The Future of Seattle: Carbon Neutral by 2050?

Inverse | Neel Patel | January 21

https://www.inverse.com/article/10451-the-future-of-seattle-carbon-neutral-by-2050

“Seattle has been a destination for the environmentally minded for two centuries. That eco ethos has flourished even as the source of economic growth has shifted from the region’s forests, to the coastal waters, to the cafes, to giant office parks. It’s remarkable that those values survived the insanely rapid growth of the last half-century. Tech companies from Microsoft to Amazon — not to mention Boeing — have made Seattle their home. For the last few years, it has been one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S…As a result, Seattle is in the top 10 cities with the most LEED and Energy Star certified buildings in the country.”

 

As Seattle Regulates Airbnb, Company Releases Study Showing Its $178M Annual Impact on Local Economy

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | January 21

http://www.geekwire.com/2016/seattle-regulates-airbnb-company-releases-study-showing-178m-annual-impact-local-economy/

“As Seattle lawmakers decide how to regulate Airbnb, the Bay Area hospitality company wants to show the positive impact it is making on the local economy. Airbnb Regional Head of Policy David Owen joined local leaders and Airbnb hosts in Seattle today to discuss a new 29-page report based on internal company data from August 2014 to July 2015…During that time period, Airbnb said that 151,000 guests stayed in one of 2,900 Seattle-based Airbnb locations and generated $178 million in ‘total economic activity,’ which includes direct, indirect, and induced spending.”

Read more in the 29-page report, here

 

Seattle One of Top 10 Best Educated Cities

Puget Sound Business Journal | Emily Parkhurst | January 20

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/01/seattle-one-of-top-10-most-educated-cities.html

“The Seattle area is one of the best-educated places to live in the country. That’s according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and analyzed by Headlight Data. Seattle ranked No. 9 on the list of the cities with the highest percentage of bachelor’s degree holders. The Census found that 39.4 percent of Seattle residents held bachelor’s degrees.”

 

Seattle, Portland Rank High in Readiness for the Future

The Seattle Times | Jon Talton | January 20

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/seattle-portland-rank-high-in-readiness-for-the-future/

“Dell commissioned economics from IHS to put together rankings of cities most prepared to prosper and grow in the future. The results, presented at Harvard’s Strategic Innovation Summit last fall, placed Seattle and Portland in the top 10 out of 25, ranked seventh and ninth respectively…It ‘identified three primary characteristics of Future Ready Economies: the ability to attract people who are engaged in and open to lifelong learning that drives innovation; businesses that thrive in collaborative environments; and infrastructure that provides platforms for people to engage, collaborate, learn and innovate.’ Education plays a big role…Seattle regularly ranks high on these lists.”

 

‘Silicon Refugees’ Will Continue to Flood Seattle in 2016, Zillow Economist Says

Puget Sound Business Journal | Emily Parkhurst | January 20

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/01/silicon-refugees-will-continue-to-flood-seattle-in.html

“Seattle home values will continue to increase this year – as will rents – as people flock for the region’s growing number of jobs and opportunities. That’s according to Aaron Terrazas, the senior economist at Seattle online real estate company Zillow, who spoke during the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County’s annual forecast event on Jan. 14…In Seattle, home values increased 5.4 percent year over year, and in Bellevue, they were up 6.1 percent. Tacoma home values increased 6 percent and Renton was up 5.8 percent.”