Economic Development Council wins USDA farmers market grant, asks county to fund SEDS update

Kevin Shudy, executive with the Economic Development Council, told Mason County commissioners that the council’s farmers market promotion proposal won U.S. Department of Agriculture funding, a three-year award the presenters described as "just under $375,000" to support market promotion, business planning and feasibility work in Shelton and Belfair and to hire a project manager to implement the program.

The announcement was framed as a direct follow-on to an industry-sector analysis the county funded with ARPA money in 2024–25. Shudy said that study identified aquaculture and agriculture producers who want expanded market opportunities and that the USDA award will fund feasibility studies, business planning support and outreach. He added the EDC expects to post a project manager job and hopes to have someone on board in June to start implementation.

Annette Roth, executive director of the Evergreen Coast Regional Partnership, described a separate University of Washington–funded two‑year Crant fellowship hosted by the regional economic development district that will provide technical assistance to small ports across Mason and neighboring counties. Roth said the fellow will work directly with port districts to identify infrastructure needs, prepare strategic plans and build funding toolkits, and that the fellowship is 98% UW‑funded with modest local support for office space and incidental costs.

Why it matters: Shudy and Roth said the work ties into a regional Economic Development District (EDDD) effort to update the federally required comprehensive strategy (SEDS) and project list that many federal infrastructure grants reference. EDDD staff said projects that are built into a federally recognized SEDS list can have an advantage when applying for large grants because funding programs often ask whether a project is part of an approved regional plan.

Request to commissioners: Shudy requested that Mason County consider a $30,000 amendment to an existing contract to support the EDDD’s SEDS update and related outreach so Mason County’s priorities are accurately reflected in the federal submission. Commissioners voiced conditional support but asked staff to provide a detailed breakdown of the amendment request and the expected match from partner counties and other local contributors before committing funds.

Additional notes: Shudy also briefed the board on "Project Kuck," a recruitment effort for a British Columbia aquaculture‑supply firm under a letter of intent with Port Shelton that could bring about 30 jobs initially and could grow if a subsidiary relocates. He credited partners — including Mason Matters, KMAS, the Farm Bureau and others — for matching and promotional support that strengthened the USDA application.

Next steps: Commissioners asked EDC staff to provide a written budget and funding breakdown and to confer with county budget staff about an amendment process. The item will return to the board for formal action after those materials are submitted.