{"id":626293,"date":"2026-05-06T06:04:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/626293\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T06:04:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:04:52","slug":"nearly-1-in-4-washington-employers-considering-leaving-the-state-new-survey-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/626293\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 1-in-4 Washington employers considering leaving the state, new survey shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 1-in-4 Washington employers are considering moving their businesses out of the state, according to a survey<\/a> from the Association of Washington Business (AWB) published Monday.<\/p>\n

AWB reported that 24% of employers are looking into relocating \u2014 up from 17% in the previous quarter<\/a> and nearly triple the number from the association\u2019s winter 2025 survey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe it\u2019s a 911 emergency for our state\u2019s economy,\u201d AWB President Kris Johnson told KIRO Newsradio.<\/p>\n

The personal migration trend is even steeper. Another 55% said they are considering moving their personal residence to another state, a 44% increase from the previous quarter, according to a news release<\/a> from AWB.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Spokane County, a short drive from the Idaho border, 67% of respondents said they were considering moving their personal residence to another state,\u201d the report stated.<\/p>\n

The survey was based on 407 responses.<\/p>\n

Key findings from AWB spring 2026 employer survey<\/p>\n

Tax burden: 72% of respondents rate Washington\u2019s overall tax burden as a top business challenge, up from 64% last quarter and up 18 points since winter 2025.
\nEconomic confidence: 7% rate Washington\u2019s economy as strong or very strong, down from 10% last quarter and down 16 points since winter 2025.
\nBusiness growth: 22% say their business is growing, up slightly from last quarter but down 5 points since winter 2025.
\nExpansion plans shifting out of state: 9% plan to expand in Washington in the next year, down from 20% in winter 2025, while 38% are planning to expand in another state, up from 21% in winter 2025.
\nRecession expectations: 46% expect a recession in the next year, up from 34% last quarter and up 29 points since winter 2025.<\/p>\n

The cost of healthcare came in second on the list of business challenges behind the state\u2019s overall tax burden, with 65% citing it as a concern. Government regulations ranked third at 58%, and the cost of fuel came in fourth, with 53% flagging it, the release said.<\/p>\n

AWB president warns lawmakers: Businesses are already leaving Washington<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s tempting for lawmakers to dismiss this kind of report and to suggest that businesses won\u2019t really leave, but that would be a mistake,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe are already seeing evidence of employers moving operations or moving their personal residence to other states, and we expect to see more in the coming years as plans that are being made right now are put into motion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the businesses considering moving out of Washington, 18% are developing a relocation plan, and 7% have secured a new location elsewhere, according to the survey.<\/p>\n

Other states are actively courting Washington employers<\/p>\n

Johnson told KIRO Newsradio that other states are encouraging businesses to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeventeen percent of respondents say they\u2019ve already been contacted by an out-of-state economic development official,\u201d he said. \u201cThat means our employers are being courted by other states. They\u2019re being courted to move personally, and they\u2019re being courted to move their businesses. So other states are lining up to recruit the golden goose that we have, this amazing economy that we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

AWB conducts the survey each quarter. This latest survey was conducted between April 8 and April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow @gotfederer<\/a><\/p>\n

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