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Anacortes presents economic development strategy; report flags housing, transit and business gaps
Summary
City staff and a university consultant unveiled an economic development strategic plan on July 14 that confirms long-standing local concerns about housing affordability, limited transit and gaps in key services. The council earmarked $30,000 for follow-up work and directed the economic development committee to lead next steps.
Anacortes city staff on July 14 presented an economic development strategic plan recommending targeted steps to strengthen local businesses and address housing and service gaps.
The plan, prepared by the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University and presented by John Coleman, director of the Planning, Community and Economic Development Department, summarizes results from a community survey, a forum and a void analysis of local businesses against peer maritime communities.
Why it matters: The report provides a written, consultant-backed confirmation of issues council members have raised for years and gives the city a prioritized set of recommendations to use in its comprehensive plan update and follow-up work. The…
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