Associate Development Organization (ADO)
Learn more by visiting our economic development webpages: Choose Kittitas County, Business Resources, Our Communities, and Site Selection.
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is the Associate Economic Development Organization (ADO) for Kittitas County. Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is part funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce and strives to provide collaborative resources and economic growth to the county through specific economic development goals. Washington State is composed of 39 counties, each one represented by an Associate Economic Development (ADO) organization that furthers the county's or region's economic development goals. These ADOs are funded in part by the Department of Commerce and their performance and expertise is critical to our goal of growing the economy and building communities statewide.
Kittitas County and the City of Ellensburg (the City) engaged TIP Strategies (TIP) to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to guide economic development efforts in the region. For this plan, TIP’s three-phase Theory Into Practice planning model—discovery, opportunity, and implementation—was combined into two phases to meet project-specific objectives. With the guidance of a 24-member steering committee, the planning process included a robust analysis of economic, demographic, and workforce data, as well as extensive stakeholder input, and a series of economic development workshops for local practitioners. TIP will also conduct three additional workshops during the plan’s first 180 days and provide a one-year scorecard to support the implementation process.
TIP Strategies,Inc. is an Austin-based firm providing consulting and advisory services to public and private sector clients. Established in 1995, the firm's core competency in strategic planning for economic development has broadened to include expertise in talent strategies and organizational development.
"The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is an advocate for local businesses as well as Kittitas County and is positioned to assist in finding solutions and positive change for the community. By leveraging the collective strength of our members, we are able to influence public policy related to business and economic advancement, as well as the quality of life issues impacting businesses such as those related to transportation, housing and education. Our work in the community and our efforts to enhance the quality of life in the valley continues to be a driving force for our Chamber and its members. We know that quality of life issues are vital to attracting employers and employees alike to the communities in the county and maintaining a thriving tourism economy. Our strength lies in our ability to work together. We invite you to join us in our quest to build a stronger and more prosperous county. Choose Kittitas County."
-Amy McGuffin, Chief Executive Officer of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce
