Lakewood Named to "Excellent 10" List for Economic Development Projects

The city of Lakewood, a founding member of the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership, has been named to the “Excellent 10” list of great economic development projects by the Economic Development board for Tacoma-Pierce County.

“Lakewood is proud it can play a key role in coordinating the efforts of communities around JBLM for these important regional issues,” City Manager Andrew Neiditz said in a statement.

In 2011, cities and counties surrounding Joint Base Lewis-McChord formed the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership, a multi-jurisdictional effort that fosters effective communication and mutual support between military and civilian communities. 

The Partnership is designed to ensure that the communities have a single point of contact to communicate military-related activities that could affect the region and its economic health.  Efforts in 2011 were focused on recognizing the regional and statewide economic importance of JBLM.

So far this year, Partnership efforts have leveraged more than $68 million, including federal funding for transportation projects on Interstate 5 adjacent to JBLM and replacement of elementary schools on base.

Each year at its annual meeting, the Economic Development Board presents its "Excellent 10" list of ten great economic development projects in Pierce County that were worked on or completed between January and December of the previous year. The Board evaluates projects that are key drivers of jobs, capital investment, or other important community development in our region. They vary from educational facilities and sewer infrastructure to hospitals and museums. The board either worked on or had a hand in each of the projects.

The South Sound Military & Communities Partnership was recognized for embodying the aforementioned criteria in being named to the “Excellent 10” list.