DRAFT Chapter 6 - Economic Development REDLINEChapter 6: Economic Development
Chapter 6. Economic Development
6.1 Introduction
The purpose of the Economic Development element is to outline the City's goals and policies for
types, intensity, and location of employment, commercial services for residents, and industrial
businesses. This chapter also outlines goals for balancing environmental protection and economic
growth, creating connections with the business community, and improving the overall economic state
of Port Orchard. In addition, this chapter will briefly discuss employment goals in Port Orchard and
the potential benefits of the City as an employment center.
Economic Development Vision
Plan for a vital, sustainable economy
with a diversity of jobs and businesses
that create a healthy local employment
and economic base, supported by an
appropriate range of land uses.
The 2004 Re4 Q— Frc ice€ cc e p eDevelepmeRt rc
i
fe^au-sed--on the —downtown --area, also
The economic vision for
the future of Port Orchard as a whole
can be summarized by the following
guiding principles:
• Unify the business community.
• Establish investment priorities.
• Plan for a vital sustainable economy.
• Work in concert with current plans and
1processes.
• CORtiRUall , strives to ^. ^+^Promote, attract, and maintain a diversity of jobs and businesses to
create a dynamic, diverse, and vigorous employment and economic base.
• Honor and value Port Orchard's unique maritime past.
• Create opportunities for small businesses, women -owned businesses, and minority -owned
businesses to locate in City.
• Identify specific growth centers within the City where lob growth opportunities and infrastructure
investments can be prioritized.
• Maintain a balanced mix of residential and commercial land uses, and adjust the future land use
mar) as economic conditions chance over time.
This element provides goals and policies to guide development, identify key goals and opportunities,
and designate appropriately zoned land for development of primary employment. The
comprehensive plan promotes economic development by designating a diverse mix and appropriate
range of commercial, office, and residential land uses that, in turn, will provide opportunities for
businesses to locate within close proximity to residents and create living wage jobs that contribute
to a healthy local economy.
Local economic policy also plays a strong role in balancing the needs of growth and protection of our
environment. Areas designated for economic development must have easy access to necessary public
facilities such as utilities and highways, yethighways yet have a limited impact on environmentally
sensitive areas such as streams and wetlands.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
6.2 Economic Conditions
6.2.1 Geographic Setting
Port Orchard is well located. It is only a'e10-minute ferry ride or 20_ minute drive from the
county's largest city, Bremerton, and the Naval Base Kitsap-. From Bremerton, a one -hour ferry
provides a connection to downtown Seattle, the economic and cultural center of the Pacific
Northwest. Additional passenger -only ferry services (fast ferries) are available from both Bremerton
and Southworth, with each providing an approximate 30-minute travel time to downtown Seattle.
Among cities in Kitsap County, 4-Port Orchard is the closest to international export terminals at the
Port of Tacoma. The city is a one -hour drive from the region's main international airport in SeaTac
and is also near Bremerton National Airport and the surrounding industrial center.
Port Orchard has taken advantage of its many miles of waterfront. Water -dependent businesses
include boat maintenance, sales, and moorage in several public and private marinas.
6.2.2 Population
The City has peen steadily gam+ rowneg eveF since its incorporation in 1890. As of 201.52020, Port
Orchard's population was 15,587 according to the U.S. Census,�0 wreand the Washington
Office of Financial Management (OFM) estimatesd the 2023 population ofat 17,480. The Kitsap
Regional Coordinating Council's Countywide Planning Policies have allocated the City a share of the
region's expected 20_ year growth, amounting to an increase of 7;048 10,500people between 2-016
2023 and 2036r2044's planning horizon�z 5�eo^'^ {�^m �n,n �n�c� This is not a population
growth projection, but rather teeinforms the City how many new residents it must plan for by way
of zoning regulations and infrastructure capacity. The County's total allocation is established in Vision
2040-2050 using population estimates derived from the U.S. census.
20,000 6%
15,000
5,000
� Population
-Average Annual Growth Rate
fi f:I:i�)�i �>rL�i �I:I�� fv3.'I���II�I�i�f)f [IilitliiZlJ►x�
Source: Washington Office of Financial Management U.S. Census Bureau, LCG
Figure 1— Port Orchard population
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
5%
Chapter 6: Economic Development
Kitsap County has calculated the City has an additional population capacity as of 2020 of 16,250
residents. This is greater than the City's planning target (10,500 additional residents) as found in the
Countywide Planning Policies and means that the city has surplus capacity for an additional 5,750
residents. The Kitsap Buildable Lands Report shows Port Orchard has a capacity for 10,358 mere
Technically, this surplus means the City is not bound to implement any significant changes to its land
use and zoning regulations to accommodate its allocated growth. However, lit is prudent to begin
planning now so that the City grows responsibly and uses its developable land efficiently.
Another consideration is the population of the South Kitsap Urban Growth Area (UGA), the land
around the Cityl that has been designated for eventual annexation into Port Orchard. The 2021 Kitsap
Countywide Planning PelieiesCounty Buildable Lands Report shows the UGA population in 2010 2012
was 15-84414,505, and the County has allocated it an increase of-6-,2-3-53,552 people by 20362044.
The Buildable Lands Report shows the UGA has a capacity of �73,552 people through the planning
period, only `lightly meFe than th^which identifies adequate housing capacity within the UGA to meet
the UGA's population allocation.
if the City were to annew all Ref its, UGA by 20362944, it would have to provide infrastructure and
services foF , nn 000 residents, th. e times POFt C)FchaF d's cuFFent pepulationBased on the 2021
Kitsap County Buildable Lands Report, the total population capacity for the City of Port Orchard and
the UGA would amount to a total population of 41,173. This has significant implications for the City's
economic development policies and its provision of public services. Even if the city doesn't annex
these areas, many of the residents living in the UGA work, shop, recreate, and travel in Port
Orchard. As such, the city must consider the proximity of these areas and impacts to the city from
this population when making decisions.
6.2.3 Employment
As of 29142022, the Puget Sound Regional Council reports that Port Orchard hosts �367,722 jobs.
This data is derived from the Washington State Employment Security Department. Sin44r-teLike
recent Comprehensive Plan Updates, T,°' the largest employment share, —-4,isse;e�s
continues to be service lobs, a broad category that includes jobs in technical and scientific services,
health care and social assistance, arts and entertainment, and accommodations and food services.
Retail jobs makes up the second largest share at with Ggovernment jobs ranking third -at
which is attributable to Port Orchard being the county seat.
Overall. iob growth has been r)rimarily confined to the service and retail sectors. with some small
growth in construction iobs over the past decade, likely reflecting the large amount of homebuilding
going on in the city. Port Orchard has a notably smaller share of technology and information lobs
compared to Seattle and other parts of the Puget Sound region. Current estimates as of summer 2023
suggest that up to 25 percent of workdays nationally are worked from home, and this trend has
potential implications for the city, particularly if technology and other knowledge industry workers in
the region choose to live in Port Orchard due to lower costs of living. The sector breakdown is shown
below in Figure 2.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
3,500
Services
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Retail --;
Government
Warehousing,Transport. Education
p Finance, Real Estate �
n
Ma
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Source: Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRQ Covered Employment
Figure 2 - Port Orchard employment«essectors.
Port Orchard has also been allocated a set amount of employment growth by the Kitsap Countywide
Planning Policies. As required by the Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies, Appendix B- 2, between
2020479-204436 the City must plan for an additional 5,4002� jobs, with 2,571 of those being
commercial jobs and 560 being industrial jobs. An estimate of job growth by sector is shown -,hove
P•g e
Almost two-thirds of the allocated employment growth is based on increased jobs in finance,
insurance, real estate, and services. The City must also plan for manufacturing jobs to nearly
quadruple, though the actual number is relatively small. Residents have voiced support for enabling
light industrial activities in established commercial areas, while there is less support for locating new
heavy industrial businesses in Port Orchard. The City should strike a balance between being open to
new industries and encouraging them to locate in the Puget Sound Industrial Center- Bremerton, a
nearby industrial park within the City of Bremerton.
The 2014 2021 Kitsap County Buildable Lands Report found that Port Orchard currently has the
capacity for 5,5695,243 additional jobs, which is 2-437sli htIy lessee than the allocation. This
indicates Port Orchard has plent needs to add 153 lobs worth of employment capacity to-4
undeveloped or underutilized land that can support future employment growth targets.
Jobs capacity is determined by calculating the amount of additional commercial and industrial square
footage that can be accommodated within the City. The total developable building area within Port
Orchard is over 2.6 million square feet for commercial jobs and nearly 600,000 square feet for
industrial jobs. These areas are then divided by the average square feet per employee in Kitsap
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
County to find the total jobs capacity.
Additionally, the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) publishes medium- and long-
term forecasts of employment growth by region. The chart below shows forecast new lobs by sector
in Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties through 2030. Many of Port Orchard's prominent sectors,
including government, leisure and hospitality, and retail trade, are expected to see significant regional
growth in the coming decades, some of which should be captured by Port Orchard. On the other
hand, there are also expected to be a significant number of new professional, business, and health
care lobs in the region as well, which Port Orchard may wish to consider strategies for attracting.
GOVERNMENT
OTHER SERVICES _ ■ 2020-2025 ■ 2025-2030
LEISURE and HOSPITALITY
-
EDUCATION and HEALTH SERVICES
■
PROFESSIONAL and BUSINESS SERVICES
.
FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
.
INFORMATION
.
TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING AND UTILITIES
■
RETAIL TRADE
.
WHOLESALE TRADE
.
MANUFACTURING
■
CONSTRUCTION
.
NATURAL RESOURCES and Mining
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000
Forecast New Jobs
Source: Washington Employment Security Department
6.2.4 Wages
Wage data for Port Orchard is not directly available, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does
collect data for all of Kitsap County. While this can be generally applied to Port Orchard, it should be
noted that these numbers may not account for local differences and that wage and employment
conditions change over time. However, many Port Orchard residents work outside of the city in
Bremerton and other job centers in the county, including numerous military installations. This data is
dated May 2013.
The county has higher than average concentrations of those working in: architecture and engineering;
life, physical, and social sciences; community and social service; healthcare support; food service;
' Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
construction and extraction; and installation, maintenance, and repair.
The median household income WHO in Port Orchard in 2020 was $71,719, while the MHI for Kitsap
County was $78,969 and the MHI for Washington State as a whole was $77,006. Port Orchard's MHI
in 2020 represents a 21 percent increase since 2010 when adjusted for inflation, which is significantly
higher than the 12 percent increase in Kitsap County and 14 percent increase in Washington State
during the same timeframe.
With this 2016 Comprehensive Plan update, Port Orchard is adopting a living wage target, defined as
an hourly wage that can comfortably pay for the costs of living. Living wages vary between places and
may be lower, equal, or higher than local or state minimum wages. The living wage calculator
developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology defines the following living wages for Kitsap
County.
1 Adult
1 Adult
2 Adults
2 Adults
Hourly Wages
1 Adult
1 Adult 1 Child
(One Working)
2 Children
3 Children
(One Working)
1 Child
Living Wage
$9.87
$22.37
$26.53
$33.93
$16.62
$20.40
Poverty Wage
1 $5.00
1 $7.00
1 $9.00
1 $11.00
1 $7.00
1 $9.00
Minimum Wage
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
2 Adults
2 Adults
Hourly Wages
(One Working)
(One Working)
2 Adults
2 Adults 1 Child
2 Adults
2 Adults
2 Children
3 Children
2 Children
3 Children
Living Wage
$22.99
$26.45
$8.31
$12.31
$14.62
$17.37
Poverty Wage
1 $11.00
1 $13.00
1 $3.00
1 $4.00
1 $5.00
1 $6.00
Minimum Wage
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
1 $9.32
Figure 4-2015 living wage estimates (http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/53035)
6.2.5 Businesses
Port Orchard has a variety of businesses that serve residents from throughout the greater South
Kitsap region. Most shopping and service areas are characterized by large and recognized chains. Key
commercial areas include the Bethel corridor, Mile Hill, and the Sedgwick/SR-16 corridor, where
national retailers and grocery stores make up a large part of the city's tax base.
Port Orchard is also home to several business clusters. There are a number of healthcare facilities
along the Tremont corridor that include medical centers and assisted living facilities. Located in the
industrial park are manufacturers of building furnishings, electronics, and aerospace parts. The Kitsap
County campus aheve-south of downtown has a large concentration of government jobs, which
attracts private firms specializing in engineering, land development and law.
There are also a variety of small businesses throughout the QWcity. Many residents take pride in that
fact nearly all of the businesses on the core stretch of Bay Street are small and locally based. They
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
include restaurants and eateries, a movie theatre, antique shops, bail bondsmen and a number of
boutiques. Creating an economic environment that encourages small, local businesses has been
identified as an important consideration by the community. Port Orchard also has many self-
employed residents in home businesses.
6.2.6 Tax Structure
The City operates on an annual budget of approximately $35-40128 million in 2024, with operating
funds representing approximately $47.6 million of the budget ($38.8 million as of 20154. The budget
is divided into multiple accounts that have dedicated funding sources, and each must have balanced
revenues and expenditures each year. Much of the budget pays for Port Orchard's streets, water
system, sewer system, and stormwater system, which are vitally important to maintaining quality of
life and the local economy. The "Current Expense" fund is perhaps the most visible to the public, as
this fund is supported by property and sales taxes and primarily pays for the operations of each City
department.
The sales tax rate in Port Orchard is 8-.79.3% and breaks down as follows:
State: 6.5%
City of Port Orchard:.9494%
Criminal Justice: .10%
Kitsap County: .3545%
Kitsap Transit: 1.10-.80%
GOURty1ail E)(s;9R .10'
Emergency Communications .2040%
KC Mental Health Treatment Services .10%
State Administration Fee .01%
$1,000,00 0,000
s900,000,000
%W,Ooopw
s500,0wpffi
$400,000,000
$200,000,000
$0
Taxable Retail Sales in Port Orchard
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2D20 2(21 2022
As of 2015-2024 the City's annual property tax is 1.0723-.7-2 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Other
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
property taxes levied by a number of other local governments combine for a total rate of
8.4211.63 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For a residential property assessed at the
area's median value of $469,750'410, the rate is equivalent to $3,044342 per. year.
6.3 Challenges
VISION 2040 2050 calls on local governments to address the obstacles and special needs related to
economically disadvantaged populations, particularly through a housing lens. Within the City, this
would include addressing the needs of residents whose income is below the living wage estimates
shown in Figure 4.
The City is committed to improving the economic conditions of its residents by providing
opportunities for living -wage businesses to locate and grow within the Cit- Port Orchard, by
supporting educational and vocational training opportunities, by promoting efficient land use with
housing, jobs and mass transit in proximity to each other, and by encouraging development and
maintenance of affordable, adequate housing options to serve a variety of household types. Emphasis
is placed on providing these services within designated local centers where a need for revitalization,
infill development, and/or improvements to transportation facilities have been identified.
6.4 Public Input
A survey conducted in mid 2014 collected public input on strategies and projects that Port Orchard
may pursue to fester economic development ever the next 20 yeaFS. The results of the survey weree
used te update this element, evaluate existing geals and pelicies, and plut fA-rv.oard new geals and
of Port Orchard.
6.5 Goals and Policies
This plan addresses Economic Development in several categories, each with associated goals and
policies which provide the primary foundation for this Economic Development element, supporting
both the overall vision of the Comprehensive Plan and the needs and desires of the community.
Goal 1. Support a diversified economy that provides primary living wage
jobs for residents, supported by adequate land for a range of
employment uses, and which encourages accomplishment of
local economic development goals.
Policy ED-1 The City shall maintain an adequate inventory of land to accommodate targeted
employment growth.
Policy ED-2 The City shall enable the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of existing
businesses through fair, consistent, and timely permitting processes.
Policy ED-3 Encourage new economic development opportunities that utilize regional infrastructure,
including highway, rail, aviation, and marine links between Port Orchard, the Puget
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
Sound Industrial Center -Bremerton, the Port of Tacoma, Naval Base Kitsap and the
greater region.
Policy ED-4 Promote business opportunities that utilize and attract the availability of a highly skilled
workforce and geographic proximity to military facilities.
Policy ED-5 Promote business opportunities that provide on-the-job training, educational
opportunities, and other means of assistance for disadvantaged populations to
achieve living -wage employment.
Goal 2. Encourage new commercial development to occur within
designated centers of activity near housing, multi -modal
transportation connections, and urban services.
Policy ED-6 The City shall encourage residential and commercial growth in Mixed usele-ea;
centers where job opportunities and a diverse mix of retail and office activities are
concentrated.
Policy ED-7 The City shall prioritize economic development and redevelopment in local centers.
Policy ED-9 The City shall encourage the continuation and marketing efforts of downtown
events and holiday festivals.
Policy ED-10 The City shall continue to implement a citywide wayfinding system that directs residents
and visitors to civic and commercial centers of local importance.
Goal 3. Encourage growth and diversification that maximizes
employment and improves the opportunity for residents to
both work and live in Port Orchard.
Policy ED-11 The City shall implement long-term economic policies that support the needs of
employers while meeting diversification and employment objectives and improving
the City's tax base.
Policy ED-12 The City should improve economic competitiveness by developing incentives for
business growth, expansion, and relocation, and by utilizing tools such as tax
incentives and modernization and streamlining of development regulations.
Policy ED-13 The City shall strive to ensure its future employment allocation is met with primary
jobs, which produce goods or services principally sold to clients outside of the City, to
support the creation of secondary jobs, which produce goods or services principally
sold to clients within the City.
Policy ED-14 Attract a variety of retailers, services, and light industry to provide diverse shopping
and service opportunities.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
Policy ED-15 Identify and eliminate disparities in access to economic opportunities by gathering and
incorporating communitv feedback in future land use olanning activities.
Policy ED-16 Establish relationships with community stakeholder groups to better understand how
local and regional policies affect City residents, particularly as they relate to people of
color and people with low incomes.
Goal 4. Promote and support a healthy, diverse economy that provides
for a strong and diverse tax base, maintains an industrial base,
and encourages the retention, attraction, and expansion of
business in Port Orchard.
Policy ED-15 Recognize the arts as a contribution to the economic diversity of Port Orchard.
Prefer local, qualified artists for public art commissions.
Policy ED-16 Recognize and encourage tourism as a growing contribution to the economic
diversity of Port Orchard.
Policy ED-17 Encourage small business enterprises and cottage industries.
Policy ED-18 The City shall allow traditional home occupations as permitted by local regulations,
including live -work units.
Policy ED-19 Maintain Port Orchard as a unique and significant waterfront destination with
recreational and retail opportunities for tourists and residents.
Policy ED-21 The City shall support the full utilization and build out of industrially zoned
properties in the Port Orchard Industrial Park. Explore streamlined permitting
processes for future development.
Goal S. Increase residents' ability to enjoy a high quality of life and
access to healthy living opportunities, such as locally
produced food, nearby grocery stores, parks and open space,
and safe streets for walking and bicycling.
Policy ED-22 The City shall ensure its land use code permits urban agriculture and community
gardens within compatible zoning districts.
Policy ED-23 Encourage the continuation and expansion of the Port Orchard Farmer's Market into
a year-round event, and identify other sites around the City that could be used for
additional farmer's markets.
Policy ED-24 Support the local food economy and its capacity to grow, process, and distribute
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
food within Port Orchard and through the South Kitsap area, and encourage local
restaurants and food retailers to buy and sell local products.
Policy ED-25 The City shall ensure that local mixed uc^ centers allow for neighborhood scale grocery
stores and restaurants to ensure that the City's residents have access to healthy food
options.
Policy ED-26 The City shall prioritize pedestrian, bicycle and transit facility improvements that
connect grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and general commercial centers with
surrounding residential areas.
Goal 6. Provide a diverse mix and appropriate range of commercial,
industrial, and business park uses within Port Orchard and
South Kitsap area that will provide living wage jobs.
Policy ED-27 The City shall_, t#Feugh ehaRges to the land— use eelencourage mixed use
developments within centers of local other areas designated for
mixed -use development that will enhance the visual, economic, and environmental
quality of these areas and improve the transition between commercial and residential
districts.
Policy ED-28 The City shall require pedestrian orientation for non-residential uses and office or
residential uses above ground floor retail uses within centers of local importance
Policy ED-29 The City shall encourage the redevelopment of strip commercial areas through changes
to the land use code, landscaping code, and signage code.
Goal 7. Balance business and industrial development with environmental
protection and continue to maintain and enhance the quality
of life in Port Orchard as growth occurs.
Policy ED-30 The City shall encourage new heavy industrial uses to locate in the Puget Sound
Industrial Center -Bremerton.
Policy ED-31 The City shall encourage the use of "green" materials and techniques in all types of
construction by adopting the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) standard for public projects.
Policy ED-32 The City shall remove barriers that prevent innovative low -impact development
strategies. Allow for multiple uses of landscaping and reduction in impervious surface
areas, such as bioswales, porous paving, and vegetated roofs.
Policy ED-33 The City should encourage solid waste reduction by both residents and businesses.
Policy ED-34 The City shall ensure that development standards and regulations are permissive of
modern technologies that mitigate potential environmental impacts and provide environmental
benefits, with regular review and updating as new technologies emerge.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
Policy ED-35 The City shall pursue ongoing actions and policies that are consistent with the Puget
Sound Clean Air Agency's targets for local emission reductions in an effort to address and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Goal 8. Coordinate economic expansion so that it is concurrent with
capital facilities, multi -modal transportation networks, and
urban services, especially within centers of local impertan .
Policy ED-34 Encourage the full utilization and development of designated commercial and industrial
areas. Promote revitalization and redevelopment within existing developed
areas to take advantage of investments in existing buildings and infrastructure.
Policy ED-35 Reduce long-term and commuter parking on the City's downtown waterfront.
Policy ED-36 Support increased Kitsap Transit bus and foot ferry service during evenings and
weekends year-round.
Policy ED-37 Encourage the provision of high-speed Internet service citywide, including
deployment of fiber optic infrastructure and wireless internet, and require that new
development and redevelopment allow fiber optic cable to locate in utility corridors
and easements where feasible.
Policy ED-38 Encourage and incentivize the undergrounding of utilities where feasible.
Goal 9. Foster and facilitate partnerships and cooperation among
government, private corporations, and nonprofit entities to
promote the economic development goals and policies of
Port Orchard.
Policy ED-39 As appropriate, work with other jurisdictions and agencies such as state and federal
agencies, tribes, the Port of Bremerton, the cities, the Kitsap Economic Development
Alliance (KEDA), Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce, Port Orchard Bay Street
Association, and the Kitsap County Public Utilities Districts, in marketing and
developing the City of Port Orchard.
Policy ED-40 The City shall, in collaboration with the Port of Bremerton and the City of
Bremerton, study supporting the development of Puget Sound Industrial Center -
Bremerton with sewer service to be provided by the City of Port Orchard.
Goal 10. Attract and encourage expansion of educational and medical
institutions to assure a highly skilled work force.
Policy ED-41 Encourage the maintenance and expansion of public and private schools -within Port
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024
Chapter 6: Economic Development
Orchard to serve a growing population.
Policy ED-42 Encourage the development of higher education institutions within Port Orchard to
provide vocational, technical, and postsecondary programs.
Policy ED-43 Encourage the development and expansion of medical institutions that serve a growing
local and regional population while utilizing and attracting a highly skilled workforce.
Goal 11. Ensure adequate land use capacity for job growth needs in
commercial, retail, and industrial employment sectors.
Policy ED-44 Require commercial land uses within zoning districts in areas designated as centers for
growth.
Policy ED-45 Require commercial land uses within zoning districts in areas designated as centers for
growth.
Goal 12. Support, recognize, and empower the contributions of the
region's culturally and ethnically diverse communities,
institutions, and Native Tribes.
Policy ED-44 Coordinate with Tribes in local and regional planning and economic development
efforts, recognizing the mutual benefits of coordinated growth.
Policy ED-45 Recognize Tribes' contributions to local and regional economic prosperky, land and
resource manaeement. Dlacemakine. and cultural enrichment.
Port Orchard Comprehensive Plan DRAFT Update: January 2024