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

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

Skimming devices reported in Everett at gas stations, ATMs

Police warn residents to check for tampering, monitor accounts for fraud.

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.