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Everett · EVT-CP-2044 · Pages 95-124

Economic Development Element

The Economic Development Element guides efforts to market the city, support businesses of all sizes, and grow a diverse economy anchored by aerospace, healthcare, maritime, and emerging industries. It establishes 77 numbered policies covering economic diversification, equitable employment opportunities, business retention and attraction, employment centers, industrial areas, campus institutions, and neighborhood business districts. The element aligns with PSRC Vision 2050's designation of Everett as one of five Metropolitan Cities in the Puget Sound region.

Economic Development Economy Social Governance Taxes

“Only 2 of 77 Economic Development Element policies (3%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Everett Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Everett planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Everett Comprehensive Plan.
39% of Snohomish County employment growth by 2044; 167,000 total jobs by 2044; Metro Everett 25,000 jobs by 2044; SW MIC 39,000 jobs by 2044
Goals (10 total)
  • ED-1: Everett's economic base is diverse and expanding to support a vibrant economy.
  • ED-2: Employment opportunities are accessible to Everett's residents and are supported with local educational and job training partnerships for living wage jobs.
  • ED-3: Everett's business environment promotes the growth and development of local enterprises and draws new firms to the city.
  • ED-4: Everett effectively plans for and manages land use decisions to protect and provide land for employment uses.
  • ED-5: Everett's infrastructure meets the needs for current and future businesses.
  • ED-6: Everett's employment growth is focused in robust and thriving mixed-use and industrial centers.
  • ED-7: Everett's innovators and entrepreneurs are supported in building businesses.
  • ED-8: Everett has a thriving arts and culture community contributing to its economy and quality of life.
  • ED-9: Tourists come to Everett to enjoy local attractions, arts, cultural, and entertainment events.
  • ED-10: Everett has a recognizable brand and image that supports economic growth.
Stronger Policy Language (33 policies in this chapter)
  • ED-1: Work to secure 39% of Snohomish County employment growth by 2044.
  • ED-2: Ensure that there is sufficient zoned land and development capacity to accommodate the 2044 employment growth allocations.
  • ED-53: Protect industrial land as identified on the Comprehensive Plan Map for industrial and manufacturing uses and encourage the growth of industrial activities in the city.
  • ED-4: Maintain and implement an economic development strategy/plan that identifies short- and mid-term goals and strategies to diversify and expand the economy.
Show all 33 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 29 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (42 policies in this chapter)
  • ED-29: Explore and support tools for community ownership of commercial spaces to preserve small businesses that exemplify and promote their community's identity.
  • ED-30: Explore opportunities for retaining anchor institutions that provide vital and unique services for communities.
  • ED-9: Encourage the development of specialty businesses that reflect the diverse ethnic and cultural groups of the Everett community.
  • ED-31: Support establishment of temporary markets and other temporary or mobile vending structures in the public realm that enable startup business activity.
Show all 42 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 38 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Everett briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Everett council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Everett Briefings →