Thurston County Chamber

Thurston County Chamber Growing a prosperous economy and vibrant community by connecting people, ideas, and resources. The Chamber is committed to business benefits and services.

Who We Are-
Created in 1874, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is a community leader, steering prosperity in Thurston County. We work with an array of community partnerships, ranging from private businesses, non-profits, and government, to address the challenges and opportunities before our community. What We Do-
The Thurston County Chamber is growing a prosperous economy and vibrant communi

ty by connecting people, ideas and resources. Our engagement in regional planning, education, workforce development, community infrastructure, and environmental stewardship are integral components of the Chamber’s mission. The Chamber continues to make strides in workforce development, advocate for public policy that impacts your organization, and continues our commitment to provide a conduit for business to engage with education. Follow us on all of our socials! Click to learn more: tinyurl.com/thurstonchamber

Did you know that more than 6,700 acres of land and nearly 20 miles of shoreline across Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, a...
06/10/2026

Did you know that more than 6,700 acres of land and nearly 20 miles of shoreline across Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Lewis counties have been permanently protected through the work of Capitol Land Trust?

For more than 40 years, Capitol Land Trust has been conserving the forests, wetlands, shorelines, and working lands that make the South Sound such a special place to live, work, and play. Their work goes far beyond public nature preserves—protecting critical habitat, restoring ecosystems, and ensuring these lands remain healthy for generations to come.

Through partnerships with landowners, Tribes, local governments, schools, volunteers, and community organizations, Capitol Land Trust is helping connect people to nature while safeguarding the natural beauty that defines our region.

Learn more about their impact, upcoming projects, and vision for the future in the latest issue of The Voice.

🔗 Read more at the link here: https://thurstonchamber.com/june-2026-voice-magazine/

📸 Bufflehead landing at Bayshore Preserve. Capitol Land Trust Executive Director Dave Winter and Communications Manager Mary Kniestedt (photo by Shanna Paxton Photography); Bayshore Preserve.

The Chamber wants to thank commenters for staying engaged, expressing their concerns, and helping us understand just how...
06/09/2026

The Chamber wants to thank commenters for staying engaged, expressing their concerns, and helping us understand just how significant the West Bay Yards project is to our community.

We recognize that Olympia is constrained by the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the legal requirement to accommodate growth within urbanized areas. We recognize that compliance with the GMA will necessitate greater density. We recognize that greater density will result in more people living, working, and enjoying our urban core. And we recognize that greater density may lead to what many have identified as their top concern: increased traffic.

First, before it can be approved, the project must meet the City's requirements for a multimodal transportation system designed to accommodate greater density along the West Bay Drive corridor. Second, as a mixed-use development, West Bay Yards incorporates connectivity to multiple transportation options—not only as an amenity, but also as a way to meet transportation requirements.

Will traffic increase? Probably.

Is some level of increased traffic anticipated under the GMA? Yes.

Will this project provide alternatives to driving and support a more connected transportation network? Absolutely.

How complicated is the approval process for West Bay Yards? Just for fun, we ran the staff report written for the Hearin...
06/08/2026

How complicated is the approval process for West Bay Yards?

Just for fun, we ran the staff report written for the Hearings Examiner hearing (1.WBY-Staff Report.pdf ) through an AI tool and asked: “list all the city rules, regulations, and requirements the developer addresses”. Here is what we got:

1. Olympia Municipal Code (OMC)
A. OMC Title 14 – Environmental Policy (SEPA)
B. OMC Title 16 – Buildings & Construction
OMC 16.60 – Tree, Soil & Native Vegetation Protection
· Requires 30 tree units per acre, 50% in Soil & Vegetation Protection Areas (SVPA).
· Trees must meet OMC definitions for size and species.
OMC 16.70 – Flood Damage Prevention
· Habitable structures must be 1 ft above Base Flood Elevation.
OMC 16.80 – Sea Level Rise Flood Damage Prevention
· Requires SLR resiliency to 16' NAVD88.

Fire Access Standards (OMC 16.05, 16.32–16.46)
· Fire lane widths, turning radii, hydrant spacing, and apparatus access apply.

C. OMC Title 17 – Boundary Line Adjustments
· OMC 17.30 governs BLA requirements; project completed a BLA in 2022.

D. OMC Title 18 – Unified Development Code

OMC 18.06 – Urban Waterfront Zoning

· Permitted uses, height limits/bonuses, view corridors, building coverage.

OMC 18.12 – Cultural Resources

· Requires tribal consultation and DAHP coordination.

OMC 18.20 – Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Includes:

· Shoreline Substantial Development Permit (SSDP)

· Shoreline Conditional Use Permit (SCUP)

· No Net Loss of ecological function (18.20.410)

· Public access requirements (18.20.450–460)

· Vegetation conservation (18.20.490–496)

· View protection (18.20.500–507)

· Lighting standards (18.20.680)

· Fill standards (18.20.830–837)

Restoration & enhancement (18.20.850–855)
Shoreline stabilization (18.20.860–864)
OMC 18.32 – Critical Areas

Important habitats, geologic hazards, and shoreline‑related critical areas.
OMC 18.36 – Landscaping
· 24" soil depth, 80% vegetative coverage within 3 years.
OMC 18.38 – Parking
· Vehicle and bicycle parking minimums.

OMC 18.100 / 18.110 / 18.155 – Design Review
· West Bay design standards, pedestrian orientation, massing, articulation.
E. OMC Titles 10, 12, 13 – Engineering Standards
· Street standards, utilities, right‑of‑way requirements.
· Applies to West Bay Drive frontage improvements and trail connections.

F. OMC 12.16 – Right‑of‑Way Vacation
· Must meet criteria in RCW 35.79.035 for any ROW vacation.

2. Engineering Design & Development Standards (EDDS)

· EDDS 2.040 – West Bay Drive frontage requirements.
· EDDS 4 – Shared‑use paths and trail standards.
· EDDS 5 – Stormwater standards (via DDECM).
· EDDS 6 & 7 – Water and sewer infrastructure.
· EDDS 8 – Solid waste enclosure and access.

3. Drainage Design & Erosion Control Manual (DDECM)
· Project must comply with the 2022 DDECM, including stormwater treatment, flow control, and erosion control.
4. Comprehensive Plan Policies
· Land Use: GL1, PL1.2, PL1.5
· Transportation: GT4, PT4.3, PT9.2
· Parks & Trails: PR4.5, PR5.2, PR5.4
· Shoreline Policies: PN12.11.F, PN12.11.J, PN12.26.D–F

5. State & Federal Regulations

· RCW 90.58 – Shoreline Management Act
· WAC 173‑27 – Shoreline Permits
· MTCA Agreed Order (DE 21726) – Toxic cleanup requirements
· U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Section 10/404 permits (if applicable)
· WDFW Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)
· DAHP – Archaeological/cultural resource requirements
Wow! That is quite a list. Let’s applaud the developer and their team for successfully meeting all the above regulations to the City’s requirements!

06/06/2026

“The Squaxin Island Tribe believes that the West Bay Yards project, as presented, will provide positive environmental benefit to Budd Inlet and the Southern Salish Sea.” - Kris Peters, Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribal Council

“West Bay Yards successfully incorporates all the different interests of our broad and diverse community.” - Amy Harding, Former Commissioner, Port of Olympia

“This is exactly the type of project envisioned by nearly every city council member since 2001.” - Doug Mah, Former Mayor, City of Olympia

“No other project in the foreseeable future will address our region’s need for both housing and environmental clean-up like West Bay Yards.” - David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston Chamber

Will West Bay Yards allow public access?Yes. West Bay Yards is a proposed mixed‑use project. The shoreline restoration ...
06/01/2026

Will West Bay Yards allow public access?

Yes. West Bay Yards is a proposed mixed‑use project. The shoreline restoration includes a large public esplanade connecting to parks, viewing platforms, and public recreation areas. The Thurston Chamber supports projects that combine more housing, environmental cleanup, and public access to Budd Inlet.

Will West Bay Yards help Budd Inlet?Yes. West Bay Yards is a major new waterfront development planned for West Bay Driv...
05/31/2026

Will West Bay Yards help Budd Inlet?

Yes. West Bay Yards is a major new waterfront development planned for West Bay Drive, on the site of the former Hardel Plywood facility that burned down in 1996. Before construction begins, the team will restore the shoreline, create a natural tidal beach, and restore habitat for salmon and other marine life. This $4 million restoration effort, paid by the developer, is based on the City of Olympia’s West Bay Environmental Restoration Assessment.

Will West Bay Yards address our housing crisis?Yes. The project includes 478 new desirable market-rate residential units...
05/30/2026

Will West Bay Yards address our housing crisis?

Yes. The project includes 478 new desirable market-rate residential units for the region, and we need all types of housing. West Bay Yards is a proposed mixed‑use project that would bring new homes, commercial space, and major shoreline restoration to Olympia’s westside waterfront. The Thurston Chamber likes how this project brings more housing to the region.

📸Artist rendering of the project.

What is West Bay Yards?West Bay Yards is a proposed mixed‑use project that would bring nearly 500 homes, new commercial ...
05/29/2026

What is West Bay Yards?

West Bay Yards is a proposed mixed‑use project that would bring nearly 500 homes, new commercial space, and major shoreline restoration to Olympia’s westside waterfront. The plan removes old industrial debris, rebuilds a natural beach, improves salmon habitat, and adds an esplanade and plazas. The Thurston Chamber likes how this project combines economic development with environmental repair.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for VanVision Eyecare Center! It was a wonderful mor...
05/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for VanVision Eyecare Center!

It was a wonderful morning, learning about this business, connecting with the VanVision team, touring their beautiful space, and learning more about their commitment to personalized, high-quality eye care for individuals and families throughout the South Sound.

Part community gathering, part cultural celebration, and part night-out adventure, SWAE Night Market has become a vibran...
05/26/2026

Part community gathering, part cultural celebration, and part night-out adventure, SWAE Night Market has become a vibrant space where local makers, food vendors, artists, performers, and neighbors come together to create something special right here in Thurston County.

Founded in 2022 and inspired by the energy of Taiwan’s iconic night markets, SWAE is all about creativity, representation, connection, and supporting local businesses. With rotating vendors, themed nights, entertainment, and new experiences every season, no two markets feel exactly the same.

Plus… there are exciting new additions coming in 2026. 👀

Read the full story in the May edition of VOICE Magazine and discover why this hometown night market keeps people coming back.

🔗 Read the full issue: https://issuu.com/thurstonchamber/docs/may_2026_voice_magazine

SWAE Night Market

Address

809 Legion Way SE
Olympia, WA
98501

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13603573362

Website

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