Confidential, Free Consulting

The staff of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County adheres to a two-prong mission: retention and recruitment of primary businesses in Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington State.

Tacoma-Pierce County Is Great for Business

The EDB is laser-focused on recruiting new firms to Pierce County, retaining those that are here, and helping all of them expand. The EDB supports companies to create new jobs and to grow the economy of the South Sound and Washington State, USA.

In the past two decades, the EDB has worked with companies that have made over $1.6 billion in capital investments and created over 25,000 jobs.

EDB's 2013-2018 ROI was $184 for every $1 invested staff results

Contact Our Staff

Visit our services page to learn more about what our staff can do for you.

Bruce Kendall

Bruce Kendall

President & CEO

Bruce is the driving force behind the EDB. He's an impassioned liaison to the board members and the broader community, enthusiastically advocating for regional economic opportunity in Tacoma-Pierce County. To schedule a meeting with Bruce, please contact Deborah Kelly.

(253) 284-5890
Jacqueline Bellwoar

Jacqueline Bellwoar

Economic Development Manager

Jacqueline is the go-to person for cluster acceleration teams, managing recruitment of business and community leaders to join teams that develop strategies to grow companies and jobs in high value economic sectors. She continues to support cluster initiatives by connecting strategies to the right community partners. Jacqueline also provides staffing support for the Economic Development Corporation of Pierce County related to the issuance of tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds.

(253) 284-5889
Sarah Bonds

Sarah Bonds

Vice President, Business Recruitment

Sarah works directly with businesses and consultants to provide key information and assistance to land primary employers throughout all of Pierce County. Her work includes helping companies with site selection, exploring incentives, assisting with permitting, and connecting clients to workforce development resources.

(253) 284-5892
Deborah Kelly

Deborah Kelly

Director of Operations

Deborah keeps the EDB going, overseeing the complex day-to-day logistics of a lean office team. She provides top level support to Bruce Kendall, including scheduling. Contact Deborah for help routing your inquiry to the correct EDB staff person.

(253) 284-5884
Maddie Merton

Maddie Merton

Vice President, Business Retention and Expansion

Maddie manages the EDB’s relationships with existing primary businesses, delivering solutions to help them grow and succeed. She meets with an annual portfolio of 200 companies ranging from small, mid-sized, and large across multiple industry sectors. Her work includes navigating federal, state and local incentives, accessing financing and grant programs, permitting and regulatory assistance, connections to workforce development resources, and management consulting.

(253) 284-5891
Jaime Lombardini

Jaime Lombardini

Accountant

Jaime handles the EDB's finances, payroll, and invoicing. She can be reached by phone on Wednesdays during normal business hours.

(253) 284-5887

Office location

EDB Tacoma-Pierce County
950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 410
Tacoma, WA 98402

Mailing address

EDB Tacoma-Pierce County
P.O. Box 1555
Tacoma, WA 98401

Street Parking

On-street parking is available in most areas of downtown for a maximum of either 2 hrs or 90 min. Rates are posted on the curbside meters, which accept coins or credit.

Off-street Parking

Park Plaza North, 923 Commerce Street, Tacoma WA 98402

Park Plaza North is the closest off-street parking garage to the EDB office. The entrance of the garage is accessed by heading north on Commerce Street from South 11th Street. Park and enter your license plate at a meter during the payment process. Meters accept coins or credit.

Enter our office building via Pacific or via the parking garage’s sky bridge. The sky bridge connects on its top level to the 5th floor of our building.