Published September 2004

Readers’ input sparks changes in journal

We’ve been making changes to the Snohomish County Business Journal in recent issues, including some ideas that former readers of the Everett Business Journal suggested to us, in response to our earlier editorial asking for their views.

In response to those who think that too much of our content is picked up from The Herald, we have stopped that practice. Although we already had reduced our use of Herald news stories from around 25 percent in earlier issues to around 5 percent in more recent editions, we agreed that it’s important to end that perception.

Of course, some news stories, people’s promotions or business community events will be published in the journal as well as in other area publications because it’s news we need to provide to our readers. An example is this issue’s coverage of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon’s economic development report from his Citizens Cabinet. But we will be providing our own versions of such stories.

We will continue to publish even more of our own business news, features, profiles and economic trend stories, including such stories as this issue’s in-depth look at the ISC/NASCAR racetrack proposal for north Snohomish County. At the same time, we will be evolving our newspaper format more toward the style of a business news magazine.

Also, in response to our readers, we have begun publishing monthly lists of more than 500 new and renewed Snohomish County business licenses, gathered from Olympia through an independent, authorized database provider. To reduce costs and conserve space, we are publishing two pages of licenses in the paper edition, with the total list being on our Web site for reference.

We also will be adding business bankruptcies soon and perhaps commercial building permits as well.

Our special reports will continue, such as Reaching Out, our newest special publication to date. Set to be released with the journal’s October issue, Reaching Out will highlight many of the varied nonprofit agencies that make our communities better places to live, work and raise families.

And in November, our cover story will explore the impact of the opening of the expanded Alderwood retail center in Lynnwood.

We hope you enjoy the changes.

Back to the top/September 2004 Main Menu