Greater Grays Harbor Celebrates Local Businesses at Annual Banquet
This past Friday, Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) hosted its 2026 Leaders’ Banquet and Business Recognition Awards at the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino in Ocean Shores. The evening’s theme, “Twilight on the Harbor: Shining a Light on Business Success,” set the tone for a night of celebration and recognition in the local business community.
The event kicked off with a cocktail hour, followed by a delicious buffet dinner. One of the highlights was the presentation of the Betsy Seidel Ambassador of the Year award, which went to Larry Burgher. Larry also took on the role of auctioneer during the live auction and assisted Master of Ceremonies Pat Anderson from KXRO News Radio with the award presentations.
Timber Tails K9, a local dog rescue organization, was thrilled to win the popular Best Dressed Table Award. They expressed their gratitude on Facebook, crediting volunteer April for her creative and eye-catching table decorations that received many compliments throughout the evening.
The award for Small Business of the Year went to Game Freaks, which celebrated the achievement on Facebook, thanking the community for their ongoing support that has helped the business thrive both locally and beyond.
Ascensus Specialties, located in Elma, was honored as Large Business of the Year, while Timber and Targets claimed the title of New Business of the Year. Timber and Targets expressed their appreciation for the community’s support, stating how the recognition was a blessing for a team who took a risk to create something special.
YMCA of Grays Harbor was recognized as Non-Profit of the Year. CEO Franzine Potts took to Instagram to thank their staff, volunteers, and partners, celebrating 124 years of serving Grays Harbor as the county’s oldest non-profit.
Grays Harbor Public Utility District (PUD) was awarded the Government/Municipality of the Year title. The organization thanked its employees for their contribution, emphasizing the teamwork that made the recognition possible.
In a grand finale, Quinault Nation Enterprises (QNE) received the Member of the Year award. Pierre Augare, chair of the Quinault Enterprise Board, expressed pride in the collective efforts of their employees and highlighted the importance of community involvement.
GGHI CEO Darrin Raines emphasized the significance of honoring local businesses, noting that they are vital to the community’s economy by providing jobs and generating revenue. He acknowledged the courage it takes for entrepreneurs to navigate the current economic landscape and underscored the need for more local business creators.
The nominees for each award category included a diverse array of businesses:
- Small Business of the Year: Raintree Veterinary Center, Game Freaks, Bennett’s Fish Shack, Moyer Multi Media, LLC
- Large Business of the Year: Sierra Pacific, 1st Security Bank, Ascensus Specialties, Peak Credit Union
- New Business of the Year: Timber and Targets, Fresh Foods Market, Boone Street Bar & Grill, McCleary Hotel
- Non-Profit of the Year: 7th Street Theatre, Habitat for Humanity, Timber Tails K9 Rescue, YMCA of Grays Harbor
- Government/Municipality of the Year: Grays Harbor PUD, Quinault Indian Nation, Port of Grays Harbor, Summit Pacific Medical Center
- GGHI Member of the Year: Elma Grocery Outlet, Jodesha Broadcasting, Grays Harbor Stamp Works, Quinault Nation Enterprises
The night was a wonderful celebration of hard work, community spirit, and a shared future full of potential.
