When a company commits to creating 17 new permanent jobs in Mason County, that’s not a press release talking point — it’s a condition of the $1.75 million in state financing that made the expansion possible. Olympic Mountain Ice Cream’s move to the Port of Shelton comes with an obligation to grow, and that growth translates to real positions available to local workers over the next five years.
Here’s what Mason County job seekers should know.
The Commitment: 17 Jobs Over Five Years
The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board loan that financed the Port of Shelton’s warehouse renovation is structured around job creation. The Port of Shelton received $1.75 million in low-interest CERB funding and leased the improved 11,500-square-foot facility to Olympic Mountain Ice Cream. In exchange, the company has committed to creating 17 new permanent positions over the course of five years.
This is not speculative — it’s written into the deal structure. CERB loans are tied to employment outcomes, and projects are tracked against their commitments. For Mason County workers, the 17-job projection represents a floor, not a ceiling. A company that doubles in size often ends up hiring more than initially projected.
What Kind of Jobs Are These?
Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is a food manufacturing operation — artisan ice cream, gelato, and sorbet production at commercial scale. They currently employ 18 people and produce more than 50,000 gallons annually. The kinds of positions a food manufacturer of this size typically adds during a capacity expansion include:
- Production and line workers — hands-on manufacturing roles that generally don’t require specialized credentials
- Quality control and food safety positions — often require food handler certification, which can be obtained locally
- Packaging, shipping, and logistics roles — as wholesale volume grows with new capacity
- Retail and customer-facing staff — the new Port of Shelton location includes a public-facing retail storefront
- Operations and supervisory positions — as the team scales, management layers tend to grow too
Food manufacturing is one of the more accessible paths into stable employment for workers without four-year degrees. Many production roles offer on-the-job training, and artisan food companies — particularly family-owned operations like Olympic Mountain — often prioritize cultural fit and work ethic over specialized credentials.
Olympic Mountain Ice Cream: A 40-Year Family Business
The company has been operating under the same family ownership for more than 40 years, with roots in the Skokomish Valley at the base of the Olympic Mountain foothills. That tenure and stability matters for job seekers: a company that has sustained itself through multiple economic cycles and continued investing in its Mason County operations is a different kind of employer than a short-term tenant with an exit strategy.
The move to the Port of Shelton represents a commitment to staying and growing here, not a stepping stone to relocating elsewhere in the Puget Sound market.
How to Stay Informed About Openings
As of April 2026, Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is in the process of completing its move to the new facility. Job postings will likely appear on the company’s website at olympicmountainicecream.com and on their Facebook page as the expansion ramps up. The Mason County Economic Development Council at masonedc.org also tracks local employment opportunities.
WorkSource Southwest Washington (the state’s employment services office) is another resource for Mason County job seekers monitoring local manufacturing openings.
For the full context on this expansion and what it means for Mason County: Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Opens New Port of Shelton Facility — Full Coverage
Also relevant: SR-3 Belfair Bypass — the North Mason construction project that will create hundreds of construction jobs 2027-2029
Frequently Asked Questions
How many jobs will the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream expansion create in Mason County?
The expansion is projected to create 17 new permanent jobs over five years, bringing the company’s total workforce from 18 to approximately 35 positions. The jobs are based at the new Port of Shelton facility at 130 West Corporate Drive in Shelton.
What kind of work experience or education do you need to work at Olympic Mountain Ice Cream?
Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is a food manufacturing company. Most production roles require a food handler permit (available through the Mason County Public Health Department) and physical stamina for production work. The company values reliability and work ethic. Retail and customer service positions for the new storefront require customer-facing experience. Supervisory and quality control roles may require relevant certifications.
When will Olympic Mountain Ice Cream start hiring for the new Port of Shelton location?
Hiring timelines haven’t been publicly announced as of April 2026. The facility move was targeting a March 2026 transition. Monitor the company’s website at olympicmountainicecream.com and their Facebook page for job postings as the expansion ramps up.
Is the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream retail store open to the public?
The new Port of Shelton facility includes a retail storefront that will be open to the public — a new feature the previous Skokomish Valley location did not prominently offer. Check their website for confirmed hours and opening information.
Leave a Reply