Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Recognized for Collective Work in Initiating Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy

From left to right: Jon Rossman, Owner of Chuckals Office Products & Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board; Andrea Reay, President & CEO of Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber; Eli Taylor, Vice President/Senior Private Wealth Advisor at U.S. Bank & Past Chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board; Kierra Phifer, Manager, Public Engagement-Northwest at DoorDash & Chair Elect of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board.

Since 2006, the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Governor of Washington have been acknowledging the people behind efforts that make their communities flourish. It takes a lot to make a community vibrant; planning in areas of parks and recreation, job growth, housing affordability, economic development, homelessness, transportation, and subarea development are at the forefront of every community leader. But each city in Washington State has proven time and again that they are capable and willing to do what it takes.

To really recognize and thank these local governments, the dynamic duo, Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Governor of Washington, created The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Seven categories of achievement are available:

1. Smart Vision Award-for a Comprehensive Plan, Subarea Plan, or Countywide Planning Policies.
2. Smart Projects Award-for Project Implementing a Comprehensive Plan.
3. Smart Partnership Award-for a Joint Public Project that Implements a Comprehensive Plan.
4. Smart Housing Strategies Award-for Creative Plans, Policies, Programs and/or Actions.
5. Smart Equity Strategies Award-for Plans, Policies, Programs and/pr Actions Addressing Impacts to Community Equity.
6. Smart Climate Change Strategies Award-for Plans, Policies, Programs and/or Actions Addressing Community Climate Impacts. Finally,
7. Planning Legacy Award-for Successful Places.

Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy was not only nominated for a Governor’s Smart Communities Award but won in the Smart Climate Strategies category! The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was recognized for the contribution and role it played in initiating this strategy. The press release from the Washington State Department of Commerce highlights the importance of this strategy:

“Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy is a blueprint for business-focused communities to pursue a sustainable future. With six strategic initiatives, Tacoma is tailoring employment, education, and revitalization efforts and its overall commercial identity.”

​It is such an honor to have the City of Tacoma recognized amongst its fellow cities in Washington State. The cities of Vancouver, Olympia, Waitsburg, Spokane, Marysville, Renton, Leavenworth, Issaquah, along with the Port of Kennewick & Partners were all awarded for the implementation of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA).

Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) Program Director, Ryan Spence, states:
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"Thank you to the governor for recognizing the City of Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy as a pioneering effort to build a greener economy. The strategy identifies manufacturing as a key opportunity to provide low barrier high wage jobs for a greener, more equitable and more prosperous Tacoma.” 
 
Thank you, Governor Inslee, and the Washington State Department of Commerce, for the homage. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and the City of Tacoma will continue to work on the betterment of our community and the beloved place we call home. ​

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To read more about the other recipient cities, click here. To learn the requirements of the categories, click here. ​​