Big Picture.  Big Projects

Investments in planning, strategic partnerships and creative brain power ought to keep many important projects moving forward in Mason County.

According to Mason County Commissioner Lynda Ring-Erickson, most Washington State rural counties saw their highway and infrastructure projects facing postponement or cancellation of state and federal funds – due, for the most part, to shrinking tax revenues.

So far, this has not been the case for Mason County.

North County on the Move

Ring-Erickson cites the Belfair Highway bypass project as an example of our county receiving priority over many other competing counties and projects. The level of out-of-county funding for the sewer portion of the project is unprecedented, she said.

Ring-Erickson attributes key influence on behalf of U.S. Representative Norm Dicks and Governor Christine Gregoire. “We are the envy of every other rural county,” Erickson said.

The Belfair Water District, with assistance from the Mason County Economic Development Council, was able to secure funding for an expanded waterline to increase fire flow to the commercial core of Belfair. Increased flow is also allowing for further commercial development such as the new Rite Aid.

Hood Canal received passing grades recently from a water quality study done in the North County-Belfair area. Water quality levels for the summer of 2008 were significantly higher than previous years.

Plans went forward for an outdoor stage to be constructed near the gazebo at the Port of Allyn waterfront park. The gazebo and surrounding park provide the location for Allyn Days, a popular summer event, as well as plenty of private parties and gatherings.

Union Developments

Think you’ve seen more yachts in the Union area this past summer? You’re right, thanks to a new marine filling station at the Hood Canal (Union) Marina. Gas and diesel have been flowing freely since last June at the revamped ramp, now owned and operated through the Alderbrook Resort and Spa.

Next door, the Union Bay Café has undergone a similar transformation, with cozy furniture, big-screen televisions, lighter wood tones, and a few other tasty touches making it a more relaxed and stylish place to congregate or dine. Landscaping improvements have made the site a favorite photo stop when the Olympic Mountains show their glory.

Up the hill, Alderbrook Properties ran an aggressive marketing campaign on several Seattle radio stations throughout 2008 to help move their inventory of pristine home sites surrounding the gorgeous Alderbrook Golf Course and Country Club.

Meanwhile, Union’s Cameo Boutique was voted the Best Boutique of Western Washington by King 5 TV’s Evening Magazine.

Port Celebrates 60 Years

The Port of Shelton commemorated 60 years of service with a giant summer open house and one-day festival, drawing nearly 5,000 visitors to Sanderson Field.

At the same time, the port fixed its sights on the next 60 years, starting with an upgrade of their triangle logo that now includes jet aircraft.

Meanwhile, the port continues to invest in improvements to the Shelton Marina and waterfront park, including new landscaping and the removal of obsolete fuel storage tanks.

In 2008, Belco Forest Products expanded their operations at their mill facility in Johns Prairie. The construction of two new warehouse facilities brought 16 new jobs to Mason County, bringing the company’s total local workforce to 61.

Coeur d’Alene Fiber Fuels built a new woodstove pellet manufacturing facility in Mason County, creating 15 new manufacturing jobs while pouring $10 million of new capital investment into the local economy.

Solutions through Alliances

The Port of Shelton, Mason County government, and the Manke Family Resources Company all worked together to bring about the Capital Hill Road Relocation project, which will transform more than 100 acres in the Johns Prairie area into commercially developable land.

In nearby Oakland Bay, water quality challenges began a mitigation process through the combined efforts and cooperation of Mason County officials, the City of Shelton, local shellfish growers, tribal government, state agencies and concerned citizens. Claiming the cooperative efforts to be “a model for others to follow,” County Commissioner Linda Ring-Erickson gave high praise to improved water quality standings of what is now know as the Oakland Bay Clean Water District.

Finally, state highway dollars successfully lobbied for by State Senator Tim Sheldon are currently at work in the form of the Purdy Creek bridge widening project, designed to mitigate seasonal Skokomish River Valley flooding and closures of State Highway 101.

Changing Landscapes

Opposite page, top to bottom: Purdy Creek Bridge work; Oakland Bay, looking north; view from Shelton Yacht Club; Union Marina and the Olympic Mountains prior to installation of new marine fuel dock .

Port of Shelton commissioners proudly display the port’s new logo design.

Bottom: Autumn traffic is flagged through the one-lane temporary bypass while cranes prepare to lift a Purdy Creek bridge span into place. Most likely you will not see salmon swimming across the road here anymore during autumn flood conditions.