Does Sequim’s Economic Development Measure Up?
A new director, the adopted core values, and available commercial real estate in Sequim
New City of Sequim Economic Development Director:
The City of Sequim recently welcomed Karla Boughton as the new Community and Economic Development Director. In February of 2025 she began working as a consultant; in October the same year she moved into the position of Interim Director of Community and Economic Development.
Career highlights:
Over 30 years of experience in municipal planning
Serving for five years as the Planning and Economic Development Director for the City of Poulsbo.
Teaches Environmental Law & Policy and other courses as an Adjunct Instructor for Western Washington University.
Recipient of several state and regional awards for her professional accomplishments, including the Washington State Governor’s Smart Communities Award and a Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2040 Award.
Has a Master’s Degree in public administration from Seattle University and a Bachelor’s Degree in communications and political science from the University of Washington.
Read the full announcement from the City of Sequim here.
Sequim’s Economic Development Definition and Adopted Core Values:
Below are excerpts from the City of Sequim’s website under the Economic Development section including various Adopted Core Values; all of the Adopted Core Values can be found here.
The City of Sequim’s Definition of Economic Development (Source)
To retain existing businesses and attract new businesses that increase the amount of money being imported into the community while regularly exporting a product or service.
Strategic, Operational, and Financial Plans (Source)
Over the next twenty years, the City population is expected to grow moderately. This growth will help sustain local businesses and reduce the per capita cost of government services.
Editor’s note: It is unknown what years are included in ‘the next twenty years’ since this section is undated.
The City of Sequim’s small town atmosphere will remain as a cornerstone of the community with appropriate parks and leisure amenities, a healthy downtown core, appealing streetscapes, and well planned out residential and/or mixed use development which offers a wide range of housing choices that appeal to retired empty nesters and families.
Business Retention and Development (Source)
The Sales Tax Revenue collected in 2003 was $975,000 and in 2013 it was $2,253,000.
Editor’s note: 2013 is the most recent data given in this section.
Currently there are existing vacant lands in the City’s west end and vacant properties in the east end which have the potential to be developed with similar national retailers, light industrial businesses, and research and development organizations.
Editor’s note: It is unknown when ‘currently’ is since this section is undated, though it could be 2013 based the data related to sales tax revenue.
Business, Family, and Retirement Friendly (Source)
The senior population has a stable income base that is recession proof and helps to stabilize the overall financial health of the City.
The unique make-up of Sequim’s population has encouraged the growth of specialized industries, such as the healthcare industry, that create more diverse employment opportunities and family wage jobs.
The City of Sequim should continue to embrace diversity in population and provide services that make the City a business, family, and retirement friendly destination.
Vital Downtown Core (Source)
The City has put a strong emphasis into downtown to create an economically healthy and diverse district that has a mixture of uses, including housing, retail, professional services, restaurants, and special event opportunities.
It is important to maintain a healthy balance between Downtown and the regional shopping centers to ensure that Sequim retains its identity with a charming downtown that is pedestrian friendly and encourages social interaction.
Commercial Real Estate in Sequim:
As of March 10, 2026, there are currently 17 commercial real estate listings on Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate website for the Sequim area. (Source).
The listed commercial properties are a mix of occupied and empty spaces, both for sale and lease; and some have been available for a number of years.
The screenshot below features the commercial suite at 1400 W. Washington Street in Sequim. I am not sure how long this unit has been vacant, but in my 12 years of living in this area I can’t recall ever seeing a business in it.
There are three more suites available in the same complex, and all have been empty for years. The four suites represent more than $14,000 in combined monthly lease rates.
There are other websites with commercial real estate listings; these are not all the listings currently available, though many websites contain the same listings.
While driving through Sequim this past weekend, I saw a sign in the empty Master Locksmith building; that building is now available to lease. Their website confirms that they have closed after 30 years in business:
When it comes to businesses that are operating and for sale, LoopNet currently lists seven businesses in Clallam County, including a gas station, a winery, a dispensary, an auto repair shop with land, a restaurant (likely in Sequim), and a screen printing shop. Learn more about the businesses here.
Is Sequim’s Economic Development Measuring Up?
Being an active consumer in Sequim’s economy when it comes to restaurants, stores, and services is one thing; to read the Adopted Core Values of Economic Development is something else.
Everyone can experience Sequim in a different way and have a different view; but no matter what that view is, the question becomes — is the City of Sequim measuring up to its own definition of economic development and its adopted core values?
Feel free to share your answer in comments or the poll below.
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"The senior population has a stable income base that is recession proof." Seriously? Fixed-income retirees are not experiencing a loss of buying power? So that's the reason many of these retirees have cut back on dining out, shopping locally for all but necessities, doing regular maintenance on their homes, etc. Talk about out of touch ...
To give credit to one business, the locksmith, they closed because the owner passed away. I used his services twice and he was wonderful. I wish someone would buy the building and carry on his legacy, he was a great asset to Sequim.