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

Economic Development Strategic Framework and Action PlanCity of Tacoma

Community And Economic Development Department

Ricardo Noguera, Director

City Council Study SessionFebruary 12, 2013