City of Tacoma’s Green Economic Development Strategy Recognized With a Smart Communities Award
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~ The City of Tacoma has been recognized with a Smart Communities Award for its Green Economic Development Strategy. The Washington State Department of Commerce announced the winners of this year's Governor's Smart Communities Awards, and the City of Tacoma was one of the first cities in the United States to complete a Green Economic Development Strategy.

Mayor Victoria Woodards expressed her excitement at the recognition, saying "I am thrilled to see the City of Tacoma's Green Economic Development Strategy receive the Governor's Smart Communities Award for its intentional focus on a greener future. This strategy ensures that as we commit to being a more sustainable community, we are cultivating jobs that not only pay great wages but also tackle critical environmental challenges."

Council Member Keith Blocker, who serves as Chair of the City Council's Economic Development Committee, also praised the strategy, saying "This is a wonderful recognition of the hard work that went into this important strategy. I have no doubt that this strategy will enable Tacoma to seize new market opportunities, while also making sure that we continue to stand by our workers, including people of color and women, so that they thrive in a green economy."

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The Green Economic Development Strategy was facilitated and led by the Community and Economic Development Department and was crafted with input from a broad-based advisory committee including representatives from various organizations such as Tacoma-Pierce Manufacturing Industrial Council, Workforce Central and Impact Washington. It is aligned with both its Comprehensive Plan "One Tacoma" and its Climate Action Plan.

Council Member Kiara Daniels, who serves as Vice-Chair of the City Council's Economic Development Committee said "What I appreciate the most about our Green Economic Development Strategy is that it recognizes our strengths as a manufacturing city and harnesses them to drive our future work in a green economy. We have to stay true to our roots and who we are as a city if we want to create durable change, and this strategy takes into account our unique environment and the passion of our community. It is a perfect fit for Tacoma because it builds on who we are now to show us who we can become."

Presented annually since 2006, The Smart Communities Awards program recognizes local governments for exceptional land use planning and development. Gov Jay Inslee said "The Smart Awards continues a long-standing tradition in our state of excellence and leadership. This year's winners are tackling everything from housing affordability to environmental restoration, proving that our state can do anything it sets its mind to." Commerce Director Mike Fong added "Making equity a recognizable achievement in our communities and celebrating the kinds of projects that take years if not decades to reach fruition are both admirable additions to the governor's annual program."

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The City of Tacoma has been recognized with an award for its Green Economic Development Strategy which focuses on leveraging government climate policies and funding while also supporting innovation within mid-sized firms in greening their products and processes; all while attracting new companies into Tacoma. Mayor Victoria Woodards expressed her excitement at this recognition saying it ensures jobs pay great wages while tackling critical environmental challenges; while Council Member Keith Blocker praised it for enabling Tacoma to seize new market opportunities while standing by their workers; finally Council Member Kiara Daniels appreciated how it recognizes their strengths as manufacturing city while staying true to their roots in creating durable change.

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