2009 Economic Profile
and Membership Directory

Chamber
Mission Statement
To encourage and maintain a vibrant business community,
promote tourism, and facilitate economic development.

Looking Locally

"Going Local" is no longer a slogan, but a way of life.

What a dramatic year 2008 turned out to be for businesses in Mason County.

What used to be an airy, dreamy slogan – Shop Local – took on the sharp and well-defined edge of a business person’s battle cry.

Shop. Local. Indeed.

How did we ever let it go the other way? What did we think we were doing, hauling our money to Thurston, Pierce or Kitsap counties, handing our local earnings over to a national chain or big box store?

Today, thanks to questionable judgments made by many in Wall Street and at our nation’s largest financial firms, Mason County’s economy has changed, perhaps forever, in the way we do business with each other.

We need to decide what new strategies are going to work best, locally, as our whole world struggles to climb out of a recession.

Change is inevitable, not good or bad. Like a pearl in an oyster shell, opportunity hides in every situation. If you understand that adaptation is the key to survival, you do not mind the opportunity to re-examine your spending priorities, especially in relation to the price of a gallon of gas.

Shop local, brother. Shop local, sister. It’s the bright side of costlier gas.

More importantly, shopping local provides opportunities to get closer and learn what we have in common.

Rather than filling their gas tanks this past year, a whole new crop of bus riders filled Mason Transit seats instead. MTA officials reported a 27 percent increase in ridership for 2008, with a 60 percent increase on some routes.

There is plenty of other good news on the local front. Mason County’s tourism industry, a huge seasonal economic engine, held its own throughout 2008 despite our drastically unpredictable Northwest weather, which was anything but sunny and hot on most summer weekends.

As proof of our county’s resilience, again we saw huge crowds and spending at this year’s Oysterfest, though both days were bathed in rain.

With the year concluding, Mason County retained its reputation as a sought-after location for both working and retired people, ranking as the second-fastest growing county in Washington State.

The perfect mix of proximity to Interstate 5 – plus our lower cost of living and wilderness recreational opportunities – continue to give Mason County a competitive edge when it comes to overall quality of life. Combine that with the imagination and resilience of our people, and you have a county that will weather any storm, especially when we pull together to keep our focus local.

I can’t wait to start my own garden this year.

Travel times, they are a-changin’

Will mass transit become “middle of the road” for Mason County? Possibly, as high fuel costs are inspiring commuters to seek alternative routes of transportation.

Mason County Transit makes it easy with Dial-A-Ride service and other convenient features like bike racks for the free-wheelers among us. Call MTA at 426-5033.

The Fittest Survive

Rise of the Mason County Health Movement

Mason County is taking a healthy turn for the better. At least it seems that way if you count the number of new fitness clubs sprouting up within our borders.

Back in 1999, there was only the Shelton Athletic Club if you wanted to lift weights or burn calories by running in place.

Since then, seven fitness clubs, spas or yoga studios have sprung up county-wide to attract workout fans. Simply stated, our area is experiencing a surge in health and fitness training.

A new fitness club next to the post office in Union will probably be open by the time this article is published. Another small club recently opened in Hoodsport. There is now a women-only Curves in Belfair, plus a new spa, a revitalized Curves, a yoga studio, and an ultra-modern weight machine workout establishment to add to Shelton’s mix.

Making the biggest impact has been Anytime Fitness, a Chamber member on SheltonÕs Olympic Highway North, where in less than two years, the 24-hour private-key workout club has grown to more than 850 members, according to Kyle Cofield, Assistant Manager. As their name implies, AnytimeÕs secure access is a key component of their business strategy. In the mood to pump up at midnight?

No problem here. Anytime Fitness also provides staff during the day, an arrangement that includes generous doses of training tips for those uncertain how to begin weight training, or perhaps unfamiliar with the machines.

If you love treadmills and spinning, chrome and mirrors, this is the club for you. Anytime Fitness is in the top tier of national successful franchise chains, opening nearly one new franchise every day. The Shelton club is owned locally by Pam Schlauderhaff, and managed by Rich Unterseher, former strength and conditioning coach for Shelton High School. For more than 47 years, Rich has made it his mission to teach young people the value of discipline and perseverance, and his new role with Anytime Fitness allows him to continue teaching these skills. Recently, Rich and his staff have expanded their space to include cycling and aerobic classes.

Treadmills and Tradition

Meanwhile, the venerable Shelton Athletic Club has gotten a new face lift, of sorts. Owners Josh and Brandon Johnson have recently rolled out a minimalist print advertising campaign. Combined with accelerated equipment upgrades, the new look and changes are prompting a whole new generation of fitness enthusiasts to explore their options at the Shelton Athletic Club.

"We're still the only area health club with a lap pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and racquetball courts," says Josh Johnson. "We've also expanded our hours, as well as our variety and number of aerobic classes."

Josh says the club is geared for families and individuals, but also serves a lot of seniors who appreciate the relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. The club is also known for its flexibility in payment arrangements, especially for those temporarily out of town.

A New Spin
on Some
New Curves

Last November Susan and David Counard bought Curves in downtown Shelton. Since then, a lot of energy has gone into revitalizing the Railroad Avenue fitness franchise that originally opened
in 2002.There is certainly no shortage of energy when it comes to Susan and her desire to help others achieve their fitness goals. The Curves program, a women-only regimen designed to burn calories and tone muscles in 30 minutes, allows Susan a chance to interact with each client on a one-to-one basis.

"This is my chance to change women's lives," Susan says, pointing out that she had previously managed a Curves franchise in Lacey for four years before buying the one in Shelton.ÒI just knew I could take this to the next level,Ó Susan says of her opportunity.

"Curves is for women who wouldn't work out anywhere else. Everyone here is unique. Each requires the right mix of discipline and encouragement," Susan says. Since November, Susan has signed up 175 new customers, spending additional time on the telephone with some of them to make sure they follow through on their workout goals.

She acts as coach, mentor and cheerleader. Susan also commutes every day from Thurston County.The words Òcelebrate, correct, compelÓ provide the foundation of positive attitude that Susan teaches her three employees and two workers from the Exceptional Foresters program. Blessed with ample enthusiasm, she has the perfect personality for the owner of a fitness club. She is also one of the new, beaming faces you will find in the growing health and fitness sector of our economy.