Bothell staff present Economic Vitality Plan themes: small-business support, bioscience hub and vibrant districts

City economic-development staff and consultant Eco Northwest briefed the Bothell City Council on draft themes for an Economic Vitality Plan and requested council feedback at a Feb. 4 study session.

Economic Development Coordinator Ashish Choshi and Deputy City Manager Tony Call summarized nine months of outreach, including a citywide business survey (about a 10% response rate), targeted interviews with employers and analysis of employment patterns. Staff said Bothell's economy is regionally integrated and noted a high concentration (relative location quotient) in professional, scientific and technical services, particularly life sciences and medical manufacturing. The draft plan emphasizes three themes: (1) building a robust small-business ecosystem with better awareness and access to resources; (2) building on Bothell's regional bioscience and manufacturing cluster and strengthening ties with education and anchor employers; and (3) creating more vibrant, mixed-use business districts.

Staff recounted common business concerns raised in outreach: the need for better communication about city services and resources (a "no wrong door" approach), affordable and flexible commercial spaces (including flex/employment buildings), employee housing and amenities to attract workers, and coordinated partnerships with colleges and anchor employers. Potential actions staff flagged include a citywide resource portal, regular stakeholder coordination (especially linking higher-education institutions to employers), and targeted district activations tied to subarea plans such as Canyon Park.

Council feedback stressed keeping the plan broad enough to recruit diverse employers (not only biotech), exploring ways to retain large employers and grow local job options that let people live in Bothell, and identifying practical steps to reduce barriers to occupying commercial spaces (permitting, change-of-use costs and flexible leasing). Staff said they would incorporate the council's feedback and return in spring with the plan refined and with specific short-, medium- and long-term actions.

Ending: Staff will bring a revised plan with concrete actions in the spring; councilmembers asked staff to provide more sliced data (by industry and neighborhood) and to coordinate implementation with related city work such as the housing action plan and subarea plans.