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@cENTERFUsE <br />June 28,2021 <br />Please provide a staternent in the space provided below or on an attached sheet as needed for the <br />sugested change(s) to the comprehensive plan with regards to the relevant criteria listed below: <br />' Detailed statement of the prqposal and reason for the,a{g.endment includingproposed language fbr <br />amendment: <br />CenterFuse is Ellensburgts Business Development Authority providing expertise and assistance for <br />businesses to start, grow and thrive in Ellensburg. As such, we iue 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-I9 pagdemic. The COVID-I9 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 languap to the chapter <br />speaking to the economic impacts of the pandemic and dre resiliency of our community in the <br />context of what happened with COVID-l9 and how that impacts business development into the <br />future. <br />Elevating the importaace of broadbapd. The International Economic Development Council <br />$EDq states what businesses are looking for mostwhen siting a facility is infrastructure and <br />workforce. Included in the inftastructure c^tegory 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 infrastruchrre chapter. <br />Industry and employment data. Currantly the data in this chapter is outdated. With our <br />population $owth of 3.37% Q020 data) and continued increase in intra-state mobility (over 570 into <br />Kittitas County), it is imperative to have current, accurate data. <br />Goal statemjnts. Many of tl're goals are great, some in process or accomplished, and an effort <br />around updating and maybe some eliminated or added. <br />Economic forrecast. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics produces an econornic forecast. The <br />information contained in this forecast, its relationship to Washington State and Ellensburg would be <br />beneficial to add to this chapter. <br />Reimaging city properties. The city owns various properties. One such property, the Prospect <br />Building/Ellensburg Incubator, was most recentty, up untilJune 2\Zl,managed by CenterFuse. <br />CenterFuse facilitated the discussion with Ellensbury City Council to sell the building and dedicate <br />the sale's proceeds to an economic development fund. CenterFuse, too, consulted with and directed <br />100 West 3rd Avans6, ta <br />Ellencburg, WA 911926 <br />a 50s.955.s8s0 r dileolor€elbnlburgcenlerlu&.com <br />! soe.aoo.osza * ellon8burgcentortu6e.oom <br />Ethncbury,Eusin€'r:Devotopment <br />$CENTERFUSE I