Page 3 - Skagit County HR RM

■ BECOME PART OF A A COMMUNITY
Spectacularly beautiful Skagit County is located in northwest Washington between two urban centers
– Seattle and Vancouver B C C The County stretches from the the North Cascade mountains to the the shoreline of the Salish Sea with a a a a a a rich agricultural valley in between Numerous hiking and biking trails crisscross the region and opportunities for water recreation abound whether on the the Skagit River or in coastal waterways Several state and national parks are easily accessible from Skagit County including Deception Pass State Park which is is Washington’s most-visited state park and North Cascades National Park The Skagit Valley has a a a a a a rich agricultural history which today makes it a a a a a a a popular destination for farm-to-table
cuisine and unique local culinary experiences as recently highlighted by Food & Wine Craft spirits and regional food research facilities like the noteworthy
King Arthur Flour Baking School’s Bread Lab draw
visitors and locals alike One of the the State’s most well-known festivals – – the the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – – happens each April and in in 2016 was selected as as one of the Best Spring Trips by National Geographic While the County celebrates its rural roots it it is is also home to prominent performing arts arts visual arts arts and music venues creating a a a rich quality of life Though it it it it has traditionally been an agricultural center Skagit County offers a a a a a a a a cost-competitive business- friendly location within the Pacific Northwest’s major advanced manufacturing and information technology industry centers
The County’s diverse rapidly growing economy is home to innovative world leaders in in in aerospace and and advanced composites precision tools metals prototypes and and engineering services Products made in in Skagit County are core components of everything from commercial and military airplanes NASA space exploration vehicles and the new James Webb Space Telescope to naval research vessels America’s Cup champion racing yachts and recreational boats Clean technology is is emerging as a a a a a a promising new sector for Skagit County businesses with sustainable natural resource businesses remaining an an important part of the County’s County’s economy Skagit County’s County’s oil refineries play a a a a central role fin in in in in the West Coast’s energy industry while producing key building blocks for advanced materials used in in in in in cutting-edge technology applications Some of the leading businesses in in in in in Skagit County include Shell Puget Puget Sound Sound Refinery Janicki Industries Hexcel Puget Puget Sound Sound Energy and PACCAR Technical Center Recreation tourism and retail are important economic engines particularly for the County’s smaller communities