Nov. 18, 2022
At its annual meeting this week the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB) recognized the city of Lakewood’s Station District Subarea Plan with its “Excellent 10” award.
Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen, Deputy Mayor Mary Moss and council members Mike Brandstetter, Patti Belle and Paul Bocchi also took the stage with other Pierce County leaders to receive the agency’s Golden Shovel Award for the creation of the Pierce County Business Accelerator Program.
The EDB created the Golden Shovel Award to honor businesses, organizations or individuals that have made a significant contribution to the economic well-being of Tacoma-Pierce County.
Lakewood contributed $500,000 from its American Rescue Plan Act allocation to help fund the program that is focused on assisting entrepreneurs who are Black, Indigenous or people of color.
Specifically, 32 Lakewood businesses have benefited from the program which works to connect business owners with resources and skills needed to see their business succeed.
The EDB’s annual Excellent 10 awards recognize 10 regional economic development projects that made a positive impact on the local economy and were either worked on or completed between January and December of the previous year.
The Lakewood Station District Subarea Plan was created to plan for anticipated growth along the Pacific Highway corridor. The plan identifies new housing, business, employment and transportation opportunities along the corridor. As growth continues in Lakewood, the plan will be used to outline where this growth can occur with the goal of improving the lives of current residents and businesses, while planning for the future.