The purpose of this project is to support the economic development element of the 2024 comprehensive plan update, starting with the design and implementation of a business survey. This scientific survey should seek to understand who Snohomish’s business owners are, what challenges and/or opportunities they face, and how the City of Snohomish can be of assistance. Special care will be taken to address the issues of redundant broadband access, childcare and mental health services, parking and downtown transportation, and commercial affordability – which are some of the priorities of the Snohomish City Council and City staff. The survey results will then be used to conduct a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the Snohomish economy, leveraging other information as necessary (e.g., the economic data profile already compiled by the City, zoning and land use regulations, regional industry clusters) to best inform goals and policies for the economic development element.
Several programs have worked on this project to help the City of Snohomish update the economic development of their comprehensive plan. Master of Business Administration students at UW Tacoma conducted a survey of small businesses and a SWOT analysis in the Fall 2023 quarter.