EDC presents 9th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon: The Future of Water in San Juan County

Submitted by the EDC

Join the conversation on local water supplies at the ninth annual San Juan County Economic Development Center’s Economic Forecast Luncheon, held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. The EDC’s annual luncheon will also explore recent data on trends in the economy of the San Juan Islands.

This year’s topic is “The Future of Water in San Juan County,” which will examine the availability of water resources in the islands, touching on scarcity risk assessments and security and their impacts on business and industry, and will also explore trends in water transportation and recreation in the area.

Noted water sector expert Rachel Cardone will lead the discussion on water scarcity and its effects both globally and here in San Juan County; Washington state maritime expert Joshua Berger will discuss Washington Maritime Blue, a strategy to accelerate innovation in the maritime industry, and water transportation issues and trends.

Speaker Rachel Cardone is the founder and Principal of RedThread Advisors, and works on diverse water policy and programming issues as an advisor to high profile public, private and non-profit organizations. Prior to returning to independent consulting in 2012, she spent five years working to design and develop the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Speaker Joshua Berger is the Governor’s maritime sector lead and associate director in the office of economic development and competitiveness in the Washington State Department of Commerce. He has served as director of the Washington Maritime Federation and he brings decades of maritime industry experience to his position including as a merchant mariner. He has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Washington Maritime Blue initiative.

Tickets are $29 and space is limited. For more information and to order tickets, visit www.sanjuansedc.org/luncheon. This event is sponsored by Islanders Bank and San Juan Propane.