HomeMy WebLinkAbout030924 email - Supporting a new business in Jefferson CountyALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
March 8, 2024
Representative Mike Chapman
24th Legislative District
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Reference: Supporting a Writing Retreat Center in Jefferson County
Dear Mike,
I am writing to you in support of the writing retreat center proposed for the Brinnon/Quilcene area with a working title of “Kagean Ni.” (Shadow Hermitage II in Japanese.)
In their 30-year history, the Cascadia Poetics Lab <https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/> has facilitated thousands of community-building and inspiring poetry events, festivals, readings
and workshops. I believe it is well-suited to give the Olympic Peninsula, specifically Jefferson County, a literary center like nothing we have ever seen before. Their notion to have
a business plan that includes a modified version of a backpacker’s hostel and corporate event center is also prudent and would take advantage of 9+ years the Lab’s Founding Director
spent managing a successful non-profit Airbnb enterprise in Seattle from 2011-2020.
Some of the benefits of having such a business plan here include:
* Providing a center for inspiring poetry events, festivals, readings and workshops
* Providing outdoor access to poets of color and other underserved rural populations
* Possessing a strong business plan to allow for future self-sufficiency
Representative Steve Tharinger has encouraged — and will sponsor — their application for a Member Requested Local Community Project. Such support demonstrates high level improvement
concerns from the area’s elected officials. The notion of getting poets of color the wilderness opportunities, as well as the Lab making a safe and fertile place for their creativity,
is one I support completely. That there are education and economic development possibilities are other important aspects of this project.
Please consider supporting such a unique program that will enhance and benefit our local culture – and bring more financial opportunities to our businesses in Jefferson County.
Thanks for always keeping an open mind and supporting our rural economy, Mike.
Connie Gallant
224 Cougar Run Road, Quilcene 98376
cc:
Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton
Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean
Jefferson County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour
U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer