Economic Development Strategic Framework and Action PlanCity of Tacoma
Community And Economic Development Department
Ricardo Noguera, Director
City Council Study SessionFebruary 12, 2013
Economic Development Strategic FrameworkA five-year Plan for the City & Its Partners
1. Central City, Dome & Brewery Districts
2. Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship Services
3. Waterfront Development
4. Port of Tacoma & Industrial Districts
5. Business District & Neighborhood Revitalization
6. Workforce Development
7. Arts, Culture, Tourism & Hospitality Initiatives
8. Professional and Business Friendly Government
Outreach• Neighborhood Business Districts• Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau• University of Puget Sound • Tacoma South Sound Sports • Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma• Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce• Workforce Central • Economic Development Board • Pierce County Economic Development Department • World Trade Center Tacoma • Go Local Tacoma • The Port of Tacoma• University of Washington Tacoma
Central City, Dome & Brewery DistrictsFocus: Prioritize infrastructure improvements
associated with privately-financed catalytic projects and market high priority sites for development.
Brown & Haley
Focus: Support entrepreneurship and small business development and partner with higher learning institutions, technical schools and JBLM.
Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship Services
Focus: Target infrastructure and capital investments. Partner with developers and property owners to revitalize and support commercial and recreational activities.
Waterfront Development
Thea’s Landing
Port of Tacoma & Industrial DistrictsFocus: Strengthen relationship with Port and assist
with recruitment. Retain and expand industrial firms in the South Tacoma area.
Bradken FoundryPort of Tacoma
Business District AndNeighborhood Revitalization Focus: Strengthen business districts to maximize
revenue, including pedestrian amenities and transportation systems. Support reuse of existing buildings and infill development.
Hong Kong Supermarket Masonic Lodge
Workforce Development
Focus: Strengthen the quality and competitiveness of Tacoma’s workforce. Partner with higher learning and workforce institutions.
UW Tacoma Bates Technical College
Arts, Culture, Tourism & Hospitality InitiativesFocus: Position Tacoma as a Destination City.
Partner with Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber, and arts organizations to promote arts, culture and events.
Museum of Glass
Welcome Figure Steven Miller
Professional and Business Friendly GovernmentFocus: Foster a more business friendly environment
with ombudsperson services and a professional, courteous, and stream-lined development review process demonstrating “Tacoma Means Business”.
Action PlanKey Elements
1. Business Attraction, Expansion & Retention
2. Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship Services
3. International Development & Relationships
4. Downtown Development & Revitalization
5. Neighborhood Revitalization
More specific areas of focus to be implemented over next 18 months.
Business Attraction, Expansion & RetentionFocus: Address fiscal and local economic
challenges by growing the tax base attracting, expanding and retaining industrial, regional, national, downtown and auto dealers throughout the City.
Small Business Development& Entrepreneurship ServicesFocus: Partner with agencies and community
partners, providing technical workshops and events to support development of entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the City.
Tacoma Bike, Dome District
Dwelling,Downtown
International Development & RelationshipsFocus: Work with the Port, World Trade Center and
Sister Cities to enhance cultural relationships and foreign investment opportunities.
World Trade Center
Tacoma’s Sister Cities Program
Downtown Development & RevitalizationFocus: Pro-actively market investment opportunities
in Downtown, Hilltop, Foss Waterway, Dome and Brewery districts to establish a vibrant 24-hour community.
McMenamins
Neighborhood RevitalizationFocus: Promote infill development, retail attraction
and infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian-oriented business districts serving neighborhoods throughout the City.
Mountaineers Center Old Town
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CEDPORT OF TACOMA
CHAMBER
WTC
WORKFORCE CENTRAL
PIERCE COUNTY
FARMERS MARKETS
GO LOCAL
CDA/NBDS
EDB
BATES
TRCVB
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
TPC SPORTS COMMISSION
Partners