EVERETT, Snohomish County, November 9, 2017—Today, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers held the first Military and Defense Roundtable as part of his Economic Development Initiative. One of Executive Somers’ primary goals is to diversify our region’s economy and connect employers with well-qualified potential employees. This effort will contribute to our economic prosperity by expediting the transition of people into available jobs and encourage additional hiring in the region.

“We must be continually working to make our economy stronger,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “Our local defense industry is an area of great opportunity for us. I’m committed to doing as much as we can to assist our region’s military bases, active duty and reserve members of the armed forces, and their families.”

Active duty and reserve personnel, National Guard, veterans, and their family members make up a significant portion of our community and bring with them a wealth of skills, experience, and commitment to public service. In fact, Naval Station Everett is the fourth largest employer in Snohomish County. Our goal is to help more local businesses tap into this large talent pool. The roundtable will allow us to share information and perspectives as well as foster a discussion centered on better connecting local industry with our highly talented veterans. Through this first roundtable we hope to solicit ideas to better connect and serve our military and defense community. The county wants to expand on our partnerships to do more to serve those who have served and sacrificed so much.

Military operations and the defense industry provide thousands of jobs for Snohomish County families and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to our local economy each year. Snohomish County is home to many critical national defense assets which safeguard our nation’s security and enhance global commerce. Armed Forces strategic and support installations as well as defense industry manufacturing businesses support and supply national security missions both regionally and throughout the world.

One of Executive Somers’ top priorities is to strengthen the region’s economy. Therefore, he launched an Economic Development Initiative in 2016. Military and Defense is one of nine identified industry sectors in which the county has appointed leads and is working to find more opportunities. By concentrating on these nine sectors of our economy, we can better collaborate on policies and strategies to advance economic growth. The primary focus of the sector teams is to drive sustainable economic growth and to create new jobs.

One of our county’s largest direct public employers and an industry that cuts across many sectors, the Military and Defense Sector helps create the backbone for a strong economy by working with our defense installations, companies, and military communities.