For the July issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, the Olympia area was ranked No. 6 by the publication.
“Olympia is a cultural diamond in the rough of the Pacific Northwest,” the magazine noted in its July issue, adding that state government is a “keystone” for the economy and that schools such as The Evergreen State College and Saint Martin’s University are drivers of the area’s growth and character.
Based on that ranking, community and business leaders spearheaded an hourlong celebration Friday at the Olympia Farmers Market. Attending the event were representatives from the Thurston County Economic Development Council, the Olympia Downtown Association, the Port of Olympia, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and other business and civic leaders. Olympia Mayor Doug Mah, Governor Hotel General Manager Sandra Miller and Capital Medical Center President and Chief Executive Michael Motte spoke at the event.
Mah told a busy lunchtime audience at the farmers market that he brought the magazine along with him on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to seek funding for downtown’s Percival Landing.
“We were able to hold up this magazine and say we’re No. 6 and with your assistance we’re going to be No. 1,” he said.
The Olympia area is no stranger to top 10 lists. In past years, the area has been recognized by Forbes Magazine, Bert Sperling’s Best Places, the credit rating agency Moody’s and Farmers Insurance.
To rate the metros, Kiplinger’s requested economic data from the Economic Development Council, toured the area and interviewed business owners as part of its decision-making process, EDC Executive Director Michael Cade said.
A Kiplinger’s representative did not attend the Friday celebration.
“This is a recognition of the fact that there are silver linings in the Puget Sound,” EDC Board President Joseph Beaulieu said.
Rankings such as Kiplinger’s also help consumer confidence, accelerating the process of making people feel better about the local economy, he said.
The “silver lining” for the Olympia area means relatively stable home prices and the stability of state government employment, but the slower economy has been felt here too.
Thurston County unemployment stands at 8 percent, and more job cuts are planned in state government to address a projected budget deficit.
At the conclusion of Friday’s event, Yelm Mayor Ron Harding, Tumwater City Councilman Ed Hildreth and Mayor Mah signed copies of the July issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
Kiplinger’s top 10 best cities are: Huntsville, Ala.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Washington; Charlottesville, Va.; Athens, Ga.; Olympia; Madison, Wis.; Austin, Texas; Flagstaff, Ariz.; and Raleigh, N.C.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403
