Island County Economic Development Council

06/05/2026

Have you secured your ticket yet? On June 11, business leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and community partners from across Island County will gather for an evening of networking, conversation, and insight into the opportunities shaping our region's future.

Guests will enjoy a dinner prepared by Chef Gordon Stewart and hear from James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington University's Center for Economic and Business Research, as he shares his perspective on regional economic trends and opportunities.

Whether you're looking to make new connections, strengthen existing relationships, or gain a deeper understanding of Island County's economy, this is an event you won't want to miss.

🎟 Reserve your seat today:
https://economicdevelopmentcouncilforislandcounty.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/07FA4zVtxCwCR

We look forward to seeing you there.

We’re excited to announce that James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington University’s Center for Economic & Business Research, will be joining us as a featured speaker at the Annual Member Meeting on June 11.

James brings extensive experience in economic research, business development, strategic partnerships, and regional growth initiatives, and will share valuable insights into the economic trends and opportunities shaping Island County and the broader economic landscape.

Guests will also enjoy:
🍽 Catered buffet dinner by Chef Gordon Stewart
🤝 Networking with business and community leaders
📈 Economic insights and regional outlook discussions

Members, non-members, and guests are all welcome with registration.

🎟 Secure your tickets today: https://economicdevelopmentcouncilforislandcounty.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/YEFgb9YHNCZqv0gcK?

06/03/2026

Big Ideas. Local Impact. Build What's Next.

The Economic Development Council for Island County is seeking its next Executive Director -- a collaborative leader who is passionate about strengthening local businesses, supporting workforce development, fostering regional partnerships, and helping shape the future of Island County's economy.

This is an opportunity to lead an organization dedicated to creating a thriving economic environment where businesses can grow, jobs can be created, and our unique quality of life can be preserved.

📍 Coupeville, WA
💼 Full-time | Exempt
📅 Application deadline: June 17, 2026

If you're an experienced leader with a passion for community impact, economic development, and building strong partnerships, we'd love to hear from you.

View the full position description and application instructions here: https://www.edcislandcounty.org/employment/

Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with your network.

06/03/2026

Community and economic development are team efforts. We're so grateful to Puget Sound Energy, Casey Pleet Wealth Management, and Whidbey Island Bank for supporting the EDC Annual Member Meeting and investing in conversations about Island County's future.

Together, we'll gather on June 11 to connect, learn, and hear from James McCafferty of Western Washington University's Center for Economic & Business Research on the trends and opportunities shaping our regional economy.

If you haven't registered yet, there's still time to join us.

🎟 Tickets available here: https://economicdevelopmentcouncilforislandcounty.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/07FA4zVtxCwCR

06/01/2026

Have you reserved your seat yet? Join business leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs, and community partners from across Island County for an evening of networking, dinner, and valuable economic insights.

We're excited to welcome James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington University's Center for Economic & Business Research, who will provide an economic outlook and discuss trends and opportunities impacting our region.

Guests will also enjoy a catered dinner by Chef Gordon Stewart and the opportunity to connect with leaders helping shape Island County's future.

Seating is limited and registration is required.

Reserve your ticket today: https://economicdevelopmentcouncilforislandcounty.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/07FA4zVtxCwCR

05/29/2026

Looking for a new career opportunity? Interested in the marine trades? Join Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for a Meet the Employer event on June 17 in Freeland!

Tour the shipyard, meet the team, explore career pathways, and learn about current hiring opportunities across multiple trades. Welders are encouraged to come prepared for an on-site skills assessment with immediate hiring potential for some positions.

📍 Nichols Brothers Boat Builders - Freeland
📅 June 17, 2026
⏰ 11 AM – 2 PM

Open to welders, carpenters, painters, students, trainees, career changers, and anyone interested in the trades.

Please wear close-toed, steel-toed, or composite-toed shoes for safety.

05/27/2026

Farmers market season is officially here across Island County, and this year comes with especially exciting news: the return of the Camano Farmers Market, kicking off this Saturday after being missed for several years.

From fresh produce and flowers to local seafood, artisan foods, handmade goods, and live music, our farmers markets are an integral part of Island County’s local economy.

And here’s a fun fact: some of today’s biggest national brands got their start at local farmers markets, such as Poppi, the prebiotic soda company that grew from a small market stand into a nearly $2 billion acquisition by PepsiCo.

Here’s a look at the 2026 market season -- Which one will you visit this week?

🌻 Camano Farmers Market
📍 S. Camano Grange Hall
🗓 Last Saturday of each month | May–September
⏰ 9 AM – 2 PM

🥕 Bayview Farmers Market
📍 Bayview Corner, Langley
🗓 Saturdays | April 25 – October 17
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM

🌿 South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market
📍 Langley
🗓 Sundays | Late April – Early October
⏰ 11 AM – 3 PM

🌾 Coupeville Farmers Market
📍 Coupeville Community Green
🗓 Saturdays | April 18 – October 10
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM

🍓 Oak Harbor Farmers Market
📍 Downtown Oak Harbor
🗓 Thursdays | Mid-May – September
⏰ 4 PM – 7 PM

05/26/2026

We’re pleased to support Washington State Department of Labor & Industries in sharing important compliance information and resources with our community.

Developed in collaboration with L&I, this educational series is designed to help inform and protect both employers and employees by highlighting key workplace topics that impact organizations across our region.

Take a look at our first article linked below, and let us know what you think! If there are additional topics you’d find valuable for future posts, we welcome your input.

https://www.edcislandcounty.org/2026/04/29/but-they-volunteered-a-costly-assum

05/21/2026

We’re excited to announce that James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington University’s Center for Economic & Business Research, will be joining us as a featured speaker at the Annual Member Meeting on June 11.

James brings extensive experience in economic research, business development, strategic partnerships, and regional growth initiatives, and will share valuable insights into the economic trends and opportunities shaping Island County and the broader economic landscape.

Guests will also enjoy:
🍽 Catered buffet dinner by Chef Gordon Stewart
🤝 Networking with business and community leaders
📈 Economic insights and regional outlook discussions

Members, non-members, and guests are all welcome with registration.

🎟 Secure your tickets today: https://economicdevelopmentcouncilforislandcounty.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/YEFgb9YHNCZqv0gcK?

05/20/2026

Join us for an important conversation about housing, community, and economic vitality in Island County!

Our next EDC Coffee Chat features Orin Kolaitis of Habitat for Humanity of Island County, joining EDC Executive Director Kristina Hines to discuss how affordable housing connects to workforce stability, local business growth and stronger communities.

We’ll learn more about Habitat’s current projects, opportunities for community involvement, and reasons for optimism across the region.

📅 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM

Register for Zoom Details: https://members.edcislandcounty.org/event-calendar/Details/edc-coffee-chat-may-28-1710929?

Tag someone who should join the conversation 👇

05/19/2026

Curious how AI can help streamline your business or real estate investing? Join Brandon Ericson with Local Biz AI on June 4th for a practical, beginner-friendly workshop exploring real-world AI tools and applications.

Topics include:
• Effective AI prompting techniques
• Property research & due diligence
• Evaluating investment opportunities
• Task automation & business productivity tools
• Drafting communications, summaries, checklists & more

Free and open to everyone!

Please RSVP to: [email protected]