Employers in the cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline and Woodinville have the chance to weigh in about how they think the county performs on an economic scale.
Representatives from the firm, GMA Research, are currently contacting businesses throughout the five cities in an effort to compile information about the economic climate of the North King County region. A similar economic survey was completed in 2005 by Hebert Research, Inc. Representatives from the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park hope that by completing a similar but updated survey every two years, economic trends and growth throughout the county can be measured and predicted.
“The purpose of the survey is to determine the attitude, opinions and beliefs of employers in the North King County region about the economic climate and what some of their plans might be,” David Endicott, executive director of Forward Shoreline and facilitator of the 2007 North King County Economic Engine Survey and Summit said.
Results from the 2005 survey revealed several common attributes among the cities including the fact that a majority of North King County business owners live in the region and own small but well established businesses.
Lake Forest Park finance director John Hawley said one idea behind the survey and conference is how to bring more business to the region.
“What we tried to do in 2005 was to get staff from each of the cities together to work on common economic concerns,” he said. “We never got that process started because we’re very different cities.”
Although he is unsure how different cities can work on collaborative business plans he feels there are still possibilities. A future possibility could be joint business plans between businesses along the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park border on Ballinger Way, he said.
Data compiled from survey participants will be presented during a summit conference on Oct. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lake City Elks Club, 14540 Bothell Way NE. in Seattle. Pre registration in order to attend the conference is required. Interested parties may contact Cindy Reed at 206-546-8400.
Endicott said he expects this year’s conference to be well attended by business people as well as nonprofit leaders. Approximately 300 employers throughout the region are expected to participate in the survey.
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