Small-business owners and entrepreneurs in Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey have a new point person for startup training, coaching, and government contracting help.

The Thurston Economic Development Council named Ashley Whitley as director of its Center for Business & Innovation (CB&I) on June 23, promoting her from within the organization.

Whitley had served as program manager for the Washington Center for Women in Business since April 2023.

The center, housed at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, runs a portfolio of no-cost and low-cost programs that Olympia and Tumwater business owners use directly. The City of Olympia funds scholarships and grants for CB&I startup and growth programs.

Tumwater covers the $399 Business Startup Training fee for its entrepreneurs. Whitley now oversees all of it: WCWB coaching, ScaleUp business acceleration, the Lacey MakerSpace on St. Martin's University's campus, and the Washington APEX Accelerator, which provides free help bidding on government contracts.

The Thurston EDC cited growing demand for its business support and workforce programs as context for the leadership change. The organization described Whitley's priorities as expanding access to capital and government contracting through new partnerships.

Whitley holds a certification from the International Economic Development Council and is completing a master's degree at Grand Canyon University. She is a member of the Association of Women Business Centers.

The EDC's team page still listed Sean Moore as CB&I director as of June 25. The organization has not publicly stated whether Moore departed or moved to another role. Executive Director Michael Cade leads the broader Thurston EDC.