Tygart Media

Tag: Mason County

  • What PUD 3’s Gigabit Fiber Means for Mason County Business Owners in 2026

    What PUD 3’s Gigabit Fiber Means for Mason County Business Owners in 2026

    For Mason County businesses that have been running on slow or unreliable internet, the infrastructure picture is finally changing. Mason County PUD 3 is midway through a multi-year fiber buildout that is reaching rural and semi-rural commercial areas that private carriers have never touched.

    If your business depends on internet — and most do — here is what you need to know.

    What Gigabit Fiber Actually Does for a Small Business

    The headline number is 1,000 Mbps download and 1,000 Mbps upload — symmetrical gigabit. But for most small businesses, the upload speed is what matters most. Legacy DSL and cable connections are asymmetrical: you get fast downloads but slow uploads. That means uploading files to clients, backing up to the cloud, running video calls, or processing point-of-sale transactions all compete for the same limited upstream pipe.

    Fiber eliminates that bottleneck. A business that was previously struggling to host a video call while running cloud-based accounting software can now do both simultaneously — along with a dozen other tasks — without degradation.

    Which Areas Are Coming Online and When?

    PUD 3 connected Pacific Ridge (March 18), Arcadia Shores (March 25), and Fern Way (March 26) in March 2026. The Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood — serving 680+ addresses — is working through individual connections now with a full completion target of October 2026. The Three Fingers Fiber Project, funded by a federal ReConnect grant, is also in its final connection phase with an April 2026 project deadline.

    If your business is in one of these areas, fiber infrastructure is likely already built to your property. Visit pud3.servicezones.net to check your address and schedule an installation.

    The Open-Access Model: More Providers, More Competition

    PUD 3 runs an open-access network — the utility builds and maintains the fiber, but multiple competing retail internet service providers can deliver service over the same infrastructure. For businesses, this matters because it prevents the lock-in and price inflation that happens when a single ISP controls access in an area.

    You choose your provider, and providers compete for your business. That’s the opposite of the single-provider rural internet model most Mason County businesses have lived with for years.

    What This Means for Remote Work and Business Attraction

    Mason County has long faced a disadvantage in competing for skilled workers and remote-friendly employers who have historically required Puget Sound proximity because of internet infrastructure. As fiber reaches more of the county, that calculus changes.

    A home-based Mason County worker who can now reliably run video calls, access corporate systems, and upload large files at gigabit speeds doesn’t need to commute to Tacoma or Bremerton to be productive. And employers who might have passed on Mason County office space because of connectivity concerns have fewer reasons to do so.

    The economic development implications of the PUD 3 buildout extend well beyond individual households. For a deeper look at Mason County economic development, read our coverage of Olympic Mountain Ice Cream’s Port of Shelton expansion: Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Expands to Port of Shelton with $1.75M CERB Loan

    Full PUD 3 expansion details: Mason County PUD 3 Fiber Internet Is Reaching More Homes in 2026

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can businesses get fiber internet through PUD 3 in Mason County?

    Yes. PUD 3’s fiber network serves both residential and business customers. Commercial properties in fiberhood service areas can schedule an installation and choose a retail service provider from those operating on PUD 3’s open-access network. Check your address at pud3.servicezones.net.

    What’s the difference between PUD 3 fiber and a private ISP like Comcast or CenturyLink?

    PUD 3 is a public utility that builds and maintains the fiber infrastructure, then allows multiple retail internet providers to deliver service over it. Private ISPs own their own infrastructure and control pricing and availability. In rural Mason County, private ISPs have historically underinvested — PUD 3’s public model is reaching areas that private carriers have declined to serve.

    Is PUD 3 fiber available for commercial properties or just residential?

    PUD 3’s fiber is available to any address within a completed fiberhood, including commercial properties, home-based businesses, and farms. Contact PUD 3 directly to confirm eligibility for your specific business address.

    How does PUD 3’s open-access fiber model benefit business owners specifically?

    Because multiple internet service providers compete on the same infrastructure, businesses can shop for price, contract terms, and service-level agreements rather than accepting whatever a single provider offers. This competitive dynamic tends to produce better pricing and service quality than monopoly-provider markets.


  • 17 New Jobs Coming to Shelton: What the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Expansion Means for Mason County Workers

    17 New Jobs Coming to Shelton: What the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Expansion Means for Mason County Workers

    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.


  • What Is CERB? How Washington State’s Economic Development Loan Program Helped Bring Olympic Mountain Ice Cream to the Port of Shelton

    What Is CERB? How Washington State’s Economic Development Loan Program Helped Bring Olympic Mountain Ice Cream to the Port of Shelton

    When the Port of Shelton Commission approved a $1.75 million loan to renovate a warehouse for Olympic Mountain Ice Cream, the financing came from a state program that most Mason County business owners have never heard of — but probably should know about.

    The Community Economic Revitalization Board, or CERB, is one of Washington State’s primary tools for funding the kind of infrastructure investment that keeps local manufacturers in rural communities instead of relocating to cheaper or better-served markets.

    What Is CERB?

    CERB is a Washington State program administered by the Department of Commerce. It provides low-interest loans and grants to public entities — port districts, counties, cities, public development authorities — for infrastructure projects tied to private sector job creation.

    The key word is “public entities.” CERB does not lend money directly to private businesses. Instead, a public partner (like the Port of Shelton) takes on the CERB debt, builds or improves an asset, and then makes that asset available to a private company under lease terms designed to be economically accessible. The private company commits to creating a specified number of jobs in exchange.

    It’s a leveraged model: $1.75 million in state money, paired with at least $1 million in private investment from Olympic Mountain Ice Cream, creates a $2.75 million project that the company likely couldn’t finance on its own — and that the private capital markets wouldn’t fund in a rural county without a public partner at the table.

    Why the Port of Shelton Was the Right Vehicle

    The Port of Shelton, established in 1948, is a public port district with statutory authority to promote economic development. Its assets include Sanderson Field, a general aviation airport and 1,200-acre industrial park, and the Johns Prairie Industrial Park. The Port can issue CERB applications on behalf of projects that meet the program’s job-creation and public benefit criteria.

    In the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream case, the mechanics are straightforward: the Port received the CERB loan, renovated its warehouse building at 130 West Corporate Drive to meet the company’s production and retail requirements, and executed a lease with Olympic Mountain Ice Cream. The lease terms are structured to be affordable for the company while generating revenue that helps the Port service the CERB debt.

    The 17-job commitment is not goodwill — it’s a contract obligation tied to the CERB financing. The state tracks job creation outcomes for CERB-funded projects, and the Port is responsible for ensuring the commitments are met.

    What This Means for Other Mason County Businesses

    The CERB program exists throughout Washington State, and Mason County has public partners — the Port of Shelton, Mason County government, Mason County Economic Development Council — that can sponsor applications for eligible projects.

    If you run a Mason County business that needs facility improvements, infrastructure investment, or expanded production capacity that would create jobs, the path to CERB financing runs through those public entities, not through a bank. The Mason County EDC at masonedc.org is the right starting point for businesses exploring whether their project could qualify.

    CERB is not the only state economic development tool available — the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority (WEDFA), the Rural Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, and various USDA programs also operate in Mason County. But CERB is specifically well-suited to the kind of port-anchored industrial development the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream project represents.

    The Bigger Picture: Mason County’s Economic Development Momentum

    The Olympic Mountain Ice Cream expansion is happening in the same year that the SR-3 Belfair Bypass received $48.3 million in state transportation funding and PUD 3 is completing fiber buildouts reaching hundreds of additional homes. The three investments are unrelated but collectively signal a county that is attracting public capital investment at a rate that will shape its economic trajectory for years.

    For businesses considering a Mason County location or expansion, that infrastructure context — roads, fiber, industrial space at public ports — is worth paying attention to.

    Full expansion details: Olympic Mountain Ice Cream’s New Port of Shelton Facility — Complete Coverage

    Related infrastructure: PUD 3 fiber is reaching 680+ Cloquallum homes — what gigabit internet means for Mason County businesses

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does CERB stand for and who administers it in Washington State?

    CERB stands for Community Economic Revitalization Board. It is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce and provides low-interest financing to public entities for economic development infrastructure projects that create private-sector jobs.

    Can a private Mason County business apply for CERB funding directly?

    No. CERB loans and grants go to public entities — port districts, cities, counties, and similar government bodies — not directly to private businesses. A private business benefits from CERB through a partnership with a public entity that sponsors the project and owns the improved facility, which it then makes available to the business through a lease.

    How do I find out if my Mason County business project could qualify for CERB-backed financing?

    Contact the Mason County Economic Development Council at masonedc.org or the Port of Shelton directly. These organizations work with the Washington State Department of Commerce on CERB applications and can help determine whether your project meets the program criteria — particularly the job-creation requirements that anchor CERB eligibility.

    How much was the CERB loan for the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream project?

    The Port of Shelton received a $1.75 million CERB loan for the warehouse renovation. Olympic Mountain Ice Cream committed to at least $1 million in private investment alongside the state financing, for a total project investment of approximately $2.75 million.


  • Skokomish Valley Road Closed at the Dips — What Mason County Residents Need to Know About the Flood Closure

    Skokomish Valley Road Closed at the Dips — What Mason County Residents Need to Know About the Flood Closure

    Skokomish Valley Road is closed to all through traffic. Mason County Public Works has shut down the road at approximately milepost 3.749 — the intersection with Eells Hill Road, in the area known locally as the Dips — due to active flooding. The closure is in effect until further notice.

    Residents in the Skokomish Valley, agricultural operations along the valley floor, and anyone who uses Skokomish Valley Road as a through route to or from U.S. Highway 101 should plan alternate routes. Mason County Public Works is monitoring the road and the Skokomish River throughout the day.

    Why the Dips Flood

    The section of Skokomish Valley Road near Eells Hill Road sits at low elevation in the Skokomish River floodplain. The Skokomish River is one of the more flood-prone rivers in western Washington — its drainage basin covers a large portion of the Olympics, and during periods of heavy or sustained rainfall, the river can rise rapidly. At moderate flood stage (around 17.5 feet), the Skokomish Valley Road begins to take water, along with Bourgault Road West, Purdy Cutoff Road, and portions of Highway 106.

    This is not an unusual occurrence. The Dips has flooded during high rain events regularly over the years, and Mason County Public Works has an established protocol: monitor conditions, close the road when flooding at the closure point is confirmed, and reopen once waters recede and the road surface is safe for travel.

    Current Risk: Heavy Rainfall and Debris Flow

    In addition to roadway flooding, Mason County Public Works has issued a broader advisory: ongoing heavy rainfall is raising the risk of rapid river rises and debris flows in steep or saturated areas throughout the Skokomish Valley. Residents in low-lying locations, along the river, or near hillside slopes should stay alert to changing conditions.

    Debris flows — a mix of water, soil, rocks, and vegetation that can move down slopes rapidly — are a secondary hazard when soil saturation reaches critical levels after extended rain. This risk is concentrated in steep terrain adjacent to the valley floor and along drainages feeding into the Skokomish River system.

    What to Do Now

    For travel: Plan alternate routes. Highway 106 along Hood Canal and U.S. 101 through Shelton provide access to North Mason communities via routes that avoid the Skokomish Valley floor.

    For residents along the Skokomish River or in known low-lying areas: Monitor the Mason County Public Works road closure page at masoncountywa.gov for current status. The USGS stream gauge data for the Skokomish River near Potlatch is publicly accessible and updates in real time — useful for tracking whether river levels are rising or falling.

    For emergency information, Mason County Emergency Management coordinates through the county’s official channels. MasonWebTV.com regularly posts updated road closure notices for the Skokomish Valley area.

    Related: Infrastructure and services beat roundup — April 9, 2026

    Related: SR-3 Belfair Bypass project — the long-term infrastructure investment that will reshape North Mason access routes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where exactly is Skokomish Valley Road closed?

    The closure is at approximately milepost 3.749, at the intersection of Skokomish Valley Road and Eells Hill Road — the area known as the Dips. This point is closed to all through traffic until further notice per Mason County Public Works.

    What is causing the Skokomish Valley Road flooding?

    Heavy rainfall is raising the Skokomish River and saturating the valley floor. The Dips area sits in the river’s floodplain at low elevation. At moderate flood stage on the Skokomish River, this section of road typically takes water. Mason County Public Works is monitoring conditions and the closure will remain in effect until flooding recedes and road conditions are safe.

    What alternate routes can I use to get through the Skokomish Valley?

    Highway 106 along the south shore of Hood Canal provides an alternate east-west route through North Mason communities. U.S. Highway 101 north and south of Shelton connects to the Highway 106 corridor. Avoid using Skokomish Valley Road through the Dips area until Mason County Public Works confirms the road has reopened.

    How do I check if Skokomish Valley Road has reopened?

    Check the Mason County Public Works road closure page directly at masoncountywa.gov/departments/public_works/road_closures.php. MasonWebTV.com also posts road closure updates for the Skokomish Valley area. These are the most reliable real-time sources for closure status.

    Is there a flood risk to homes in the Skokomish Valley?

    Mason County Public Works has issued an advisory noting that ongoing heavy rainfall is increasing the risk of rapid river rises and debris flows in steep or saturated areas. Residents in low-lying locations, along the river, or near hillside slopes should monitor conditions closely. FEMA has previously conducted acquisition and elevation projects in the Skokomish Valley specifically because of the area’s chronic flood risk. If you are in a known flood zone, review your emergency preparedness plans and monitor official advisories.


  • Mason County PUD 3 Fiber Internet Is Reaching More Homes in 2026 — Here’s What’s Coming to Your Neighborhood

    Mason County PUD 3 Fiber Internet Is Reaching More Homes in 2026 — Here’s What’s Coming to Your Neighborhood

    If you have been waiting for fast internet in Mason County, the map is getting smaller. Mason County Public Utility District No. 3 has been connecting fiberhoods across the county through the winter and into spring 2026 — and two of the county’s biggest expansion projects are in their final stages right now.

    In March alone, PUD 3 lit up three neighborhoods: Pacific Ridge connected on March 18, Arcadia Shores on March 25, and Fern Way on March 26. Each connection means residents who may have been running on dial-up-equivalent speeds — some areas were getting as little as 1.5 Mbps — are now able to access gigabit service: symmetrical 1000/1000 Mbps fiber, the same kind of speeds most Seattle households take for granted.

    Cloquallum Communities: 680+ Homes, October 2026 Target

    The Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood is one of the largest single projects in PUD 3’s fiber buildout, serving more than 680 customers across the greater Cloquallum area. This project is funded through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant that PUD 3 was awarded in late 2023 through the Washington State Broadband Office.

    The main fiber backbone was completed in July 2025. Individual home connections began in September 2025 and are expected to wrap up by October 2026. In a significant milestone, the Cloquallum Fiberhood — along with Wivell Road and Loertscher Road fiberhoods — officially connected on February 10, 2026, meaning the first Cloquallum homes are already online. The October 2026 date marks full project completion for the entire service area.

    Three Fingers Fiber: Federal ReConnect Grant, Final Connections Underway

    The Three Fingers Fiber Project was funded through a federal ReConnect Program grant awarded to PUD 3 in early 2020. Construction of the mainline distribution network is complete. PUD 3 is now in the customer connection phase, working through individual service hookups with an April 2026 project completion deadline.

    Like all PUD 3 fiber, Three Fingers runs on an open-access network — meaning multiple internet service providers can deliver service over the same fiber cable. Residents aren’t locked into one provider. Unlimited, symmetrical gigabit speeds (1000/1000 Mbps) are available from participating retail providers.

    What PUD 3’s Fiber Network Means for Mason County

    Mason County is largely rural, and rural broadband access in Washington State has historically lagged well behind urban and suburban areas. PUD 3’s aggressive fiberhood buildout — which uses a neighborhood-based sign-up model to determine construction priority — has been one of the most significant public infrastructure investments in the county in years.

    The combination of federal ReConnect grants, ARPA funding, and the state Washington Broadband Office partnership has allowed PUD 3 to extend fiber to communities that private carriers have never reached and likely never would on a commercial basis. For residents who have been working from home on spotty satellite connections or driving to the library to upload files, these connections are genuinely life-changing.

    For Mason County as a whole, reliable broadband is increasingly a prerequisite for economic development — attracting remote workers, supporting small businesses, enabling telehealth, and making rural property competitive with suburban alternatives.

    Is Fiber Coming to Your Area?

    PUD 3 uses a fiberhood model: neighborhoods that meet a minimum sign-up threshold get prioritized for construction. If your neighborhood hasn’t been connected yet, the way to move it up the list is to sign up and encourage neighbors to do the same. Check current project status and sign up at pud3.org.

    For residents in areas already built out, connection to your home requires scheduling an installation with PUD 3 and then selecting a retail internet service provider. Visit PUD 3’s service zone map to check your address.

    Related: SR-3 Belfair Bypass secures $48.3M — another major Mason County infrastructure win in 2026

    Related: Mason County infrastructure beat recap — April 9, 2026

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which Mason County neighborhoods got fiber in March 2026?

    PUD 3 connected Pacific Ridge on March 18, Arcadia Shores on March 25, and Fern Way on March 26, 2026. The Cloquallum Fiberhood and adjacent Wivell Road and Loertscher Road fiberhoods also came online in February 2026.

    When will the Cloquallum Communities Fiberhood be fully complete?

    The project targets full completion by October 2026. More than 680 homes and businesses in the Cloquallum area are included. Individual connections began in September 2025 and are being installed in stages through the October deadline.

    What speeds does PUD 3 fiber provide?

    PUD 3’s fiber network supports symmetrical gigabit service — 1000 Mbps download and 1000 Mbps upload — through its participating retail internet providers. This is a significant upgrade for areas that previously had speeds as low as 1.5 Mbps on legacy connections.

    How is PUD 3 funding its fiber expansion?

    The buildout is funded through multiple sources: a federal ReConnect Program grant (Three Fingers Fiber), an American Rescue Plan Act grant through the Washington State Broadband Office (Cloquallum Communities), and PUD 3’s own fiberhood program funded through customer sign-up revenue. No property taxes are being raised for this expansion.

    What is PUD 3’s open-access fiber model?

    Unlike most private ISPs, PUD 3 builds and owns the fiber infrastructure but allows multiple retail service providers to deliver internet, TV, and phone service over the same cable. Customers choose their preferred provider. This prevents monopoly pricing and gives Mason County residents more options than they typically have in rural areas.

    How do I get fiber internet through PUD 3 in Mason County?

    Check your address on PUD 3’s service zone map at pud3.servicezones.net. If your area is built out, you can schedule an installation with PUD 3 and then select a retail internet provider. If your area hasn’t been built yet, signing up on the fiberhood waitlist helps push your neighborhood toward the construction threshold.


    More From This Series

  • Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Opens New Port of Shelton Facility — What a $1.75M CERB Loan and 17 New Jobs Mean for Mason County

    Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Opens New Port of Shelton Facility — What a $1.75M CERB Loan and 17 New Jobs Mean for Mason County

    One of Mason County’s most beloved food brands is growing up — and growing into a facility four times the size of where it started. Olympic Mountain Ice Cream, the artisan ice cream maker that has operated out of the Skokomish Valley for over 40 years, is establishing a new home at the Port of Shelton: an 11,500-square-foot facility at 130 West Corporate Drive, backed by a $1.75 million state loan and expected to add 17 new jobs to the local economy.

    The move is the largest single expansion in the company’s four-decade history, and one of the more significant food manufacturing investments Mason County has seen in years.

    The Numbers Behind the Expansion

    The Port of Shelton Commission passed a resolution approving the project’s financing — a $1.75 million low-interest loan from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). The loan is paired with at least $1 million in private investment from Olympic Mountain Ice Cream itself, for a total project investment of roughly $2.75 million.

    The new facility is a renovated Port-owned warehouse at 130 West Corporate Drive. At 11,500 square feet, it is four times larger than Olympic Mountain Ice Cream’s previous Skokomish Valley location. The company currently employs 18 people and produces more than 50,000 gallons of artisan ice cream, gelato, and sorbet annually, serving over 300 active wholesale customers.

    The expansion plan projects 17 new permanent jobs over the next five years — nearly doubling the current workforce. In a county where manufacturing employment is relatively scarce and wages in food production tend to be accessible to workers without specialized credentials, 17 additional positions represents a meaningful contribution to the local job market.

    A New Public-Facing Retail Storefront

    The Port of Shelton facility will include a retail storefront open to the public — a significant upgrade from the company’s previous production-focused setup. For Mason County residents who know Olympic Mountain Ice Cream primarily as the brand in their grocery store freezer case, the new location offers a chance to buy direct and see the operation up close.

    The company has been handcrafting ice cream using Pacific Northwest-grown berries and stone fruit for more than 30 years under the same family ownership. Moving to a facility with a retail presence while maintaining its wholesale distribution network positions the company to grow both sides of its business simultaneously.

    What Is CERB and Why Does It Matter for Mason County?

    The Community Economic Revitalization Board is a Washington State program that provides low-interest loans and grants to public entities — including port districts — for infrastructure and economic development projects that create private sector jobs. The Port of Shelton received the $1.75 million CERB loan and is leasing the improved facility to Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.

    CERB is not a grant program for private businesses directly; it works through public partners like ports and economic development councils. The Port of Shelton model here is a good example of how it’s designed to work: the public entity takes on the CERB debt, improves an asset, and leases it to a private business, which commits to creating jobs in exchange for the favorable terms.

    For Mason County, the CERB financing keeps a homegrown company in the county that might otherwise have had to look at cheaper or more competitive real estate elsewhere in the Puget Sound region.

    The Port of Shelton’s Expanding Role

    The Port of Shelton, established in 1948, manages several distinct assets including Sanderson Field (a general aviation airport and industrial park on 1,200 acres) and the Johns Prairie Industrial Park. The Olympic Mountain Ice Cream partnership is consistent with the Port’s mission of attracting and retaining private sector employers in Mason County.

    For the Port, the project represents a low-risk deployment of CERB capital into an established local business with a proven product, an existing customer base of 300+ wholesale accounts, and a 40-year operating history in the county.

    Related: SR-3 Belfair Bypass secures $48.3M — another major Mason County investment in 2026

    Related: Mason County PUD 3 fiber expansion reaches 680+ Cloquallum homes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is the new Olympic Mountain Ice Cream facility located?

    The new facility is at 130 West Corporate Drive in Shelton, at the Port of Shelton. The building is a renovated Port-owned warehouse that Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is leasing under the CERB-financed partnership arrangement.

    When will the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream retail storefront open?

    The project was moving toward a March 2026 opening based on the original timeline. Check the company’s website at olympicmountainicecream.com or their Facebook page for the most current opening status and hours.

    What is the CERB loan and who receives the money?

    The Community Economic Revitalization Board is a Washington State program that provides low-interest loans to public entities for economic development projects. The Port of Shelton received the $1.75 million CERB loan — not Olympic Mountain Ice Cream directly. The Port used the funds to renovate the warehouse building, which it leases to the ice cream company. The arrangement ties the public investment to job creation commitments.

    How many jobs is the Olympic Mountain Ice Cream expansion expected to create?

    The project is projected to create 17 new permanent jobs over five years, nearly doubling the company’s current workforce of 18. These are food manufacturing and production positions in Shelton, Mason County.

    What does Olympic Mountain Ice Cream currently produce?

    Olympic Mountain Ice Cream produces artisan ice creams, gelatos, and sorbets using Pacific Northwest-sourced ingredients including locally-grown berries and stone fruit. The company produces more than 50,000 gallons annually and serves over 300 active wholesale customers throughout the region.

    How long has Olympic Mountain Ice Cream been in business?

    Olympic Mountain Ice Cream has been operating for over 40 years under the same family ownership, with roots in the Skokomish Valley near the Olympic Mountain foothills. It is one of the oldest artisan ice cream makers in the Pacific Northwest.


    More From This Series

  • Hood Canal Property Owners: What the 2026 Shellfish Rule Changes Mean for Your Beach

    Hood Canal Property Owners: What the 2026 Shellfish Rule Changes Mean for Your Beach




    If you own property on Hood Canal — whether that’s a home on Little Mission Creek, a cabin on the canal in the Tahuya area, or a lot with tidelands on North Bay — the 2026 shellfish season changes affect you differently than they affect someone driving out from Bremerton for the day. Here’s what Hood Canal property owners in the North Mason area need to know.

    The Rule Changes That Apply to Your Beach

    Two WDFW regulation changes took effect April 1, 2026, and they apply regardless of whether you’re harvesting from a public beach or tidelands you own or have access to:

    • Cockle minimum size is now 2½ inches (up from 1½ inches). Undersized cockles must be returned to the water.
    • Geoduck daily limit is now 1 per person per day (down from 3). This is a significant cut — if your property has geoduck on the lower tideline, the old 3-per-day standard no longer applies.

    These changes are about long-term resource protection. Geoduck populations in the intertidal zone — the only geoducks accessible to recreational harvesters — recover slowly, and WDFW data showed the previous limit was creating pressure on those populations. The cockle change similarly supports reproduction.

    Private Tidelands: What You Own and What You Don’t

    In Washington State, owning waterfront property on Hood Canal does not automatically mean you own the tidelands in front of your home. Private tideland ownership in Mason County is complex — some waterfront parcels include tideland rights conveyed by deed; others do not. The tidelands that were not conveyed into private ownership are state-owned and managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

    If you’re harvesting shellfish below the mean high water line on your property, verify your deed includes tideland rights. Mason County Assessor records show tideland ownership on most parcels. If you’re unsure, contact the Mason County Assessor’s office or review your property deed. Harvesting from state-owned tidelands in front of your property without the tidelands in your deed is subject to the same rules as harvesting from any public beach — including licensing requirements.

    Biotoxin Monitoring: The Non-Negotiable

    For Hood Canal property owners, biotoxin monitoring is arguably more important than for casual visitors — because you may be tempted to harvest on a beautiful day without checking, just because you’re already there. Don’t.

    Hood Canal has a documented history of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) closures that can sweep through the canal with little warning. Biotoxins cannot be smelled, seen, or cooked out of shellfish. Before every harvest — even a casual “grab some oysters for dinner” situation — check the DOH Shellfish Safety Map at doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm or call 1-800-562-5632. This applies to tidelands you own just as much as to public beaches.

    Commercial Shellfish Leases Along Hood Canal

    If your property is adjacent to DNR-leased commercial shellfish beds — oyster and clam operations are active at multiple locations along North Mason’s Hood Canal shoreline — recreational harvest from those leased areas is not permitted. Commercial shellfish lease boundaries are marked with buoys and signage. If you’re unsure where your property’s tidelands end and a lease begins, the DNR Aquatic Resources Division maintains lease maps at dnr.wa.gov.

    What’s Closed That Wasn’t Before

    If you or your guests have historically made day trips to Dosewallips State Park — up the canal in Jefferson County — note that Dosewallips is closed to all clams, mussels, and oysters in 2026 under the new WDFW regulation cycle. The closest quality public alternative is Potlatch State Park, about 12 miles north of Belfair on Highway 101, open through May 31.

    The Theler Wetlands This Summer

    For Hood Canal property owners who enjoy the Theler Wetlands trail system near Belfair, construction activity will be visible and audible this summer as the HCSEG builds a 1,200-foot elevated boardwalk in the footprint of the removed levees — reconnecting the estuary loop trail. The restoration supports Hood Canal summer chum salmon habitat. This is good news for the canal’s long-term ecological health, which directly affects shellfish populations and water quality throughout the watershed.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do the new 2026 WDFW shellfish rules apply to my private tidelands on Hood Canal?

    Yes. WDFW recreational shellfish regulations — including the new 2026 cockle minimum (2½ inches) and geoduck daily limit (1 per day) — apply to all recreational harvest in Washington State, including on privately-owned tidelands. The only exception is tribal harvest under treaty rights.

    How do I know if I own the tidelands in front of my Hood Canal property?

    Check your property deed and Mason County Assessor records. Tideland rights are a separate conveyance in Washington and are not automatically included with waterfront property. If your deed doesn’t reference tidelands, the state likely owns them. Contact the Mason County Assessor’s office or consult a property attorney for confirmation.

    Do I still need a shellfish license to harvest on tidelands I own?

    Yes. Washington State requires a valid shellfish license for recreational harvest of clams, mussels, and oysters for anyone 15 or older, regardless of whether you own the tidelands or are on a public beach. Licenses are available at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

    What is the risk of biotoxins on Hood Canal specifically?

    Hood Canal has experienced documented PSP closures in multiple past seasons. The semi-enclosed geography and water circulation of the canal can concentrate harmful algae blooms. Check doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm before every harvest — status can change between visits.

    Where is the nearest public shellfish beach to Belfair now that the rules have changed?

    Potlatch State Park is the closest quality public shellfish beach to Belfair — about 12 miles north on Hood Canal Highway. Clam, mussel, and oyster season runs April 1–May 31, 2026. Always verify biotoxin status at doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm before going.

    Sources: WDFW 2026 Shellfish Regulations; WDFW Annual Beach Seasons Bar Chart; WA DOH Biotoxin Information; DNR Aquatic Resources; HCSEG/WDFW Union River Estuary Restoration Project; Mason County Assessor.

    Also on Belfair Bugle

  • What Mason County Parents Need to Know About the North Mason School District Levy: April 28 Ballot

    What Mason County Parents Need to Know About the North Mason School District Levy: April 28 Ballot

    For Mason County Parents: The North Mason School District replacement levy on the April 28 ballot determines whether athletics, arts, music, counseling, and after-school programs survive for the 2026–2027 school year. This is the district’s third attempt after failures in February and November 2025.

    The April 28 Levy Vote: What It Means for Your Child’s School Year

    If your child attends school in the North Mason School District, the April 28 special election matters directly to their upcoming school year. The replacement levy on the ballot funds the programs that go beyond what the state pays for — and after two levy failures, several of those programs have already been cut back.

    Which Programs Are on the Line

    The North Mason School District replacement levy would authorize up to $5,577,446 per year through 2029 to fund programs Washington’s basic education formula doesn’t cover:

    • Athletics: Middle school and high school sports programs
    • Arts and music: Elective programs across grade levels
    • Counseling services: School counselors providing academic and social support
    • Security staff: Campus safety personnel
    • After-school programs: Enrichment and extended day activities
    • Facilities: Community gymnasium roof replacement

    What Has Already Been Cut

    The February 2025 levy failure triggered approximately $4.5 million in budget cuts at the district. North Mason families have already seen reductions in athletics, arts, counseling staff, and after-school programming. A third failure in April 2026 would force further cuts for the 2026–2027 school year — district leadership has stated these would be more severe than the 2025 reductions.

    This Is the Third Vote on This Levy

    The North Mason School District has brought this replacement levy to voters in February 2025, November 2025, and now April 28, 2026. The levy is not a new tax — it replaces an expiring measure that previously funded these same programs. Each prior failure has led to cuts that students are currently experiencing.

    How to Cast Your Vote

    Your ballot was mailed April 7. Drop it at any official Mason County drop box (open 24/7 — find locations at masoncountywa.gov) or mail it postmarked by April 28. Track your ballot at VoteWA.gov.

    Last day to register: April 20. Questions? Contact the Mason County Auditor at 360-427-9670 ext. 468.

    For full ballot and election details, see our main coverage: North Mason School District Levy: Full Voter Guide. For Mason County civic news, see Mason County Government Update.

    Related: Full Mason County April 28 Election Voter Guide

    Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy and Mason County School Programs

    What school programs does the North Mason levy fund?

    The levy funds middle and high school athletics, arts and music programs, counseling services, security staff, after-school programs, and facilities like the community gymnasium roof — programs the state’s basic education formula does not cover.

    What happened to North Mason school programs after the levy failed?

    The February 2025 failure led to approximately $4.5 million in budget cuts across the district, reducing athletics, arts, counseling, and support staffing. A third failure would trigger deeper cuts for the 2026–2027 school year.

    How much does the levy cost per household?

    The estimated rate is $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value. On a $300,000 assessed home, that is approximately $384 per year, or roughly $32 per month.

    When do April 28 election results come out?

    Results are released after 8 PM on April 28, 2026, after ballot processing begins for the evening.

    Who can vote on the North Mason School District levy?

    Registered voters within the North Mason School District boundaries — which span parts of both Mason County and Kitsap County — received ballots for this measure.


  • Mason County Property Owners: What the North Mason School District Levy Means for Your Tax Bill

    Mason County Property Owners: What the North Mason School District Levy Means for Your Tax Bill

    For Mason County Property Owners: The North Mason School District replacement levy on the April 28, 2026 ballot would collect an estimated $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually through 2029. This is a replacement levy, not a new tax. Total annual collection: up to $5,577,446 across the district.

    The North Mason Levy and Your Property Tax: What the April 28 Vote Means

    For Mason County property owners, the April 28 special election brings a concrete question: what does the North Mason School District replacement levy mean for your tax bill, and what has already changed in the district since the levy funding lapsed after the February 2025 failure?

    The Numbers: What You Would Pay

    The replacement levy would authorize up to $5,577,446 per year collected from property owners within the district from 2026 through 2029. The estimated collection rate is $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

    Estimated annual cost at common Mason County assessed values:

    • $200,000: approximately $256/year ($21/month)
    • $300,000: approximately $384/year ($32/month)
    • $400,000: approximately $512/year ($43/month)
    • $500,000: approximately $640/year ($53/month)

    This is a replacement levy — it renews an expiring measure, not a new tax layer. Property owners who were paying under the previous levy would see their rate continue at roughly the same level.

    School Quality and Property Values

    After the February 2025 levy failure and the resulting $4.5 million in cuts, the North Mason School District reduced athletics, arts, music, counseling, and after-school programs. A third consecutive failure in April 2026 would force further reductions for the 2026–2027 school year.

    School district quality is consistently among the top factors prospective homebuyers evaluate when assessing a community. The relationship between school funding and residential property values is well-documented in Washington state real estate markets.

    This Is the Third Attempt

    The levy failed in February 2025 and November 2025. April 28, 2026 is the third vote on this replacement measure. The district has operated under reduced funding since the first failure, absorbing cuts to programs that levy revenue previously supported. A third failure would deepen those cuts further.

    How to Vote

    Ballots were mailed April 7 and processing began April 13. Drop your ballot at any official Mason County drop box (locations at masoncountywa.gov) or mail it postmarked by April 28. Track your ballot at VoteWA.gov. Last day to register: April 20.

    For the full voter guide, see Mason County April 28 Special Election Coverage. For Mason County economic news, see Mason County Business Update.

    Related: Full Mason County April 28 Election Voter Guide

    Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy and Property Taxes

    What is the North Mason School District levy rate in 2026?

    The estimated rate is $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The levy would collect up to $5,577,446 per year from 2026 through 2029 from properties within the district boundaries.

    Is this a new tax or a replacement?

    This is a replacement levy — it renews an expiring measure rather than creating a new obligation. Property owners within the North Mason School District were already paying under the previous levy at a comparable rate.

    Does the levy apply if my property is in Kitsap County but within the school district?

    Yes. The North Mason School District covers portions of both Mason County and Kitsap County. Property owners within the district boundaries in either county are subject to the levy if it passes.

    What happens to school programs if the levy fails again?

    A third failure would force the district to implement additional cuts beyond the $4.5 million already absorbed after February 2025, affecting athletics, arts, counseling, security staffing, and after-school programming for the 2026–2027 school year.

    Where can I find Mason County drop box locations?

    Official drop box locations are listed at masoncountywa.gov. Boxes are open 24/7. You can also mail your ballot postmarked by April 28 or register and vote in person at the Mason County Auditor’s office on Election Day.


  • Third Time at the Ballot: Why North Mason’s School Levy Has Failed Twice and What a Third Failure Would Mean

    Third Time at the Ballot: Why North Mason’s School Levy Has Failed Twice and What a Third Failure Would Mean

    Civic Context: The North Mason School District replacement levy on the April 28, 2026 ballot has failed twice in 14 months — in February and November 2025. Each failure deepened cuts. The April vote is the district’s third attempt to restore this funding stream.

    North Mason’s Levy Has Failed Twice. April 28 Is the Third Attempt.

    For Mason County civic watchers, the April 28 special election is more than a routine levy vote — it’s the third chapter in a policy story that has reshaped the North Mason School District over the past 14 months.

    The replacement levy failed in February 2025. It failed again in November 2025. The district cut approximately $4.5 million following the first failure. Now, heading into a third election, the question is whether Mason County voters are prepared to restore the funding stream — and what a third failure would mean for public education in the North Mason region.

    How Washington’s Levy System Works

    Washington state’s school funding model pays for a defined “basic education” baseline. Programs and services outside that definition — athletics, arts, music, counseling, security staff, after-school programs, certain facility needs — must be funded locally through voter-approved levies.

    Replacement levies renew expiring authorization; they are not new taxes. When voters decline to renew, the district cannot substitute other funds. The programs either operate at reduced capacity or are eliminated.

    A Chronology of the North Mason Levy Battle

    • February 2025: First vote — levy fails. District responds with $4.5 million in cuts across athletics, arts, counseling, security, and after-school programs.
    • November 2025: Second vote — levy fails again. District continues operating under reduced budget heading into the 2025–2026 school year.
    • April 28, 2026: Third attempt. The levy would authorize up to $5,577,446 annually at $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed value through 2029. District leadership has stated that a third failure would require additional cuts beyond the current level for the 2026–2027 school year.

    What Makes This Pattern Unusual

    School levy failures of this duration are uncommon in Washington state. Most districts that bring replacement levies to voters see them pass on the first or second attempt. North Mason’s situation reflects a pattern of voter resistance that has emerged in several rural and semi-rural Washington communities since 2024, where skepticism about school spending levels has grown alongside property tax increases from other sources.

    The North Mason School District serves communities in both Mason County and portions of Kitsap County, meaning the vote outcome is shaped by two different county electorates.

    What Civic Watchers Should Watch For

    April 28 results will be released after 8 PM. Initial returns typically reflect mail-in ballots received before Election Day. If the levy fails a third time, watch for district budget discussions in the weeks following — the 2026–2027 school year budget process will need to begin with the assumption of no levy funding.

    Track results at masoncountywa.gov and via the Mason County Auditor at 360-427-9670 ext. 468.

    Full voter guide: Mason County April 28 Special Election Coverage. For broader Mason County government news, see SR-3 Belfair Bypass Funding and Commissioner Meetings.

    Related: Full Mason County April 28 Election Voter Guide

    Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy History and April 28

    How many times has the North Mason levy failed?

    Twice — in February 2025 and November 2025. The April 28, 2026 vote is the third attempt. Each prior failure has led to budget cuts and program reductions across the district.

    What did the first levy failure cost the district?

    The February 2025 failure triggered approximately $4.5 million in budget cuts and staff reductions, affecting athletics, arts, music, counseling services, security staffing, and after-school programs.

    Why can’t the district use other funding to replace the levy?

    Washington state school funding has categorical restrictions. Levy revenue covers programs outside the state’s basic education formula — the district cannot legally redirect state education funds to replace voter levy revenue.

    What would a third levy failure mean for the 2026–2027 school year?

    District leadership has stated that a third failure would require additional cuts beyond the current $4.5 million level — likely more severe reductions affecting programs for the upcoming school year.

    Does the district serve only Mason County voters?

    No. The North Mason School District covers portions of both Mason County and Kitsap County. The April 28 levy vote involves registered voters within district boundaries in both counties.

    Where do official Mason County election results get posted?

    The Mason County Auditor releases results after 8 PM on Election Day at masoncountywa.gov. The Auditor’s office is at 360-427-9670 ext. 468.