Published December 2003

Looking at 2003 from
the rearview mirror

In order to move forward, sometimes the most effective thing to do is look back. Looking over one’s shoulder, whether as a company, a county or an organization, serves a useful purpose. It allows you to recheck your bearings and to reaffirm the correctness of your direction.

The end of the year provides a built-in opportunity to glance back, both to make sure you accomplished what you set out to do and to be sure you’re pointed in the right direction as you prepare to proceed into the year ahead.

Each December, the EDC and its member investors gather for a full accounting of our organization’s body of work. We celebrate the results of the work we have done together. And as always, we briefly look back.

In 2003, the EDC set out to accomplish certain specific economic goals. When we look over our shoulder this year, here’s what we set out to do, and a bit of what we’ve accomplished:

• Encourage a more vibrant, diverse economy. We all are better able to prosper and to help others when our economy has a broad base that cushions it from the ups and downs of any one economic segment. In 2003, the EDC reached out nationwide to companies in the key economic clusters of aerospace, biotechnology, electronics and manufacturing. The EDC responded to over 250 business inquiries and is working with a number of confidential business relocation clients. The goal is to bring to Snohomish County and its cities the types of companies that provide quality jobs for our families and additional customers for our businesses.
• Provide a strong leadership voice on the business, permitting and tax issues that affect your bottom line. The EDC does not lobby, but it has worked closely with state officials in 2003 to counsel changes in tax, permitting and regulatory policies that significantly improved our state’s ability to compete in national and international arenas. The EDC is a founding member of the Regional Partnership, a consortium of organizations that together are working with the state of Washington to confront the remaining impediments to true economic parity for our region.
• Provide economic development assistance for micro-economies throughout Snohomish County. The EDC’s Circuit Rider program today is helping a number of rural communities develop stronger local economies. The EDC also has created strategic relationships with other agencies that provide invaluable assistance to small and medium-size companies in these communities. The result will be more visitors, more jobs, strengthened business partnerships and new economic opportunities.
• Look beyond today to ensure an even more prosperous tomorrow. Phase one of the newly developed “Snohomish County 2010: A Blueprint for Education, Workforce and Economic Development” is the work of a collaboration of Snohomish County organizations. It calls for best-practices analyses that will provide us with the strategic information we need to prepare effectively for long-term economic vitality.
• Accomplish all this on time and on budget. Done.

It hasn’t been easy. The truth is, the Puget Sound economy is under more competitive pressure than ever. Because of increasing competition from other regions and other areas of the world for our jobs and the companies located here, close economic cooperation — within counties and within the greater Puget Sound region — is more critical than ever.

Yet at the same time, our larger economy thrives only when each micro-economy is operating at its best. Snohomish County’s economic strength is best ensured by careful strengthening of each community’s own economy. The EDC takes this responsibility to balance the needs of both our regional and local economies very seriously. Our job is to design programs that benefit each part of our county and to promote healthy economies throughout Snohomish County.

I’m proud of the body of work the economic development experts that make up the EDC staff have accomplished. Each of them has moved beyond the expected into the extraordinary. Looking ahead, it already is clear that 2004 will offer a rich selection of opportunity to Snohomish County. Working together, I’m confident we, as business owners, cities, organizations and industry sectors, will make the most of each one.

On a separate note, as many of you know, EDC Vice President Michael Cade has been named president of the Thurston County EDC. He assumes his new post in early January. Everyone in Snohomish County heartily congratulates Michael. He has been an integral part of this organization’s accomplishments during his entire 12-year tenure here. He is a close colleague and friend to us all, as well as a skilled and talented economic development leader. While we are exceedingly sorry to see him go, we look forward to working with Michael and his new team on regional economic development initiatives. Thank you, Michael, for your years of effort on behalf of Snohomish County.

Deborah Knutson is president of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council. She can be reached at 425-743-4567 or by e-mail to dknutson@snoedc.org.

Back to the top/December 2003 Main Menu