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KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON SW0T Analysis During the initial phases of the project, the consulting team gathered qualitative input from local stakeholders in Kittitas County concerning local economic development issues. ln addition, TIP conducted quantitative data analyses to understand the County's competitive position in the region. The results of these efforts informed the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. The four components of a SWOT analysis can be defined as follows. . Strengths: Assets and resources that can be built on to grow, strengthen, and diversify the local/regional economy . Weaknesses: Liabilities and barriers to economic development that could limit economic growth potential. . Opportunities: Competitive advantages and positive trends that hold significant potential for the attraction of new businesses, investments, and skilled workers. r Threats: Unfavorable factors and trends (often external) that could negatively affect the local/regional economy Figure 12. Summary of Kittitas County SW0T Analysis .4_Li Strengths +Weaknesses . Outdoor recrealion assets and activitiesr Presence of Central Washington University. Natural resources. Central geographic location within the state. Small town/rural character. High quality of place. Natural beauty. Strong healthcare sector employment. Growing tourism sector. Educated workforcer lnternational market for Timothy hay. Economic development tools . lnfraslructure investment. Snoqualmie Pass. 0utdoor recreation as a magnet for talent attractionr Attraction of remote workers. Expansion of research and facilities at CWU. Cohesivetourism effortr New recreational facilities (e.9., indool community center). Community planning o Recreation*elated business attraction. Entrepreneurship and small business developmenl. Growth of outdoor recreation sector (e.9., apparel, food, equipment, etc.). Light manufacturing. Suncadia network. Biomass Source(s): TIP Strategies, lnc . Lack of a unified County vision for economic development. Housing affordability and lack of inventory. Few industrial and commercial development-ready sites. Disconnect between CWU and community/private sector. No port district. Underinvestment in infrastructure (lransportation, water/wastewater, etc.). Retail sales tax leakage. Anti-growthsentiment. Lack of higher-wage employment opportunitiesr Perception of water scarcity. Siloed economic development effortsr Lack of indoor and family-friendly amenities/activities. Lack of childcare options . Loss ofyoung talent. Population growth without accompanying higher-wage employment growthr Aging population. Lack offorest management. Wildfire risk. lnability to altract new private investment. Lower state funding levels for CWU. Planning and zoning barriers to new investment o Agriculture becoming less sustainable o Encroachment of residential development on farming lands r*oF2 Opportunities Threats PAGE 26 I ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PIAN