Bellevue is widely recognized as a high-quality place to live and work, attracting highly educated individuals and high-wage jobs.
The recommended Economic Development Plan guides the city's continued efforts to strengthen and diversify the Bellevue economy for the good of existing and future residents and businesses. The previous plan was adopted in 2020.
Plan Update Process
In December 2024, the City Council approved seven objectives for that Economic Development Plan update:
- Strengthen economic diversity and resilience by retaining existing businesses, promoting innovation and expanding new industries.
- Support the success of Bellevue’s small businesses and future entrepreneurs, with a focus on those of diverse backgrounds and minimizing displacement.
- Scale and sustain enhanced services by leveraging partnerships and new implementation tools.
- Position the Creative Economy, inclusive of arts, cultural and new creative industries, as a key driver of Bellevue's economy.
- Strengthen Bellevue’s workforce to meet future industry demands and provide access to opportunity.
- Elevate Bellevue’s districts and public spaces to foster unique identities, ensuring that they are welcoming to residents, workers, and visitors.
- Highlight Bellevue’s culture, world-class amenities, and natural environment to advance its status as a premier tourist destination.
The plan update process included a review of previous studies and documents, an analysis of Bellevue's current economic position and extensive stakeholder outreach. These combined inputs help to inform the content of the updated plan.
Progress
August 2024
Plan Update Launch
August - December 2024
Phase I: Visioning
Align the City's priorities and guiding principles for the plan update.
January - March 2025
Phase II: Request for Proposals, Consultant Selection and Onboarding
March - June 2025
Phase III: Data Analysis and Community Engagement
June - December 2025
Phase IV: Plan Drafting and Development
- September 2025
Council received an update from staff on the Data Analysis and Community Engagement Report - October - December 2025
Developed strategies and actions; prepared the recommended plan
February 2026
Expected Plan Adoption
Background Documents
Plan Documents
Existing Documents
- Economic Development Plan (2014)
- Economic Development - Bellevue Comprehensive Plan (2015)
- Creative Edge Report (2018)
- Creative Edge Strategy (2018)
- Startup 425 Report (2019)
- Economic Development Plan (2020)
- Economic Development Plan - Appendix (2020)