The Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) Executive Board approved the redesignation of the region’s 30 regional growth centers at their March 26, 2026 meeting, continuing PSRC’s work to support the region’s goals for dense, walkable, and well-connected urban communities. This review showed that regional centers have added new housing and transportation connections, though some centers will be evaluated again in 2028 to track progress toward completing requirements.
Regional growth centers are a hallmark of PSRC’s growth strategy, intended to accommodate a significant share of the region’s housing and employment growth. Through a five-year monitoring process outlined in the Regional Centers Framework, PSRC works in collaboration with local jurisdictions to evaluate how centers are performing across key criteria such as job growth, transit access, and updating subarea plans. Designated centers help accommodate new growth and are priority areas for PSRC-managed federal transportation funds.
This year’s redesignation process marks a major milestone. Many regional centers were designated in the 1990s, prior to today’s formal application criteria. This review, led by the Growth Management Policy Board (GMPB), was the first major opportunity to evaluate whether all centers meet today’s criteria and any additional steps needed to meet requirements. These communities have demonstrated continued progress and a strong commitment to regional goals and collaboration.
During this review process, PSRC boards had conversations about how the program can continue to evolve. As the economy changes and centers mature, the GMPB discussed potential policy updates and the role of exceptions. PSRC’s boards and committees will consider updates to the Regional Centers Framework later this year.
Looking ahead, PSRC boards will review the 10 manufacturing/industrial centers (MICs) for redesignation. These centers are critical to the region’s economic base, supporting key industries and providing access to living-wage jobs. The upcoming MIC monitoring process will focus on preserving industrial land while continuing to support economic growth.
Additional information is available on our Centers page. Have data questions about regional centers? Find answers in the Regional Centers Profiles or the Regional Centers System Monitoring Report.