Speaking of small business creating jobs: Snohomish Co. office space is currently showing vacancy at about 18%. In Lynnwood, the office vacancy rate is approximately 25-30%. Industrial space (read: Boeing & suppliers) appears firm.
Office space, meanwhile, remains harder to fill. Cushman & Wakefield and Colliers International commercial property firms reported that 17 to 18 percent of the county’s premier office space was empty last quarter.
“The cause and effect of this is that tightening in King County tends to push people up I-5 to Snohomish County,” Hoban said, though he said there are also a few new businesses sprouting up locally that have leased offices in Everett.
I suppose one could argue that just because there is a good chunk of office space available for small business (who typically drive the economy with job creation), that does not mean that hiring is slowing. Mixed signals?
Doing business in Edmonds recently, I noticed the sign-carrying-day-workers holding large signs on the corner of 205th & Hwy 99. “Comp USA Closing: everything 30-50% off.” I also recently read that Circuit City is laying off staff. If consumer products are flying off shelves at these stores, why are these stores closing and laying off staff? What businesses will be taking over these large stores once they vacate?