Central Cities

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

Bellevue, Bellingham, Everett, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Yakima

Size:
Largest cities.

Growth:
Low to moderate growth over the 1990s.

Fiscal:
Low to moderate commercial activity per capita, and low to moderate 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 14 Communities

Percent of cities with economic development departments or staff members: 100%
- Year city began to fund department or staff member: 1990 to 2004
- Number of FTE designated for economic development purposes: 2.5 to 22 FTE
Percent of cities with a written economic development plan: 100%
- 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): 40%

Focus of city economic development efforts

Industry Area	% of Cities in Cluster
Technology/Telecommunications	50%
Tourism/Hospitality	33%
Institutional	33%
Manufacturing	33%
Residential (commuters)	33%
Retail/Service	33%
Warehousing/Distribution	17%
Agricultural	0%
Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: Downtown redevelopment; Business retention and recruitment; Key industry sectors; Workforce development

Major city economic development strategies*

Strategies	% of Cities in Cluster
Infrastructure Improvements	100%
Quality of Life Improvements	100%
Downtown Revitalization	100%
Promotion of Industry Clusters	80%
Job Training/Workforce Development	75%
Brownfield Redevelopment Programs	60%

City services used to promote economic development*

Services	% of Cities in Cluster
Infrastructure	100%
Streamlined Permitting Process	100%
Advanced Telecommunications Provisions	100%
Arts/Cultural Services	100%
Parks/Recreation Services	100%
Historic Preservation	100%
Zoning	100%
Real Estate Development	80%
Marketing for Businesses, Business Area, Downtown, etc.	80%
Community Center Operations	80%
Streamlined Business Licensing	80%
Special Event and Facility Services	80%
Contracting/Procurement Services	75%
Location Demographic and/or Other Data Provisions	60%
Child Care and/or Youth Programs	50%
Online Development Services	50%

Tools used to promote economic development*

Tools	% of Cities in Cluster
Community Development Block Grant	100%
Special Assessment District/LIDs	80%
Public Facilities Districts (PFD)/Public Development Authority (PDA)	80%
Transfer of Development Rights or Transfer of Development Credits	75%
Planned Action Ordinance	75%
Community Economic Revitalization Board	67%
Brownfield Development	60%
Business Improvement Areas	50%

Major city barriers to economic development*

Barriers	% of Cities in Cluster
Lack of Flexibility of Local Taxing/Revenue Options	80%
Availability of Commercial/Industrial Land	60%
Lack of Skilled Labor	60%
Traffic Congestion	60%
High Cost of Residential Housing	60%
Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: Tax structure; Housing and infrastructure costs

Infrastructure improvement and expansion needs that are barriers to economic development

Industry Area	% of Cities in Cluster
Streets	100%
Advanced Telecommunications	50%
Bridges	50%
Sewer	33%
Water Availability/Quality	0%
Stormwater	0%
Sidewalks	0%
Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: Transit; High capacity roads

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