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HomeMy WebLinkAboutICC Economy Jobs GroupLeslie Locke From: Patty Charnas Sent: Friday, September 4, 2020 9:31 AM To: Leslie Locke Subject: FW: Economy & Jobs Group Recommended Projects Attachments: projects for Cares act funding - 9-2-20.docx Leslie — Please add this to the lists of projects that you are receiving from the community groups by 4 pm today. Thank you very much Patty Charnas — Jefferson County COVID Pandemic Response and Recovery Finance Section Chief Department of Community Development 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone 360-379-4493 — Cell 360-301-5749 pcharnas@co.iefferson.wa.us EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY 4:30PM 3/18/2020 DCD WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Although this limited customer interaction means we may not be able to assist you in -person, please be assured that DCD will continue to accept applications and review and issue development permits, primarily through phone, email, and mail. Please visit our website httpsi//www.co.Fefferson.wa.us/dcd to see how we can best serve you during this time, including setting up Customer Assistance Meetings. Email: dc�o eff_erson,wa.us;Phone: 360-379-4450 All e-mail sent to this address has been received by the Jefferson County e-mail system and is therefore subject to the Public Records Act, a state law found at RCW 42.56. From: Will O'Donnell <wodonnell@jeffpud.org> Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020 4:15 PM To: Philip Morley <pmorley@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Patty Charnas <PCharnas@co.jefferson.wa.us> Cc: Jeff Randall <jrandall@jeffpud.org> Subject: Economy & Jobs Group Recommended Projects CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. Hello Philip and Patty Attached are the projects recommended for CARES Act funding by the Economy and Jobs Group. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Will O'Donnell, Communications Director Jefferson County Public Utility District #1 310 Four Corners Rd. Port Townsend WA 98368 desk (360) 385-8369 1 mobile (206) 265-1820 wodonnell@jeffpud.orR I web I FB I twitter Public Utility District No. 1 of Jefferson County is subject to the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. Therefore, this email and its attachments, if any, may be disclosed as a public record. Public Utility District No. 1 of Jefferson County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Economy and Job Group Project Proposals for CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds 9-2-20 Group Participants: Jeff Randall, Jefferson PUD Commissioner — Liaison, Chair Brian Kuh, Team Jefferson Executive Director — Co -Chair Arlene Alen, The Chamber of Jefferson County, Executive Director Deborah Stinson, former Mayor and Port Townsend City Council Member Kris Nelson, business owner and former Deputy Mayor and City Council Member David King, past CFO of Townsend Bay Marine, former Mayor and City Council Member Elizabeth Court, Executive Director Olympic Workforce Development Council Pinky Mingo, Jefferson County Dept. of Health, Environmental Public Health/Water Quality Director Siobhan Canty, Executive Director of the Jefferson County Community Foundation Pete Langley, Owner PT Foundry Dina Geiszler, Workforce Development, OlyCAP Erika Lindholm, Craft 3, VP Senior Business Lender Will O'Donnell, Jefferson PUD Communications Director Project Recommendations by Economy and Jobs Work Group Recommendation #1: Creative District: Professional Arts and Culture Plan Hire a professional to complete the strategic plan for the Port Townsend Creative District. Goal is to develop a year-round economy through employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries in east Jefferson County and through connecting audiences with artists. Includes 5 sectors: literary, culinary, performing, makers, and visual arts. Short term and long term goals include creating an artist registry and determining the needs of each sector; making a plan for sustainable funding; developing a single source for information between artists and for audiences; and developing a comprehensive Arts and Culture plan for our community which will lay out a road map on best ways to proceed. Plan will include recommendations for marketing, signage, imaginative way -finding and transportation strategies, work - live housing strategies for artists, and partner with schools to develop options for young adults wanting to stay in the area and work in the creative industries. This project has been underway for years and has included significant community involvement and support. Cares Act funding request to complete project: $17,000. Economy and Jobs Group Recommendation: Project has a lot of momentum and community support for completing this project and expanding its scope to include all of east Jefferson County. Recommendation 2: Electrical Utility Billing Assistance for Businesses Provide emergency assistance to all E. Jefferson County businesses struggling to pay PUD electric bills during period of severely reduced revenues due to effects of COVID- 19. Clallam PUD is using Clallam County CARES Act funding for residential relief. The Economy & Jobs group is proposing rate relief for Jefferson County businesses. The proposal is to provide all eligible commercial rate payers and licensed home -based businesses with a minimum of a 50% credit on outstanding balances 60 or more days past due. Some eligibility criteria will need to be drafted and an application process developed. Total amount past due Commercial Customers only (does not include most home based businesses) as of 9/1/2020: $39,935 Total amount past due 60+ days as of 8/4/2020 for all PUD customers: $103,587 Request assumes both will amount due categories will grow over the coming months. CARES Act funding request: $40,000 Economy and Jobs Group Recommendation: Businesses really need help now. While residential customers receive low-income discounts, businesses do not qualify for such assistance. Vetting process needs to focus on businesses who really need the help. Recommendation 3: Buy Jefferson Website and Marketing Campaign Design, produce and implement a Buy Jefferson website and marketing campaign. The goals of the Campaign are to (1) encourage and make it easy for part- and full-time residents of Jefferson County to source their purchases locally; and (2) to increase sales of local businesses from online markets outside of Jefferson County. Components include: • Establishment of a website that lists and links to local businesses and individual entrepreneurs who have goods or services sold via the internet; • Establishment of a brand for Jefferson County businesses; • Development and implementation of a two -pronged marketing program, one for local audience, one for national. • Multi -phase project. • Total cost of project estimated at $150,000. Looking to fund phase 1, will look for additional funding for additional phases. CARES Act funding request: $50,000 Economy and Jobs Group Recommendation: Group really liked this proposal, very forward looking. Based upon what other successful communities have done.