Who are you anyway? Are you government?

The Puget Sound Regional Council, also known as PSRC, is a unique government agency in our region. We are a regional planning agency with specific responsibilities under federal and state law for transportation planning, economic development and growth management. PSRC helps local governments and transportation agencies to plan for the future of our region by addressing issues that go beyond the boundaries of any individual city or county.

Who’s in charge?

The elected leaders of King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, the region’s cities and towns, port districts, transit agencies, and tribes direct the agency’s activities. Once a year, these elected officials meet as a General Assembly to vote on major decisions, approve the budget, and elect new leadership. Each month, a 32-member Executive Board (the agency’s governing board) makes decisions on behalf of the General Assembly, with the input of several advisory boards made up of local elected officials and representatives of business, labor, environmental and community interests, as well as input from the public at large.

Who are the members of PSRC?

Our members are King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, 72 cities within the region, four port districts, the region’s transit agencies, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Transportation Commission, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and the Suquamish Tribe.

What do you do?

PSRC provides planning, research and funding to help ensure that the Puget Sound region remains a great place to live. Our primary job is to maintain a regional vision for transportation, economic development and land use planning under limited authorities embodied in state and federal law. We distribute about $160 million a year in federal funding to transportation projects, produce regional data to support planning, and establish a unified vision for the region and the steps required to succeed. We employ about 70 planners, data experts and administrative staff to support our work.

Who pays for you?

Federal, state and local governments fund PSRC’s work. About 72 percent of the agency’s revenue comes from federal grants, 6 percent from state grants, and 22 percent from dues paid by PSRC members and from other local sources.

Why do we have a regional agency like PSRC?

Some problems facing the region, such as transportation, go beyond any specific city or county. People who want a smooth commute don’t care where city boundaries are — they just want to get where they need to go. PSRC is the place where local governments can develop solutions together and coordinate important regional issues such as improving roads and transit services. Elected officials and others use our data and research to make informed decisions. PSRC is also designated by the federal government as the metropolitan planning organization for central Puget Sound, which ensures the region remains eligible for federal transportation funding.

Continued growth in central Puget Sound fuels the need for the region to speak with a common voice, to grow in ways that are consistent with the region’s shared values, to pick up the pace in making the transportation improvements required to keep the region moving, and to protect the high quality of life the region’s residents want to make timeless.

Are you any good at what you do?

Yes, PSRC is widely recognized as one of the best regional agencies of its type in the nation. The State Auditor has commended PSRC as a “model” agency when it comes to accountability. PSRC’s plans and programs are routinely cited as models for regional planning and leadership by national organizations and peers.

But the bottom line is that through PSRC’s work, combined with the hard work by many others, the region has enjoyed steadily growing receipt of federal transportation dollars for critical transportation improvements. The state Legislature approved $7.6 billion in new funding for the region in 2003 and 2005, and the foundation has been established for future action on transportation. Through PSRC’s work, the region better marshals the resources required to improve the transportation system, support a thriving economy and maintain central Puget Sound’s envied quality of life.

Where and when does PSRC meet?

PSRC boards and committees generally meet monthly at the PSRC offices in downtown Seattle (1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500). We keep our calendar of meetings up to date on our website and publish it in our newsletter, Regional VIEW.

What is the Puget Sound Economic Development District?

The Economic Development District is the region’s federally designated economic development district. In 2003, the EDD consolidated its activities with PSRC under one roof. The EDD develops a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region and selects projects for a small amount of federal economic development funds. The EDD Board, composed of elected officials and appointed members, meets quarterly at the PSRC offices.

What is the Prosperity Partnership? How is it related to PSRC?

Prosperity Partnership is a coalition of over 300 government, business, labor, education and nonprofit leaders from King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties dedicated to ensuring long-term prosperity for all our region’s residents. The Partnership pursues a two-part strategy, focusing on the industry clusters that drive our economy and the economic foundations that support them. PSRC organizes and sponsors the partnership.

What is VISION 2040?

VISION 2040 is the region’s long-term vision for ensuring the region thrives as it grows. An additional 1.5 million people and 1.1 million jobs are expected in the region by 2040 (over 2007 levels). Preparing for this growth is at the heart of VISION 2040. The comprehensive vision contains multicounty planning policies, an environmental framework, a regional growth strategy, and implementation measures.

What is Transportation 2040?

Transportation 2040 is the region’s long-range transportation plan. It is a blueprint for sustainable transportation that provides mobility for a growing region while improving the region’s environmental health and economy. Transportation 2040 identifies investments to support the region’s expected growth, lays out a financing plan, promotes new technology, and complements state and national climate change policies.

Do you have anything to do with the Viaduct, 520 Bridge, LINK Light Rail, or Washington state ferry service?

PSRC isn’t in charge of building or operating these projects, but is involved in other ways. Cities, transit agencies or the state are responsible for implementing local transportation projects and services, but major projects must be approved by PSRC as part of its long-range transportation plan Transportation 2040. PSRC often provides data and technical assistance to help analyze the impacts of these projects. PSRC also distributes federal transportation funding, so a portion of the funding to pay for big regional projects may come from PSRC.

What is the history of PSRC?

Central Puget Sound has a long tradition of regional planning dating from the late 1950s when local governments first formed the Puget Sound Governmental Conference. Over the years, the regional agency has had a number of different names and organizational structures. The Puget Sound Regional Council was created in 1991 under authority embodied in federal and state laws for transportation, air quality, and growth management.

How can I reach PSRC?

Call: 206-464-7090
Email: Information Center
Check out our staff roster to reach specific staff members.
Attend one of our meetings.
Request a speaker to talk to your group.

How can I order PSRC publications?

Many PSRC publications are on our website, free to download. If you don’t find what you’re looking for or have questions, contact our Information Center or 206-464-7532. To get regular updates on PSRC and its work on behalf of the region, sign up to receive Regional VIEW by filling out this form or by calling 206-464-7090.