SNOHOMISH — “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Maygen Hetherington takes those words — spoken by anthropologist Margaret Mead — to work every day.
As the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association’s executive director, Hetherington has brought together local business owners, community groups and government agencies to promote, preserve and improve the city’s core.
The city’s historic structures — former hotels, the former City Hall, even the former jail — are now occupied by antique stores, boutiques, bridal shops and restaurants and bakeries.
In all, more than 220 businesses populate the area. About one-third are association members.
The Historic Downtown Snohomish Association is this year’s winner of the Opportunity Lives Here Award, which recognizes an organization that brings innovation and creates opportunities locally and regionally, according to Economic Alliance Snohomish County.
Hetherington’s “dedication to collaboration and bridge building is truly inspirational and sets a powerful example for others to follow,” a nominator wrote.
Hetherington was smitten by Snohomish when she first arrived nine years ago.
It was love at first sight in the course of a single afternoon.
In search of a new home, she and her husband were looking at properties in Snohomish.
“I had never really been here, aside from the pumpkin patches,” said Hetherington, who then lived in Edmonds.
Their real estate agent pointed them toward downtown.
“We walked down First Street to this little bakery, sat in the window and watched people walk by,” Hetherington said. The “Snoho vibe” was irresistible, she said. They bought a house near downtown and moved north.
In 2022, Hetherington learned that the top post at the association, the only paid position, was available.
At the time, there were four board members. Now there are 10.
“We’ve got more women on the board, someone who identifies with the LGBQT community and younger folks,” she said.
Founded in 1993 as a loose association of merchants, the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association incorporated as a nonprofit 10 years later.
The group achieved a significant milestone this year when it was designated a Washington State Main Street Community.
The association’s original goal was to achieve accreditation by 2025; Hetherington helped speed the process.
The Main Street program, part of the state’s Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, offers a template for cities wanting to improve their historic downtowns and stimulate economic growth. And it offers a tax credit. Local businesses can donate to their association through the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program and receive business and occupation (B&O) tax credits for the following year. Snohomish is in good company: more than 1,200 cities and towns across the nation have earned the designation.
“It’s a pretty high standard you have to meet as a group and a community to be accredited,” she said. The group hoped to be accredited by 2025, but Hetherington helped speed the process and reach the goal a year early.
A nominator noted Hetherington’s contributions. “Maygen has been a tireless advocate for the revitalization of Historic Downtown Snohomish, a cherished cultural and economic hub in our community.
“Her ability to listen and understand the needs and perspectives of each stakeholder has allowed for effective decision-making and the successful implementation of many projects, such as the annual Kla Ha Ya Days festival, Snohomish Block Party and the Snohomish Farmers Market,” the nominator wrote.
At a Feb. 21 event honoring Economic Alliance winners, Harry Cheema, Alaska Airlines public affairs program manager, presented Hetherington with the award.
“Maygen has brought together diverse stakeholders to collaborate on a shared vision of Snohomish and the Sky Valley region,” Cheema said.
The city’s first-ever Snohomish Pride event, held in 2023, is among Hetherington’s most memorable moments.
“What an incredibly joyful, fun day!” she said. “I was really proud of the community, the Pride Committee, and the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association that day.”
Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com;
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