASE - Olympic College to pilot Kitsap Transit bus pass for students https://masonedc.org/news/farmers-market-promotion-program

What is Market-Ready Mason, and how does it affect you? Join host Tiana Dunbar as she sits down with Program Manager Tess Ellison to discuss MasonEDC's USDA-funded initiative aimed at strengthening local agriculture and expanding opportunities for Mason County producers and markets. Together, they answer common community questions, explain who the program is for, and share details about upcoming events, including the National Farmers Market Week celebration on Saturday, August 8, at the Shelton Farmers Market. Whether you're a producer, vendor, or simply enjoy supporting local food, this episode explores what the Market-Ready Mason program is, why it matters, and how it benefits our community.

#FMPP #MarketReadyMason #USDAGrant #EconDev #MasonCountyWA #MasonEDC 

Check out:

PRESS RELEASE - Economic Development Council of Mason County awarded USDA funding
https://masonedc.org/news/farmers-market-promotion-program

Aug. 8, 10am-3pm, National Farmers Market Community Celebration event information
https://www.facebook.com/events/2272991420188660

Contact Tess Ellison for more information:
[email protected]

Join host Kevin Shutty for a conversation with Congresswoman Emily Randall as they explore the role of collaboration in building stronger local economies. From workforce development and infrastructure investments to innovation, small business growth, and the importance of working across the aisle, this episode examines how partnerships at every level help create the conditions for thriving communities. Whether discussing local ports, federal investment, or the future of Washington's economy, the conversation highlights the power of finding common ground to move communities forward. #MasonCountyStrong

Check out:

Congresswoman Emily Randall's Official Website - https://randall.house.gov/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RepEmilyRandall

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/repemilyrandall

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/repemilyrandall.bsky.social

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@CongresswomanEmilyRandall

MasonEDC's Website - https://masonedc.org/

Sign up for MasonEDC's Newsletter - https://shorturl.at/O5oOZ

As the weather heats up in Mason County—the Gateway to the Olympics—so does our tourism industry. Join host Tiana Dunbar for a conversation with Kerry Myers, President & CEO of the North Mason Chamber of Commerce, and Mendy Harlow, Executive Director of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group. Together, they discuss the launch of the new Visitor Information Center at the Salmon Center, the unique experiences that draw visitors to Hood Canal, and the important role environmental stewardship plays in supporting our local economy. The conversation highlights the power of collaboration, community pride, and protecting the natural resources that make Mason County a place people want to visit again and again. #MasonCountyStrong

Check out:

North Mason Chamber of Commerce - https://northmasonchamber.com/

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group - https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/

Explore Hood Canal - https://www.explorehoodcanal.com/

Fjordin Crossing Event - https://www.fjordincrossin.com/

Sweetwater Creek Trail Info - https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/sweetwatercreek/

Union River Estuary - https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/restoration/current-habitat-projects/union-river-estuary-restoration/

Hunter Farms - https://www.hunter-farms.com/

Join us for a special Economic Development Week edition of The Economic Current, where MasonEDC Executive Director Kevin Shutty takes the mic for a regional conversation with Thurston EDC’s Michael Cade and Joe Morrison of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. Together, they explore what economic development really looks like in practice—sharing insights from their communities, how industries and infrastructure are evolving, and why collaboration across county lines is more important than ever. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the work shaping our regional economy today, and what it takes to build strong, resilient communities moving forward. 

Join us for episode four of The Economic Current, where host Tiana Dunbar sits down with Kell Rowen, Mason County’s Community Development Director, for a conversation about the inner workings of the Community Development Department. Kell shares her journey into planning, what her role looks like today, and how the department has evolved over the years. The discussion offers a behind the scenes look at how the team operates, how processes have improved, and what the future may hold as new tools and technologies begin to shape the work. #MasonCountyStrong

Join us for the third episode of The Economic Current—a podcast by the Mason County Economic Development Council—where host Tiana Dunbar sits down with Kelsie Rudnick, owner of The Shopper in Shelton, to talk about what it looks like to run and grow a woman-owned business in Mason County. Kelsey shares how she went from retail management to joining the family print shop and eventually purchasing the business herself, along with how The Shopper evolved from a local newspaper into a full-service printing and promotional company serving businesses across the county and beyond. You’ll also hear about her journey pursuing certification through Washington’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), why women-owned business designations matter for accessing government contracts, and what it takes to balance entrepreneurship, leadership, and motherhood while working in a male-dominated industry. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting local businesses, investing in community, and the persistence it takes to keep growing as both a business owner and a leader. #MasonCountyStrong

It’s the second episode of The Economic Current—a podcast by the Mason County Economic Development Council—and host Tiana Dunbar sits down with Zach Pryde, co owner of Olympic Mountain Millwork, to talk about what it looks like to buy an existing business in Mason County. Zach shares his path from working in finance and software to becoming a local manufacturer, why he chose acquisition instead of starting from scratch, and what it meant to take over a company with long standing employees, customers, and community history. You’ll hear how buyers find businesses, what due diligence involves, how SBA financing works, and some of the surprises he faced along the way. The conversation also covers what happens after the sale, from building trust with staff to showing up in the community and learning when to make changes. Zach leaves listeners with straightforward advice for anyone thinking about ownership: start, ask for what you want, and take it one day at a time. If you are curious about how local businesses transition and grow, this episode is for you. #MasonCountyStrong

It’s the first episode of The Economic Current—a podcast by the Mason County Economic Development Council—and to kick off the new year, host Tiana Dunbar sits down with Beth Henriquez, Executive Director of Enterprise for Equity (E4E), to talk about what it really takes to turn a big idea (or a New Year’s resolution) into a sustainable small business. Beth shares her winding path into entrepreneurship support, why E4E prioritizes low-income entrepreneurs and others facing barriers, and how microenterprise can be a powerful workforce pathway—plus what it looks like to get started through E4E’s info sessions, Business Readiness Workshop, and eight-week Business Planning Program. You’ll also hear about E4E’s microloans (up to $25,000), what comes after “graduation,” the Business Revitalizer program for existing businesses ready to stabilize or grow, and a few local success stories—including Mason County businesses—along with updates on Spanish-language training and micro grants. Learn more at enterpriseforequity.org! #MasonCountyStrong