Mayor Greg Nickels Announces Program To Improve Economy,
Add Family Wage Jobs

July 30, 2002 - Mayor Greg Nickels today released an aggressive program to improve the City's business climate and add more family wage jobs.

The mayor's program would reduce gridlock, eliminate unnecessary permitting delays, streamline building regulations, and improve customer service and assistance to small businesses.

Designed in response to recommendations by the mayor's Economic Opportunity Task Force, the program continues efforts to help minority and women-owned businesses compete for City contracts.

Elements of the mayor's program include:

• Cutting the wait time for permit applications from 4 to 2 weeks.
• Completing review of small and simple projects within 48 hours.
• Extending permit time for projects delayed by the economic downturn.
• Using city sewer lines to help solve the "last mile" problem of broadband Internet access.
• Simplifying and streamlining the land-use code.
• Establishing an ombudsperson to help businesses overcome bureaucratic hurdles.
• Finding funding sources for the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
• Strengthening street maintenance programs.
• Exploring the creation of one-stop, online permitting.

Nickels' plan also outlines new or expanded partnerships with the high-tech hub at the University of Washington. It recommends easing certain development restrictions affecting the university, as well as exploring a possible UW research park.

"This is a common-sense agenda," Nickels said, "It will help us to improve basic services to make it easier to do business in the City, develop a better-trained workforce and promote business practices that leave none of our citizens behind. This agenda will help keep Seattle competitive."

The mayor said the City needs to strip away unnecessary processes so that businesses, especially small businesses, can focus on what they do best.

"Small businesses are the backbone of this City, but we've made it difficult for them to thrive," Nickels said. "My program looks at how we can get out of the way without diminishing the important regulatory responsibilities that cities must maintain."

In addition, Nickels said his program also recognizes the important role the University of Washington plays in the region's economic vitality.

"We know that the University of Washington is a catalyst for the high-tech industry, and others as well," Nickels said. "By partnering with the University, the City can help emerging industries grow in Seattle, and create more family wage jobs."

In addition to focusing on high-technology industries, Nickels is directing his Office of Economic Development and its new director, Jill Nishi, to reach out to biotechnology and renewable energy/clean technology firms, as well as to important traditional sectors such as manufacturing and the maritime industry.

The mayor is acting on recommendations from the Economic Opportunity Task Force, a 38-member group of business, labor, education and community leaders he appointed in March. The Task Force was charged with helping the mayor find ways to re-invigorate Seattle's economy.

"I appreciate the time and expertise the Task Force members have devoted to this effort," Nickels said. "They have given us great ideas to help businesses and to create good jobs in our City."

Nickels announced his program at the Institute for Systems Biology, a leader in biotechnology, one of the industries targeted in Nickels' plan.

To see all of Mayor Nickels' program, and the report by the task force, visit www.cityofseattle.net/mayor.