Snoqualmie EDC readies top-10 priorities for joint session with North Bend; tourism, broadband and business costs raised
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Summary
Commissioners began compiling a ‘top 10’ list to present at a Feb. 18 joint meeting with North Bend; members and the chamber highlighted tourism initiatives, broadband and rising operating costs for small businesses as immediate priorities.
The Snoqualmie Economic Development Commission agreed to finalize a set of priorities to discuss at a joint meeting with North Bend on Feb. 18, including workforce housing, tourism, utility and labor costs, signage and business-park retention strategies. Staff said they would compile the input and circulate a draft list to commissioners ahead of the joint meeting.
Kelly Coughlin Gaines, representing the chamber, urged the commission to include broadband and local business cost pressures on the list and highlighted tourism metrics and events that draw visitors, such as the Sturdy Dirty and other mountain-biking events. She said the chamber’s Small Business Saturday scavenger-hunt drew "over 2,800 people" who signed up and credited Mount Si High School students for designing ornaments used in the promotion.
Commissioners debated whether the joint top-10 should be narrowly focused on items both Snoqualmie and North Bend can act on together or reflect Snoqualmie-specific priorities that the city can pursue independently. Several commissioners recommended staff gather survey results and stakeholder input by email, then refine the agenda and consider which items are joint ventures and which are city-specific. No formal vote was taken; staff will compile and distribute a refined list and verified supporting data for the Feb. 18 meeting.
