Infrastructure in Snohomish County

Snohomish County pairs a strategic Puget Sound location with reliable, competitively priced infrastructure: multimodal transportation by land, air, sea and rail; low-cost and clean energy; and a Foreign Trade Zone at the Port of Everett. This overview connects the county's core infrastructure assets. Explore the detailed Transportation and Utilities pages for provider-level information.

Explore

Transportation & Logistics

Interstate and state highways, six general aviation airports plus Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, two public port districts, ferries, BNSF freight rail and expanding light rail and bus transit.

View transportation →

Explore

Utilities

Near-100% renewable, low-cost electricity from Snohomish County PUD, Puget Sound Energy natural gas, water and sewer providers by jurisdiction, and countywide broadband and fiber.

View utilities →

Explore

Real Estate & Sites

Searchable property inventory, featured buildings and sites and the county's two designated Manufacturing/Industrial Centers plus corporate parks.

View real estate →

A Strategic Global Position

Pacific Rim gateway on Puget Sound

The county's position on Puget Sound gives businesses a strategic Pacific Rim advantage: the region's deep-water ports sit along shorter great-circle shipping routes to major Asian markets than California or Gulf and East Coast gateways, while polar and great-circle air routes place both Asia and Europe within efficient reach. This two-ocean orientation — a natural bridge between Asia-Pacific and trans-Atlantic markets — makes the county well-suited to import, export, and globally integrated supply chains.

Foreign Trade Zone #85

Duty advantages for international trade

The Port of Everett operates Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #85, allowing qualifying businesses to defer, reduce or eliminate customs duties on imported goods that are stored, assembled or re-exported within the zone. For manufacturers and distributors handling international components, particularly in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, FTZ status can meaningfully lower landed costs and improve cash flow. EASC and the Port can help evaluate whether a site or operation qualifies for zone or subzone designation.

Interested in FTZ benefits? Contact EASC early in site planning to explore whether Foreign Trade Zone #85 designation fits your operation.

Stormwater & Surface Water

County and municipal management

Surface water and stormwater in unincorporated Snohomish County is managed by the County's Surface Water Management program, while incorporated cities manage stormwater within their own limits. New development is subject to applicable state and local stormwater standards, which the permitting jurisdiction can detail during site planning. Early coordination with the relevant jurisdiction helps clarify detention, treatment, and discharge requirements for a given parcel.

Planning a project in Snohomish County?

Economic Alliance Snohomish County helps businesses navigate infrastructure, utilities, logistics, and permitting from the earliest stages of site selection. Reach our team at economicalliancesc.org.

Sources