On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, BIAW President Kent Arolaand 2013 Second Vice President and MSC Director Bob Kagy stopped by to visit Experience Chehalis Executive Director Annalee Tobey, Board Vice President Michael Ervin and OMB Executive Officer Angela White at the Chehalis Gingerbread House.  BIAW Vice President of Operations Steve Hyer and BIAW Vice President of Communications Janelle Guthrie joined to celebrate the $10,000 contribution to Experience Chehalis.

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Experience Chehalis is one of five Main Street Washington organizations to receive support from BIAW’s Member Services Corporation (MSC) in 2025.

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“Home builders are proud to support organizations like Experience Chehalis,” Arola said. “Together we build vibrant communities where people can live, work and play.”

Preserving local character, fostering growth

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Main Street Washington, part of the national Main Street America program, has supported community-driven economic development since 1984. Today, Washington has over 40 Main Street organizations across the state, each working to preserve local character while fostering growth.

MSC directors selected five organizations in areas where BIAW members live, work and build homes, including: 

• Stevenson Downtown Association (Served by the Building Industry Association of Clark County): Preserving the historic charm of Stevenson while encouraging new business opportunities and community events.
• Roslyn Downtown Association (Served by the Central Washington Home Builders Association): Strengthening Roslyn’s historic core by supporting businesses and enhancing downtown vitality.
• Downtown Issaquah Association (Served by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties): Cultivating a thriving Olde Town that builds community and celebrates its charm.
• Experience Chehalis (Served by the Olympia Master Builders): Boosting Chehalis through events, beautification projects, and long-term planning that celebrates the spirit of community.
• Mount Vernon Downtown Association (Served by the Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association): Committed to supporting, developing and building vibrance in Downtown Mount Vernon through promotion, advocacy, outreach and celebration.
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Experience Chehalis brightens Lewis County

Experience Chehalis works year-round to strengthen Chehalis and its historic downtown, focusing on economic development and creative promotion.

Thanks to generous donations through the Main Street Tax Incentive program and other funders, Experience Chehalis has among other things:

• Hosted an annual Earth Day Community Clean-up.
• Awarded seven façade improvement grants, one safety and security grant, two digital marketing grants, one micro-façade grant and one small event grant.
• Celebrated Chehalisfest, bringing families and others together for activities, live music and food and shopping with more than 70 vendors.

Learn more at ExperienceChehalis.com.

Giving back has benefits

By donating to the five Main Street organizations this year, MSC directors leveraged the Main Street Washington Tax Credit Incentive Program to secure a $37,500 Business & Occupation (B&O) tax credit—75% of their total investment.

The program allows any Washington business to contribute up to $250,000 annually to Main Street organizations or the statewide trust fund in exchange for a credit.

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