PSRC conducts long-range planning (20‑30 years in the future) for growth management, transportation, and economic development. It also collects regional data on
demographics, housing,
unemployment,
building permits, and traffic counts, and analyzes to inform public policy.
Securing transportation funding PSRC President Josh Brown notes that "helping communities secure federal
transportation funding" is a key priority because of its positive effects on employment growth and the economy. Indeed, PSRC maintains the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a
database of nearly $12 billion in projects that are being financed between 2010 and 2013. Some examples of such projects include new
bridges in
Tacoma and
Bothell, more efficient
traffic signal timing in
Redmond, and
light rail construction to
Northgate. In 2008 the
Washington State Legislature requested that
Sound Transit and PSRC evaluate the feasibility of commuter rail in the BNSF Woodinville Subdivision along the east side of
Lake Washington. The report, prepared by
Parsons Brinckerhoff, found that it would be "feasible through a variety of capital improvements to facilitate higher speeds" within the range of capital cost estimates of similar projects in the United States, "although at the high end of that range" due to the dilapidated infrastructure and the absence of safety and communications systems.
Prosperity Partnership The Prosperity Partnership is a coalition of public- and private-sector organizations as well as nonprofits that is "working to promote a strong central Puget Sound economy". It was launched in November 2004 and has accrued more than 300 member organizations. Achievements include: • Founded the Washington Clean Technology Alliance, the first
trade association dedicated to
clean technology in the state (2007) • Published a report on the "size, scope, segments, and growth potential" of the region's clean tech cluster as well as its niche advantages and how to pair them with
export-oriented industries (Nov. 2009) • Created the Washington Defense Partnership to serve as a central coordinating body for the military presence and mission in Washington as well as families,
veterans, and the
defense-contracting community (2009) • Spearheaded efforts to secure a "Transportation Partnership Account" worth $8.5 billion that would target "safety,
freight, efficiency, and capacity projects" (2005) • Launched the Washington Aerospace Partnership, a "coalition of business, labor, and local government leaders working to sustain and grow aerospace industry jobs in Washington", which is home to more than 600
aerospace manufacturers that employ more than 100,000 people ==Funding==