Washington Business Summer 2017 | Washington Business | Page 45

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more reason to begin a rational dialogue between the people and companies who
share our region, he says.
Tacoma’s deep-water port is geographically rare and highly important to the
South Sound and the state as a whole, he says. According to a report from the Port
of Tacoma, marine cargo operations generate 29,000 Tacoma jobs and nearly $3
billion in economic activity. Clear, rational discussion around proposed projects
on Tacoma’s Tideflats and at its port are vital to understanding their economic
implications, which ripple outward throughout the Puget Sound region. That’s
why the coalition’s efforts aren’t Tacoma-centric, he says. “These issues affect all
of South Sound, from Northeast Tacoma down to Thurston County.”
Creating consensus between groups with varied viewpoints can be a struggle,
acknowledges Pierson. Progress will come from creating conversation around
values that unite instead of divide locals, including economic interests and
environmental stewardship. So far, the coalition includes leaders in economics,
education, labor, media, health care and manufacturing who agree to sign its
“South Sound Prosperity Pledge” online.
Deanna Keller, president and managing owner of KelTech, sees the coalition as a
way to build the region’s reputation as an appealing spot to relocate. “There’s a large
workforce in Seattle that doesn’t want to come to Tacoma for whatever reason, yet
they’re struggling to stay in Seattle because of the high cost of living.”
“We want to raise the flag and let people know that Tacoma has a lot to offer,” she says.
Emberlin agrees. “Tacoma is quickly becoming a new hub for business. The area
is changing so quickly. I had no idea.”
The Place For Jobs:
www.placeforjobs.com/take-action/
Employment Security Department:
www.esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo/labor-area-summaries
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