Everett Chamber OKs Project Concentrus

EVERETT — Board members of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce agreed Oct. 14 to team up with two other groups to do a better job of boosting business in Snohomish County.

In what they are calling Project Concentrus, the chambers in Everett and South Snohomish County and the county’s Economic Development Council have now all agreed to reinvent how they work together.

The goal is to create a single entity with a single director for the three groups that works with a shared vision.

“This is the beginning of a new era and an incredible opportunity to be involved in,” said Cathy Reines, the Everett chamber board chairman.

Everett chamber president Louise Stanton-Masten said her board approved the concept at an all-day retreat Oct. 14. It’s already been approved by the other two groups.

“The action of our organizations will allow us to move together with the vision of an enhanced economic future for the county,” said Rick Cooper, chairman of the board for the economic development council,

Last month, the concept was approved by an oversight committee with members from the three organizations. It was developed by a consultant in Cleveland, Ohio — Donald T. Iannone &Associates.

Cooper said the groups hope to select an executive by Jan. 1. EDC President Deborah Knutson recently stepped down from her position to ease the process.

Cooper said groups in other parts of the country have had success with the concept. “This recognizes that collaboration is better than going it alone,” he said.

Reines said she expects the planned merger will benefit businesses small and large by creating things like small business incubator programs and larger events that improve business-to-business networks.