Program areas at Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County
The Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) carries out business attraction, retention and expansion and collaborative engagement to achieve a prosperous, sustainable, and equitable community while maintaining Skagit County's natural beauty and quality of life. EDASC supports existing Skagit companies, and works with prospective companies on site location, workforce training, identifying resources and access to capital, permitting, research, and other forms of assistance. EDASC initiatives create and support a favorable business climate with strategies that focus on improving assets and amenities within Skagit County. EDASC convenes and connects stakeholders to work on improving local assets on critical issues such as workforce, housing, childcare, and power supply.
EDASC works to catalyze grass-roots economic development and foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem by reducing barriers to entrepreneurship and innovation for all Skagit residents with particular emphasis on underrepresented populations and communities. EDASC aims to ensure that entrepreneurs and business owners from across Skagit County have access to resources to create more equitable opportunities, build new generational wealth, and improve quality of life. EDASC works to make Skagit County more prosperous, diversified, and sustainable by removing barriers to success.
Leadership Skagit, in partnership with Skagit Valley College, is a 9-month experiential learning course, developing leadership skills in more than 500 community members over the past 20 years. Participants gain a deeper insight into the region and learn concepts and techniques for effective leadership. All programming is delivered through a lens of equity and sustainability. Graduates are shaping Skagit County as leaders of non-profits, businesses, and governmental bodies.