In their final meeting before a two-month summer hiatus, the White Center Chamber of Commerce covered a number of topics relating to current and future business in the unincorporated area. The meeting was held at Viva Mexico Restaurant (10601 16th Ave S.W.) on June 14.

White Center Business Guide coming soon
Nhan Nguyen, neighborhood revitalization program manager for the White Center Community Development Association (CDA), presented his work on a White Center Business Guide that will help new and existing businesses wade through bureaucracy and licensing, and find ways to obtain grants to help their business thrive. Nguyen said the guide should be available mid-August of 2011 and will provide an exhaustive list of contact information for government, non-profit and other resources that will help start-up White Center businesses clearly understand the necessary steps to open up shop.

Nguyen used Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th Ave S.W.) as an example of tracking down non-profits to help with business. Dubsea recently received assistance to build a company website from Highline Community College’s StartZone, providing entrepreneurship aid for “immigrants, minorities, women and people of disability in Southwest King County, according to their website. http://startzone.highline.edu/

Medical marijuana dispensary discussed
Chris Cody, owner of the Herban Legends dispensary that opened in downtown White Center in May, continued his run of making himself available for questions from the business community about his non-traditional addition to the 16th Ave block.

Cody distributed an informative outline for those unfamiliar with his business. It covered a number of topics including their mission statement to “provide only the best organically grown medicine to patients suffering from serious chronic illnesses and the side effects of treatment for those medical conditions,” his intention to be as discreet as possible and assurances that security is well-thought out. Security-wise, Cody said Herban Legends is fully ensured, including the actual medicine, so his employees are instructed to put up no resistance to robbery attempts unless someone’s life is in danger. His building is equipped with silent panic alarms and 24-hour surveillance and there are no guns on the premise – only non-lethal security measures.

One business owner asked Cody (with disappointment) why he decided to open a dispensary in White Center. Cody explained that he looked all over the greater Seattle area for a location and chose White Center because of its handicap accessibility for patients and a landlord that was willing to work with a dispensary.

Asked by Chamber President Mark Ufkes how he approaches the problem of patients smoking their medicine in public after purchasing it, Cody said he does not allow smoking at his dispensary and reminds patients “that it is illegal, and impolite, to use their medicine in public.”

“Frankly I’ve had a lot of people come in … they are sick, they are not the kind of people that want to do that (smoke publicly). They come to my shop for help and then they go home,” Cody added.

A Group Health employee stepped into the conversation to add a rare moment of support for dispensaries in White Center: “I’m grateful that you are here serving the needs of patients who need to use your product for pain management and I’m also glad that you are actually right here in White Center … and that has to do with access,” she said. “(There is) unequal distribution of care for people of color and I think this is a great service.”

Affordable housing development in White Center
Derek Birnie, executive director of the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, spoke about the latest in affordable housing developments in White Center being led by the DNDA in conjunction with the White Center CDA. Birnie said the 30-unit Strength of Place Village (SOPI) will have their first tenants moving in by September and they are currently advertising for development partners to move forward with Pappas Village, a 50 to 80 unit proposed site at the corner of S.W. 107th St and 14th Ave S.W. Affordable housing development in White Center is a contentious issue for some, including members of the North Highline Unincorporated Area. To read more on that discussion please click here.

Jubilee Days looking for sponsors
Julie Hiatt, vice president of the Jubilee Days board, addressed the Chamber and asked for additional sponsorship support for the July 13-17 Festival. For more information visit http://jubileedays.org/ .

Rededication of the White Center Veterans Triangle Park
First details emerged on the Chamber-sponsored rededication of the WC Veterans Triangle Park at the junction of 16th Ave S.W. and S.W. Roxbury St. “Mac” McElroy, owner of the Triangle Pub just north of the park and Chamber board member has been the guiding voice behind the rededication that will include a new American flag, officially turning on the flag pole lighting and installing a new plaque to recognize the service and contribution of American veterans. The event is planned for September 18 at 7 p.m. and the Chamber expects around 200 veterans to attend along with a (to be determined) Medal of Honor Recipient giving the keynote speech.

Additional notes
Aileen Sisson was introduced as the newest Chamber board member. Ufkes said King County sanitation workers’ hours have been cut so he is looking for business volunteers to help clear community garbage cans more often than the county can get to them.