2017-2037 Comp Plan Update Enabling Ordinance with Exhibit A

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Chapter 10 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KITTITAS COUNTY Page 125 Comprehensive Plan Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Open Space While recreation and tourism related industries are underrepresented in these estimates, it is important to recognize their significant and impactful role in potential economic development throughout the County. These industries represent a unique opportunity to expand consumer spending, create new residents, and cement the county’s reputation as an area with a strong sense of place. Kittitas County tourism spending between 1991 and 2013, increased by 4.6% or to $170,200,000 resulting in a 4.5% increase in earnings or to $53,100,000 in tourism related employment, and -0.7% in employment or to 2,380 jobs by 2013. Kittitas County, Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg’s combined revenues (from the state- shared and added local lodging tax) increased from $163,627 in 1994 to $1,296,722 by 2014 increasing at an annual average growth rate of 13.7%9. Small Business Opportunities Small Business Loans can be viewed as another indicator of economic development within Kittitas County. From 2012 to 2015 the percentage of SBA Loans has decreased from 30.43 percent to 17.39 percent. This represents a 13.04 percent drop in loans targeted at small business entrepreneurial investments. Over the same time period, Washington State SBA Loans has increased from 19.53 percent in 2012, to 30.94 percent in 2015 10. Population Growth Based on 2017 Office of Financial Management population estimates and projections, Washington State grew by an estimated 126,600 persons, a 1.76 percent increase over the past year. This was the largest percentage increase since before the 2008 Financial Crisis. Migration (people moving in versus people moving out) was identified as the primary driver behind Washington’s population growth. Over that same time period, Kittitas County was the 7th fastest growing County in the state. This growth spiked from 2016 to 2017, when Kittitas County grew at a rate of 2.33 percent, with a net influx of 1,020 people. This was the fastest single-year percent change for any county within Washington State. The following data offers a few high-level takeaways concerning employment growth and distribution in the coming years: 1. Population growth in Kittitas County lagged behind the rate of Washington in the 1980’s, but it has been above the state average since 1990. 9 Kittitas County PROS and Tourism Plans, 2016 10 Small Business Administration; extracted from USASpending.gov