City Council adopts new Economic Development Strategy
May 22, 2025
On Monday, April 21, Vancouver City Council adopted the City’s first-ever, Five-Year Economic Development Strategy. In alignment with the City’s core values of sustainability and resiliency, and livability, the inclusive strategy is designed to help support economic growth and address growing disparities within the community, and is organized around four primary goals:
- Establish pathways to accessible, quality jobs.
- Create opportunities for intergenerational wealth.
- Position Vancouver as an inclusive center of innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Invest in neighborhood commercial districts.
“It’s important to establish clear priorities for our economic development efforts so we can maintain a competitive local economy in the face of current market challenges,” said Vancouver’s Economic Prosperity and Housing Director Patrick Quinton. “This strategy will guide our efforts over the next five years as we work towards creating a more prosperous, innovative and inclusive city.”
A consistent theme across the Strategy’s four goals is wealth creation, whether through access to higher-paying jobs, more successful small businesses or new innovative industries and ventures.
The strategy will also be aligned with the region’s economic development roadmap led by the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Workforce Southwest Washington’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. This ensures that Vancouver’s actions are complementary to existing initiatives and leverage available tools and resources for maximum impact.
Development of the strategy involved both data analysis and broad community engagement. Regular updates on progress will be provided to both the community and elected officials.
Media contact: Chris Harder, deputy economic development director, chris.harder@cityofvancouver.us