Greater Grays Harbor Inc.’s annual meeting is Feb. 23

Greater Grays Harbor Inc. will hold its annual meeting. providing a glimpse into GGHI’s past year as well as look into a comprehensive report gathered from the recent Business Outlook Surveys taken by local businesses in the community. The event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

The chairman of the GGHI Board, Tony Enzler, will provide a welcome message followed by GGHI CEO Lynnette Buffington, who will discuss what 2020 has taught the organization and what 2021 will offer. Director of Member Services Derek Schlaht will discuss member value within the organization, followed by Buffington rounding out the meeting with the results from the past three Business Outlook Surveys and closing remarks.

This virtual event will be hosted on the Zoom Webinar platform. Early registration is required. Visit https://bit.ly/3jW5jiN and click the green ‘Register’ button on the right hand side of the screen to sign up. Access information will be provided via email the morning of the event.

The cost to attend is $10 for members of GGHI and $15 for non-members. Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and save 10% if registered by Friday. Contact Candie Gleason at candie@graysharbor.org or call 360-532-7888 with any questions.

Up to $6K available for Aberdeen hospitality small businesses

Greater Grays Harbor Inc. is accepting applications for the City of Aberdeen Small Hospitality Business Grant of up to $6,000 each for eligible City of Aberdeen businesses with up to 10 employees. Grant money can be used to assist with a variety of expenses related to the impact from COVID-19.

A pool of $90,000 is available to hospitality industry businesses defined as lodging, food, beverage, events, tourism, and transportation. Eligible businesses must have been under the same ownership since Jan. 1, 2020, located in the city of Aberdeen with a current business license, and have a permanent storefront with walk-in facilities. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for this grant.

Awards will be given on a rolling basis with priority review of for applications received by end of business Feb. 19. To learn more and apply, visit the Greater Grays Harbor, Inc COVID-19 Resource page found at www.graysharbor.org or apply directly at www.surveymonkey.com/r/AberdeenRelief.

Funding for the program is from the City of Aberdeen General Fund. Entities that have received relief funding from other sources to include the City of Aberdeen are eligible to apply.

New BPA boss appointed

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette named John Hairston as administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Hairston has served as acting administrator and CEO since September and has dedicated the last 29 years to service at BPA in various positions. The Department conducted an open, fair, and transparent recruitment process in accordance with all applicable Federal laws and regulations and the Secretary appointed Hairston as the best qualified candidate for the position.

In this new role, Hairston will lead BPA, the Pacific Northwest’s Federal Power Marketing Administration, which: generates about $4 billion annually, provides roughly 27% of the electric power generated in the Northwestern United States, and maintains more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission line.

Hairston has served in multiple capacities in BPA’s power services, and regulatory and compliance organizations, with his most recent role as Chief Operating Officer since September 2019, and Acting Administrator and CEO since September 2020. His wide range of experiences at BPA will be invaluable to representing the interests of the organization and region in broad policy establishment at the national level with officials of the Department of Energy, other agencies, and Congressional stakeholders concerning power resource development, interregional power coordination, transmission planning and operations, protection and mitigation of fish and wildlife, and new or modified legislation for the industry.

“I am truly honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead BPA during this dynamic time, we will continue to deliver on our strategic goals in order to remain a long-term provider of choice for low-cost, reliable, and responsible carbon-free power,” said Hairston. “I will continue to work closely with BPA’s utility customers, Federal partners, State and local elected officials, tribal leaders and other stakeholders in the region to ensure the Federal power system continues to meet a diverse set of needs and purposes as we address the energy and environmental challenges facing the Northwest.”

— By David Haerle

The Daily World