Belfair Business Pulse — Week of April 29, 2026

North Mason’s business and development scene is building momentum this spring — a new fire station nearing completion, electrical upgrades unlocking growth potential, and waterfront restoration in Allyn moving forward with renewed state funding. This week we’re spotlighting Grocery Outlet Belfair, the bargain grocery anchor that moved into the former Rite Aid space and has been stocking North Mason pantries since November.

New Openings

No confirmed new business ribbon cuttings this week in the North Mason corridor. If you have an opening coming up, connect with the North Mason Chamber of Commerce at northmasonchamber.com to get it on the radar.

Closings & Changes

Nothing confirmed this week. Have a tip? Email the Belfair Bugle.

Permits & Development

North Mason RFA Fire Station Nearing Completion
North Mason Regional Fire Authority’s new $9 million headquarters fire station at 490 NE Old Belfair Highway in Belfair is on track for a September 2026 opening. The facility — built right next to the existing station — will house an eight-vehicle bay, a state-of-the-art training center, administrative offices, and living quarters for up to 10 on-call firefighters. TRICO Companies is the general contractor. When complete, it will meaningfully expand emergency response capacity for the entire North Mason area and stand as one of the largest public-safety investments the community has seen in years.

PUD 3 Electrical Upgrades Set the Stage for Growth
Mason County PUD No. 3’s Belfair Electrical Capacity Infrastructure Project — backed by $3 million in federal funding secured through U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and the House Appropriations Committee — is upgrading the Belfair substation and building a new switching station at the site of the former Belfair Warehouse. This project directly addresses a longstanding constraint: limited electrical capacity in Belfair’s Urban Growth Area previously forced Mason EDC to turn away business recruitment opportunities. More reliable, higher-capacity power along the SR 3 corridor means more room for commercial and light industrial growth in the years ahead.

Port of Allyn Waterfront Projects Get Fresh Funding
The Washington State Legislature reappropriated grant funds for two key Port of Allyn projects, giving them more runway before deadlines hit. The remaining pier repair balance of approximately $443,074 and roughly $411,044 for the Sargent Oyster House restoration are now secure following Gov. Bob Ferguson’s budget signature. The pier repair contract has already been awarded to Lakeshore Construction for $142,569.20. The Sargent Oyster House, when fully restored, will serve as a museum honoring the shellfish industry history on North Bay — a visitor draw and a piece of living history for the Allyn waterfront.

Chamber Notes

The North Mason Chamber helped organize North Mason High School’s College and Career Fair on April 23 in Belfair, with local employers including Hood Canal Communications connecting face-to-face with students. The Chamber’s Business After Hours series continues — check northmasonchamber.com for upcoming events and member spotlights.

Business Spotlight: Grocery Outlet Belfair

It has been about six months since North Mason got its grocery game back. Grocery Outlet Belfair opened at 23960 NE State Route 3 — in the 17,455-square-foot space that sat empty for nearly two years after Rite Aid shuttered in January 2024 — with a ribbon cutting on November 13, 2025.

If you haven’t been in yet, here’s what to know: Grocery Outlet is an independent operator model, meaning local owners hand-select a rotating inventory of name-brand food, wine, household goods, and health and beauty products at steep discounts — often far below conventional retail pricing. The stock changes regularly, which keeps regulars coming back. For a community that was making the long drive to Shelton or Silverdale for major grocery runs, Grocery Outlet Belfair is more than a store — it’s a reason to keep spending locally and keeping North Mason dollars in North Mason.