Published 1:30 am Saturday, August 22, 2026
A view of downtown Everett facing northwest on Oct. 14, 2025. (Oli
EVERETT — Results of Everett’s small business outreach show just over half of the city’s small businesses remain optimistic despite reporting rising costs as a big concern.
During the summer, city representatives talked to 110 businesses across Everett through an online survey, small business roundtables and in-person visits. The results were documented in areporthighlighting four key takeaways: pressure from rising costs, improvements to government processes, public safety and optimism about opportunities to grow.
“Small businesses are at the heart of Everett’s economy: creating jobs, strengthening our neighborhoods and helping make our city an even better place to live and visit,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin in a press release. “We wanted to hear directly from business owners to better understand their experiences and I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to share feedback.”
The participating businesses were represented nine sectors, from manufacturing to retail.
Seventy-four percent of the businesses have one to five employees and 43% have operated for more than 11 years, according to the report. A quarter were located in South Everett.
Of the survey respondents, 87% said the cost of doing business has been more challenging the past two years, with 62% saying costs have become much more challenging. The top three costs impacting businesses were reportedly taxes/fees, labor/wage costs and insurance/healthcare.
To remain affordable and competitive, many businesses do their best to avoid passing these price increases onto their customers, said Scott Hulme, a spokesperson for Everett’s Downtown Association.
“That creates a difficult balancing act as the cost of labor, supplies, insurance, rent, and other operating expenses continues to increase,” he said in an email.
When asked what the city could do to support business, participants said making government processes, such as permitting, faster and easier to navigate.
“Creating a more predictable process and helping businesses move through permitting efficiently can make it easier for entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life and get up and running in the community,” Hulme said.
Businesses also pointed to public safety as an area the city could help due to things such as transportation, vacant storefronts and property conditions impacting employees and the vitality of commercial areas, the report said.
In downtown Everett, the city has taken meaningful steps toward improved safety and conditions, Hulme said.
“This includes increased foot and bike patrols and other investments in public safety,” he said. “We’d like to see that work continue and, where possible, build on those efforts.”
Twenty-seven respondents also cited expanded marketing and tourism as a way city assistance could bring more customers in.
Despite business owners’ concern, 51% of them reported being optimistic about the future. Those reporting a pessimistic outlook were 26%.
Following the report, the city said officials will use the findings to provide a baseline for future conversations and inform work improving Everett’s business environment.
This includes examining costs within Everett’s control, supporting safe and accessible commercial areas, identifying ways to simplify city processes and strengthening efforts to connect businesses with customers, the release said.
“One of the biggest opportunities is increasing awareness of what’s already here,” Hulme said. “And encouraging more people in our local community to shop, dine, and spend time locally.”
Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan
Source: www.heraldnet.com
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