County Executive Dave Somers speaking at the the Economic Alliance Snohomish County Update, hosted by The Boeing Company on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Kayla J. Dunn / The Herald)

County Executive Dave Somers speaking at the the Economic Alliance Snohomish County Update, hosted by The Boeing Company on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Kayla J. Dunn / The Herald)

Paine Field, housing crunch are hot-button issues at annual update

The Snohomish County Economic Alliance’s meeting brought local leaders together to discuss the county’s rapid growth and renewal.

EVERETT — Snohomish County will need to build 7,000 new affordable housing units every year for the next 21 years to compensate for the growing population.

That’s the word from County Executive Dave Somers, who spoke about the challenges of the county’s rapid growth to public leaders during a meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County at Boeing’s Future of Flight Museum on Tuesday. The aviation center hosted Somers’ address, which touched on aviation, the economy, housing, homelessness and safety.

It was a snapshot of the direction Somers sees the county headed in.

‘The crown jewel’ of the local economy

Accounting for over 155,000 jobs and nearly $60 billion in yearly economic activity, Paine Field Airport is “the crown jewel” of Snohomish County’s economy, Somers said.

“If you asked anyone on the street which (airport) was more economically viable, they’d probably say Sea-Tac,” he said. “But it’s Paine Field by a factor of three.”

In 2019, the county and Propeller Airports launched commercial air service at Paine Field, becoming the first public-private partnership like it in the United States.

Last month, Washington State University announced a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center at Paine Field — the first of its kind in the world. Its potential economic benefits for the county are “enormous,” as is its predicted role in addressing climate change, Somers said.

The center will collect more sustainable aviation fuel samples from around the world and then test them for safety, performance and chemical similarity to conventional jet fuel. To jump-start the project, the center is expected to receive $6.5 million in funds from the state Department of Transportation.

In addition to new developments from Paine Field, there’s much to be done as the county and economy continues to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, Somers said.

Adequate access to child care and broadband in rural areas are two barriers that have kept folks out of the workforce.

To help, the county is pumping $16 million into expanding broadband access along Highway 530. It has also earmarked $12 million to help eliminate child care deserts and provide resources.

Housing

“I’m always shocked when I say this,” Somers said in regards to the estimated 7,000 new affordable housing units needed per year. That’s 143,182 new units by 2044, according to the latest housing projection from Washington State Department of Commerce.

The issue needs to be tackled “at the state level” first, he explained, but the county is “laser-focused” on creating more affordable housing to staunch the hemorrhaging.

Somers said the county has been working on infill to encourage townhouses, accessory dwelling units and future development around transit centers. The county is also looking to buy units for low-barrier transitional shelters.

West of I-5, south of Everett, and north of Lynnwood sits a no man’s land the county calls the Southwest Urban Growth Area. It’s technically unincorporated Snohomish County, but if it were to become a real city, it would be one of the largest cities in Washington.

“The fact of the matter is, we’re going to continue to grow,” Somers said in an interview Friday. “And you can either grow more dense and up, or you grow out — and that means gobbling up farm lands and rural areas.”

Snohomish County leaders gathered to discuss the economy, housing, homelessness and safety at Boeing’s Future of Flight Museum hosted on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Kayla J. Dunn / The Herald)

Snohomish County leaders gathered to discuss the economy, housing, homelessness and safety at Boeing’s Future of Flight Museum hosted on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Kayla J. Dunn / The Herald)

Homelessness

If housing levels continue to not meet demands, the already dire homelessness situation could grow worse, Somers said.

In the fall, the County Council approved the purchase of two hotels that will be used as low-barrier transitional housing. The Days Inn in Everett and Americas Best Value in Edmonds were both bought with federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Last week, officials were considering taking similar action by buying Hope Church on Rucker Avenue for use as a housing shelter, but dozens turned out for back-to-back public meetings last week. Outcry forced the county to hit pause on the project — but the county’s still looking at its options.

“Without a home, a person in recovery will struggle to stay clean, children cannot learn and reach their full potential, a single mother cannot pursue education and career pathways that will improve her family’s outlook, and veterans who have faithfully served our country will continue to suffer and die on our streets,” Somers said Tuesday.

Public safety

As far as priorities go, money tends to follow.

Seventy-five percent of the county’s general fund is budgeted for law and justice.

Two weeks ago, the county advocated for the state Legislature to give Snohomish County another District Court judge — the first expansion of the Court in over two decades — and they secured the position.

Somers also cited his new partnership with the sheriff’s office that has gotten 14 people into housing since February. The social worker program is called the Snohomish County Outreach Team, or SCOUT, and it aims to help people struggling with addiction and homelessness. This year, the sheriff’s office also relaunched the Office of Neighborhoods, which will work in tandem with SCOUT.

“We are at a moment of renewal, where our economy, the safety of our community, and our environment can rebound from the disruptions of the last few years,” Somers said. “I believe more than ever that we can create the future we choose.”

Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449; kayla.dunn@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
‘I’m pretty upset’: WA lawmaker wants to override governor’s veto of his bill

State lawmakers delivered 423 bills to Gov. Bob Ferguson this year and… Continue reading

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Mountlake Terrace Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright speaks during the State of the City prevention at City Hall on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace celebrates connections at State of the City address

Over the past year, Mountlake Terrace has focused on preparing for growth and engaging the community.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.