1. Location
a. Central to the Puget Sound and Portland metropolitan markets – 65% of
employers surveyed indicate that their market is either regional or
statewide.
b. Proximity to military base and market for private companies/vendors
c. Center of larger regional market
2. Seat of state government
a. Access to policy and decision makers
b. Relatively stable and consistent employer with family wages
3. Workforce
a. Highly educated workforce – the region regularly scores very high on
national standards and categories for a highly educated workforce. Such
rankings include Kiplinger’s, Forbes, etc.
4. Education
a. K-12 system well supported; districts perform at or above national level
b. Three large institutions of higher learning – The Evergreen State College,
Saint Martin’s University, South Puget Sound Community College
c. New Market Skills Center
d. Regional focus on education
5. Infrastructure
a. Western USA’s main north-south interstate traversers the county (easy
access to commerce, transit, and freight movement)
b. Fiber (significant amount of fiber optic lines through downtown Olympia,
and main trunk line along I-5 – but may be dark and inaccessible)
c. Established, operational ports – our own Port of Olympia,
d. Rail systems
e. Regional sewer system and capacity
f. Ample water and reclaimed water resources
g. Access to affordable, alternative energy sources
h. LOTT reclaimed water (leader in the nation)
6. Housing stock
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Blue Ribbon Panel – Sustainable Economy
SWOT Analysis
a. A variety of housing options, both single family and multi-family; with a
good cross section of variety and price options.
b. Healthy reserve of buildable residential tracts
7. Natural environment
a. The region is widely recognized as having a relatively accessible and
clean natural environment and recreational facilities.
b. Access to the local salt water/Puget Sound
c. Recreation -- Proximity to ocean (coastal areas, and Puget Sound)
d. Proximity to wilderness areas (Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Cascade range,
Olympic National Park)
8. Entrepreneurial business community
a. Large majority of private sector employers are “small” – employing 10 or
less
b. The great majority of employers surveyed indicate that their life cycle is
either maturing (36%) or growing (58%).
c. Washington holds the fourth highest number of patents in the US, after
California, New York and Texas
9. Strong business support organizations
a. EDC, Chamber, Score other entities housed at “Business Resource
Center” able to assist a variety of ventures on broad range of topics
10. Local Culture
a. Diversity of culture
b. The Arts