Cowlitz Economic Development Council

05/31/2026

We've updated our June Community Events Calendar to include the many additional fundraisers and support events that have been organized for the families affected by the recent Nippon tragedy.

You'll find these events incorporated throughout the calendar alongside the many other activities happening this month!

In June, you'll find:
• Fundraisers and Benefits
• Vendor Markets and Farmer's Markets throughout the county
• The start of outdoor concerts and event season
• Runs, races, and sporting events
• Woodland Planters Days
• Family activities
• Much More

Take a look through the updated calendars, mark your favorites, and if you know of a community event that isn't listed, please share it in the comments and help spread the word!

05/28/2026

As we head into June, our community is carrying heavy hearts.

This week’s tragedy at the Nippon plant has touched so many families, friends, coworkers, and neighbors throughout Cowlitz County and beyond. In times like these, we're reminded that our communities are at their best when they come together to support one another.

Along with our June Community Events Calendar, we're sharing information about upcoming fundraisers and support efforts for the families affected. For the latest list of fundraising events, meal trains, memorials, GoFundMe campaigns, and other ways to help, please visit local radio station's KLOG's page: https://www.facebook.com/kloghometeam.

A donation account has also been established through Lower Columbia Longshoremen's Federal Credit Union in Longview for those wishing to contribute.

As always, our calendar is a reflection of the many ways people connect and support one another. June brings:

• Pop-up vendor and farmer's markets throughout the county
• The start of outdoor concert and event season
• Runs, races, and sporting events
• Woodland Planters Days
• Community celebrations, classes, and family activities
• And much more

Many of these events are opportunities to gather, support local organizations and businesses, and spend time with neighbors and friends. This month, that sense of community feels especially important.

Please take a look through the calendar, support the causes and events that matter to you, and if you don't see an upcoming community event listed, feel free to share it in the comments so others can learn about it as well.

05/28/2026

Many people from across the United States and the world have reached out to the CEDC to learn how they may help families through the unspeakable tragedy at NDW. Our local radio station, KLOG, is cataloging events, GoFund Me's, meal trains etc. If you would like to learn more, click on their "Featured" page - https://www.facebook.com/kloghometeam

Classic Hits 100.7 FM and 1490 AM KLOG is #1 for Local News, Local Sports, Local Information.

05/22/2026

Did you know 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses? That is one statistic that really stood out yesterday, as we had the opportunity to attend a Cybersecurity for Small Businesses workshop hosted by the Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC).

The good news? There are a few simple steps that can dramatically improve protection for your business.

Top takeaways:
• Set up multi-factor authentication (especially for bank accounts, email accounts, and social media)
• Back up your data regularly , both digitally and with hard copies when possible
• Keep systems and software updated, since many updates patch security vulnerabilities hackers use to gain access
• Train employees on common scams, phishing attempts, red flags, and company policies/procedures. With AI tools becoming more advanced, scams are getting harder to spot.

The workshop also covered passwords, firewalls, cyber insurance, protecting bank accounts, public vs. private Wi-Fi, access control, risk mitigation, system integrity, check fraud, bank transaction monitoring, and reducing human error.

Need help getting started? Washington SBDC offers free Small Business Cybersecurity On-Demand Training and a self-assessment guide and policy workbook for businesses. They can also help businesses create cybersecurity policies and procedures.

Reach out to [email protected] for more information or email us at [email protected] and we can facilitate a connection or provide additional information.

Cybersecurity can feel overwhelming, but taking even a few basic steps now can make a big difference later.

05/20/2026

Cowlitz County businesses looking to grow their international sales may want to check this out!

The Washington State Department of Commerce, Small Business Export Assistance Team has launched a dynamic new program to help small businesses expand through cross-border e-commerce.

Its latest partnership is with Coupang, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Seattle, which is the leading online retailer in South Korea and second in Taiwan, serving millions of customers.

This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses offering unique consumer goods, ranging from nutritional supplements and healthy snacks to baby products and more, to tap into vibrant overseas markets.

To kick things off, they are hosting a free webinar on May 26, from 10 am to 11 am Pacific time. You’ll hear directly from experts at the U.S. Commercial Service, Coupang, and Flavor Cloud, sharing valuable insights about growing international sales through online marketplaces. You can sign up here: https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LhHY_9

📍 Free Webinar (via Zoom)
🗓 May 26
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM (Pacific)

Following the webinar, they will launch the program with an in-person event in Spokane, Washington.

📍 In-Person Launch Event – Spokane
🗓 June 16
⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM
📍 Greater Spokane, Inc., Spokane, WA

To attend the Spokane event, email [email protected] for registration information.

This new initiative aims to help Washington businesses better understand the South Korean consumer market, learn strategies for entering international e-commerce spaces, and connect with resources to support export growth. Additional in-person events are planned across Washington in the future.

05/08/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Divert Inc.'s brand-new facility at Mint Farm Industrial Park in Longview, Washington - City of Longview — and what a milestone it was for our region!

We had toured the facility while it was still under construction, so seeing it operational and celebrating with so many community partners was incredibly rewarding. What struck us most at the event was the sheer breadth of support in the room — representatives from across Washington and Oregon, state agency partners, and members of the Cowlitz Tribe all came together to celebrate this project.

Divert transforms inedible food waste into renewable natural gas, piped directly into the Cascade Natural Gas system. And now their Longview plant is preparing to bring another exciting product to market — a plastic-free, nitrogen-rich fertilizer, arriving at a moment when global fertilizer markets are under significant pressure due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

This is exactly the kind of innovative, sustainable industry that Cowlitz County is proud to welcome. Projects like Divert are a powerful reminder of what's possible when communities, tribes, and state partners align around smart economic and energy solutions.

Congratulations to the entire Divert team! We're so glad you're here! 🎉

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April 29th was , and our Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Longview, WA is officially open! We were thrilled to welcome customers, state and local officials, and members of the community to our ribbon cutting ceremony.

Our state‑of‑the‑art Longview facility is transforming unsold, non-donatable food into renewable energy and nutrient‑rich fertilizer, keeping valuable resources local and food waste out of landfills.

This milestone reflects Divert’s commitment to building resilient, circular food systems: partnering with leading retailers, manufacturers, and community organizations to reduce waste, support food donation, and strengthen the regional economy.

Read more from our press release here: https://hubs.ly/Q04f71Zx0

04/27/2026

May is when things really start to pick up around Cowlitz County. As the weather warms up, so does the events calendar, and there’s a lot to look forward to this month.

• Lilac Days continues in Woodland
• The farmers market season is underway
• Plant sales and spring markets are popping up
• Mother’s Day brings plenty of ways to celebrate
• Fundraisers, Classes, Workshops, Theater, Sports & More

It’s a great time to get out and explore local events.

Take a look at the May Events Calendar and start planning your month.

04/24/2026

Keeping your business safe online doesn’t have to be confusing, and this upcoming workshop is here to help!

Join our partners at the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on May 21 from 1 to 3 pm at Longview City Hall for a practical, easy-to-follow session on cybersecurity basics for small businesses.

You’ll learn:
• The fundamentals of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model
• Simple ways to strengthen passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
• How to secure your Wi-Fi and devices
• Tips to recognize and avoid scams like phishing and fake emails

Featuring guest speakers: Michael Wallace from OLS Technology and Katie Kelley from Columbia Bank.

If you’ve been meaning to get a handle on your business’s online security, this is a great place to start.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/muayhmav

04/03/2026

ScaleUp is back and fully funded! The next cohort begins April 29th!

02/26/2026

March brings longer days, hints of spring, and plenty of great reasons to get out of the house. This month’s calendar is filled with:

🛍️ Local markets
🎭 Live theater performances
🎶 Music and concerts
💛 Community fundraisers and special events

Whether you’re ready to shake off winter or just looking for something fun to do on a weekend, there’s no shortage of ways to connect, support local, and enjoy what’s happening around the county.

Don't see a community event you're involved with? Please share it in the comments!