EVERETT — Spurred by calls from local businesses, the Everett City Council is considering using its remaining COVID-19 relief funds to bring back its Chamber of Commerce.
The proposal requests $600,000 to revive the chamber. The remaining funds would be dispersed over several years until the Chamber can fund itself with membership dues and other revenue sources, according to city staff. That’s more than the original proposal in June of $500,000.
“The businesses are asking for it,” said Economic Development Manager Tyler Chism at Wednesday’s council meeting.
At the meeting, Chism explained the chamber would be an essential resource for Everett businesses, drive Everett’s economic growth and create revenue for the city by promoting tourism.
“I think this is an exciting project that will spur on our local economy and support our partners and our businesses to move things forward,” Chism said. “As a city staff member, I’m hopeful that the positive momentum of Everett will carry Everett through.”
City administration first proposed the project in June. They cited feedback from local businesses, particularly the need for more centralized, locally-tailored support for “underserved” small businesses. At the time, city administration estimated the proposal would cost $500,000. Chism said the $100,000 increase from last month is necessary after speaking to other chamber of commerce organizations.
In 2011, the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce voted to merge with a fledgling regional development group, Economic Alliance Snohomish County.
Now, supporters of a revived Everett chamber argue small businesses could benefit once more from a citywide body.
“I completely support the Economic Alliance Snohomish County, but I also know that they’re spread pretty thinly across the county,” Sherry Jennings said Monday. Jennings is a former executive director for Langley’s chamber of commerce. Now, she’s a public relations director at Everett’s APEX Art and Culture Center.
The proposal comes as Everett residents voted Aug. 6 against Prop 1, the city’s property tax measure intended to resolve a projected $12.6 million budget deficit in 2025. City staff said addressing the deficit without the boost in revenue will require cuts to all city departments.
In spite of these challenges, proponents argued the chamber would be worth the expense.
“I understand that times are tight, but this is so critical right now,” Jennings said. “Having more visitors come in and spend money in Everett is a benefit to the entire city.”
Everett is one of the only cities in Snohomish County without its own chamber of commerce.
“The fact that we don’t is quite a deficit for our business community,” council member Mary Fosse said at Wednesday’s meeting. “This is really exciting in a time where so many businesses are still struggling. This is something to look forward to.”
The city council will consider the proposal again on Wednesday.
City officials aim to launch the Chamber in 2025.
Connor Zamora: 425-339-3037; connor.zamora@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @cgzamora02.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
