Economic Development

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The City of Monroe is a community of approximately 19,800 residents serving more than 90,000 people located in and around the Skykomish River Valley. The City is strategically located just 33 minutes east of Paine Field and 15 miles east of Everett along the I-5 Corridor 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 and Snoqualmie Pass.

The City is uniquely positioned near major employment areas in King County including Woodinville, Bothell and Redmond as well as Interstate 405 (I-405). 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, 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

Annual Report 

Thinking of relocating or expanding your business to Monroe? The City of Monroe produces an Annual Economic Development Report that highlights demographic information, economic development priorities, sales tax and building permit activity and visitor information.

For more information on relocating, building or expanding your business, contact James Palmer our Economic Development Specialist at 360-631-0050 or email James Palmer.

  1. 2021 Annual Report
  2. 2019 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

Business Survey 

The information gathered in the City’s Annual Business Survey provides insight into the profile of Monroe’s businesses and informs Monroe’s elected officials and the Economic Development Advisory Board on the issues most important to our community’s employers. 

For more information on the survey results, contact James Palmer Economic Development Specialist at 360-631-0500 or jpalmer@monroewa.gov.

  1. 2021 Business Survey
  2. 2019 Business Survey

2021 Monroe Business Survey Results

Economic Development Newsletter

James Palmer, Economic Development Specialist, publishes a periodic newsletter providing updates to the Monroe business community on topics of interest, including business assistance programs, and engagement opportunities. 

  1. 2023 Newsletter
  2. 2022 Newsletters
  3. 2021 Newsletters
  4. 2020 Newsletters

March 2023

Economic Baseline and Regional Demand Analysis Report

In fall 2020, the City of Monroe commissioned High Peak Analytics to complete an Economic Baseline and Regional Demand Analysis Report. This report examined:

  • Socioeconomic and demographic trends in the City of Monroe, both over time and compared with other regions.
  • The role of the City of Monroe as a central place and economic hub for the broader regional economy.
  • Opportunities for the City of Monroe to attract more spending within the city, including both: 1) individuals and households who would otherwise pass through Monroe en route to and from destinations in the Cascades; and 2) new visitors whose destination is Monroe.

CLICK HERE to download the full report.

Economic Development/Tourism Promotion & Marketing Plans

Arrivalist Data: April 2020
Visitor & Tourism Assessment

Economic Development Advisory Board

The Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) provides a forum for the coordination of information among entities identified as having economic development roles; recommending priorities and establishing a means to monitor progress on goals; and providing such other advice and guidance with furthering Monroe’s economic development strategy. The EDAB reviews and prioritizes the list of recommended actions contained in the Economic Development Strategy, the Downtown Master Plan, and other plans identified and presents the information to the Mayor and City Council.

Related Documents

Branding Plan
Downtown Master Plan
Lodging Needs Assessment Presentation
Lodging Need Assessment Feasibility Report