FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Transition in Economic Development Coordinator Position
Oak Harbor, WA - November 30, 2024 - The City of Oak Harbor announces a transition as Steve McCaslin concludes his role as Economic Development Coordinator. With the two-year ARPA Grant funding period coming to an end, Steve has successfully completed his term.
During his tenure, Steve made contributions that have set a solid foundation for future economic growth in Oak Harbor. He educated stakeholders through presentations on local economic principles, provided valuable insights to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, and engaged with local businesses through initiatives like the Business Walkabout, where he connected with 107 businesses to gather feedback and strengthen community relations. His efforts also included conducting a Business Climate Survey to assess the local business environment and identify areas for improvement, as well as producing data-driven Leakage and Demographic Reports to inform economic strategies.
In addition to these achievements, Steve advanced the pending sale of the Goldie Road property and researched various business and industrial incentives to attract new enterprises, including opportunities for food trucks. He also explored workforce development strategies to enhance readiness and employment opportunities, all while networking with economic development professionals in Snohomish and Skagit counties.
Looking to the future, several projects are underway. The development of an Economic Development Strategic Action Plan is set to continue, with a consultant and completion targeted for Spring 2025. Additionally, Business Walkabouts will expand outreach with updated questionnaires to connect with more businesses, and the analysis of the Business Leakage Report will carry on to further assess the needs of local businesses.
Reflecting on Steve's contributions, Development Services Director David Kuhl stated, “Steve has created a good foundation for economic development in Oak Harbor. This is something we can build upon in the future.”
The City of Oak Harbor is grateful for Steve’s dedication and hard work, and we look forward to building on the momentum he has generated. For more information on economic development initiatives in Oak Harbor, please contact David Kuhl at dkuhl@oakharbor.org.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Magi Aguilar, Communications Officer
City of Oak Harbor
maguilar@oakharbor.org