Thursday, the Port of Shelton announced it has received $1,750,000 in low interest funding from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). This funding is in the form of a Committed Partnership with Olympic Mountain Ice Cream that will include the renovation of an 11,500 square foot Port owner warehouse building with some office and interior spaces. The Port site was selected due to its availability, size of the building, a loading dock and its proximity to Highway 101. The estimated private investment is at least $1,000,000 with an estimated job increase of 17 permanent jobs to be created over the next five years.
“We are extremely excited and thankful to the CERB Board for providing this funding opportunity,” stated Executive Director Smith. “Olympic Mountain Ice Cream has been a part of the Mason County community since 1984. This partnership with a family owned manufacturing company is a reflection of the Port’s mission to stimulate and encourage job creation for our community.”
Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is in their 40th year of business under the same family ownership and currently serve over 300 active wholesale customers. They currently employ 18 people working in food production, office and management, warehousing, distribution and maintenance. They currently produce and sell over 50,000 gallons of ice cream per year and market themselves as a five?star restaurant quality brand, selling at a price point above industry average.
CERB focuses on creating private sector jobs in partnership with local governments by financing infrastructure improvements which encourage new business development and expansion.