aerial shot of Lakewood with Mount Rainier in the background

Economic Development

Lakewood has great infrastructure, highway access, simple permitting, available industrial properties, and development incentives. Lakewood is also a wholesome place to live with great schools and vibrant culture. Lakewood is a great place for big businesses, small businesses, and workers.

Becky Newton
Economic Development Manager
6000 Main St. SW, 3rd Floor
Lakewood, WA 98499
(253) 983-7738

Email: BNewton
To email Becky Newton add her email handle before @cityoflakewood.us

Phones & Email:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Permit and Service Counter
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Announcements
Current Projects
Editorial Column
Common Questions
Economic Reports
Important Links

2024 Lakewood Business Survey

The City of Lakewood regularly collects feedback from local businesses. Please stay in touch with us by taking the 2024 Lakewood Business Survey! The City uses this feedback to direct future efforts towards improving the business climate across the City.

Click Here to take the 2024 Lakewood Business Survey!

Announcements

October 2, 2024
The October 2024: Inflation, Workforce, and Financial Resources edition of the Lakewood Economic Development editorial column is now available.

The October, 2024 edition of the Lakewood Economic Development editorial column is now available. View the October 2024 Editorial Column (PDF).

October 2, 2024
The Q3 2024 Lakewood Permit Report is now available

The Lakewood Permit Report is now updated for Q3 2024. The permit report includes all major permit activity, new constructions, and proposed projects for Q3 2024.

View the Q3 2024 Permit Report here (PDF).

August 15, 2024
The 2024 Lakewood Contaminated Sites Report is now available

The Lakewood Contaminated Sites Report is now updated for 2024. The Contaminated Sites Report includes data about sites that still require cleanup as well as sites that have completed cleanup and are listed as No Further Action

View the 2024 Lakewood Contaminated Sites Report here.

July 23, 2024
The 2023 Annual Lakewood Business Retention & Expansion Report is now available

The 2023 Annual Lakewood Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Report is now available. The BR&E report compiles community data gathered through interviews with businesses across the city. View the 2023 Annual Lakewood BR&E Report (PDF).

June 14, 2024
The Q4 2023 Lakewood Economic Indicators Report is now available

The Lakewood Economic Indicators Report is now updated for Q4 2023. The Economic Indicators report includes employment, income, housing, financial, and other demographic data. View the 2023 Q4 Economic Indicators report here (PDF).

March 14, 2024
The Economic Update presentation to the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is now available

Economic Development Manager, Becky Newton gave a presentation to the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. The presentation is available here (PDF).

March 11, 2024
The 2023 Annual Lakewood Permit Report is now available

The Annual Lakewood Permit Report is now updated for 2023. The annual permit report includes all major permit activity, new constructions, and proposed projects for 2023. View the 2023 Annual Permit Report (PDF).


Current Projects

Business Retention & Expansion

Our Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program is designed to:

  1. Retain or keep existing businesses in the community; and
  2. Provide assistance for existing businesses to expand.

BRE is applicable to all businesses in the community, from small mom-and-pop shops to large national employers and all industries, particularly trade-based or primary companies that bring in new dollars to the city, county, and state.

BRE and business attraction go hand in hand when developing a community. The City of Lakewood has three retail trade areas:

  • Lakewood Towne Center
  • International District
  • Pacific Highway Transit-Oriented Commercial area on Pacific Highway adjacent to I-5.

Lakewood has a large industrial park and additional industrial lands available for development. Opportunities are abundant and many properties are ripe for redevelopment.

Lakewood has a wide range of affordable to high-end residential offerings. The City is focused on increasing the variety of living spaces such as live-work units, mixed residential, garden style living communities, and middle market homes.

View the Economic Vitality Strategy (PDF) for information on our target areas for development.

You can view more Business Retention reports below.


Editorial Column

All files below are in PDF format.


Common Questions

Business Questions

How do I start a Business in Lakewood?

Does Lakewood offer business incentives?

Permit Questions

How do I get a permit in Lakewood?

How long does it take to get a permit?

Building and Property Questions

What can I do with my property in Lakewood?

Why do some properties remain vacant?

  • Long-term vacant properties can happen for several reasons:
    • Contamination on the site
    • Legal issues complicating a sale or redevelopment effort
    • Owner is holding out for a price well above market value
    • Ground characteristics making site development problematic
    • Building code issues that are cost prohibitive to come into compliance

How do I get a grant or government contract in Lakewood?


Economic Reports

All documents below are in PDF format.

Department Reports & Plans

Permit Reports

Demographics Reports

Business Retention & Expansion Reports


Community DevelopmentDevelopment Services
Long-Range PlanningDeveloping in Lakewood