Gov. Gregoire highlights economic development

For Immediate Release: September 12, 2008

PUYALLUP � Gov. Chris Gregoire today visited the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce to address business and community leaders on regional economic growth and the critical role small businesses play in Washington�s economy.

�I congratulate leadership in the Puyallup-Sumner area and applaud how far you have come in just the past few years. The area has truly become a vibrant hub of east Pierce County,� Gregoire said. �It is illustrated in your Farmer�s Market, which I just visited a few weeks ago and learned that farmers are bringing in $1 million a year by selling locally grown crops and other local goods.�

The governor discussed her �Next Washington� strategy, which recognizes that small business is the lifeblood of Washington�s economy. Gregoire noted that Fortune magazine ranked Washington state in the top five for small business. In the past three years, more than 200,000 new jobs have been created statewide. Recently, the Milken Institute named Tacoma as the 8th best-performing city for creating and sustaining jobs as well as for economic growth.

The governor also addressed the state�s efforts to increase tourism in Washington state, noting east Pierce County�s proximity to bountiful outdoor recreation opportunities.

�With Mount Rainier and other beautiful environmental attractions just a short drive from here, you�ll be happy to know that we have tripled the state�s investment in tourism,� Gregoire said. �Washington�s natural splendor provides limitless recreational possibilities to more than out-of-state visitors. With rising fuel and food costs, we�re telling Washingtonians, you can still take a memorable vacation � in Washington state.�

Gregoire said the state is making it easier to reach the Puyallup/Sumner area, having provided funding to construct the cross-base highway that will eventually connect Interstate-5 in Lakewood to state Route 7 in Spanaway. The state has also directed funding to provide a link on state Route 167 between Puyallup and Tacoma.

Gregoire toured Puyallup�s new city hall last week and participated in the testing of the area�s new communication system for first responders, which the state helped fund. Earlier this year, Gregoire worked with local legislators to secure $400,000 for a new community center.