By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer
Six east Snohomish County cities are in search of their economic futures.
To help find their way, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Sultan and Gold Bar are getting some planning help from the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District, a regional business development group that receives some federal funding.
The cities will be asked to rank their industrial sites and their readiness for accommodating business. A survey of available industrial land in each city and its price also will be conducted.
"These cities are experiencing the same type of growth pressures," said Thomas Boydell, who works in economic development and research strategy for the regional economic development district.
Demands for affordable housing are creating growth pressures farther and farther away from traditional urban zones, he said, into areas such as those in east Snohomish County crisscrossed by Highway 9, Highway 92 and U. S. 2.
Each of these six east county cities has a population of under 15,000, he noted.
"They have the same types of questions: What type of businesses in the future are going to be locating in those cities, and how can the cities start planning ahead to accommodate their needs a little better?" Boydell said.
During the next year, he said, a study will help provide answers to those and related issues, such as what are the barriers to economic development and how can they be resolved?
Rather than each city hiring its own consultant, they decided to band together to look at issues individual to each city and those shared by all.
Among the topics the study will examine:
"They’re organized, they’re consistent, they have their system together," Boydell said of Monroe’s permit system.
Each city is being asked to contribute $1,000 to the study, and the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District will contribute $15,000.
In Lake Stevens, where residential development far outstrips industrial development, city administrator Dave O’Leary said he is looking for help marketing the community and its 95-acre industrial park.
"As it stands, we don’t know what kind of development would be appropriate for that area, except for what’s already there," O’Leary said. "This will give us a chance to look at it and see our economic strengths."
You can call Herald Writer Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486
or send e-mail to salyer@heraldnet.com.
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