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Kittitas County employment, the majority of these jobs being minimum wage. According <br />to the 2014 Kittitas County Population Projection Review and Analysis, 56% of Kittitas <br />County residents work outside of Kittitas County, with 16% of those commuting or <br />telecommuting to King County. These statistics do not serve as a long-term sustainable <br />path for the future. <br />A recent ESD/CenterFuse project provided additional information about employment in <br />Kittitas County. Between 2015 and 2020, business growth was nominal (2%) as was the <br />change in number of employees (less than 5%). However, the good news is the <br />average wage paid increased by over 23%. The top employer is government (which <br />includes Kittitas Valley Hospital) with over 4,000 employees, followed by <br />accommodations and food services (2,153) and retail trade (1,833). The greatest <br />number of businesses by sector is, in order, construction, healthcare and social <br />assistance, and accommodation and food services. Looking at which employer pays <br />the highest average wage, the top 3 NAiCS business sectors are finance and <br />insurance, then government and wholesale trade. <br />Utilizing information found in the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan (adopted June <br />2019), the City of Ellensburg Comprehensive Plan (adopted December 2020), as well <br />as the 2013 Yakima/Kittitas Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Plan, <br />CenterFuse will continue to focus on the following elements: <br />Continue to analyze existing businesses to support and retain and assist in their <br />success and potential expansion. Offer workshops and gatherings for existing <br />businesses to assess and assist with needs for expansion and success. <br />Complete development of marketing materials and strategies to directly recruit <br />new businesses and industries to maintain a strong and diverse jobs and wage <br />base <br />New website to include current business climate, quality of life, demographics, <br />and searchable database of available land and buildings <br />Social media strategies <br />a Professional print materials <br />Help and support of initiatives related to housing, transportation, and education <br />that affect our ability to recruit business and jobs <br />Collaborate with the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, Ellensburg <br />Downtown Association, City of Ellensburg Departments and Commissions, and <br />Kittitas County on strategy development and implementation along with offering <br />our assistance on projects that forward economic development in Kittitas County. <br />Work with the City and County offices of Community Development Office to <br />address future zoning needs <br />Create a dynamic roadmap for businesses to demystify the startup process <br />Highlight and preserve the unique historic and natural attributes of Ellensburg <br />and Kittitas County <br />