Everett Businesses Report Rising Costs, Seek City Support

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  The City of Everett released results from its 2026 small business outreach effort on August 28, 2026No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  The City of Everett heard from 110 businesses across the city“This summer, the City heard from 110 businesses through an online survey, small business roundtables and visits to businesses across Everett.”
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  The survey found 87% of respondents said business costs have become more challenging over the past two years“In the survey, 87% of respondents said costs have become more challenging over the past two years, including 62% who said they have become much more challenging.”
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  62% of respondents reported costs have become "much more challenging"“62% who said they have become much more challenging.”
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  Taxes and fees were identified as the top cost burden“When asked to identify their three greatest cost burdens, taxes and fees ranked highest - followed by: labor and wage costs, insurance and health care costs, and permitting and licensing requirements.”
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  Labor was identified as the second cost burden“labor and wage costs, insurance and health care costs, and permitting and licensing requirements.”
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  Insurance was identified as the third cost burden“When asked to identify their three greatest cost burdens, taxes and fees ranked highest - followed by: labor and wage costs, insurance and health care costs, and permitting and licensing requirements.”
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  Permitting costs were identified as the fourth cost burdenNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Business owners identified key areas where city action could help“Businesses identified areas where the City can help When asked what actions by the City would most help their business, respondents most frequently identified reducing fees or costs (within the City’s control), streamlining permits and approvals, increasing public safety efforts, and expanding marketing and tourism.”
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  Reducing fees within the city's control was identified as a key area where city action could help“When asked what actions by the City would most help their business, respondents most frequently identified reducing fees or costs (within the City’s control), streamlining permits and approvals, increasing public safety efforts, and expanding marketing and tourism.”
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  Streamlining permits was identified as a key area where city action could help“When asked what actions by the City would most help their business, respondents most frequently identified reducing fees or costs (within the City’s control), streamlining permits and approvals, increasing public safety efforts, and expanding marketing and tourism.”
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  Improving public safety was identified as a key area where city action could help“Public safety and access matter. Businesses emphasized the importance of safe, welcoming commercial areas, along with parking and transportation access and the condition of areas surrounding their businesses.”
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  Expanding tourism marketing was identified as a key area where city action could help“Businesses identified areas where the City can helpWhen asked what actions by the City would most help their business, respondents most frequently identified reducing fees or costs (within the City’s control), streamlining permits and approvals, increasing public safety efforts, and expanding marketing and tourism.”
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  The city plans to use these findings to guide future efforts to improve the business environment“The City will use the findings to inform its ongoing work to improve the business environment in Everett, including examining costs within the City’s control, supporti”
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  The city plans to examine costs the city can control“The City will use the findings to inform its ongoing work to improve the business environment in Everett, including examining costs within the City’s control,”
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  51% of businesses expressed optimism about their future“Fifty-one percent described themselves as very or somewhat optimistic about the future of their business, compared with 23% who were neutral and 26% who were very or somewhat pessimistic.”
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  Many businesses described Everett as a place where they see growth opportunities“Multiple participants described Everett as a place where they continue to see opportunity.”