Anacortes council reviews economic development plan that flags housing, transit and business gaps

Anacortes — City staff presented an economic development strategic plan on July 14 that documents long-standing local strengths and shortfalls and outlines potential actions to support local businesses and housing. The plan, prepared with the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University and presented by John Kolm, director of planning, community and economic development, summarizes a community survey, forums and a “void” analysis comparing Anacortes to similar maritime communities. The report matters because it gives the city a documented basis for prioritizing limited resources: it lists housing affordability, limited public transportation and missing business sectors as primary constraints to growth and recommends concrete steps to address them. Key findings in the presentation included confirmation that housing affordability remains a major constraint and that the community lacks several business sectors (physicians, dentists, attorneys were singled out) and certain retail offerings such as affordable groceries and child care. Kolm said the consultant team received 291 survey responses and held an in-person forum to supplement the quantitative analysis. “We received 291 responses,” Kolm told the council, noting that the responses and forum feedback reinforced what staff had observed anecdotally. The consultant’s recommendations span multiple topics: expanding housing options by increasing density and revising zoning and codes, targeted business recruitment for identified professional services, improving public engagement and marketing, and examining infrastructure gaps tied to Anacortes’s island location. Kolm also noted the city’s advantages, including a deep-water port, marinas and a strong volunteer and arts community. Councilmembers who spoke praised the outside review as confirmation of local priorities and urged that the next phase focus on implementation. Councilmember Fantini pointed to the report’s section on community engagement and suggested low-cost outreach via mailed utility bill inserts; he said nearly 70% of residents still receive paper utility bills and that inserting information costs roughly $900. Councilmember McDougall said the document provides “outside eyes” that help prioritize “how” to act on the findings. The council also noted a budget line: Kolm said the council has earmarked $30,000 in the 2025 budget for follow-up work such as additional studies, recruitment or marketing. The economic development committee will lead a process to recommend concrete actions and a workplan. No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond the presentation and discussion, and the committee will return with next steps and priorities for council consideration. The presentation will be folded into the city’s comprehensive plan update and the economic development element as staff and council refine implementation steps.