Council President Richard Conlin
Seattle City Council creates Economic Development Commission
Commission to enhance communication between business sectors and the City on policy issues
SEATTLE – Today Seattle City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 117362 creating an Economic Development Commission that will advise and provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the development of plans, policies, and regulations to promote sustainable and equitable economic development and job creation in Seattle.
"The City of Seattle is one of the most dynamic business communities in the world," stated Council President Richard Conlin. "We are home to iconic companies with global reach, a thriving urban industrial and maritime base, and a talented and highly-skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of today’s economy."
This Commission is an implementation step for City Council Resolution 31282, adopted April 2011, which endorsed a program of specific economic development goals and actions to strengthen and grow Seattle’s economy. The Council is enhancing efforts to focus on fundamental economic issues and policies that impact the City because the Puget Sound region is struggling to emerge from a severe recession that resulted in the loss of approximately 125,000 jobs at its height. Seattle’s economic prosperity depends on coordinated strategies to help entrepreneurs, to grow businesses, to improve competitiveness by building on our economic strengths, and create career "ladder" opportunities for all Seattle residents.
The Commission will be comprised of 10 members. Appointments will be made to ensure that varied economic perspectives are represented, including business size, industry type, organized labor, neighborhood business, minority-owned business, woman-owned business, local economic professionals, and representatives of post-high school educational institutions. Appointments will be made by the Council and Mayor.
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