Port of Everett, Cities of Arlington and Marysville Memorialize Historic Partnership to Advance Economic Development in Cascade Industrial Center
Date: Jan 9, 2020
Arlington, Wash. – Last night, at a joint special meeting, legislative bodies of the Port of Everett and the Cities of Arlington and Marysville gathered to recognize their collaboration to develop the Cascade Industrial Center (CIC) and bring new economic opportunity, jobs and expanded tax base to greater Snohomish County and the region.
At the meeting, agency officials and community partners joined in a ceremonial signing of joint Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), memorializing the historic multi-agency partnership.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW EVENT PHOTO GALLERY including a tour of the meeting venue, Elemental Cider Co., a new food processing facility centrally located in the CIC.
“It’s an honor to bring the Port’s specialized economic tools and expertise to the planning and tax relief provided by Arlington and Marysville to further benefit a project of such significance to our County’s economic future,” Port Commission President Glen Bachman said. “Snohomish County is one of only a few in the state that lack a county-wide port district, inadvertently putting the unique economic tools specific to ports out of reach. Our partnership bridges that gap and provides the Port and our communities to the north opportunity to discuss possible Port expansion to better serve them into the future.”
Strategically located between Seattle and the Canadian border along the Interstate 5 corridor, the CIC represents the second largest Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) in Snohomish County with just over 4,000 acres; 57% in Arlington and 43% in Marysville. The area includes more than 1,700 available acres offering manufacturing and light industrial use potential, including a mix of partially developed, redevelopable and vacant sites.
The bulk of property and proximity to key transportation assets like I-5, state highways, Arlington Municipal Airport, BNSF Railways, and the Port of Everett Seaport make this area an attractive business opportunity.
The Port has been working with both Cities since 2018 and has found that a more official partnership could lend itself to greater participation and support of their local projects. Other partner agencies, including Snohomish County, Greater Seattle Partners and Economic Alliance Snohomish County, have also been major supporters, helping the CIC earn official recognition as a Regional MIC by the Puget Sound Regional Council – one of only 10 recognized state-wide.
The MIC designation provides federal, state and local infrastructure funding preference to the area. This, coupled with the major tax advantages from State-approved property tax exemptions, expedited permitting, and the federal Opportunity Zone designation, has businesses highly motivated to locate in the CIC as evidenced by significant deal making on available lands over the last year.
“We are really excited about this partnership between Marysville, Arlington, and the Port of Everett and the potential that it presents to enhance our ability to bring family wage jobs and infrastructure investments to our local communities,” City of Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. “This is another example of the great value of working together as a team to bring prosperity to our region.”
With the MOUs in place, the Port brings additional economic tools into the fold including its industrial development authority, the ability to pursue revenue bonds for economic development purposes and the potential to expand its Foreign Trade Zone #85 into the CIC.
Furthermore, the Port is now able to enhance its support for developer and business recruitment, financial analysis, grant writing, marketing, planning, and environmental regulatory strategy.
“With their deep relationships with BNSF Railways, as well as Washington State University and other institutions of higher learning, it only makes sense for Arlington and Marysville to partner with the Port of Everett,” City of Arlington Mayor Barb Tolbert said. “This is an incredible opportunity for the CIC’s future growth and development.”
By 2040, its anticipated that the CIC will generate more than 25,000 new family-wage jobs in the County, providing residents close to home quality employment opportunities. Workforce development will continue to be a key element to ensure the County maintains a skilled and ready workforce.
“The Cascade Industrial Center is one of the premier development areas in the Greater Seattle region and we have already been successful in attracting jobs and investment to this area,” said Patrick Pierce, President and CEO of Economic Alliance Snohomish County. “Formalizing the partnership between the Port of Everett and the cities of Arlington and Marysville will only further enhance this important regional job center. Growing quality jobs near where people live only helps us to improve communities, reduce commute times and increase quality of life – that’s the value of economic development.”