Mukilteo council weighs economic development vision, liaisons to regional partners

Mukilteo councilmembers spent the bulk of the April 27 work session laying groundwork for a more active economic-development effort and asked staff to bring regional partners into the conversation.

A city staff member opened the discussion by saying the city has talked about economic development before but taken little action and provided a memo of common approaches “as jumping-off points,” asking council for clear direction so staff could study feasible next steps given limited in-house capacity (Staff member, Speaker 3).

Councilmember (Speaker 5) recommended forming an economic development team similar to the long-range financial planning group, with public members, council representation and staff to inventory properties and zoning, map business needs, and develop a shared vision. “I feel it would be prudent if we had a vision for where our city is headed economic development wise,” the councilmember said, urging attention to opportunities around aerospace suppliers and Harbor Point.

Several councilmembers urged formal liaison roles to strengthen ties with outside organizations. The mayor and other councilmembers suggested appointing at least one liaison (and an alternate) to the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County and to the Mukilteo Chamber so the city has regular representation at regional business events and better two-way communication with local employers (Council members, Speakers 2 and 1).

The group discussed workforce-development options, including stronger links between schools, community colleges and local employers and apprenticeship pipelines. Councilmembers noted a past state aerospace apprenticeship program that used a mobile training trailer; while such training can benefit small employers, some businesses have historically been reluctant to invest if trained workers can be recruited away by larger firms.

Councilmembers and staff also debated the trade-offs of recruiting industrial employers versus retail: industrial uses bring jobs and daytime activity but typically generate less sales tax revenue than retail; property tax results were noted as relatively stable. One councilmember suggested hiring outside planners to run a charrette to visualize longer-term options for Mukilteo and its limited commercial space.

As an immediate next step staff agreed to invite the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County to present at a future meeting so council can better understand regional options and what that organization can provide to Mukilteo. No formal policy or ordinance changes were made at the work session.