The New Year brings the legislative session in Olympia. I interviewed Patrick Pierce, president and CEO of Economic Alliance Snohomish County to get his take on how this coming session will impact Snohomish County businesses.
Q: How does Economic Alliance Snohomish County advocate for small business in Olympia?
A: Our 2017 regional policy priorities highlight issues businesses tell us are essential for their continued growth and fostering entrepreneurship. Working with our private and public partners, our priorities for this legislative session are: 1) Transportation and Infrastructure 2) Education and Workforce 3) Economic Prosperity and Competitiveness and 4) Community Vitality and Resiliency. Small businesses need customers and workers in their stores and not stuck in traffic. A new manufacturer needs to be profitable and able to hire skilled workers, while a balanced housing market ensures working families have money to spend in our local restaurants and retailers. All of these elements and more are reflected in our regional priorities.
Q: Much of what Economic Alliance does seems focused on aerospace and manufacturing. How do you advocate for other sectors?
A: Nearly one-quarter of Snohomish County’s economy is manufacturing, mostly in aerospace, electronics and medical devices. The county recently was highlighted in the Washington Post for being one of the few places in the nation that grew jobs in manufacturing over the past decade. This was not by accident and not something we can take for granted.
We are home to more than 50,000 direct and indirect aerospace jobs generating nearly $6.5 billion in annual income. Aerospace manufacturing jobs create a multiplier effect which, in 2015, created another 40,000 local jobs generating more than $1.8 billion in worker income.
A healthy aerospace and manufacturing sector helps “grow the pie” bringing new dollars in from other states and countries for which small businesses can compete.
One of our other areas of focus is the tourism industry. Washington invests far less than its neighbors in tourism marketing. The state office for tourism was eliminated during the recession, and analysis shows this is having a negative effect.
Despite healthy tourism job growth locally, we are leaving money on the table. We have supported others in their efforts to reinstate and fund a statewide tourism program, but they have not been able to get over the legislative hurdles.
Q: What are the prospects for passing legislation that is included on your policy priorities?
A: Resolving how the state funds education, aka the McCleary decision, is taking center stage right now.
Many legislators feel we have to address those overarching concerns before addressing other issues. Others believe that a larger agreement will be reached so we can work now on other policies that need attention. It remains too early to see how these issues work themselves out during the session.
We are also keeping a close eye at the federal level as changes in regulation or spending can impact state decisions. We traveled to D.C. after the November election, and plan to take a delegation back this spring to engage with both legislative and executive policymakers to promote our region’s economic interests.
Q: How can local small businesses and entrepreneurs make their voices heard in the legislature?
A: Economic Alliance hosts a Snohomish County Advocacy Day during the legislative session and invites our investors to attend and share their thoughts with legislators. Outside of the session, we host events such as the Legislative Breakfast and Public Officials Reception that give businesses a chance to engage directly with state legislators, local elected officials and members of our congressional delegation. These conversations have a great impact and really inform both our local delegation and other members about the needs and concerns of the business community.
Q: Outside of advocacy what are some other things that Economic Alliance can do for local business owners?
A: We provide events and services for the small-business community. In November, we hosted the North Puget Sound Small Business Summit focusing on four keys to a successful business: capital, counseling, contracting, and accessing trade markets.
Additionally, we offer services such as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center to help small businesses win government contracts, and the Small Business Transportation Resource Center to increase access to transportation-related contracts.
New and existing business owners can access no-cost advice through the Small Business Development Center. EASC also partners with organizations such as Northwest Innovation Resource Center and GroWashington that are focused on helping inventors and entrepreneurs develop their inventions and bring them to market.
Ryan Davis is the Dean of Business and Applied Technology at Everett Community College and can be reached by email at rydavis@everettcc.edu.
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