Washington Sea Grant connects with economic development councils, county and local planners, nonprofits and others to further community economic goals.
Photo courtesy of Oregon Sea Grant
Washington state’s rural coastal counties face economic challenges including shifts in traditional industries, a decline in higher-paying, non-service jobs, and a loss of working-age residents. The Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council and the Washington Governor’s Office identified building economic resilience and diversifying the industries in coastal communities as a priority. Local communities and planners need access to partnerships, resources, and information to further economic development and resilience goals. WSG serves as the connector, linking coastal communities with economic data, technical expertise, and applied partnerships that support locally driven economic resilience.
WSG’s economic specialists connect communities with expertise, data, resources, and fellow practitioners to help them assess their economic challenges, opportunities, goals and next steps.
The ERC Fellowship aims to 1.) build capacity in communities to accelerate locally driven economic development and drive economic outcomes and 2.) build a pipeline of the next generation of economic leaders equipped with the skills and practice to promote a new era of economic prosperity. The Coastal Opportunities for Resilience and Livelihoods (CORAL) project supports the development of a skilled workforce to meet the needs of a sustainable maritime and seafood economy on Washington’s Pacific coast.
Increased activities in marine waters create potential conflict and competition between uses, from shipping and fisheries to sediment management and renewable energy development. Marine spatial plans (MSPs) grounded in strong public participation and science-based decision making can be important tools for balancing these interests, preserving existing sustainable uses and maintaining ocean health. WSG was part of the state team charged by the Washington Legislature with developing an MSP for Washington’s Pacific coast.
WSG’s role was to help coastal communities understand marine spatial planning and facilitate information sharing between state planners, federal partners, tribes, local marine resource committees and other stakeholders. Staff conducted public outreach, facilitate planning meetings and workshops and coordinate the project’s independent scientific review.
Ocean Shores is a relatively small rural city in coastal Washington. Its economy is reliant on tourism, event hosting, and the sale of vacation and retirement homes. WSG worked with the City of Ocean Shores to identify economic challenges and opportunities, such as the seasonal nature of tourism to the area and the chance to direct visitors to local attractions. Recommendations for improving the city’s economic resilience are included in the linked report. Many are in the process of being implemented, including initiatives to beautify the area and the creation of a business association, now managed by Greater Grays Harbor.
Pacific County Economic Development Council - UW Livable City Year
WSG connected the Pacific County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) with University of Washington’s Livable City Year (LCY) Program in 2022, launching a successful multi-year partnership. With WSG technical assistance, PCEDC was able to develop projects furthered through partnerships with the LCY program. Completed projects have included a GIS map of properties quickly convertible to housing; infill housing plans for all four Pacific County municipalities; a needs assessment for electric vehicle charging stations; a plan to revitalize the South Bend waterfront and more.
