Sep. 6—The Economic Alliance of Lewis County was formally welcomed to its new location at 1209 Borthwick St. in Centralia Thursday, Sept. 5, by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston.
The new location, formerly used by Coldwell Banker Real Estate, is the location the alliance has been searching for for years, officials said. The alliance, formerly known as the Lewis Economic Development Council, was previously located on North National Avenue in Chehalis.
"We've been looking for a place for the last three years and just couldn't find the right place that's within the community and not too far out so people can utilize our facility and just pop in," Alliance Business Development Program Manager Dolly Tardiff. "It's a great fit for us."
The location is prime real estate when it comes to reaching both the Centralia and Chehalis communities. The building also happens to be near the bus line as well as being right next to Interstate 5.
"We reach more now just where we're at because we're so close to downtown, but we're just a hop, skip and a jump to Chehalis," Tardiff said.
The new building has offices for each of the alliance's team members as well as a large boardroom where classes and meetings can be held. The alliance offers business-centered courses that are made to help people at any stage of their business's journey.
"These new entrepreneurs might be sitting at home and have an idea of starting a business but might be fearful to take that plunge. It's not hard, but it's always scary to take that first plunge," Tardiff said.
Tardiff was once an entrepreneur sitting at home before she opened her security company in 1990.
"I have owned my business, a security company, since 1990, and back then there was no one place you could go for help. You just had to figure it out. We needed one place for people to come and find help," she said.
"I'm excited to see that growth because that makes our community prosper, and I think the more people we can help, the more our community will become a better place," Tardiff said.
The alliance has already changed the economic landscape of Lewis County by leaps and bounds, Smith Johnston said.
"As the mayor, I love having them in Centralia, but they serve the whole county. What I'm excited about is the energy, momentum and commitment that they are bringing to economic development," she said.
She added: "The alliance has emerged as an important leader for economic development. Every community needs champions. Champions are those that wholeheartedly support and believe in our community and our future."