Thurston Economic Development Council

Thurston Economic Development Council Economic development is about identifying opportunities and applying efforts that result in a vibrant and sustainable economy.

The Thurston EDC is the state-designated economic development agency for Thurston County, and in that role represents the County on a number of statewide, national and international issues. At the EDC, we accomplish this by connecting local businesses with experts and resources to help them stay competitive. Through our partnerships, the EDC can attract new industries and businesses, retain existi

ng employers, and expand interest in doing business in Thurston County. The purposeful mix of programs at the EDC is designed to provide entrepreneurs, small businesses, large firms, and our partner organizations with comprehensive and innovative services that support their growth and the diversity of our local economy.

- Business Resource Center (BRC): The BRC exists to develop the entrepreneurial network of Thurston County. It supports the entire business life-cycle - from planning, launching, growing, to turn-around and exit planning - by providing services and resources such as start-up help, established business counseling, training classes and more.

- Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): Thurston EDC is the statewide lead for Washington PTAC. This program creates and retains jobs by helping businesses find, bid and win government contracts. They provide technical assistance on how to sell to federal, state, and local governments, including the military.

- Thurston Energy: helps local businesses & homeowners save energy and reduce operating costs by connecting them to local contractors engaged in energy efficiency evaluations and improvements. This service lowers operation costs, frees up capital, reduces energy usage and puts folks int eh construction trades back to work.

- Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB): The WCWB provides entrepreneurial and small business counseling to women business owners throughout the region. The program will be an online and in-person social network of professional women, providing networking, training, counseling and encouragement for women who are starting or developing new businesses.

- Workforce Development: Workforce development helps businesses navigate the local public and private workforce system. This program does this by providing a road map that ensures access to the services that provide labor pool sourcing, training and certification programs, and by advocating for a strong and viable workforce.

- Tumwater Brewery Project: the Thurston EDC is working in collaboration with the City of Tumwater to implement a community vision for the redevelopment of the former Olympia Brewery site. The site is large and has regional benefits and impacts. The EDC brings a regional perspective and is setting the stage for private investment and public benefits.

A major expansion is taking shape in Olympia as TVW advances plans to expand its presence along Capitol Way South. Curre...
08/20/2026

A major expansion is taking shape in Olympia as TVW advances plans to expand its presence along Capitol Way South. Currently in engineering and building permit review, the TVW Expansion will add new space for parking, offices, events, and civic engagement while building on the organization’s existing facilities.

Owned by TVW -- Washington Public Affairs Network, designed by KMB Architects, and developed by Rants Group, the project at 1058 Capitol Way S will add approximately 84,000 square feet adjacent to the existing TVW building. The expansion will feature two levels of parking garage, one level of office space, and one level of event space. The project will also support the Ralph Munro Center for Civic Engagement, a public gathering space featuring multiple meeting venues and interactive learning spaces where Washingtonians of all ages can learn how all three branches of government work—and how they work together—to build and support our democracy.

Interested in learning more about this project and other developments shaping our region? Join us at the Thurston EDC Real Estate Forum.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus Event Center

The Real Estate Forum brings together developers, investors, brokers, planners, business leaders, and community partners to explore the projects, investments, and trends driving economic growth throughout Thurston County and the surrounding region.

Is your “independent contractor” really independent?Simply labeling someone a contractor, or having a signed contract, d...
08/20/2026

Is your “independent contractor” really independent?

Simply labeling someone a contractor, or having a signed contract, doesn’t automatically exempt you from workers’ compensation requirements. Knowing the rules can help you avoid unexpected penalties and back premiums. To learn more, visit: Lni.wa.gov/IndependentContractor

Project Spotlight: The HickoryAs Thurston County continues to grow, existing businesses are investing in their operation...
08/18/2026

Project Spotlight: The Hickory
As Thurston County continues to grow, existing businesses are investing in their operations and expanding their presence in the community. The Hickory, developed by Kaufman Construction, provides new space for two established local healthcare providers at 7700 Hickory Stick Lane NE in Lacey. The project includes Olympia Orthopedic Clinic and Ambulatory Surgery Center (25,812 sq. ft.) and Pacific Cataract Laser Eye Institute (17,481 sq. ft.), allowing both organizations to expand into new facilities. With Certificates of Occupancy issued, the businesses can now occupy their new spaces and begin operations.

Join Thurston EDC at our Real Estate Forum to learn how projects like The Hickory reflect continued investment and growth by existing businesses and hear from leaders driving development across Thurston County.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus Event Center

Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, planner, business leader, elected official, or simply interested in the future of our region, the Real Estate Forum offers valuable insights into the projects, trends, and partnerships shaping Thurston County.

We hope you'll join us for this important conversation.

Thank you South Sound Business for covering the Real Estate Forum 2026!
08/15/2026

Thank you South Sound Business for covering the Real Estate Forum 2026!

This year’s theme, 'Things You Can’t Ignore,' explores the forces reshaping commercial real estate statewide.

A new mixed-use development is taking shape in Lacey as Homes on Martin brings new housing and commercial space to Marti...
08/14/2026

A new mixed-use development is taking shape in Lacey as Homes on Martin brings new housing and commercial space to Martin Way East. Currently under construction and expected to be completed in mid-2027, the project will add market-rate apartments, shared amenities, and ground-floor commercial space to the area.

Developed by DNR Jensen Rentals LLC, the project at 9106 Martin Way E will feature a 96-unit, five-story, approximately 74,000-square-foot building. Residents will have access to common spaces and a courtyard, while ground-floor commercial space will add opportunities for businesses and services within the development.

Interested in learning more about this project and other developments shaping our region? Join us at the Thurston EDC Real Estate Forum.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus Event Center

The Real Estate Forum brings together developers, investors, brokers, planners, business leaders, and community partners to explore the projects, investments, and trends driving economic growth throughout Thurston County and the surrounding region.

Project Spotlight: The GibsonAs Thurston County continues to grow, unique housing developments like The Gibson are addin...
08/12/2026

Project Spotlight: The Gibson

As Thurston County continues to grow, unique housing developments like The Gibson are adding new options for residents while bringing personality and character to Olympia. Completed and now open, The Gibson, developed by Ken and Julie Brogan, offers affordable multi-family housing with an upscale rock-and-roll vibe at 505 Union Avenue in Olympia.

What makes The Gibson stand out is its music-inspired identity, with each unit named after legendary musicians including Perry, Hendrix, Frampton, Iommi, Zeppelin, Walsh, and Burton.

Join Thurston EDC at our Real Estate Forum 2026 to learn how projects like this are contributing to the region's economic future and hear from leaders driving development across Thurston County.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus Event Center

Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, planner, business leader, elected official, or simply interested in the future of our region, the Real Estate Forum offers valuable insights into the projects, trends, and partnerships shaping Thurston County.

We hope you'll join us for this important conversation.

Most people who want to own a business start with the wrong question. They ask what business to start, when the first qu...
08/11/2026

Most people who want to own a business start with the wrong question. They ask what business to start, when the first question is which path fits them: buy an existing business, build one from scratch, or buy a franchise.

Every path has a real cost. Buying an existing business gets you cash flow on day one plus whatever problems the seller did not mention. Starting from scratch gives you total control and the longest, most expensive learning curve. A franchise hands you a proven playbook, a set of rules you have to follow, and fees you keep paying.

In this session he walks through all three honestly, then goes deeper on franchising: how much wider the field is than the food brands everyone pictures, what it costs to get in, how people fund it, and what the search actually looks like from the first conversation to signing.

Bring your questions. Live Q&A is built into the hour.

Key takeaways
Attendees will leave knowing:

Which of the three paths fits their money, their timeline, and their tolerance for risk
What franchising actually is, and how far the field goes past the food brands most people picture, into trades, senior care, pets, fitness, and business services
What it costs to get into a franchise and the common ways people fund one, including using retirement savings without an early withdrawal penalty
What you give up inside a franchise, what stays yours, and why there is no such thing as a turn-key business

A unique new colorful commercial destination has taken shape in Olympia as the Olympia Dance Center transforms a former ...
08/10/2026

A unique new colorful commercial destination has taken shape in Olympia as the Olympia Dance Center transforms a former state office building into a vibrant space dedicated to dance, wellness, and community.

Developed by Johansen Olympia Dance Center and designed by Carve Architects, the completed project at 1110 Jefferson St SE features a multi-tenant dance and wellness space, including Ballet Northwest. The renovation gives new life to a former state office building while creating a specialized home for arts, movement, and wellness in the heart of Olympia.

Interested in learning more about this project and other developments shaping our region? Join us at the Thurston EDC Real Estate Forum.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus Event Center

The Real Estate Forum brings together developers, investors, brokers, planners, business leaders, and community partners to explore the projects, investments, and trends driving economic growth throughout Thurston County and the surrounding region.

Only a couple days left to register for NO COST our virtual business class on "Tourism Marketing" in SPANISH through Sca...
08/06/2026

Only a couple days left to register for NO COST our virtual business class on "Tourism Marketing" in SPANISH through ScaleUp Thurston and funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce! 👇💥 Quick and easy registration: https://form.typeform.com/to/fz4N2Hih
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Meet the trainer for this cohort below! 👇

Address

4220 6th Avenue SE
Lacey, WA
98503

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

(360) 754-6320

Website

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