By FRED MCCARTHY
LANGLEY MAYOR
After three successful Economic Development Forums in September, October, and November 2013, which were led by Langley City Council members Rene Neff, Bruce Allen, and Margot Jerome, and listening to input from over 100 citizens, the city council, city administrative team, the mayor decided to focus 2014 on a series of economic development initiatives. As we approach the end of this year and we reflect back, we have a number of valuable metrics to measure the success of our efforts. Here are some of them.
A total of 231 business owners and organization members in 12 different job sectors were visited in their place of business or met with at city hall by the mayor and, in some instances, city council members during the year. Twelve monthly business networking luncheons were held, one each month with 260 people in attendance. The modest lunches were purchased from 10 different local restaurants or food providers. Monthly business development seminars were presented to 59 participants; 39 individuals or businesses attended social media trainings.
The websites of the Langley Chamber of Commerce and city were enhanced. A new mobile app/web browser for the city was created so citizens can access city services with smart phones. A new social media marketing/measurement tool for tourism promotion, Infusionsoft, was purchased and will be implemented in 2015 for marketing and tracking events.
The Second Street project was completed in an exemplary manner. City restrooms were painted and equipped with timed locks for security. The library and visitor center were also painted, and the Boy and Dog Park steps were restored. The Langley Whale Center project, that the city helped fund with $10,000 of start-up funding, opened March 1 and has had an estimated 6,547 visitors since opening.
A city-led Sand Shrimp Advocacy Committee was successful in petitioning the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the result was the elimination of all non-Native American sand shrimp harvesting in Puget Sound. The Tulalip Tribes additionally agreed to not harvest sand shrimp adjacent to Langley.
Langley Main Street Association volunteers put in 1,510 volunteer hours. The Chamber of Commerce helped promote 12 major, successful, quality events in 2014. According to Langley Main Street, 10 new businesses were started in Langley this year; six businesses were expanded or relocated in the city; five businesses closed; 25 jobs were created in the city; three jobs were lost.
Data from the Washington State Department of Revenue indicated an 11 percent increase in sales taxes from Q2 2013 to Q2 2014. Many businesses have reported 2014 as one of their best years financially, and report a growing optimism about continued economic growth in the future. Two entrepreneurs pursued successful Kickstarter online fundraisers for their business ideas involving artisan wood products and a gourmet restaurant.
A number of business buildings were upgraded by their owners and proprietors and others are planned for 2015. The Port of South Whidbey at Langley marina had a banner revenue year and the Mystic Sea whale watching tours numbered 62. A total of 451 people agreed to have their emails included on the confidential mayor’s email communication list saving the city the cost of postage on each notice and information release.
In acknowledging the financial and human cost of substance abuse in Island County and in Langley, the city has taken a leadership role in forming the Island County Substance Abuse Prevention Network that has met monthly in Coupeville for six months to help reduce substance abuse and related property crimes in Island County.
The Langley Masonic Lodge paid a $200 fee for the coalition to join the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America for 2015, and coalition member and Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson organized three community town meetings held on South Whidbey about this issue in 2014.
As we look forward to 2015, we in the City of Langley plan to utilize the capacity we have built and the relationships we have established in 2014, capitalize on our many strengths and successes, address areas where we can do better, and continue to work at becoming the best small city that we can be.
Thank you to the countless numbers of volunteers, benefactors, bloggers, council, commission and board members, and involved citizens, who have worked together to make our city such a special place to live.
Respectfully,
Fred
