NODC Projects

Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network

Mon, 05 May 2025 18:35:04 GMT

Ecosystem Protection and Recovery

NODC is the administrative and fiscal home of the Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network (Strait ERN), a Local Integrating Organization (LIO) for the Strait of Juan de Fuca Action Area on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Strait ERN is a collaborative network working toward a healthy and resilient ecosystem that sustains all life and human wellbeing on the North Olympic Peninsula and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The area served by the Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network stretches across the entire northern edge of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula from Cape Flattery to Point Wilson.

Learn more about Strait ERN's work at straitern.org .

Energy and Environmental Resilience Conferences

Wed, 17 May 2023 23:59:05 GMT

Energy Resilience on the North Olympic Peninsula

The geographically isolated North Olympic Peninsula of Washington is connected to the broader electrical transmission system by a single line. This affects both everyday reliability of the grid and its resilience, resulting in frequent, often weather-driven outages, that can last for days. It also limits the loads that the system can support for economic development and community needs. Further, a disaster like a tsunami or earthquake is projected to leave the region without power for up to a year.

A coalition of organizations on the North Olympic Peninsula is eager to increase local energy resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy independence for remote communities, and enable economic development and job opportunities. However, it’s important to better understand the most critical needs, evaluate potential technologies, and assess what workforce and local capacity will be needed to build and operate new energy projects.

To better understand the most critical needs, explore solutions, and identify opportunities for broader collaboration, NODC partners with regional stakeholders, including local governments, tribal communities, public utilities, and economic development agencies, on an annual conference that addresses the energy and environmental resilience concerns of the North Olympic Peninsula. The conferences are attended by individuals representing local governments, Tribes, utility providers, subject matter experts, economic development agencies and nonprofit organizations, federal, state and private funders, and the private sector. The conferences have resulted in a number of collaborations and ongoing projects.

Conference Agendas

2025 North Olympic Peninsula Energy and Environmental Resilience Conference (October 21-22)

2024 North Olympic Peninsula Summit on Energy and Climate Resilience (October 29-30)

2023 North Olympic Peninsula Energy Futures Convening (November 9)

2022 North Olympic Peninsula Energy Futures Conference (November 2-4)

2022 Energy Futures Conference Overview

Marine Renewable Energy

Wed, 17 May 2023 23:58:43 GMT

Marine Renewable Energy Feasibility Project

In early 2023, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) received a grant from the US Department of Energy Water Power Technology Office to explore the feasibility of Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) to increase grid resilience on the North Olympic Peninsula. PNNL will examine a number of factors affecting feasibility of MRE at various sites on the Peninsula, including the amount of tidal energy that can be generated, grid infrastructure available for grid tie-in and islanded operation and the potential for combining MRE with other renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and battery storage to increase resilience.

As a partner on the project, NODC will build on previous regional planning processes for climate change adaptation, natural disaster resilience and energy to develop and lead a multi-criteria decision-making approach to engage communities and Tribes across the Peninsula in the project to identify needs and define important project metrics. NODC will facilitate community meetings and roundtable discussions to collect input, guide framework development, and eventually share results. NODC will also host a community workshop to support energy planning in the region and get feedback on potential MRE project benefits and highest-value project outcomes. NODC will work with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to document the community-driven planning process so that others can learn from this work.

NODC will also conduct an analysis on the economic development opportunities that MRE-based microgrids could provide to the Olympic Peninsula, including potential benefits from increased system resilience, from additional capacity to support new demand and from job creation opportunities. These findings will be integrated into the final project report.

Regional Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:39:53 GMT

Climate Change Planning

In late 2020, NODC was awarded funding through the Puget Sound Partnership from the EPA's National Estuary Program for Phase 2: Municipal Level Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula . Building on the 2015 Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula (CCP NOP), this project established regional adaptation and mitigation goals for the North Olympic Peninsula and developed specific climate action plans for local communities that integrate with the CCP NOP plan, local government comprehensive and shoreline master plans, and other relevant plans. The project was completed October 2022.

Regional and Local Climate Action Planning

Local governments, Tribes,and community stakeholders came together to agree on actionable, regional goals to address climate change. Specific outcomes included:

Region-wide actionable goals for action by all partners, summarized in the report Climate and Resiliency Planning on the North Olympic Peninsula (2022) ;
Creation of a climate change planning “ toolkit ,” available online and for download, with sample decision-making checklists, code and regulations;
Development of local climate action or implementation plans for Clallam County, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Port Angeles and Port Townsend.

Why Is This Issue Important?

Local communities are already feeling the effects of climate change. Local governments must begin planning now to develop policies and infrastructure to prepare for projected effects such as sea level rise, extreme rain and snow events and increased wildfire risk.

Success Stories

Goals and strategies from Climate and Resiliency Planning on the North Olympic Peninsula developed by this project are already being incorporated into other plans that will lead to action at the local and regional level. In addition, issues raised during the planning meetings led directly to a regional effort to incorporate climate projections into hazard mitigation and emergency management plans, summarized in Natural Disaster Resiliency Planning on the North Olympic Peninsula: Final Report , and to a 3-day conference in November 2022 to begin developing a roadmap for a more resilient energy system on the Peninsula.

What You Can Do

Encourage local leaders to take the threat of climate change seriously and to plan for its effects. Join public planning efforts and work with others to develop concrete goals and strategies.

Future Opportunities

The project now enters a third phase, focused on development, funding and implementation of the adaptation strategies and actions that will prepare the North Olympic Peninsula for the changing climate.

Links to Reports and Resources

Climate and Resiliency Planning on the North Olympic Peninsula: Final Report (2022, 25 pages)
Climate and Resiliency Planning on the North Olympic Peninsula: Regional Meetings (2022, 157 pages, includes updated climate projections )
Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula: Project Summary (2022, 6 pages)
Natural Disaster Resiliency Planning on the North Olympic Peninsula: Final Report (2022, 30 pages)
NODC Climate Action Toolkit (website)
NODC Climate Action Toolkit PDF (2022, 43 pages)
Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula (2015, 101 pages)

Broadband Initiative

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:48:23 GMT

Clallam County Broadband Vision

NODC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2016-2020 for the North Olympic Peninsula identified expansion of broadband access as critical to economic development in the region .

While urban areas of the United States enjoy broadband speeds of up to 1 GB, geographically isolated and economically disadvantaged rural areas like the North Olympic Peninsula are being left behind. Large areas of the North Olympic Peninsula lack access to even minimum broadband speeds of 25 mbps. This makes it nearly impossible for students to use the internet for schoolwork, for employees to telework, or for farmers and small businesses to use new technologies and develop online marketing.

Lack of access is particularly common in the sparsely populated, geographically rugged west end of the Olympic Peninsula. Surprisingly, though, even areas near or within the city limits of the Peninsula’s major towns can lack access. Attempts to address the situation have been challenged by the high costs of infrastructure in our rugged rural terrain and the need for a coordinated, collaborative and sustained effort. In March 2019, NODC worked with partners to present a two day regional broadband symposium that brought together local governments, tribes, Public Utility Districts, ports, internet service providers, funders, industry experts and the general public. Attended by 120 people, the symposium resulted in the formation of Broadband Action Teams in Jefferson County, Sequim, Port Angeles and greater Clallam County.

Clallam County Broadband Team

The Clallam County Community Broadband Team formed as a result of NODC’s Regiona l Broadband Symposium in March, 2019. Stakeholders came together with a commitment to expand access to broadband internet throughout Clallam County.

Broadband Symposium

The NODC Regional Broadband Symposium on March 18-19, 2019, was attended by more than 120 people from across Clallam and Jefferson Counties.

Clallam County Community Broadband Team

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:02:38 GMT

About the Clallam County Broadband Team

Read the Final Clallam County Broadband Plan

Vision of the Clallam Broadband Team

Goals of the Clallam Broadband Team

Work creatively, innovatively and collaboratively with existing and potential broadband providers to develop multiple funding sources, explore new technologies and leverage existing technologies and infrastructure to expand broadband infrastructure, capacity and services in a manner that delivers affordable access, increases and encourages adoption and provides a reasonable return on investment.

Promote digital inclusion within the residential community by ensuring that all residents have the affordable access, tools and skills needed to become fully connected to and engaged with the Clallam community and the world at large, by taking full advantage of broadband services and the internet.

Promote economic development and opportunity by ensuring that all businesses have the access, tools and skills needed to take full advantage of broadband services and the internet.

Promote public health and public safety by ensuring access to broadband services needed by the sheriff, police, fire districts, hospitals, medical and emergency management personnel throughout the County to protect the health, safety and welfare of all the County’s constituencies.

Enhance and expand educational opportunities as needed through provision of uniform, high capacity services to all pre-K-12 and higher education institutions, as well as necessary telelearning services for students at home.

Ensure that governments have high capacity, affordable broadband service for the provision of services electronically to residents, from both within office environments and remotely.

Build an environment of trust between all the County’s constituencies as it relates to the development, enhancement, expansion and utilization of broadband services.

Promote a resilient broadband network throughout the County that can continue to be available in the face of natural and manmade disasters, emergencies and other catastrophic scenarios, so that all constituencies in the County can continue to share information and work collaboratively to affect a positive outcome.

T ake the Broadband Speed Test

Broadband Community Events

At the October meetings, experts in the broadband and telecommunications field were on hand to discuss the future of broadband service in Clallam County. Meeting facilitators answered questions and welcomed comments from participants. The discussions centered on a wide range of topics such as current and future service needs (service expansion, higher speed data communications, more portable and mobile communications, provision of residential and business services and applications, etc.) and infrastructure availability concerns (expansion of fiber optics and wireless systems, availability of new networks, extension of existing networks, network interconnections, etc.). For more information, contact clallambroadbandteam@noprcd.org .

Community Broadband Meeting

Forks and Western Clallam County

October 21, 2020

Watch on YouTube

Community Broadband Meeting

Port Angeles and Central Clallam County

October 28, 2020

Watch on YouTube

Community Broadband Meeting

Sequim and Eastern Clallam County

October 29, 2020

Watch on Facebook

Covid-19 Regional Economic Recovery Planning

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:12:02 GMT

Support for Community Projects

Thanks to a grant from the Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act supplemental funding program, NODC has hired an Economic Recovery Coordinator to work with local governments and economic development agencies in Jefferson and Clallam Counties to develop and implement economic recovery and resiliency plans; identifying economic development grant-eligible projects and assisting in securing funding for economic infrastructure such as broadband that is vital to economic recovery and resilience; and identifying and fostering private and nonprofit partnership opportunities, especially in key economic sectors such as marine trades, food systems and forest products. These activities align with the most pressing needs identified by local governments and economic development partners and build on identified regional assets to spur economic recovery and resilience.

For more information, contact Karen Affeld, Executive Director at karen@noprcd.org or call (360) 477-1593 .

North Olympic Peninsula Agricultural Business Advising

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 23:19:46 GMT

Business Consulting for Farm and Food Businesses

Since 2020, the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council (NODC) has supported a vibrant farm and food economy in Clallam and Jefferson Counties by providing intensive, individualized business advising. The most recent Farm and Food Business Advising Program ended September 2025. This work was funded by USDA Rural Business Development grants. The funded projects were aimed at helping farm and food businesses increase revenue and retain or increase jobs.

Objectives included:

Providing intensive, in-depth, individualized assistance to 10–20 farm and food businesses
Providing short-term assistance or referrals to 10 additional enterprises
Partnering with WSU’s Regional Small Farms Program to provide in-depth, specialized workshops

The programming successfully navigated the challenging years of COVID, pivoting to different methods including in-person, outdoor, masked sessions, phone, email, and Zoom. Despite the challenges faced during the height of the pandemic, the program managed to exceed its goal for businesses served during those years.

Workshops spanned numerous topics, identified by agriculture business owners as the most critical to their success. These workshops were held both in-person across the two counties, as well as virtually via Zoom. Previous workshops have addressed topics including:

Applying for USDA Grants (2020 grant)
Setting Your Farm Up for Employees (2020 grant)
Employment Insurance (2020 grant)
Costs of Farm Labor (2020 grant)
Agricultural Leases 101 (2020 grant)
Preparing for a Farm Loan (2020 grant)
E-Commerce Marketing Strategies (2020 grant)
WSDA Local Food Systems Infrastructure Grant technical assistance (2023 grant)
Navigating the Funding Landscape: An overview of grants available at the federal, state, and private levels (2023 grant)
Refining bookkeeping techniques and methods (2023 grant)
Farm taxes: being ahead of the curve come tax time (2023 grant)
Marketing: telling your story and expanding your reach (2023 grant)
Expanding market channels for farm and food businesses (2023 grant)
Demystifying Debt: Leveraging smart loans to scale and grow your business (2023 grant)

See below for links to additional webinars.

This program was funded in part by an award from USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grant program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

The webinars below have been recorded and are hosted on the WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program YouTube channel.

Webinar – Farm Human Resources and Employee Management: Part 1

April 17, 2025

This webinar is ideal for farmers, farm managers, and anyone responsible for building and leading a farm crew, particularly for those at the beginning of hiring and managing crew (3-5 years or under).

Running a successful farm business means growing more than crops. It means growing a strong, motivated team. Emily Asmus of Welcome Table Farm and Seth Hunt from NODC will dig into practical strategies for hiring, managing, and supporting farm employees.

In this webinar you will:

Learn how to write compelling job descriptions.
Recruit the right employees and build a positive, productive workplace culture.
Participate in an interactive breakout session to share real-world challenges and successes around hiring, firing, and retaining employees.
Learn how to turn past management struggles into tools for better leadership and a stronger farm team.

This program is funded in part by an award from USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grant program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Webinar – Farm Grants From Start to Finish: Budgets, Logistics, Reports

March 25, 2025

Webinar on how to approach grant funding for your farm business. Have you wondered if a grant is the answer to all your farm’s needs? Learn about the opportunities and realities of not only finding the right grant fund to match your needs, but also the administrative logistics required to fulfill the grant deliverables. The class will mix instruction with hands-on learning and practice to help you decide if grants could be right for you. Speakers include Angela Glore and Paul Shiefen from North Olympic Development Council.

This program is funded in part by an award from USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grant program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Webinar – Understanding Crop Insurance for the Small Farm

March 10, 2025

Webinar on USDA Crop Insurance, covering how to assess farm risks and choose the right coverage to protect your crops from weather, disease, pests, and market shifts. Learn about available and underutilized USDA programs geared towards the small to mid-sized farm to safeguard your business.

This program is funded in part by an award from USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grant program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Webinar – Market Channels for Food and Farm Enterprises

Thursday, March 7, 2024

This webinar is for the diversified grower or food producer looking to expand their market channels or learn about existing channels from experienced panel of speakers. Topics Include: hear from a panel of experienced farmers and buyers; identify diverse market channels and tips for accessing new markets (this includes wholesale); and expanding your current market channels. Additional resources here .

Webinar – Farm and Food Grants

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Hosted by the Jefferson County Farmers Market Association, North Olympic Development Council and Washington State University Extension Regional Small Farms Program.Speakers include Carlotta Donisi with USDA Rural Development and Ryan McCarthey with NODC.

Topics include:

–An overview of federal, state and independent grant opportunities.

–Submitting your strongest application.

–Knowing your resources.

Webinar – E-Commerce Marketing Strategies for Farms and Food Businesses

Tuesday, Nov 9, 2021

As the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted consumer buying habits, farm and food businesses need to rethink their e-commerce marketing strategies. Is your e-commerce platform and presence up to the challenge? Susan Shoemaker, Business Assistance Specialist with NODC, shares her thoughts on several topics including:

– Optimization of your website and online search presence
– Practical tips on using social media
– The development and linking of websites and e-commerce platforms
– And some thoughts on setting up a website and e-commerce platform if starting from scratch

Hosted by NODC and WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program, this free webinar is made possible by funding from USDA Rural Development.

Webinar – Preparing for a Farm Loan

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2021

As farmers looking to purchase ag land, here is a session just for you. Two experts in the field of agriculture real estate lending share their perspective on this topic. This free webinar is made possible by funding from USDA Rural Business Development.

Webinar – Agricultural Leases 101

Wednesday, Sept 8, 2021

When leasing land, developing a strong agricultural lease is important to all parties involved. In this webinar, we will walk participants through important considerations of an ag lease. This free webinar is made possible by funding from USDA Rural Business Development.

USDA Grant Programs Webinar and Farmer Q&A

Thursday, Feb 25, 2021

NODC and WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program moderated a discussion about upcoming USDA Grant Program applications and how each program may work for your farm. There was also a Q&A session with a local farmer and recipient of multiple USDA programs, sharing their experience and lessons learned.

View the recording on the WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program YouTube channel. This free webinar is made possible by funding from USDA Rural Development.

Additional videos in this series can be found at the WSU Extension online learning site.

Covid-19 Response: Online Marketing and E-Commerce Assistance for Small Businesses

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 20:18:58 GMT

Business Assistance Program – Ended December 31, 2022

Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses on the North Olympic Peninsula depended upon walk-in traffic and word of mouth advertising to communicate the unique personality of their businesses for much of their success.

Help with Website, Ecommerce and Social Media

Through COVID’s impact, consumers have forever shifted much of their purchasing and scheduling online, leaving some business owners challenged to make this sustainable digital shift. NODC’s free Business Assistance Program helped businesses impacted by COVID make that shift.

The Business Assistance Program was funded by the Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act supplemental funding program, which ended June 30, 2022.

Thanks to a grant from Jefferson County ARPA funds administered by EDC Team Jefferson, NODC continu ed to offer free, practical, confidential, hands-on help and coaching for business websites, ecommerce, and social media marketing to affected businesses located in Jefferson County. The Business Assistance Program for Jefferson County ended December 31, 2022.

All together, NODC provided assistance to approximately 45 businesses across the two counties.

“This is an opportunity for local businesses to attract consumers from both on and off the Olympic Peninsula.

As locals and tourists return to stores, the digital advantage of a strong website and current

social media presence will remain, enabling a connection to our beautiful area”

– Susan Shoemaker, NODC Business Assistance Specialist

Business Assistance Services Provided

Evaluation of online marketing strategies and platforms, including social media, business website, e-commerce site, and Google Local listing
Practical, hands-on coaching and training
Assistance in setting up social media accounts and planning content
Development of new websites and/or e-commerce sites

What NODC Business Assistance Program Clients Said About the Program

“I enjoyed our Zoom meeting. Nice to be able to learn something new. I found the information you shared to be

extremely helpful and I am excited to implement the tips and get my website up and running!”
– Regina SieFried of “ The Perfect Season ”, a home décor boutique located on Water Street in Port Townsend

“Thanks again, Susan. The meeting was so informative and made us feel much more at ease

about where we are at and what we need to do”
– Debbie and Tom Sonander of “ Celtic Crossroads NW ” , an ecommerce site for Celtic apparel located in Port Townsend

“I'm so excited to take on the projects we discussed. Thanks for your support and guidance!”

– Virginia Williams of “ Vitality by Virginia ”, a licensed esthetician located in Port Angeles

The NODC Business Assistance Program Ended December 31, 2022

These services were free of charge and available to existing businesses in Clallam County through June 30, 2022 and in Jefferson County through December 31, 2022.

Olympic Peninsula Farmers Fund

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 18:26:53 GMT

Supporting Local Farmers and Food Banks

Photo by Patrick Downs

The Olympic Peninsula was an early seat of agriculture in Washington. The region and its Dungeness Valley were among the first to be farmed in the state. Today, despite pressure from development that has greatly reduced the amount of agricultural land, the area remains home to a diverse network of small farms that supply fresh, healthy food to area residents and larger cities across the Puget Sound. The mild climate and alluvial soils produce greens, mixed vegetables, fruits and berries, grains, dairy, meat and eggs.

In Spring of 2020, farmers in Jefferson and Clallam counties were just gearing up for spring when COVID-19 hit our community. Farmers and food producers that relied on farmers' markets, restaurants, and events for their sales had little or no market for their harvests.

A group of people across several organizations watched this with growing alarm. In an effort to help the farmers and our local food community, the Olympic Peninsula Farmers Fund (OPFF) was born. The North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council (NODC), WSU Extension Small Farms Program , North Olympic Land Trust and Jefferson Land Trust created the OPFF to provide immediate assistance to the farmers and long-term benefit to area food banks. Administered by NODC, the OPFF provided pre-paid, long term contracts of $1,500 to $5,000 for farmers to provide food for food banks and community food programs during the 2020 season and over the following 1-3 years.

The OPFF set an initial goal of raising $50,000 and with fundraising campaigns by Jefferson Land Trust, North Olympic Land Trust, NODC and a grant from Jefferson Community Foundation, they exceeded that goal. In June, $50,250 was distributed to 12 farms in Jefferson and Clallam counties and our local food banks and community food programs benefited from the program all summer. Members of our community received healthy, locally produced products such as eggs, cheese, milk, vegetables, fruit and honey. The Olympic Peninsula Farmers Fund was featured in an article in the Pew Charitable Trust publication Stateline as an example of the cooperative relationship that can be built between farmers and food banks.

OPFF opened a second round of applications and in December 2020, distributed more than $70,000 in additional contracts. Funding for this round came from a $15,000 grant from the Benjamin N. Phillips Memorial Fund of the Seattle Foundation, more than $12,000 in individual donations, and support from federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds allocated through Jefferson and Clallam counties.

Ten farms in Clallam and Jefferson counties receive d contracts and local food banks and food programs received fish, meat, goat cheese, raw milk, produce and honey from local farmers.

For questions, please contact info@noprcd.org

Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 21:53:22 GMT

Eating Local on the Olympic Peninsula

Photo Credit: Midori Farms

Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula is a collaboration of the WSU Extension Small Farms Program , Port Townsend Food Co-op , the Olympic Culinary Loop , Jefferson County Farmers Markets , The Local Food Trust and NODC to promote increased access to and consumption of locally-grown food. NODC acts as the fiscal and administrative sponsor for the project.

Goals of Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula:

Grow and sustain sales for local farmers and food producers

Grow sales for locally-owned food businesses like grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, fisheries, and wine, cider and beer makers

Minimize barriers for institutional food buyers such as hospitals, schools, retirement homes, and community organizations that want to purchase local and regionally- sourced food

Increase access to local and regionally-sourced food for low-income and rural populations

Serve as the trusted community resource for finding seasonal, local and regional foods from the Olympic Peninsula region

Educate consumers on how to use local crops and when they are in season

In November, 2019, Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula hosted the Farm to Table Trade Expo to connect farmers and producers to local wholesale buyers such as restaurants and retailers. This successful event was attended by more than 75 people from across the region, split evenly between buyers and sellers. In post-event surveys, 91% of attendees rated the Expo as good or excellent and 79% made new market connections to buyers or sellers.

In September, 2020, Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula launched its Eat Local First marketing campaign. Partners worked with over 35 farms, grocers, restaurants, farmers markets, wineries, ranchers and fish providers to engage the community in purchasing and eating local food.

Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula also acts as the steering committee for NODC’s USDA-funded project Developing Wholesale Markets for Farmers on the Olympic Peninsula .

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 08:00:00 GMT

Economic Development Districts

Economic Development Districts (EDDs) are multi-jurisdictional entities, commonly composed of multiple counties. They help lead the locally-based, regionally driven economic development planning process that brings together the public, private, and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic blueprint (i.e., an economic development roadmap) for regional collaboration. The EDD is funded by the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.

The strategic blueprint, known as a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. A CEDS is the result of a “regionally-owned” planning process designed to guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. It provides a coordinating mechanism for individuals, organizations, local governments, Tribes, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation and debate about the economic direction of their region.

NODC is the Economic Development District of Jefferson and Clallam Counties on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, and produces the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy report for the region.

What is a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)?

The CEDS helps to build on the strengths of [our] region, as well as identify gaps in resources or expertise that need to be addressed
The CEDS planning process can facilitate regional collaboration, expand supply chains, and grow and support new industry clusters
With a CEDS in place, regions are more likely to attract federal funds and technical assistance by demonstrating resources are used efficiently and effectively
The CEDS process can make [our] region more resilient and better positioned to plan for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and economic shocks
The CEDS can be much more than just a static document, but rather an engaging platform that generates region-wide discussions and serves as a call to action for economic development

Learn more about the process of creating a CEDS here .

Current and previous CEDS reports for the North Olympic Peninsula can be found here .

Developing Regional Wholesale Markets for Farmers on the Olympic Peninsula

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 08:00:00 GMT

USDA Rural Development Grant

The NODC was awarded a planning grant of $38,891 from USDA Rural Development’s Local Food Promotion Program in December 2019 to identify the most effective strategies to expand regional wholesale markets for producers on the North Olympic Peninsula. NODC worked with partners WSU Clallam County Extension , The Local Food Trust and Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula on a study targeting producers who are interested in expanding and could benefit the most from assistance with aggregation, distribution and capacity building, as well as buyers who want to increase their purchases of local food but have faced barriers in working with multiple small producers. Specific objectives of the project included:

Determine the needs and capacity of both buyers and producers across the Olympic Peninsula.
Identify local assets and supply chains to increase market channels and acquisition.
Provide recommendations for needed infrastructure appropriate to the scale of producer, buyer and regional needs.

The report on the project, Developing Regional Wholesale Markets for Farmers on the Olympic Peninsula: Assessment, Barriers and Recommendations , can be read here .

Strategies for Increasing Community Benefit from North Olympic Peninsula Forests

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 08:00:00 GMT

REDI Technical Assistance Award

In June 2019, NODC was one of 48 organizations across the US to receive a technical assistance award from the USDA Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative. USDA is funding Rural Development Initiatives (RDI), based in Eugene, Oregon, to assist NODC in using the WealthWorks model to develop strategies for increasing community benefit from our region’s working forest lands. Strategies might include:

Value-adding of under-utilized species like native hardwoods.
Expanding production from non-industrial private landowners.
Developing community forests.
Thermal modification of wood products.
Support for entrepreneurship in the wood value-adding sector.

As part of the planning process, NODC has convened a series of small meetings with stakeholders. With the help of analysis from RDI, NODC will hold additional meetings with partners and stakeholders to narrow the focus of the work and develop a plan for next steps in support of selected strategies.

Climate Protection Campaign

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 08:00:00 GMT

In 2007, The NODC agreed to grant up to 50% of the cost of membership for cities and counties in the area to join ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) and purchase software required to do a professional baseline inventory of energy use and projections of greenhouse gas emissions in this area. To date, the Council has paid $1,500 in membership support, which has allowed the City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Clallam County, and the City of Sequim to become ICLEI members and receive the inventory software.

Using the software, Jefferson County completed its baseline assessment. The Jefferson Climate Action Committee developed an action plan to reduce carbon emissions across many sectors, including county operations, transportation, and green building. Clallam County also conducted a baseline assessment and formulated an action plan to reduce the carbon footprint of County operations. Members involved in the ICLEI baseline activities, along with other community representatives, transit organizations and the NODC formed a two-county group to discuss strategies for implementing action items identified in the carbon reduction plans.

Broadband Symposium

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 16:41:27 GMT

Broadband Symposium March 18-19, 2019

The NODC was thrilled that the North Olympic Peninsula Broadband Symposium on March 18-19, 2019, was attended by more than 130 people from across Clallam and Jefferson Counties, with participants from local governments including Clallam and Jefferson Counties and the cities of Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks; the Makah, Hoh, Jamestown S’Klallam and Lower Elwha Klallam tribes; the Ports of Port Angeles and Port Townsend; Clallam and Jefferson PUDs; as well as providers of fiber backbone such as CenturyLink, Wave and NoaNet, local ISPs and many area citizens interested in improved access to affordable high-speed internet.

NODC and its partners would like to host a follow-up symposium in late summer or early fall of 2020, COVID-19 permitting.

Finnriver Farm Commercial Kitchen Project, 2015-2018

Sun, 01 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT

The NODC received funding from USDA Rural Development to purchase commercial kitchen equipment for lease to Finnriver Farm and Cidery 's new location at the main intersection of Hwy 19 and Center Rd. in Chimacum, WA. Finnriver Farm is part of a regional effort to revitalize agriculture in Chimacum, the region that has prime soils and a history of productive, diverse farms.

The new shared-use commercial kitchen opened in June 2018. It has enabled Finnriver to add food service at the Cidery and has allowed the Chimacum Corner Farmstand to expand their prepared food offerings. The kitchen is also used regularly by Dented Buoy Pizza and a number of other food producers.

Learn more about the project here >>

Chimacum Crossroads Planning Project

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The NODC was awarded a $10,000 stipend from the Citizens Institute for Rural Design , with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the USDA and the Orton Family Foundation. This award supported a community-wide 2.5 day workshop and design charette and to plan for transportation and infrastructure improvements at the intersection of Highway 19 and Center Road. The project also received in-kind design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000. The award was a competitive process with seven communities receiving funding out of over 60 applications nationwide. Partners include (and are not limited to): Jefferson County Department of Community Development, Jefferson Land Trust , Finnriver Farm and Chimacum Corner Farmstand .

Project partners were also awarded a Futurewise Livable Communities Award in 2016. Read more about the award here .

USDA Farm To School Grant, 2016-2017

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

The NODC was awarded $72,000 from the USDA to support efforts in the Port Townsend School District to serve healthy, whole and local foods to students.

Funding was used to purchase kitchen equipment to process whole fruits and vegetables, train kitchen staff to cook with whole foods and upgrade garden tools.

Additional school staff time was devoted to providing "edible education" in elementary classrooms. In partnership with WSU.

Climate Change Project, 2014-2015

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

The project was funded by a grant from WA State Department of Ecology and Commerce, received by the NODC.

Climate change poses a variety of threats to the North Olympic Peninsula (NOP), including the potential to increase air temperatures, change precipitation patterns, reduce snowpack, and alter the biochemical cycle of the forests and oceans.

This project was aimed at reducing risks due to climate change through the detailed assessment of climate related vulnerabilities and the creation of a Climate Preparedness Plan. The resulting plan provided the comprehensive and strategic planning processes of the cities, counties, Tribes, Public Utility Districts, and ports within the NOP. The plan includes:

A compilation of detailed local observations and projections of climate change using best available science;
A prioritization of highly sensitive or vulnerable resources and locations;
A prioritized set of adaptation strategies and actions based on both the science and the knowledge of local stakeholders.

Climate Change Report: View and download our Climate Change Report >>

Climate Adaptation Dashboard: Click here to track the region's progress in implementing the strategies recommended in the report >>

Appendices:

Appendix A: Comprehensive List of Adaptation Strategies

Appendix B: Adaptation Strategy Matrix

Appendix C: Sea Level Rise Probability Maps-CLALLAM BAY and SEKIU

Appendix C: Sea Level Rise Probability Maps-PORT TOWNSEND

Appendix C: Sea Level Rise Probability Maps-PORT ANGELES

Appendix C: Sea Level Rise Probability Maps-NEAH BAY

Appendix C: Sea Level Rise Probability Maps-DUNGENESS RIVER DELTA

Appendix D: Sea Level Rise Analysis Details

Appendix E: Monitoring Plan

Appendix F: Focus Area Overview Maps-CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Appendix F: Focus Area Overview Maps-ECOSYSTEMS

Appendix F: Focus Area Overview Maps-WATER SUPPLIES

Supplementary Info:

Supplementary Information A: List of Project Partners

Climate Change Preparedness Slideshow Template

Supplementary Information C: Planning Language Examples for Climate Resiliency

Supplementary Information D: Workshop 1 Results

Supplementary Information E: Workshop 2 Results

Supplementary Information F: GIS Map Development

Chimacum Commons Feasibility Project with Jefferson Land Trust, 2016-2017

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Access to land and affordable housing have been identified by farmers on the Olympic Peninsula as the top factors limiting growth in the agriculture sector. Jefferson Land Trust seeks to make land and housing available to farmers and farmworkers at its 15.8 acre acquisition in Chimacum. The NODC performed a feasibility analysis to explore options for land ownership, use and housing on the property.

Jefferson Land Trust is a regional leader in innovative strategies for conserving working lands to keep them productive, affordable and available for generations to come. The Chimacum Commons property is located in the heart of the Chimacum Crossroads initiative, a multi-stakeholder effort to keep agriculture viable and profitable.

Learn more about Jefferson Land Trust here >>

NASA Solutions Network

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

The NODC received a $1.6 million grant in 2006 to evolve a Solutions Network of local, regional and national organizations to provide watershed management teams with decision support through NASA-funded earth-sun research results. The NODC built a team of eight other major partners for this project, including the NASA-funded Pacific NorthWest Regional Collaboratory (PNWRC); USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (including the National Water and Climate Center); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Sequim and Richland, WA; Idaho National Laboratory (INL); Olympic National Park (ONP); Clallam County; the National Association of RC&D Councils (NARC&DC) in Washington, DC; and Peninsula College (PC).

During the second and third year of the project, the North Olympic Peninsula Solutions Network (NOPSN) team surveyed RC&D Councils around the United States to assess their priority natural resource issues related to NASA focus areas. Based on the results of the surveys and follow-up interviews conducted with several Councils, four RC&Ds were selected for on-going participation in the project. The NOPSN team conducted workshops with each of the four RC&Ds throughout the summer. During the workshops, NOPSN team members assisted Council members and other stakeholders in identifying viable resource management projects that could be enhanced through a Solutions Network approach and the utilization of NASA tools. Two of the four teams have gone on to submit project proposals to various funding agencies:

The Solomon Valley RC&D created a proposal to explore the utilization of remote sensing tools to determine the amount and condition of no-till cropland in their service area. The Solutions Network team worked with Solomon Valley to provide an initial guidance document for identifying no-till areas using NASA tools that helped them further their development of a project proposal submitted for funding.
The NCW RC&D formed a project team that included cross-border collaboration with Canadian Okanogan Basin Water Board. The group developed a pilot project that combined existing watershed-level solutions, local government tools, and NASA technology to improve water resource forecasting within the Okanogan region. NOPSN provided the team with a guidance document that detailed available remote-sensing technologies and methodologies that helped them further their development of a project proposal submitted for funding.

The project was extended through Spring of 2011. The primary focus addressed the user needs that were identified in the Elwha watershed feasibility study. One of the major needs identified in the Elwha watershed was the need for accurate sediment mapping of the 18 million yards of sediment that was released in the Elwha dam removals.

Over the next few months, a project team, lead by Dr. Dwight Barry at Peninsula College, determined the relationships between field-based measures of sedimentation and sediment-transport-based change with remote sensing data gathered from NASA’s ASTER and LANDSAT data.

Comparing this baseline data to remote-sensing tools provided a means to improve any future modeling of sediment transport after dam removal actions.

Connecting Markets to Underserved Communities

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In the spring of 2010, the NODC worked with several partner organizations to develop a project to increase the access and availability of locally grown produce to underserved audiences including low-income families, tribal members and seniors. Community partners included local farmers markets, First Step Family Support Center, Olympic Community Action Program, and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. A grant application was submitted to USDA-FMPP, and partial funding was awarded for the project in October 2010.

USDA RBEG Grain Mill Feasibility Study

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In September 2010, NODC was awarded a $93,000 USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant to develop a feasibility study and a business plan for potential construction of a new grain mill to serve local farmers – and local bakeries – on the north Olympic Peninsula. Project partners included: Enterprise Cascadia, ISE Consultants, Clallam County Economic Development Council, WSU Extension in Clallam and Jefferson Counties, Northwest Cooperative Business Center, and numerous farmers and local businesses.

Service Learning for Students at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This project, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in October 2010, provided high-school students with field science education, initiated student led natural resource service learning projects at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, and expanded existing natural resource programs into the Sequim School District.

NASA Solutions Network Projects (#018, #044, #045):

During the second and third year of the project, the North Olympic Peninsula Solutions Network (NOPSN) team surveyed RC&D Councils around the United States to assess their priority natural resource issues related to NASA focus areas. Based on the results of the surveys and follow-up interviews conducted with several Councils, four RC&Ds were selected for on-going participation in the project. The NOPSN team conducted workshops with each of the four RC&Ds throughout the summer. During the workshops, NOPSN team members assisted Council members and other stakeholders in identifying viable resource management projects that could be enhanced through a Solutions Network approach and the utilization of NASA tools. Two of the four teams submitted project proposals to various funding agencies:

The Solomon Valley RC&D presented a proposal to explore the utilization of remote sensing tools to determine the amount and condition of no-till cropland in their service area. The Solutions Network team worked with Solomon Valley to provide an initial guidance document for identifying no-till areas using NASA tools that helped them further their development of a project proposal submitted for funding.
The NCW RC&D formed a project team that included cross-border collaboration with Canadian Okanogan Basin Water Board. The group developed a pilot project that combined existing watershed-level solutions, local government tools, and NASA technology to improve water resource forecasting within the Okanogan region. NOPSN provided the team with a guidance document that detailed available remote-sensing technologies and methodologies that helped them further their development of a project proposal submitted for funding.

The project was extended through Spring of 2011. The primary focus was to address the user needs that were identified in the Elwha watershed feasibility study. One of the major needs identified in the Elwha watershed was the need for accurate sediment mapping of the 18 million yards of sediment that will be released in the Elwha dam removals.

Over the next few months, a project team, led by Dr. Dwight Barry at Peninsula College, determined the relationships between field-based measures of sedimentation and sediment-transport-based change with remote sensing data gathered from NASA’s ASTER and LANDSAT data. Comparing this baseline data to remote-sensing tools provides a means to improve any future modeling of sediment transport after dam removal actions.

NODC Projects

Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network

Ecosystem Protection and Recovery

Energy and Environmental Resilience Conferences

Energy Resilience on the North Olympic Peninsula

Marine Renewable Energy

Marine Renewable Energy Feasibility Project

Regional Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula

Climate Change Planning

Broadband Initiative

Clallam County Broadband Vision

Clallam County Community Broadband Team

﻿ About the Clallam County Broadband Team

Read the Final Clallam County Broadband Plan

Vision of the Clallam Broadband Team

Goals of the Clallam Broadband Team

T ake the Broadband Speed Test ﻿

Broadband Community Events

Covid-19 Regional Economic Recovery Planning

Support for Community Projects

North Olympic Peninsula Agricultural Business Advising

Business Consulting for Farm and Food Businesses

Covid-19 Response: Online Marketing and E-Commerce Assistance for Small Businesses

Business Assistance Program – Ended December 31, 2022

Olympic Peninsula Farmers Fund

Supporting Local Farmers and Food Banks

Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula

Eating Local on the Olympic Peninsula

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Developing Regional Wholesale Markets for Farmers on the Olympic Peninsula

USDA Rural Development Grant

Strategies for Increasing Community Benefit from North Olympic Peninsula Forests

REDI Technical Assistance Award

Climate Protection Campaign

Broadband Symposium

Broadband Symposium March 18-19, 2019

Finnriver Farm Commercial Kitchen Project, 2015-2018

Chimacum Crossroads Planning Project

USDA Farm To School Grant, 2016-2017

Climate Change Project, 2014-2015

Chimacum Commons Feasibility Project with Jefferson Land Trust, 2016-2017

NASA Solutions Network

Connecting Markets to Underserved Communities

USDA RBEG Grain Mill Feasibility Study

Service Learning for Students at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

About the Clallam County Broadband Team

T ake the Broadband Speed Test