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Emnomic Development Element <br />Population growth in Kittitas County lagged behind the nate in Washington in the 1980's, but <br />it has been above the state rate since 1990. <br />Total covered employment in KAbtas County grew at an average rate of 2.S% per year during <br />1990 through 2003, slightly faster than population in the some period. Population and <br />employment growth tend to grow at similar rates. Employment growing faster than <br />population may indicate a decrease in unemployment, an increase in the labor force <br />participation rate, or increased level of workers commuting from outside of Kittitas County. <br />Population in Kittitas County is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.6% (low), <br />1.3% (intermediate), or 1.8% (high) over during 2005 to 2025. <br />Employment in Kittitas County is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.4% over <br />the ten years from 2002 to 2012. <br />Employment in Kittitas Courrty may continue to grow slightly faster than population as it has <br />since 1990, or it may grow slightly slower than population if the labor force participation rate <br />declines due to an aging population. Given the range of growth rates in the State's population <br />forecast for Kittitas County over the 2005 — 2025 period, this suggests employment growth at a <br />rate of 0.5% to 2.0% per year over the next 20 years. The low end of this range, however, is <br />unlikely to occur unless the US or Washington State experiences a severe economic recession. <br />While this scenario is possible, it is unlikely and not a useful scenario for planning purposes. <br />10.3. Goals, Policies and Objectives <br />Kittitas County has established the following goals and policies to guide future economic <br />development. Tixese goals and policies were developed in response to existing economic <br />conditions identified within the County. <br />GPO 10.1 Be a county the supports the varied needs and demands of the community and <br />surrounding area through the understanding and creation of a supportive and active environment <br />for economic development in the community. <br />GPD 10.2 Support the retention and expansion of existing local businesses/industries and <br />recruitment of new bushmWindustries in order to maintain a strong job and wage base. <br />GPO 10.3 Implement regulations that recognize and further the diversity of industry and the <br />business community, while also promoting the sustainability of natural resource based activities. <br />GPO 10.4 Encourage economic growth while protecting the mural character of the County. <br />GPO 10.5 Encourage the promotion of tourism and tourist based businesses. <br />GPO 10.6 Provide the infrastructure and public facilities to support economic activity and <br />lhowfiL <br />GPO 10.7 Strive to maintain a balance of jobs and housing. <br />GPO 10.8 Promote and encourage the establishment and expansion ofeducatiaual, research and <br />other related activities that support existing local industries and businesses. <br />Kittitas County December2016 <br />Comprehensive Plan 1 <br />