ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF RENTON

When local residents talk about what makes Renton, Washington special, much of it is intangible. Even though we have some very large companies who call their corporate office home in Renton, it is also a great place to raise a family. After a year of living here, it feels like home.

And while all that is true, it does not tell the whole story. Renton is a leading-edge, high-tech aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare community pushing the envelope with world-class research, innovative start-ups, and a sophisticated workforce that is flexible and motivated. There are proven collaborations involving education, government, and private business that regularly turn good ideas into profitable ventures.

Companies are choosing to put their stake in the ground in Renton because there is a lot more to offer than most cities in the region.

THRIVING

BUSINESS COMMUNITY

From the world’s leader in Aerospace with Boeing, to a regional powerhouse in Alaska Airlines, and an award-winning supplier in IKEA, Renton is home to some economic giants. But local businesses of all sizes are esteemed here, as they work together to grow their companies – and a stronger community. Renton is rising and is the place to be for business.

GROWING

WITH A POPULATION OF OVER

The population of the Renton area is 104,000, a 100% increase with the population doubling in the last 10 years. With a unique blend of high-quality jobs, business opportunities, and exceptional quality of life, Renton continues to attract residents of all ages.

VIBRANT

15,000 COLLEGE STUDENTS

Renton feeds off the energy and resources generated by the more than 25,000 college students who live in the region for most of the year. Students from Renton Technical College, Green River, Highline, Bellevue, Seattle, and a few other private schools like to shop, eat, and experience all that the Renton community has to offer. More are also choosing to stay and start their adult lives in Renton, building on an already strong workforce.

Renton is home to a number of fantastic educational institutes:

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY

Which has bragging rights to being the first in the nation for the following programs: space and physics, college of security and intelligence, spaceflight operations, unmanned and autonomous systems engineering and undergraduate aerospace physiology degree.

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PIMA MEDICAL INSTITUTE

A private for profit medical career college that trains students for careers as allied healthcare professionals. PMI is the largest independently owned private allied health school in the US.

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RENTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE

One of the top technical colleges in the nation offering associate degrees and certificates of completion in professional-technical fields.

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CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE

Offering flexible online and onsite doctoral, graduate and bachelor’s degree programs.

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ADVANCED

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Renton is home to a thriving research community anchored by world-class facilities located at Valley Medical, LifeNet Health, Boeing, Amazon, manufacturing and a few others. This research is more than theoretical – products are going to market and high-wage jobs are being created every year.

HELPING

BUSINESS GROW

Business Impact NW's mission is to grow businesses that create jobs in underserved communities. We help aspiring and established entrepreneurs from communities of color, women, veterans, immigrants, and LGBT get the classes, coaching, and capital that they need to start or grow their own small business. www.businessimpactnw.org

HIGHLY TRAINED

WORKFORCE

Renton boasts a highly qualified workforce that takes full advantage of recent university and technical college graduates, as well as skilled workers completing in-demand training programs. Collaboration between private business, education, local government and large corporations ensure our workers are ready for the next challenge.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

EFFICIENT RAIL & AIR TRAVEL

Easily accessible by interstate, air, or rail, Renton offers unique advantages for those looking to reach the rest of the state and the region in just a turn. Our city is within minutes from deep sea ports via Interstate 5, to Aerospace via 405, to mountains with hiking and skiing via I-90. Getting products (and people) in and out of Renton is fast and convenient.