The Snohomish County Council and Executive recently announced a plan to improve economic opportunities here during the ongoing financial downturn, including a series of summits related to job growth and creation.

The elected leaders approved a joint resolution creating an economic stimulus plan. The resolution lays out steps for preserving local jobs and positioning Snohomish County for future economic success despite financial instability worldwide.

"It's important to look at what we can do locally to improve our economy," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "We need to work with local businesses to create and maintain local private sector jobs."

Snohomish County will convene a series of economic summits that will include small and large industry leaders and laborers, community, tribal and nonprofit organizations, as well as professionals in finance, education and policy, to identify measures the county can enact to meet the resolution's goals.

"The county will also review its regulations to see if there are ways we can improve the climate for business," said Gossett. "We need to promote family wage jobs in cooperation with the national stimulus package."

Development of stimulus measures will focus first on maximizing and leveraging existing county, state and federal government resources. The county will work closely with nonprofits to kindle economic opportunities.

Periodically during the next year, the county will review steps taken and consider additional strategies to encourage economic revitalization.