The City of Shoreline is committed to improving the vibrancy and economic health of the Shoreline's commercial districts to provide quality services and jobs for residents. There are great opportunities for business and investment growth in Shoreline.

To further accomplish its goals, the City seeks partnerships with other public agencies and the private sector. This is happening in several ways. First, the City is continually improving land use planning and development services. Second, the City has invested in retaining, strengthening and growing small business and related services. Third, through its Sustainable Neighborhoods initiative, the City is attempting to foster partnerships between communities and commercial property owners that enrich local quality of life.  

Most importantly, the City is investing significant resources in upgrading transportation systems and other public infrastructure. 

Assets
Shoreline boasts numerous assets. These assets support local businesses, attract new investment, and make Shoreline one of the region’s hottest markets for new growth and increasing property values:

• Central location as the commercial hub of North King County, with easy access to central downtown Seattle, interstate highways, and several regional business and employment centers in both King and Snohomish Counties;
• Interesting topography and environment, including wonderful beaches and parks as well as excellent views of Puget Sound and surrounding mountain ranges;
• High density retail customer base, totaling nearly 200,000 persons within a 10 minute drive time of central Shoreline;
• Excellent public schools including Shoreline Community College;
• Stable, single-family residential neighborhoods;
• Diverse international community;
• Frequent all-day transit service to commercial and employment centers;
• Publicly-owned properties that can play a strategic role in regional and local economic development; and
• For new retail and other types of development, Shoreline offers exceptional opportunities.

Programs and Services
The City has expanded the positive role that it can play in local economic development, including:

• Creating new programs to help small businesses;
• Creating business directories for the Aurora Avenue Commercial District and the North City Business District;
• Identifying opportunities for new or growing centers of commercial activity and assembling detailed information about buying patterns and demographics relevant to businesses and developers (follow the Information and Resources link at right to the link for Shoreline’s Economic Development Portal);
• Launching a “Sustainable Neighborhoods” initiative that integrates economic development, community development and “green development” ideas; and
• Establishing a local “Brownfields” initiative.
  

Public Investment
Capital investment in public infrastructure is the most important way that the City can partner with local property owners, developers and businesses. The Aurora Corridor Project (145th to 205th Streets) is one major example of how the City is investing tens of millions of dollars in upgrading and improving local infrastructure. The North City Business District Project was another one. A third was the Interurban Bike and Pedestrian Trail that runs the length of the City and includes two pedestrian bridges that link people to the Aurora Square/Sears shopping area.  These efforts are attracting attention from development investors. Visit the project pages below for more project and business information: 

• Aurora Corridor Project
• Interurban Trail 
• North City Project 

Strategic Plan
Shoreline is the North King County’s commercial hub, featuring a thriving small business and entrepreneurial community. It is also a wonderful, family-oriented bedroom community. The City will continue to build on these two strengths. 

In order to be successful, the City will continue to rely on leadership and assistance from federal, state and regional partners. With their help, Shoreline will be better able to strategically plan for additional infrastructure, environmental needs and more efficient use of both public and privately-owned properties.

To implement this vision, in 2006, a broad-based task force of citizens and business leaders completed a six-year economic development strategic plan.  Click here to review the 2006-2011 Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Sister City Program
The City of Shoreline maintains a sister city relationship with the City of Boryeong, Korea.  Sister City relationships are important for trade and the growth of Shoreline as a city with many national and international connections. Click here to visit the City of Boryeong's English Web site.