Allied Titanium Hits Financing Speed Bump

Allied Titanium has secured some of the machinery necessary for its expansion into Sequim, but the company is having trouble getting banks to finance the expansion.   CEO Christopher Greimes said:

“We've been operating in China for years; we're a 7-year-old company. But banks in the U.S. are looking at us as if it's a brand-new business that's just starting up, which makes it tough to get funding...“This doesn't necessarily change what we're going to do.  We just have to get a little more creative about finding financing and are going to have to self-finance more than we thought...It's frustrating, because I can walk into any car dealership — any car dealership — and walk out with a new car.  But trying to get a machine that will actually make something, essentially spit out money, is like pulling teeth.”

Port Angeles Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center Gets Permit

The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to grant a conditional use permit  for a drug and alcohol treatment center which will be located at the corner of Race and East Fifth Streets.  The clinic could be open as early as September.

Some people in the neighborhood objected to the location of the clinic.  City planning manager Sue Roberds said opponents have fourteen days to appeal the permit, but their objections can only be based on facts considered incorrect in the application, and not their opinions of the project itself.

Advanced Composite Center (ACC)

The Advanced Composite Center (ACC) is a coalition of the Port of Port Angeles, Pacific Northwest National Labs and Peninsula College.  The purpose of the ACC is to encourage composite based businesses to locate in Port Angeles.

Port Commissioner Coleen McAleer is the group's proposal manager.  She said one of the advantages of locating in this area is the competitive shipping — trucks and barges — compared to the heavy traffic and long commute times of urban areas.

Oak Street Property Sale: IXNAY

The purchase of the Downtown Port Angeles Oak Street property by Neeser Construction Inc. of Anchorage has fallen through.  The company withdrew its offer to purchase the 1.96 acre property at Front and Oak Streets for $2 million.

Neeser's offer was withdrawn because the City was unable to meet Neeser’s timeline for a commitment from the city to lease conference space in the proposed building. 

It looks like Feiro Marine Center will be remaining at its present location at City Pier.

Hempapalooza: New Farmers Market for Medical Marijuana Products

Yesterday in Brinnon was the first occurrence of Hempapalooza, a farmers market for medical marijuana products.  It was so successful, the organizer might put on a similar event in August.  Nicole Black, who put on the event at her dispensary, Brinnon Herbal Collective at 91 Corey St., said:

“Absolutely.  The feedback, most notably the feedback from non-patients, has been fantastic.” 

New Website for City of Port Angeles

The City of Port Angeles has a new website.  The new site has a more intuitive design and offers more ways to interact with viewers.

The new revamped City website is at the same URL.

Clallam County has Increasing Demand for Housing Services for Homeless and Near-Homeless

Homelessness has declined by 13.5% in Clallam County this year, but shelter providers are concerned about the increasing demand for housing services.  Kathy Wahto, executive director of Serenity House of Clallam County, told the Clallam County commissioners:

“I just can't underestimate how much demand has increased because of the prolonged impacts of the recession.  The lack of jobs, lost jobs, even in the Sequim area, have really impacted people.  Maybe we thought 2013 was as bad as it was going to get, but I think we're seeing 2014 is going to be a huge concern.  And a lot of it is that bigger issue around the economy. Housing and services can only do so much if there aren't jobs for people and they can't build their household income.”

The Continuing Adventures of British Columbia, Washington State and Mr. Floatie

And the beat goes on...

Last Friday, several Washington lawmakers sent a letter of urgency to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, urging her to expedite a plan to end the dumping of raw sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  The letter said:  “Due to the importance of these waters to both our countries, we ask that you work promptly to resolve this issue.”

The letter was signed by Rep. Derek Kilmer, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Reps. Rick Larson, Denny Heck, Suzan DelBene, Jim McDermott and Adam Smith. All of the signees are Democrats.  I won't make any lewd jokes about Republicans liking the taste of sewage, but...

Port Angeles Concerts on the Pier 2014

Yes, there WILL Be a Concerts on the Pier series again this year.  It was looking sort of iffy for awhile there.  Here's the schedule:

June 18 / Missy G / Country

June 25 / Erin Hennessey  / Irish Traditional Fiddle

July 2 / Ranger and the Re-Arrangers / Swing Jazz Classics

July 9 / Haywire / Blues - Rock

July 16 / Luck of the Draw / BlueGrass - Variety

July 23 / Twisted Roots / Blues - Western Swing - Old Rock

July 30 / Joy Mills Band / Country - Rock

Aug. 6 / Retro Guys / Retro

Aug. 13 / The Soul Shakers / Blues

Aug. 20 / Porto Alege Band / Latin & Swing

Aug. 27 / Joy in Mudville / Old Time Bluegrass

Sept. 3 / Ian McFeron / Popular Rock

Westport Shipyard purchased by Louisiana Investor

Westport Shipyard Inc. has been purchased by a Louisiana investor.  According to official statements, Westport Shipyard will continue to build yachts in Port Angeles, Hoquiam and Westport.  Westport Shipyard Inc. is now Westport  LLC, a division of Edison Chouest LLC.

Gary Chouest, principal of the Chouest family, said:

“We are pleased to join the Westport family, and look forward to pursuing the synergies that exist between the Chouest companies, ACY [American Custom Yachts], and Westport.”

 

What to do with the (shuttered) Lincoln Theater (cont'd)

The Wednesday night forum on the Lincoln Theater yielded lots of ideas but not that magic combination of inspiration plus perspiration; ideas AND the money to back them up.

At a meeting of about thirty people, ideas included:  a nonprofit future for the theater, and a privately owned community-funded theater.  A third proposal came from an architectural artist who said he was there to get information for a California investor, whom he declined to identify.  Real Estate agent/city councilman Dan Gase, who is handling the sale of the former Lincoln Theater, did not attend Wednesday night's meeting and has not returned inquiring phone calls.

Death Knell for Port Angeles Smart Meters?

The Port Angeles City Council has voted to authorize a standstill agreement with Mueller Systems to halt all work on Port Angeles' controversial Smart Meter project and begin a 60-day timetable for negotiating the termination of the City's contract with Mueller, which is based in Atlanta.

The City Council vote was 5 to 1.  Lee Whetham was opposed; Patrick Downey was absent.

Port Angeles Tourism Marketing with Victoria

This will be the topic discussed at tomorrow's Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon.  Guests will be:  Ryan Malane, vice president of marketing for Black Ball Ferry Line; Barbara Desjardins, mayor of Esquimalt; Murray Boyce, organizer of the Esquimalt Ribfest; John Espley, marketing and communications director for Accent Inns (based in Victoria); and Russ Veenema, Chamber of Commerce executive director.