Economic Development

The City of Monroe is a community of approximately 20,960 residents serving more than 90,000 people located in and around the Skykomish River Valley. The City is strategically located just east of the Interstate 5 Corridor, 30 minutes from Paine Field International Airport and 15 miles southeast of Everett, at the intersection of several major highways: US Highway 2, the second busiest east-west transportation corridor in Washington State; State Route 522 connecting Monroe to I-405 and Seattle; and State Route 203 connecting Monroe to I-90, Snoqualmie Pass and beyond eastward.

The City is favorably positioned near major employment areas in adjacent King County, including Woodinville, Bothell and Redmond, as well as the burgeoning aerospace manufacturing center near Paine Field in Snohomish County. The Marysville-Arlington Manufacturing Center is 30 minutes to the north. The City boasts its own major industrial and manufacturing area with easy access to SR522 and US 2 and a diverse retail area featuring big box stores, local and national restaurants and entertainment venues adjacent to US 2. The City is in the midst of a significant residential growth cycle with more than 1000 new single family residential homes constructed over the last five years.

Local businesses are vital to our community’s attractiveness as a place to live and work and are an essential part of Monroe’s continued success as a regional destination for the people of the Sky Valley and beyond. We look forward to working with you to make Monroe a place we are all proud to call home.

Economic Development Strategy Plan (Adopted by City Council December 2015)
Monroe Downtown Revitalization Strategy

Small Business Support

No matter what phase your business is in - from start-up to closing down - the Small Business Guide, created by the State of Washington Commerce Department, is an invaluable resource for your business.

This Guide covers the following topics:

Planning, Start-Up, Payroll, Opening, Management, Growth, Closure, Loan Programs, and more.

In addition, the State offers an array of knowledgeable Small Business Liaisons who can help you with specialized resources and information.

FIND RESOURCES AND ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE FROM SCORE!

SCORE Greater Seattle is a group of experienced business professionals who volunteer to provide guidance to those wishing to start up a new small business or to grow or improve the profitability of existing small businesses.

SCORE Greater Seattle volunteer business mentors are dedicated to providing the best possible service. Face-to-face or online, SCORE mentors are able and willing to aid in the success of small businesses.

FIND A MENTOR

TAKE A WORKSHOP

Annual Economic Development Report

The City of Monroe produces an Annual Economic Development Report that highlights demographic information, economic development priorities, sales tax, building permit activity, and visitor information. If considering relocating your business to Monroe, or expanding an existing business in town, this information could be helpful to you and/or your financial partners.

For more information on relocating, building or expanding your business, contact Economic Development Coordinator Patrick Doherty at 360-631-0050 or email Patrick Doherty.

Economic Existing Conditions Report

In 2023 the City of Monroe engaged Community Attributes, Inc., to conduct a thorough report on existing conditions related to the City's and region's economic vitality and development. That report is organized as follows:

Existing Conditions includes an overview of current demographic, socio-economic, housing, and market conditions in Monroe, including forecast population and employment growth.
Market Analysis includes an assessment of retail, office, and industrial inventory, vacancy and lease rates, and absorption.
Employment Lands Analysis includes an assessment of the land supply and capacity available for employment forecast for Monroe.
Findings and Implications reviews and outlines opportunities for policy and programmatic action for the City of Monroe.

CLICK HERE to download the full report.