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Pasco staff outline economic development plan update aiming for higher‑wage jobs, improved permitting
Summary
Planning staff described a high‑level update to the comprehensive plan’s economic development element, prioritizing higher‑wage job attraction (aerospace, advanced manufacturing), retail/commercial growth in Broadmoor, infrastructure coordination (water, power, roads), and improved permitting/customer service. Staff said further outreach with Port, chambers and the planning commission will follow.
City planning staff presented an overview of proposed updates to Pasco’s economic development element, saying the goal is a Pasco‑specific strategy that supports higher‑wage employment, a more robust retail and commercial supply, and a clearer implementation plan tied to funding and permitting improvements.
"We'd like to support more higher‑wage employment opportunities," Planning staff told the council, outlining potential target sectors — aerospace near the Tri‑Cities Airport, health care, professional services and advanced food manufacturing that builds on the city's industrial base. Staff highlighted Port of Pasco efforts on an aerospace innovation and manufacturing center and noted a SEPA release tied to that planning effort.
Staff said infrastructure capacity is a limiting factor for major recruitment: water rights, power substation capacity, and roads all affect whether large employers (or data centers) will locate in Pasco. The city intends to invite utility partners into the comprehensive plan outreach and to develop implementation measures tied to budget and grant opportunities.
On permitting and customer service, staff described work to streamline applications and online payments and said improving responsiveness is an economic development tool to attract large retailers and developers. Council members urged clearer metrics (jobs created, wage targets) and suggested workforce development and bilingual training be included as implementation actions.
Port Deputy Executive Director Steven McFadden told council that the Port is studying an aerospace park (first engineering phase estimated for 2030) and offered to host tours of port facilities for council and staff. Staff said the economic development element will be refined with consultants, stakeholders, the planning commission and public outreach before formal council review later in the year.
