MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Strategies and Programs

COVID-19 Reopening Plan, Proclamation Extensions, and Government Operations

February 2, 2021 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Strategies and Programs , Open Public Meetings Act , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog reviews recent updates to the Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery plan as well as the extension of several emergency proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including updated "miscellaneous venues" guidance for OPMA.

Six Suggested Actions for Planners during the Extended COVID-19 Pandemic

January 28, 2021 by Steve Butler
Category: Strategies and Programs , Land Use Administration , Streets and Sidewalks , Development Regulations and Zoning

This blog suggests some action items planners can undertake during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage commerce, promote recreational opportunities, and streamline the planning process.

COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Economic Development More Important Than Ever

November 19, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Strategies and Programs , COVID-19

This blog looks at what activities local governments can undertake to assist local businesses.

New Economic Development Tool Promotes Clean Energy, Resilience Improvements (Part 1)

November 2, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Strategies and Programs

This blog summarizes the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resilience (C-PACER) program, which offers resources for qualifying energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and resiliency improvements for buildings.

Promising Practices for Washington Local Governments: October 2020

October 29, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Strategies and Programs , Law Enforcement

This post highlights promising practices in revitalizing downtown cores, reimagining the functions of law enforcement, and paperless approval processes.

Encouraging Small-Scale Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 25, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Strategies and Programs , COVID-19

This blog post looks at small-scale manufacturing, its role in a strong local economy, and how local governments can encourage the growth of these critical businesses.

Now Is the Time to Look at Opportunity Zones

March 6, 2019 by Sam Alcorn
Category: Strategies and Programs

This post describes Opportunity Zones, how the zones work, what municipalities are doing to attract investment, and how to make sure investment is in the community’s best interest.

Top Picks: Citizen Engagement Tools, Impacts of Shrinking Retail, Telecommuting Update

July 14, 2017 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Strategies and Programs , Public Participation , Planning

Policy consultant Byron Katsuyama identifies some of the emerging issues and innovations that local government leaders should be aware of.

A New Economic Development Strategy for Clallam County

September 11, 2015 by Jim McEntire
Category: Strategies and Programs , Council-Commission Advisor

A Clallam County commissioner writes about how the county and other local governments can work with the private sector to encourage economic development.

Made in Washington: Encouraging Local Industries

March 10, 2014 by Carol Tobin
Category: Strategies and Programs

Contrary to popular opinion, the U.S. is still the top manufacturing nation in the world. And there is renewed interest here in local industries, driven by the rising...

Economic Development - Illegal in Washington State?

May 4, 2012 by Tracy Burrows
Category: Strategies and Programs

Recently, I was meeting with a new city official who had just moved to Washington from Florida. He’d had a successful track record in attracting major businesses...