Doing Business in Kenmore

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Kenmore's Unique Business Culture

Kenmore has a rich history and is thrilled to be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023. Kenmore is home to more than 1,100 businesses, including many family-owned and home-based businesses that are the backbone of our community. Kenmore is working to create a walkable downtown and is activating many new spaces in its downtown core, anchored by the award-winning Hangar at Town Square, the City’s community gathering space.

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Kenmore is the seaplane capitol of the United States and is the proud home of Kenmore Air, one of the best-known and esteemed seaplane operations in the world. Other notable businesses include The Lodge at St. Edward State Park, Inglewood Golf Course, and Bastyr University, the nation’s largest and most respected natural health medical school. Kenmore is also becoming known as a home to breweries and has a growing brewery row adjacent to the Burke Gilman Trail consisting of 192 Brewing, Cairn Brewing and Copperworks Distilling Co.

The City’s exceptional location at the north end of Lake Washington provides proximity to transit and multiple employment centers and access to the water through its parks, award-winning Boathouse, marinas, and water-based businesses such as What’s Up Paddle Board located at Log Boom Park.

The City’s mission is to create a thriving community where people love where they live, work, and play and is supportive of its businesses. All Kenmore businesses are welcome to join and attend the Kenmore Business Alliance meetings each month. Come to Kenmore!

Economic Development Approach

Economic Development Strategy pie chart.

Using our adopted Economic Development Strategy as a guide, the City is using a three-pronged approach that will guide us as we carry out our economic development work in the 2023-2024 biennium:

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Be a Well-Run City

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We believe that the best thing we can do to promote economic development in Kenmore is to ensure we are a well-run city. This means that our city employees are approachable and accessible so that our community has positive experiences in dealing with the city. It also means that we provide well-maintained roads and parks, a walkable downtown core that is both safe and clean, well-planned zoning and housing options, easy-to-navigate permitting and registration processes, and care for our ecosystems, all of which create an environment where it is easier for businesses to thrive.

Seize Strategic Opportunities

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We believe in taking matters into our own hands in order to make things happen. We embraced this part of our strategy in the last biennium by purchasing the Bench and Holt properties and utilizing the Shell property for an affordable housing development. We need to continue to be a city that moves boldly to ensure we are well positioned and prepared for the future by seizing opportunities that make an impact.

Focus on Key Partnerships

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We believe it is critically important to engage with and support our city’s key institutions. This includes our largest employers, businesses, and service providers, such as Bastyr University, with whom we are collaborating on the community clinic at the Plymouth Housing site, Kenmore Air, Kenmore Camera, The Lodge at St. Edward, Kenmore Lanes, the Northshore Utility District, 192 Brewing, Arts of Kenmore, Cairn Brewing, Snapdoodle Toys, Plywood Supply, the Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, and the Kenmore Business Alliance, the city’s bridge to our numerous and treasured small businesses. We are deeply invested in the long-term success of our businesses and institutions, and we want to maintain strong partnerships with them.

Awards and Recognition

Association of Washington Cities Statewide Municipal Excellence Award for The Hangar at Town Square 2020
Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2040 Award for Downtown Redevelopment 2019
National Association of Office Industrial And Office Parks Award For Developer of the Year: Main Street Property Group 2019: Main Street Property Group, Winner of the NAIOP Award for Developer of the Year, developed the mixed use buildings known as “Linq Lofts + Flats” and “Flyway”, as well as The “Spencer 68 Apartments & Lofts”, located across from Kenmore City Hall along 68^th Avenue NE.
American Institute of Architects Design Award To Graham Baba Design for The Hangar at Town Square 2018
Association of Washington Cities Municipal Excellence Award: Kenmore + Local Business: Connecting and Growing 2018
Association of Washington Cities Municipal Excellence Award: Coolest City Hall 2015

City of Kenmore Washington

Documents

Doing Business in Kenmore

Downtown Kenmore

Public Private Partnership

Brew Row

Waterfront Commercial

Brew Row

Lodging

Brew Row

Downtown Along 68th

Business Licensing

Apply for a Building Permit

Resources for Businesses

Chamber of Commerce

Kenmore's Unique Business Culture

Economic Development Approach

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Awards and Recognition