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(j,�, CENTERFUSE <br />June 28, 2021 <br />Please provide a statement in the space provided below or on an attached sheet as needed for the <br />suggested change(s) to the comprehensive plan with regards to the relevant criteria listed below: <br />• Det 'le t tem t ofthe-pWposaj and reason for thg amendmentincluding o d lg== for <br />amendment_ <br />CenterFuse is Ellensburg's Business Development Authority providing expertise and assistance for <br />businesses to start, grow and thrive in Ellensburg. As such, we are proposing an update to the <br />Economic Development chapter of the 2017 Ellensburg Comprehensive Plan. The key reasons for <br />the update are: <br />COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the landscape for residents <br />and businesses in Ellensburg; changed in both positive and negative ways. How businesses operate <br />is now different and will continue to be in the future. We propose to add language to the chapter <br />speaking to the economic impacts of the pandemic and the resiliency of our community in the <br />context of what happened with COVID-19 and how that impacts business development into the <br />future. <br />1 . The International Economic Development Council <br />(IEDC) states what businesses are looking for most when siting a facility is infrastructure and <br />workforce. Included in the infrastructure category is broadband. As site location professionals and <br />businesses visit Ellensburg with intent to locate here, one of their first questions is `How is your <br />broadband'? CenterFuse completed a feasibility study earlier this year. The findings of the study, <br />current and planned actions to meet the State's 150 Mbps synchronously by 2028 would be valuable <br />information to add to this chapter. This information, too, could be referenced in the comprehensive <br />plan's infrastructure chapter. <br />IndustW and m9kyMut da . Currently the data in this chapter is outdated. With our <br />population growth of 3.37% (2020 data) and continued increase in intra -state mobility (over 5% into <br />Kittitas County), it is imperative to have current, accurate data. <br />Coal statements. Many of the goals are great, some in process or accomplished, and an effort <br />around updating and maybe some eliminated or added. <br />Economic forecast The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics produces an economic forecast. The <br />information contained in this forecast, its relationship to Washington State and Ellensburg would be <br />beneficial to add to this chapter. <br />Rtimging city pro"es. The city owns various properties. One such property, the Prospect <br />Building/Ellensburg Incubator, was most recently, up until June 2021, managed by CenterFuse. <br />CenterFuse facilitated the discussion with Ellensburg City Council to sell the building and dedicate <br />the sale's proceeds to an economic development fund. CenterFuse, too, consulted with and directed <br />Ellensburg BuWnwa Development IrAA, C E N T E R F U S E 100 West 3rd Awns. 12 5118.855.3880 directorlelteneburgunterfuse.acm <br />Ellensburg. WA 08828 W9.3%.0578 of rulburucentarfuse.cam <br />