In May, Mayor Liz Reynolds appointed an Economic Development Task Force consisting of local business owners and industry representatives to provide advice, strategies and a vision for economic development within the city.

The task force spent the last year working hard to create the draft Enumclaw Strategic Plan for Economic Development, which is now available for public comment.

The task force reviewed economic data and trends for the city and the Expo Center provided by a consultant. The task force interviewed stakeholders including local charitable organizations, the Enumclaw School District, a member of the real estate industry, members of the City Council and city administration. The task force developed a vision and mission statement and formulated a series of recommendations.

The following are the specific strategies recommended by the Economic Development Task Force.

Strategy 1.  Promote Employment Growth in Retail/Services, Medical and Light Industrial

1.1 “Buy Local Campaign” Develop and Implement a Buy Local Campaign organized and run by the City

1.2 “Business Mentor List” Develop and maintain a contact list of willing business mentors that City staff and the Chamber of Commerce can provide to prospective business owners.

1.3 “Small Business Counseling” Continue to fund Small Business Counseling through Green River Community College.

1.4 “Impact Fee Deferral” Implement an Impact Fee deferral program for Light Industrial and Medical developments.  Impact fees would be deferred until Certificate of Occupancy or until the property is sold, whichever happens first.

1.5 “Construction Sales Tax Refund program” Implement a Construction Tax Refund program for the construction of Residential development downtown, and Light Industrial and Medical buildings that bring 10 or more full time employees to the City.

1.6 “Commercial Real Estate Marketing” Create brochure and Lunch and Learn Tour of Enumclaw for commercial Real Estate Companies.

1.7  “Economic Development Website” that  includes the following: Demographic information; market research; links to permits, business licenses and business counseling; available property for lease or sale; business mentor list.

1.8 “Commercial and Industrial Zoning Code Amendments” to broaden the types of uses allowed in Commercial and Light Industrial zones without conditional use permits, and update uses for new trends.

1.8 “Agricultural Food Product Incubator” Conduct a feasibility study for the development of an Agricultural Food Product Incubator for Artisan Cheese, Wine and Distilled Spirits. Model the facility on Walla Walla Community College’s Vintner program. Include training plus facilities.

1.9 “Business Incubator” Rent Expo Offices to company that creates office, meeting rooms, reception and office equipment to start up businesses in need of space.

Strategy 2. Attract one or more Senior Communities with high quality housing and amenities to locate in Enumclaw

2.1 “Construction Sales Tax Refund” Implement a Construction Tax Refund program for Senior Communities, once defined.

2.2 “Impact Fee Deferral Program” for Senior Communities, once defined. Impact fees would be deferred until Certificate of Occupancy or until the property is sold, whichever happens first.

2.3 “Senior Community Zoning Code Amendment” Interview development companies and define the necessary elements of a Senior Community with high quality housing, open space and other amenities for ages 55+. Develop special zoning and subdivision code provisions to define and allow for those elements identified as necessary for development of a Senior Community.

2.4 “Marketing to Senior Community Developers” Develop and implement a marketing plan to market Enumclaw to development companies that specialize in senior communities.

Strategy 3. Increase Tourist Visits

3.1 “Marketing to Hotel/Motel Developers” Develop and implement a marketing plan targeted at Hotel/Motel developers to attract one or more quality hospitality establishments.

3.2 “Bed and Breakfast Zoning Code Amendment” to make Bed and Breakfasts easier to establish which will increase availability and diversity of hospitality. (Figure 1, #1)

3.3  “Expo Center Events” Maintain and expand events and activities at the Enumclaw Expo Center

3.4 “Agricultural Food Product Incubator” Conduct a feasibility study for the development of an Agricultural Food Product Incubator for Artisan Cheese, Wine and Distilled Spirits. Model the facility on Walla Walla Community College’s Vintner program. Include training plus facilities.

The full text of the plan can be found on the City of Enumclaw website at www.cityofenumclaw.net.

Comments can be provided to the Community Development Department.

To learn more about this project or to provide comments, contact:

Erika Shook, AICP

Community Development Director

1309 Myrtle Avenue

Enumclaw, WA 98022

Office: (360) 825-3593 ext 5725

eshook@ci.enumclaw.wa.us