As Mayor, it is my pleasure to welcome you and thank you for choosing Renton as the place for your business and encourage you to become part of the Renton Chamber of Commerce.
Renton maintains a dynamic and thriving business climate, and we are supported by a strong economy and a growing population that has surpassed 104,000. Our city provides an excellent quality of life, exemplified by our rich diversity and wonderful neighborhoods. We enjoy beautiful, well-maintained parks and recreation facilities, a nationally-recognized public school system, and world-class health care services. These elements are critical components of our vision for the city.
Renton is recognized for our talented and well-educated workforce in high-tech, manufacturing, medical, biotech and service industries. We are home to Boeing, Kaiser Permanente, Providence Health & Services, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks and the Federal Reserve Bank, all who have powered the growth of our economy.
Renton is considered to be one of the best cities in the state for developers to work with – the incredible development and major accomplishments from last year bear witness to that. Along the shores of Lake Washington, we are home to the luxurious Hyatt Regency hotel and conference center, and a major 650,000 square-foot Class A office campus is scheduled to open this year. A huge redevelopment effort is ongoing in the Sunset area, offering quality housing options for all income levels, along with new retail space. With two of the country’s largest health care providers and Valley Medical Center calling Renton home, we are the center for health care in the Pacific Northwest. Plus we have major redevelopment in our downtown: new retail, offices, restaurants, affordable housing and community spaces.
We foster strong and sound economic growth that encourages businesses to succeed. Our successful business community, high-quality office developments and attractive residential areas are only part of the picture. In the next few years, we will also see the city invest in infrastructure and other improvements worth half a billion dollars that will bring thousands of jobs to Renton. Standard & Poor recently recognized the city with the AAA rating for general obligation bonds, the highest any city can achieve.
In the coming year, we will continue to improve public safety, enhance community relations, and further cultivate a sense of inclusion throughout the community. By continuing to focus on city employee satisfaction, talent and a culture of customer service, we are ensuring that your business is a priority in our daily business.
Once again, I thank you for being an important part of our city. I encourage you to get involved and explore the Chamber’s wonderful events, workshops and resources. To learn about the city’s amenities and services, please visit our website at rentonwa.gov and follow @cityofrenton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor.