The recent article “Federal Way chamber, city disagree over proposed changes” did not adequately explain that the business district associations concept was just one of over 30 objectives proposed in the mayor’s economic development strategy.

One could read the article and get the idea that the city had proposed business district associations as a standalone proposal, which is not the case.

The business district associations concept is offered as an objective, not a finished proposal. It is one smaller part of the 76-page economic development strategy that is under consideration and discussion with the City Council and the community.

The term “business district association” is described in the section on communications and outreach, and is discussed as a forum for dialogue between businesses and the city. The intent is to enable the city to better understand the challenges facing our businesses so that we can find new ways to support and retain those valued businesses in our community.

As Mayor Jim Ferrell stated at the Council meeting, the city is committed to resolving the Chamber’s concerns over the business district association’s and moving forward together on the important community priority of economic development.

The mayor believes that outreach to Federal Way businesses is something that the city and the Chamber can coordinate and collaborate on. Both organizations share the mission of seeking to help businesses and create a stronger Federal Way economy.

However, it’s important to understand that the business associations concept is but one relatively small element of a much larger plan.

As important as outreach is, some very high priority issues can be found in the other objectives, including recruiting a university branch campus to the downtown, bringing a major new employer (or employers) to fill the Weyerhaeuser campus; developing programs to improve access to capital and credit for local businesses; developing support networks for entrepreneurs, and creating the “ID2EA Zone” in the city core to bundle economic development incentives to retain and attract business involved in innovation, design, education, entrepreneurship and the arts.

All these ideas warrant serious consideration and discussion. We encourage interested citizens to review the plan at www.cityoffederalway.com and provide the mayor and Council with feedback and guidance on any of these issues. How should Federal Way develop?

What should our economic development priorities be? Make your voice heard. It is your city.

Chris Carrel, city of Federal Way