If only Orcas could remain the same! Realistically, we know change is inevitable and the only thing we can hope to do is to influence how it will change. To this end, we are focusing our efforts on the island’s economy as a major factor that influences change.

Orcas depends heavily on income generated from new residents who support the real estate and construction industries, investment income from retirees, and seasonal spending by tourists. As a consequence, we experience increasing costs in housing and cost of living, an increasing older population, a stagnant middle class both in age and economic opportunity, overcrowding during the summer months and increasing taxes. While investment and retirement income is high, salaries are low. The result is especially difficult for our residents attempting to raise a family in this special place.

If the current trends continue, Orcas could become another Aspen, Carmel or Martha’s Vineyard. This is unacceptable to nearly everyone living here. Likewise, many of us moved here to escape the environment of big institutions or the commercial rat race and we are certainly not looking to replicate that economic environment.

The challenge, then, is to bring about economic change that preserves the culture of the island we love while producing the incomes needed to support our population. This is our motivation.