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Issaquah presents 2024 economic development highlights and new business supports
Summary
City economic development staff presented the 2024 annual report on Feb. 24, highlighting adoption of an Economic Development Plan, 598 new business license applications in 2024, a new business guide, and a suite of small‑business supports.
City economic and housing development staff presented highlights from the 2024 Economic Development Annual Report at the Feb. 24 meeting, and previewed programs and metrics for 2025.
Major highlights and programs - Economic Development Plan adoption: Staff said council adoption of the Economic Development Plan in early 2024 provided priorities that guided the department’s work after a staffing transition. - New businesses: Staff reported 598 new business license applications in 2024, a metric the council asked the department to track and compare over time. - 'How to Do Business in Issaquah' guide: The department published a starter booklet and web resources that centralize permitting, sustainability, signage and other local business information; paper copies are available to council and the public. - Business supports and events: Staff and the Economic Vitality Commission (EVC) described outreach and programs including Startup425 panels and localized entrepreneur walks, LinkedIn workshops for creative industries, retail loss‑prevention outreach, and a new 'homegrown retail' pilot to give selected home‑based producers market training and two farmers‑market booths. - Partnerships and awards: The department and EVC worked with the Issaquah Chamber and Visit Issaquah; staff noted a local business won a King County small‑business export award.
Commission perspective and council questions Chris Richley, chair of the Economic Vitality Commission, described the commission’s 2024 efforts: business convenings, subcommittees on displacement and data, and increased commissioner engagement. Councilmembers asked for deeper metric context — for example, comparisons of unemployment, retail sales and vacancy rates with peer cities and longer trend lines to inform program priorities. Staff said they will provide follow‑up analysis and consider a more comparative, trend‑focused dashboard for council review.
Next steps The department is recruiting to refill an economic development coordinator position, will continue coordination with Startup425 and regional partners, and will implement the homegrown retail pilot during the farmers‑market season.
