Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County - EDASC

10/13/2026

Want to learn more about EDASC's incoming CEO David Ballif and his Skagit connections? Read the article from the Skagit Valley Herald: https://www.skagit.org/news/p/item/69887/edasc-names-new-ceo

10/13/2026

Manufacturers, check this out 👀

What is your factory already telling you about flow, capacity, and growth?

Join Us for Impact Washington's-In The Works (Live) as we dig into facility layout with Paul Hamacher of Hamacher and Associates, LLC, who brings 30 years of manufacturing operations experience to the discussion.

We'll talk about why layout decisions are often made on gut feel instead of data, what that costs, and what manufacturers can learn by looking at their facility through a different lens.

This isn't a webinar. It's a conversation. Bring your questions, bring your own war stories, and join the discussion.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/efficient-facility-layout-what-your-factory-is-trying-to-tell-you-tickets-1996533249695 Sarah Stuart

10/12/2026

Learn how the NW Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology at Skagit Valley College connects students to high-wage trades in welding, marine electrical, and mechanics: https://www.skagit.org/news/p/item/69942/the-northwest-center-of-excellence-for-marine-manufacturing-&-technology

10/09/2026

Have you been thinking about AI in your workplace? This panel discussion may be for you.

🤖 What does responsible, people-centered AI adoption look like?

NWIRC is excited to join the Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) Coffee Chat Series for People-Centered AI: Boosting Productivity Without Replacing Jobs on Tuesday, October 13.

Our Data Analytics Program Manager, Amy Paquette, will join the panel to explore how businesses and workers can navigate AI adoption in practical, responsible, and people-centered ways.

The conversation will dig into:
Practical applications for AI that create meaningful value
Workforce readiness and upskilling
Responsible AI implementation
Reducing administrative burden while strengthening employee capacity
Preparing businesses and workers for a changing future

📅 Tuesday, October 13, 2026 🕣 8:30–9:30 a.m. PST 💻 Virtual via Zoom 🎟️ Free to attend | Registration required

Whether you’re an employer, small business owner, HR or operations leader, technology professional, workforce partner, or community stakeholder, this conversation offers an opportunity to explore how AI can support both business growth and workforce resilience.

Join EASC, NWIRC, and fellow business and workforce leaders for this timely conversation.

10/07/2026

The EDASC Board of Directors is pleased to announce David Ballif will take the helm at EDASC beginning Jan. 12, 2027.

"The Board and I have the utmost confidence that David will build upon the strong trajectory [current CEO] John Sternlicht has set out and bring EDASC into the next decade to further impact our business community for the better,” Board Chair Nikki Wegner said.

Ballif comes to EDASC from the Jefferson County, WA, EDC. He previously served as a career diplomat with USAID, overseeing economic development in six countries across Central America.

Ballif grew up in Skagit County and is looking forward to returning home, reacquainting himself with the North Cascades and taking in all there is to love about Magic Skagit.

Read more about Ballif here: https://tinyurl.com/bddmdeea

10/02/2026

Employers, there are just a few spots left for the WorkSource Regional Pop-Up Job Fair on Oct. 21. Call 360.676.3229 or visit https://tinyurl.com/3d9xr24v today to save your spot!

10/01/2026

Al participar en Startup School, no solo obtienes un plan de estudios en español, sino también acceso a expertos locales que presentarán los temas del curso.

Mira esta lista de presentadores locales:
Eligiendo el negocio correcto – Juan Morales, EDASC
Independiente y negocios desde casa – Alejandro Perez, NW Agriculture Business Center
El plan de negocios – Victor Ponce, Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Organización empresarial – Viry Delgado, COA
Licencias y permisos – Andrea Munoz, Labor and Industries
Financiación del negocio – Ricardo Tapia, WECU
Contabilidad y flujo de caja – Eulogio Gonzalez Skagit CPA Group
Fundamentos de las microfinanzas – Jorge Estefan, Community Action of Skagit County
Marketing – Silvia Reed, Skagit Valley Chamber of Commerce
Desarrollo de habilidades de negociación – Ryan Sakuma, Sakuma Brothers Farms

Registrate ahora: https://tinyurl.com/277zzkx8

09/30/2026

Skagit County Public Health's proposed changes to the 2027 fee schedule includes retail food safety permitting and inspections. If your business falls into this category, be sure to take a look at the proposed changes as some increases are significant. A public hearing will take place on Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at the county administration building, and public comment is currently being collected: https://www.skagitcountywa.gov/services/public-health/environmental-health/
Get involved in the process!

09/28/2026

Ready to make your dream business a reality? Startup School is offered at no cost, and will give you beneficial knowledge for starting and running your business.

Hurry, classes in Spanish start Oct. 6. Register today! https://tinyurl.com/277zzkx8