Shelton — Mason County Economic Development Council (EDC) Executive Director Kevin Studi and External Affairs Manager Tianna Dunbar presented an industry cluster study to the Shelton City Council on Sept. 16, identifying the county’s strongest sectors and recommending steps to support jobs and growth.

The presentation, funded with county ARPA funds and conducted by Jason Robertson & Co., highlighted five target sectors: health care and social services; forest products; manufacturing; agriculture and aquaculture; and accommodation and food services. Studi said those clusters combine current strengths and near-term opportunities for job retention and expansion.

EDC staff emphasized workforce training and affordable housing as core barriers to growth. Tianna Dunbar said the EDC will pursue coordinated workforce development with local colleges and partners and urged the council to consider incentives such as a multifamily tax exemption to attract developers and preserve workforce units.

Studi noted a pending large regional Navy-related shipyard project could create manufacturing demand and that the city and county should advocate for freight-corridor projects that would support local industry. He asked the council to add a 1.5-million-gallon water tank project, estimated at about $5,000,000 and anticipated to take roughly five years to build, to local legislative priorities to enable future industrial and housing development.

Council members thanked EDC staff and signaled interest in working with the county on housing and infrastructure; no formal council action was taken at the Sept. 16 meeting beyond receiving the presentation.

The EDC said next steps include targeted workforce programs, expanded supply-chain connections, and legislative advocacy to support manufacturing and housing projects.