In April 2023, Island County, the Town of Coupeville, and the Cities of Langley and Oak Harbor voted to cost-share the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Island County. The EDC will oversee the process. The project is being managed by Jennifer Noveck, Ph.D.
A CEDS is a long-term, consensus-driven, local planning document that intends to guide economic development throughout a region or county. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) manages and sets the content guidelines and requirements for the CEDS process and document.
As part of this process and per EDA guidelines, a CEDS Review Committee has been established.
Island County CEDS Timeline
The development of the Island County CEDS will run for approximately 18 months from April 2023 – September 2024 and requires final approval by resolution by the Island County Board of Commissioners. After adoption by resolution has occurred, jurisdictions and public agencies will be eligible to apply for EDA grant funding.
Stakeholder Engagement
A critical part of the CEDS process is stakeholder engagement.
The first opportunity for public feedback and input was a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) survey to gauge the priorities and challenges related to economic development among businesses and the community in Island County. The survey was open May 1-October 23, 2023. Additional targeted outreach and interviews with key stakeholders was conducted August 1, 2023 - March 15, 2024.
30 Day Public Comment Period Open Now!
The 30 day public comment period for the Island County CEDS 2024-2028 draft is now open. The public comment period is open from Monday, April 15, 2024 until Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5pm PST.
Download the draft for review and comment here.
Please fill out this form with your comments and feedback and submit it no later than Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5pm PST.
Comments or Questions? Check out our CEDS FAQs page for more information or email Jennifer Noveck at ceds@edcislandcounty.org
This project is generously funded by:
