Tumwater economic development coordinator proposes data-driven plan; first draft targeted for March

Gene Angel, Tumwater's economic development coordinator, told the Planning Commission on Feb. 10 that the city intends to ground its 2026 economic development element in data and outreach to better align growth with local jobs.

"We want to do a complete economic analysis, a fiscal analysis, and then a SWOT analysis," Gene said, describing an approach that will examine demographics, workforce needs, industry sectors, supply chains and fiscal performance by district. He said the effort will translate analysis into a narrative that is digestible and actionable for policy makers.

Gene said staff will partner with the Thurston Economic Development Council to host business roundtables and explore outreach with the Tumwater Chamber of Commerce. He outlined a timeline that targets a first draft by March, public outreach in the next quarter, submission to Commerce and CEPA review in the following quarter and council adoption by the end of the process.

Commissioners asked specifically about outreach to education institutions; Gene said colleges and school districts will be included, calling them "a big part of the economic development in a community this size." Mister Kerpich criticized the existing comprehensive plan for emphasizing housing growth without attention to local jobs, calling the current trajectory a potential "bedroom community" outcome; Gene and other commissioners said the economic element is intended to address that gap.

Commissioners applauded the data-driven approach and emphasized government roles in creating conditions for businesses to thrive through purchasing power and clear strategy. Gene said the outreach and analysis will inform goals, policies and implementation steps and that staff will return with updates as the process progresses.

No formal action or vote on the economic development amendment was taken at the meeting.