Everett’s relaunched Chamber reports membership growth, cites $600,000 city seed funding
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Summary
The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce told the City Council it exceeded 2025 targets after a relaunch supported by a $600,000 city funding package and a public–private contract; the chamber outlined 2026 priorities including business retention, Hispanic outreach and an early-March State of Everett event.
The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce told the Everett City Council on Feb. 4 that a 2025 relaunch supported by city seed funding produced early gains in membership and business outreach. "We ended the year with 250 members, delivered more than 55 programs, and built the infrastructure, systems, and partnerships," Wendy Poschbeg, representing the chamber, said.
The chamber’s revival followed council approval of a $600,000 funding package, recorded in council materials as "resolution 80 61," and the hiring of a consultant to guide strategy and business outreach, Tyler Chisholm, the city’s placemaking manager, said. The chamber is a separate, member-driven organization contracted with the city for specific economic-development initiatives in 2025 and 2026, Chisholm added.
Why it matters: City officials framed the chamber as a partner in economic recovery and business retention. The chamber reported outreach to roughly 3,000 Everett businesses in 2025, delivery of more than 200 hours of technical assistance and targeted support for businesses in qualified census tracts. Poschbeg said the chamber helped local owners navigate permitting, workforce challenges and compliance issues and supported 15 ribbon cuttings in 2025.
The chamber highlighted equity-focused outreach: "Under the leadership of our Hispanic outreach coordinator, Ellie Vasquez, our chamber deepened its connection with our Hispanic-owned businesses," Poschbeg said, noting over 70 direct visits to Hispanic-owned businesses. The chamber also shifted some programming to private, invitation-based outreach after community feedback that labeled forums felt unsafe for some participants.
Looking ahead, the chamber said 2026 priorities include sustainability of operations as initial seed funding tapers, business retention and workforce alignment, events such as the State of Everett on March 5 at the Everett Theater, and specialized convenings for construction, healthcare and maritime sectors. The city and council members thanked the presenters and asked the chamber to compile district-level membership data for follow-up.
The council received the presentation during its regular meeting and offered general thanks; no formal council action was required beyond the existing contract terms documented in the council materials.
