Made in South Sound
Economic Impact of Tideflats
The Tideflats project is an economic study in conjunction with the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC). The project was founded in September of 2018 and was split into two phases. The ultimate goal of this project was to quantify the economic impact of businesses in the Tacoma Tideflats, an area of the city with predominantly manufacturing, warehouse, and maritime uses. The study used the same geographic boundaries as the city’s current Subarea Plan process for the Tideflats/Port of Tacoma.
Completion of the subarea plan will support the ongoing eligibility for and prioritization of transportation funding in the Tideflats Manufacturing and Industrial Center. Thus, the Tideflats project collected data and produced visualizations that includes charts, graphs, and videos that represent the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) and the South Sound region.
Phase I
Led by: Eric Min, Chelsea Galvez, Matthew Colescott, Yujin Lee, Argenis Velazquez
Sponsored by: Dr. Jim West
A team of Information Technology students from the University of Washington - Tacoma, Class of 2019, worked together to collect data for the project. At the time of data collection, Tideflats businesses across six sectors employed 2143 people from the local environs as well as the Greater Seattle Area and beyond. The project team visited over 200 companies. The majority were on land not owned or leased by the Port of Tacoma. While the Tideflats is well known for its maritime, transportation, distribution and manufacturing operations, 116 companies fall outside those categories. These businesses support the needs of communities through employment as well as in significant non-industrial ways such as boat repair, marinas, restaurants and non-profit youth organizations. Twenty-six out of 200+ employer surveys were returned. The surveys do provide evidence of the economic impact of businesses in the Tacoma Tideflats. The qualitative and quantitative findings obtained from primary and secondary data demonstrate the breadth of this impact and have significant implications for policy development and the future of the Tideflats. The report can be read here.
Phase II
Led by: Farooq Ridha, Mailyn Abon, GP Dhanoa, Mekiala Flight-Knowles, Zachary Somerscales
Sponsored by: Dr. Jim West
Another team of Information Technology students from the University of Washington-Tacoma, Class of 2020, worked closely with Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s for Director of the MIC, Meredith Neal, Vice President, David Schroedel, and Social Media and Content Director, Jerrol Anonuevo, to develop a multimedia informational platform that displays the data gathered from Phase One and shares stories. The data reveals the economic and social impact that manufacturing industries are generating within the Tacoma Tideflats region. The platform also shares compelling employee career stories that work in manufacturing and at the Port of Tacoma. Another purpose for the Tideflats information platform will be to enable Tacoma-Pierce county residents, businesses and the wider communities around the state a much clearer picture and purpose for the MIC’s mission. The report can be read here.
Conclusion
As the City of Tacoma moves forward with its multi year plan for the Tideflats and Port of Tacoma, it is vital that decision makers and stakeholders recognize the contributions of businesses in the Tideflats. The project team recommends continuation of the study and further analysis to gather additional data and increase awareness of the Tideflats as a locus and impetus of economic activity, opportunity and prosperity for Washington State and the thousands of people who live and work in the Tideflats.
