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The latest & greatest on all things Bellevue, Eastside, and Chamber-member-related.

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PLUSH Recap: Councilmember Briar’s Housing Focus and MFTE Decisions Ahead
PLUSH Recap: Councilmember Briar’s Housing Focus and MFTE Decisions Ahead

At the Chamber’s Permitting, Land Use, Sustainability, and Housing (PLUSH) meeting on November 18, 2025, members heard from Bellevue’s newest councilmember, Naren Briar, and received an advance look at strike-draft changes to the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Continue Reading

Date posted11/18/2025


AI impacts raise questions, concerns at November session of EBRT program
EBRT,
AI impacts raise questions, concerns at November session of EBRT program

At the November 13 Executive Business Roundtable, the Bellevue Chamber brought together leaders from the University of Washington and Avocat AI to ground the AI conversation in real-world practice. Continue Reading

Date posted11/17/2025


2025 Economic Forecast Summit: Optimism, tradeoffs, & Bellevue’s path forward
2025 Economic Forecast Summit: Optimism, tradeoffs, & Bellevue’s path forward

Bellevue showed up on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 to take stock of the economy and what it means for employers, workers, and families on the Eastside. We welcomed Mayor Lynne Robinson, University of Washington’s Thomas Gilbert, and Bank of America’s Joe Quinlan Continue Reading

Date posted11/12/2025


Policy Council Recap: BSD Levy Briefing and Advocacy Agendas Approved
Policy Council Recap: BSD Levy Briefing and Advocacy Agendas Approved

At its November 12 meeting, the Chamber’s Policy Council hosted the Bellevue School District for a briefing on two levy renewals slated for the February 10, 2026 special election and reviewed district finances and enrollment trends. Continue Reading

Date posted11/12/2025


5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Council Updates, Gift Guide
5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Council Updates, Gift Guide

1. Now Playing: Chamber Events We just finished cleaning up this morning's Economic Forecast Summit — get the recap in next week's newsletter — but the Chamber has a whole bunch of other upcoming events to keep you satiated in the meantime. Network Together, After Hours: November 19 We... Continue Reading

Date posted11/12/2025


Transportation Committee Recap: Revenue, Preservation, AV Policy, and Curb Pricing
Transportation Committee Recap: Revenue, Preservation, AV Policy, and Curb Pricing

At the Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on November 6, members received a focused briefing on the state transportation outlook, WSDOT’s supplemental budget priorities, autonomous vehicle policy dynamics, Bellevue’s curb pricing plan, and federal reauthorization strategy. Continue Reading

Date posted11/10/2025


Bank of America's Joe Quinlan releases top reading recommendations for Fall 2025
Bank of America's Joe Quinlan releases top reading recommendations for Fall 2025

Each year, Joe Quinlan — keynote speaker for our Economic Forecast Summit and Chief Market Strategist for Bank of America — puts together his Top 10 Suggested Publications. The picks for 2025 are ... Continue Reading

Date posted11/5/2025


5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Preliminary Election Results, Veterans Day
5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Preliminary Election Results, Veterans Day

1. Morning After: Preliminary Election Results The jury is still out on many of the key races here in King County, but ballots are being processed as we speak. Voter turnout was low, but alas, take a look at The Seattle Times coverage here, and our leading man Joe Fain's musings from yesterday... Continue Reading

Date posted11/5/2025


10 Races to Watch on Election Night
10 Races to Watch on Election Night

Despite low turnout, tonight's election is a big one across Western Washington. Here at 10 tight races to watch as the returns roll in. Continue Reading

Postedby Joe Fain
Date posted11/4/2025


Tour de Fred Hutch: Board of Directors convene across the lake for October
Tour de Fred Hutch: Board of Directors convene across the lake for October

We traded I-405 for I-5 this month and crossed the lake to meet at Fred Hutch, where big ideas are part of the daily routine. Their team welcomed us with a warm briefing and then led a tour that showcased how research moves from lab bench to real world impact. Continue Reading

Date posted10/29/2025


BelRed Arts Studio opens doors to creators, community members
BelRed Arts Studio opens doors to creators, community members

We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of the BelRed Arts Studio. The community showed up in force, and the excitement in the room could have powered its own light installation. Continue Reading

Date posted10/29/2025


5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Food Banks and Nonprofits, Arts Studio Grand Opening
5 Things You Need to Know This Week: Food Banks and Nonprofits, Arts Studio Grand Opening

1. Coming Up @ the Chamber It's the Chamber's event season, so IYKYK. (If you don't know, it just means we are busier than all get out!) In the next month or so, these are our main happenings: Network with Us, After Hours: November 5 Join us at State Farm for some fun after hours networking with... Continue Reading

Date posted10/29/2025