Economic Development in Kirkland

Kirkland is acknowledged to be one of the most livable cities in the Puget Sound region. Its picturesque waterfront setting on Lake Washington and central location immediate to Seattle, Redmond and Bellevue, make it a desirable community for living and for working. In 2014, Money Magazine ranked Kirkland as number five in its Best Places to Live in America issue, and in 2020 Kirkland was ranked as one of the best small cities in America, based on a study by WalletHub. 

Kirkland City government supports a strong, diverse economy with quality services and infrastructure. Prudent financial management has earned the City Standard & Poor’s AAA credit rating year after year. The future needs of businesses are anticipated and addressed through research and careful planning, and technical assistance is provided to help businesses thrive.

Inclusive & Welcoming Economy

The resources on this page are intended to serve as a ‘toolkit’ for businesses and organizations in the spirit of this commitment.

Tourism Program

The City Manager’s Office oversees the Tourism Program (in conjunction with the Economic Development Program) with the primary goal of attracting visitors to Kirkland in order to sustain a vibrant and healthy economy.

Shop Local Kirkland Initiative

The Shop Local Kirkland initiative responds to the economic impacts of COVID-19 on Kirkland’s business community and is designed to help local businesses survive and thrive through WA State’s Safe Start Plan and beyond.

Business Assistance

Connect with local, regional, and national business resources including the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, Startup 425 and more.

Startup425

This page provides data about Startup425, an initiative of five communities on Seattle’s Eastside (Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, and Renton), in partnership with the Port of Seattle.

Kirkland Cash Program

The Kirkland Cash Program will support Kirkland's hotels and small businesses with community currency vouchers (“Kirkland Cash”). The program aims to attract tourists and result in increased hotel stays to assist the Kirkland tourism industry, local hotels, and businesses to recover from the negative financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.