The Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce board voted unanimously to support the Woodbridge Corporate Park development at its March 12 meeting.

In a statement, the chamber said it supports the development as an economic engine for the Federal Way region.

“The private capital investment by Industrial Realty Group to develop approximately 30% of the campus is expected to diversify the existing business base, expand opportunities for living wage jobs, and preserve the unique natural space of property, including the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden and the Pacific Bonsai Museum,” according to the statement.

The statement continues:

• The Woodbridge Corporate Park will create jobs, estimated by IRG at 3,100 employment opportunities across the income spectrum.

• The development of the property will provide an expansion of the tax base, reducing the tax burden on our existing businesses which results in a more balanced tax structure that invites investment by both businesses and families.

• Woodbridge Corporate Park will support Federal Way as a regional economic hub with its multiplier effect for job creation off campus.

• As part of IRG’s stated commitment to responsible development and stewardship of its property, the preservation of the campus and its natural assets will remain an attraction for the business workforce and the community.

Due to their positions with the Federal Way Mirror, board member Robert Roegner was recused from the vote and board member Andy Hobbs was not in attendance at the March 12 meeting.

Save Weyerhaeuser Campus, who are members of the chamber, told the Mirror in an email statement that they were surprised the chamber had endorsed IRG’s plan while the city is still reviewing two of their three applications for building permits.

In addition, they said, the proposed jobs for IRG’s plan are not currently based on any tenants or purchasers of their proposed buildings.

Their statement reads in part, “As a member of the Chamber (like IRG) we expected the Chamber would provide us an equal opportunity to meet with its board and other members to present our vision, explain viable development alternatives that have better lifestyle and economic benefits for the community, and share concerns about the Woodbridge proposal that have been officially expressed by the state and county transportation agencies, local tribes and stakeholders like Rainier Audubon and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.”

While SWC said they were encouraged to hear that IRG wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the campus as well as the Bonsai and Rhodedendron Gardens, they said, “…We also desire preservation of the North Lake shoreline and the system of nature trails on the campus, for continued use by people from around the region.”

SWC looks forward to meeting with IRG in April, the statement reads in part, where they hope to learn more infromation about IRG’s plan for the preservation of the campus.