RES 2023-073 - Laserfiche WebLink

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KITTITAS COUNTY, II'ASHINGTON Takeaways Based on insights gained from the data analysis and stakeholder engagement tasks, the following story emerged Kiftifas County rs a great place to live, but it is rapidly becoming unaffordable for many residenfs. Situated in a region that includes the Cascade Mountains, the upper Yakima River Valley plains, and the Columbia River, Kittitas County has an abundance of beautiful natural assets as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation. Residents of the County affirm it is a great place to live. And with a population of just over 44,000, many residents especially appreciate the small town feel and tranquility the region offers. It is these characteristics that have drawn a growing number of new residents to the area over the past few decades. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to fuel this trend, as remote workers looked to escape nearby cities at the outset of the crisis. This influx of people has increased the demand for housing, making the County unaffordable to existing residents. ln fact, the cost of living has increased such that many who work in the County, live outside of the County where housing is more affordable. As population growth is likely to continue, planning for this growth will be essential to maintaining the County's character. Strategically increasing housing supply and density in the County's cities and towns, as opposed to encouraging sprawl, and improving connections among towns can help mitigate the affordability issue. The County's central location and outdoor rcmeation oppoftunities are assets that could be harnessed for economic growth. The County is centrally located in Washington State and is fewer than 1 00 miles from both Seattle and the port of Tacoma. This location is an asset that has already proven instrumental to hay exports and could serve a similar role in other industries. With additional investments in transportation infrastructure, the County could become a hub for logistics and distribution operations. The County's location also drives tourism. Just a few hours' drive from Seattle, Kittitas County has plenty to offer visitors. From skiing in Snoqualmie Pass, to hiking in the Upper County, and fishing in the Yakima River, opportunities for outdoor recreation abound. While tourism comes with disadvantages-congestion and lower-wage jobs, for example-there is also an opportunity to further develop this sector so that it can become an economic engine in the County. Fostering existing brewing operations, recreation outfitters, art and entertainment offerings, and small-scale manufacturing could deepen the knowledge base in the County while creating higher quality jobs for residents. Furthel establishing and supporting partnerships among existing stakeholders and creating programs to support entrepreneurs in tourism and recreation-related ventures in the County could help organize and strengthen this sector. In the face of this growth, the County's natural resources, agricaltural lands, and open spaces musf be managed carcfully. Many of those who are concerned about the County's growth fear that the local way of life is changing. lndiscriminate construction and sprawl encroach on agricultural land, create additional traffic, and put pressure on the County's natural resources. These challenges are real, and as the County continues to grow, they will only become more prominent. However, there is a lot the County can do to manage this growth and support legacy industries. Community planning, for example, could support development around urban centers, creating additional density and diminishing the number of vehicles on the road. Similarly, targeted infrastructure investments can also shape the community by designating specific areas for commercial and industrial development. Support for farmers as they face increasing property taxes and succession planning challenges could help them stay in business. PAGE 3 I ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN