STEDI: Driving Growth, Grants, and Festivities Across South Thurston County

The South Thurston Economic Development Initiative (STEDI), launched in 2012 by the Thurston EDC Board, brings together over 24 county and regional organizations to drive growth, sustainability, and collaboration throughout South Thurston County.

STEDI partners meet monthly to share resources and advance key initiatives under the leadership of George Sharp, the EDC’s Rural Program Manager. Through George’s guidance, STEDI has secured over $7 million in grants for small businesses and nonprofits, supported major local festivals (including generating more than $450,000 in sales at the Tenino Arts markets), and successfully branded Bucoda as the “World’s Tiniest Town with the Biggest Halloween Spirit,” earning over $100,000 in media coverage for its Halloween events.

“George Sharp has been a tremendous resource for us. Since the launch of the Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular, we’ve seen a significant increase in sales each October, with 2018 and 2023 being standout years. In fact, we had our biggest single-day sales during the casket races and one of the best months in Joe’s Place history.”
– Kristin Butterworth, Joe’s Place Manager

STEDI’s impact extends across Bucoda, Grand Mound, Rainier, Rochester, Tenino, and Yelm, with key partners such as the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and Experience Olympia & Beyond. STEDI staff play a significant role in South Thurston County festivals and events, including serving as Coordinator of the Tenino Oregon Trail Days, Co-coordinator of Bucoda’s Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Haunted House and Festival, and advisor to the We Love Rainier Bluegrass Festival and Rochester Citizens Group’s Swede Day.

STEDI meetings are held on the third Friday of every month from 8:00 to 9:30 am, rotating locations among the South County communities. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 18, at the Lucky Eagle Casino.

For more information, contact George at [email protected] or 360-464-6043.