Jobs and economic Development in the Arlington/Marysville Area has great opportunities in the manufacturing and industrial center by 2020 could have over 2000 jobs in the area.  45% of people that live in Snohomish county commute to King County for work. This will create local jobs.  There will be a vote in the fall to give a regional designation to the area so businesses can see that this is an area where businesses would like to bring jobs

Commercial air service at Paine Field.  Ground breaking happened about a month ago. This is a huge opportunity to have commercial air service in Snohomish County and it will help to spur economic development in Snohomish county. They are also looking to bring a trade school into Snohomish County to help fill the jobs that will be opened up with the new businesses. 

We are expecting 200,000 people to move to Snohomish county in the next few years.  Traffic, Transportation and Housing are big questions with the influx of people.  $150 million was given to Snohomish county to help with transportation problems. Part of that will expand 172^nd up to 67^th. There are going to be other improvements to many of the area roads and intersections.  Looking toward local transportation projects and ideas of places that need work in North County. 

Homelessness, Drug abuse and public safety in our area has been a large focus. Nate is trying to get stakeholders together to bring groups together to work together on these issues.  Prevention is key in helping with these problems.  The Jail has become a treatment facility, but only about 5% of the people that go through the system are able to turn their lives around. 

The Arlington Drug Awareness Coalition has done a great job at working toward prevention in Arlington and Lakewood.  With the Homeless population there are 2 different groups. The group that chooses to be homeless and the group that is trying to turn their lives around.  We need to be able to distinguish between the groups and help those that are in need.  Working now to have an imbedded social worker in our area as well as an additional Deputy and police officer in Arlington. They will be focusing specifically on homelessness in our area. 

The Sherriff said that after Everett, Smokey Point is the next on the list of most need.  Nate also went on a ride along with the Snohomish County Drug taskforce and asked the officers what was needed to help clean up places that are in need.  The officers need more teeth to move squatters out of homes.  They have been working on legislation to bring more teeth to the laws to help move squatters out and clean up homes.  Nate has also been looking at different programs that are helpful in moving people out of homelessness.  Marysville and Arlington are also looking at the idea of panhandling and the best way to address the issue in the area.

Capital Budget was not passed by the state legislature because Republicans are not willing to do so until the issue of the Hirst Supreme Court decision is addressed.  The Supreme Court's decision is that each county must determine if there is enough ground water before allowing wells to be drilled in the rural areas of the state.  Besides being used to get Democrats to bend on the Republican's proposed solution, there has been nothing proposed in the capital budget relating to the water issue.  Editor's Side Note: The failure to act on the capital budget means we do not have any matching funds for the construction of the splash pads at Haller Park.