Ocean Shores has a new resource that will help the business community in light of the closure of the community’s chamber of commerce two years ago. Greater Grays Harbor Inc. (GGHI), which calls itself the regional chamber of commerce, economic development council and visitor information center, is extending their services to Ocean Shores. CEO Lynnette Buffington said. The new “branch” will not have a physical location like the one in Aberdeen, but “we’re calling it the Ocean Shores branch of GGHI, it’s creating a place for the business community to come together and develop an independent voice for themselves and be represented,” she said.

The Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce suspended operations in August of 2019 pending a police investigation of the group’s financial matters. That case is ongoing.

Buffington said that the additional GGHI branch should not affect the business communities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, and will allow GGHI to assist those seeking services in the coastal community. “We’re in the process of really planning and developing what the program will be. But what people can expect is that they have local business leaders representing them in an advisory council,” said Buffington, who made the announcement during the Ocean Shores Branch Roundtable on April 8.

Buffington said that when she was at the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber they offered two branches because of the physical size of Pierce County, “So that’s where the concept came from is really making sure that our communities that may not have some sort of business association or business organization feel like that they can localize their efforts and issues.”