Chamber members sound off on housing, the reality for small businesses at “Washington in the Making

The Chamber recently participated in the statewide “Washington in the Making 2040” project, allowing members to speak their piece in a Town Hall meeting hosted by the AWB Institute and Washington Roundtable. Held immediately following our Mid Year Economic Forecast on June 20, local business owners, city officials, and the like stuck around to discuss the most daunting barriers to Washington’s economic competitiveness, as well as some hyperlocal concerns like the housing shortage and infrastructural gaps here in King County. 

An interactive session led by attendees, here were some major takeaways from the meeting:

(Please note: This is a recap of the views expressed by members during the Town Hall, rather than a reflection of the Chamber and its advocacy team.)

The Housing Conundrum:

In short, we need more housing, and different types of it. Affordability isn’t the only issue — although it is a primary one — as we also need to consider recent shifts in remote vs. in-person employees, traffic patterns, and the like when developing new housing units.

A Tale of Two Cities:

Washington has been arguing about how to fix its homelessness crisis for years now, and the need for action is only growing. Now, working folks and small business owners need a boost to not only compete in the new economy, but simply to survive.

The Kids are (Maybe?) Alright:

While there has been a recent push to make sure that public education curriculum and programming are relevant, there is still a massive staffing crisis for teachers and an ongoing gap in building “adulting” skills while students are still in the system. Because of this, even though King County schools are ranked relatively well, many parents are still, post-pandemic, considering private schools when they otherwise wouldn’t. Similarly, as parents’ commutes get longer, childcare prices continue to rise and availability becomes more limited, creating further strain on families. 

Business Climate Musings:

In addition to frustrations over the “highly regulated” market here in Washington, attendees also expressed concern with the state’s workforce, as many companies have faced tremendous turnover in recent years. On the small business front, folks advocated for tools like low interest loans, greater access to capital, mentorship opportunities, start-up funding, and a streamlined permitting process to help lighten the load. 

The Upshot:

When asked what we (the Eastside) do particularly well here compared to other regions, there was a resounding acknowledgment of our local government’s success in working across the aisle. Similarly, when asked what two issues should be solved by the year 2040, there was a clear consensus landing on housing affordability and public safety.

To learn more about the Washington in the Making 2040 project and to take the survey yourself, visit the AWB Institute’s website.