Port of Everett Exploring Economic Development Opportunities Beyond its Boundaries, Launches Community Survey
Live in Snohomish County? We want to hear from you! Survey open now thru Nov. 26
As an economic driver and job creator in the region, the Port of Everett is always looking at ways to create new economic opportunity and add value to the communities it serves.
Today, the Port of Everett is launching a month-long community survey to gauge interest in having the Port bring its unique tools and resources to more areas of Snohomish County.
The survey, being conducted by third-party vendor Critical Data, asks residents and business owners throughout Snohomish County for their input. It takes about five minutes to complete, and is open now through Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.
TAKE SURVEY @ www.portofeverett.com/boundarysurvey
The survey will be made available in both English and Spanish, with additional languages and accessibility options available upon request to publicaffairs@portofeverett.com. Respondents may also take the survey by phone by calling 909-496-5755 Monday – Saturday, between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ABOUT PORT BOUNDARY EXPLORATION
During the Port’s Strategic Plan outreach in 2018/2019, the Port sought public feedback to help set a roadmap for the next decade of Port initiatives. During public engagement, the Port heard interest in expanding Port boundaries linked to a desire to see the Port’s strategic investments and infrastructure improvements stretch into other parts of Snohomish County.
With all existing Port sites developed, in development now, or programed for future use, the Port is looking to the future to identify how and where to focus its tools and resources to create new economic value in Snohomish County.
While many large port districts in Washington state are county-wide, the Port of Everett is not. Currently, the Port’s boundaries encompass most of Everett, portions of Mukilteo, and small parts of unincorporated Snohomish County in the Marysville area with about 110,000 residents. To put this into perspective, with nearly 830,000 residents and counting, only about 15% of the County has port resources available to them.
Ports are limited in their ability to invest in areas outside of their boundaries. This restricts how the Port of Everett can partner with neighboring communities to invest in their specific economic and community priorities — whether that be transportation improvements and close-to-home job opportunities or quality-of-life enhancements by way of community revitalization, mixed-use and recreational amenities, environmental initiatives and more.
Given these limitations and initial community interest, the Port Commission tasked staff with taking a more formal look at the topic of boundary expansion, including an economic value study and legal assessment of what it would take to expand — and most importantly — a community assessment to see if, and where, Port partnership is desired.
The data collected in the survey will help inform next steps. Port staff expects to bring a recommendation to the Port Commission by the end of the year.
For boundary expansion to be enacted, a contiguous area would need to be identified and approved by the Port Commission, then submitted to the Snohomish County Council for submission to the voters by ballot. It would have to be passed by voters of the proposed area by 50.01% (or simple majority).
To learn more, visit www.portofeverett.com/boundaries.
For additional information, contact Catherine Soper, Port of Everett Communications & Marketing Director, at catherines@portofeverett.com.
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About the Port of Everett
The Port of Everett is a special purpose district tasked with economic development. Through operation of international shipping terminals, the largest public marina on the West Coast and real estate development ventures, the Port of Everett supports nearly 40,000 jobs in the region and contributes $433 million to state and local taxes. The Port strives to bring quality jobs, business, and tourism opportunities to its local and surrounding communities, and is committed to enhancing, restoring and preserving the overall environmental health of the waterfront. Port properties provide numerous public access and recreational opportunities for area residents and visitors to enjoy, supporting a vibrant, livable and balanced waterfront.