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Dear Chamber members: Happy holidays from all of us at the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. For the past year, the Chamber has focused on the fundamentals of a healthy economy and a high quality of life. We will continue to do so in 2008, and as this work builds on recent efforts, I'd like to take a moment to update you on a few key issues. |
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Strengthening economic competitiveness You may have read in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer last week about two studies conducted by the Washington Research Council on the City of Seattle's business taxes and competitiveness. These studies were commissioned by the Seattle Business Coalition (SBC), a group of business organizations that includes the Chamber.
SBC organizations started working together late last year over concerns about the increasingly high level of taxation levied on businesses for city services enjoyed by all. We quickly realized that no baseline data existed, however, so we asked Dr. Kriss Sjoblom, an economist at the independent Washington Research Council to conduct an extensive analysis using data from the City of Seattle and other governmental sources. Both reports are available on the Washington Research Council's website, and I encourage you to look at the findings: Going forward, SBC will be using the reports for in-depth discussions between the city and its business community on how to improve Seattle's financial strength and ensure we are an attractive location for businesses of all types and sizes. We will keep you updated on these efforts over the next year. Meanwhile, I hope you will consider joining many of your Chamber colleagues at a Downtown Seattle Association breakfast on Wednesday, January 9 with Susan Shannon, the new director of the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development, for a discussion on the elements of a competitive business climate.
Improving regional mobility Last week, Chamber board members were briefed by Paula Hammond, the new Washington State Secretary of Transportation. Among the key projects discussed was SR 520. Governor Gregoire has made 520 a priority in the wake of Proposition 1, and we are pleased that Chamber Transportation Committee Chair Mark Weed, who has been deeply involved in the Trans-Lake process, is currently serving on the 520 Mediation Board. Like 520, the Alaskan Way Viaduct remains a top issue for the Chamber and our business community. Chamber Vice Chair Tayloe Washburn is serving as our representative on the stakeholder group that met for the first time last Thursday. Other transportation related efforts include reassembling the Transportation Partnership, a group co-chaired by Bob Drewel of the Puget Sound Regional Council, Rick Bender of the Washington State Labor Council, and me.
For details on advertising, contact Tara Harmon or Michael Romoser with our publishing partner and Chamber member, Vernon Publications. They can be reached by phone at 425.488.3211 or by email at info@vernonpublications.com. Again, thank you for your continued support of the Chamber, and for all you do to make our region such a great place to live and work. We wish you all the best for the new year.
Sincerely,
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1301 5th Avenue, Suite 2500, Seattle, WA 98101 |
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Chamber leaders are taking an active role in next steps following the rejection of Proposition 1, the regional Roads and Transit measure, by voters in the November 6 election. 
As you look for ways to promote your business in 2008, I hope you will consider advertising in the Chamber's Membership and Business Directory. Distributed to all members as well as hundreds of non-local businesses and individuals, this high-quality print publication is a great way to reach decision makers. It also shows your support of the Chamber, for which we are deeply appreciative.
