Everett Small Business Survey Reveals Cost Concerns

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  Everett's City Council released findings from a 2026 small business outreach effortNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  The 2026 small business outreach effort surveyed 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 reported that 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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  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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  Businesses also cited labor costs as a significant expense“labor and wage costs, insurance and health care costs, and permitting and licensing requirements.”
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  Businesses also cited insurance as a significant expense“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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  Businesses also cited healthcare as a significant expenseNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Businesses also cited permitting as a significant expenseNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  When asked what City action would help most, 51% of business owners expressed optimism about their futureNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Key requests from business owners included reduced fees“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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  Key requests from business owners included streamlined permits“streamlining permits and approvals, increasing public safety efforts, and expanding marketing and tourism.”
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  Key requests from business owners included improved public safety“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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  The City plans to use these findings to guide future business environment improvements“The City plans to use these findings to guide additional outreach and better understand the specific pressures businesses are experiencing.”
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  The outreach included online surveys“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 outreach included roundtables“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 outreach included visits to businesses“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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  74% of respondents employing five or fewer people“74% of survey respondents employing five or fewer people and 43% operating for 11 years or longer.”
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  43% of respondents operating for 11 years or longer“43% operating for 11 years or longer”