• Leading the list, of course, is Mason County Forest Products completion of their large log mill bringing their total investment in the community to $20 million and the addition of 80 employees in 2005. Bringing the total jobs at their two John’s Prairie mills to 190 employees.
  
  
• Other significant projects include Sims Vibration’s construction of a new 5,000 square foot administrative building; bringing their total footprint to 25,000 square feet. In addition, they have added 10 new employees.
  
  
• Continental Floral Greens expanded their operations by building a new 30,000 sq ft cold storage facility. Continental has 30 full time employees and has plans to add an additional 5-10 employees this year.
  
  
• Other investments include a new manufacturer in Belfair bringing 5 new jobs and Hawaiian Steam Engineers brining 4 jobs.
  
  
• Belco Forest Products is moving forward with their plans to add an additional 16,000 square foot building and 15 new employees.
  
  
• Simpson’s multi million dollar reinvestment into their mill on the Shelton waterfront.
  
  
• The total number of jobs that have been created or will be created from these expansions and new investments total 125 jobs.
  
  
• Our future looks positive as we work with companies that are considering investing in Mason County. The EDC is currently working with clients that would potentially create 518 local jobs.
  
  
• We have experienced a considerable amount of business activity from local companies expanding and in our marketing efforts.
  
  
• The Economic Development Council has successfully worked with 15 companies in business retention and expansion efforts.
  
  
• Responded to the needs of 12 industrial and business clients considering investing in Mason County. These companies represented manufacturing, tourism, distribution, and technology sectors.
  
  
• The organization responded to inquiries from over 30 prospective companies considering our community.
  
  
• As infrastructure is key to the future growth and prosperity of our community it was encouraging to see the successful funding of a number of projects. These projects include Belfair By-pass, Shelton Regional Water & Sewer Phase I, Belfair Sewer, and Hwy 3 improvements.
  
  
• 2005 was a year with alot of activity and a number of jobs created. We are excited and optimistic about the economic future of Mason County. Clearly there are a number of opportunities and a lot of work ahead of us.

Matt Matayoshi
Executive Director
Economic Development
Council of Mason Council
P.O. Box 472
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 426-2276