Medium Retail Hubs

Overview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Bremerton, Burien, Enumclaw, Kennewick, Lacey, Lakewood, Monroe, Oak Harbor, Pasco, Sunnyside, Tumwater

Size:
Medium.

Growth:
Moderate level of growth over the 1990s.

Fiscal:
Moderate commercial activity, but relatively low median household income among residents in metro areas.

For more information about cluster size, growth and fiscal condition, visit 2005 cluster profile.

Economic Development
Planning

Data on this page was collected from an AWC survey on economic development.

Economic Development in Cluster 12 Communities

Percent of cities with economic development departments or staff members: 71%
- Year city began to fund department or staff member: 1994 to 2004
- Number of FTE designated for economic development purposes: .5 to 2.35 FTE
Percent of cities with a written economic development plan: 57%
- Percent of cities using the economic development element of the comprehensive plan as their economic development plan (reported percentage is of those answering yes to previous question): 67%

Focus of city economic development efforts

Industry Area	% of Cities in Cluster
Retail/Service	100%
Tourism/Hospitality	83%
Warehousing/Distribution	67%
Agricultural	50%
Technology/Telecommunications	50%
Manufacturing	50%
Residential (commuters)	33%
Institutional	17%
Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: Administration

Major city economic development strategies*

Strategies	% of Cities in Cluster
Infrastructure Improvements	100%
Quality of Life Improvements	100%
Downtown Revitalization	86%
Promotion of Industry Clusters	71%
Industrial Parks	57%

City services used to promote economic development*

Services	% of Cities in Cluster
Infrastructure	100%
Streamlined Permitting Process	100%
Streamlined Business Licensing	100%
Parks/Recreation Services	100%
Historic Preservation	100%
Zoning	100%
Location Demographic and/or Other Data Provisions	100%
Marketing for Businesses, Business Area, Downtown, etc.	83%
Community Center Operations	83%
Arts/Cultural Services	67%
Online Development Services	67%
Real Estate Development	67%
Special Event and Facility Services	67%
Contracting/Procurement Services	50%

Tools used to promote economic development*

Tools	% of Cities in Cluster
Public Works Trust Fund Low Interest Loans	100%
Community Development Block Grant	100%
Community Economic Revitalization Board	83%
Special Assessment District/LIDs	83%
Public Facilities Districts (PFD)/Public Development Authority (PDA)	80%
Main Street Program	75%
Industrial Development Revenue Bond	60%

Major city barriers to economic development*

Barriers	% of Cities in Cluster
Limited Number of Major Employers	83%
Lack of Flexibility of Local Taxing/Revenue Options	83%
State Taxes	67%
Cost of Land	50%
Inadequate Infrastructure	50%
Lack of Private Sector Capital/Funding	50%
Federal/State Mandates	50%
Lengthy State Permit Process	50%
Access to Technical Expertise	50%
Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: State B&O tax

Infrastructure improvement and expansion needs that are barriers to economic development

Industry Area	% of Cities in Cluster
Sewer	57%
Streets	57%
Sidewalks	57%
Water Availability/Quality	43%
Stormwater	43%
Advanced Telecommunications	33%
Bridges	14%

* Items noted were indicated by 50% or more of cities within the city cluster