Published December 20 2024
Following a presentation at last week’s City Council meeting, the Bellevue City Council officially launched a yearlong process to update the city’s Economic Development Plan, a guiding document aimed at reinforcing Bellevue’s position as the second-largest employment hub in the state and the cultural heart of the Eastside.
Councilmembers provided feedback on their priorities for the five-year plan, which included supporting small businesses and the creative economy, diversifying Bellevue’s economy and leveraging international connections. Opportunities for community members to participate in the update process will extend through mid-2025, with the final plan set to be presented to council in late 2025.
“Bellevue’s unique and diverse economy has helped make our city a true destination,” said Mayor Lynne Robinson. “Updating this plan at a time when the city is reviewing many of its planning efforts, ensures cohesive strategies to address our evolving economic landscape and leverage new opportunities.”
Since the current economic development plan was adopted in 2020, Bellevue has gone through significant planning updates, including the recently approved 20-year Comprehensive Plan update that seeks to add 35,000 units of housing and 70,000 new jobs to the city by 2044. Strategies in the update to the Economic Development Plan will be vital to helping the city reach these goals.
Under the current five-year plan, Bellevue saw retail sales grow by 16% and total employment increase by 3%. Key accomplishments include launching the Workforce Development Program, the BelRed Arts District Community Alliance and Startup 425’s Accelerator program. The city also completed a retail study and implemented its recommendations, and established a tourism promotion area.
For information on the current plan, visit the Economic Development Plan web page. To find engagement opportunities for the plan update, sign up for the Cultural and Economic Development Newsletter.