Weyerhaeuser's departure a blow to Federal Way

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Peter Von Reichbauer represents South King County on the King County Council.

He told KIRO 7 the announcement is a “substantial hit to our local economy.”

"It is a big impact, certainly,” said Brian Wilson, chief of staff for Federal Way’s mayor.

He says they'd been hearing rumors for six months that Weyerhaeuser might be leaving their 430-acre campus.

Wilson tells us Federal Way’s mayor sent Weyerhaeuser's CEO a letter asking about the rumors last week but never got a response.

"We found out about that officially, today,” said Wilson.

The focus moving forward will be on marketing the campus. Weyerhaeuser plans to move to Seattle in 2016.

KIRO 7 spoke to Tacoma’s mayor Marilyn Strickland. She says what’s happening now in Federal Way sounds familiar. Back in 2009, Russell Investments announced they were leaving for Seattle – and taking with them 900 jobs.

"Cities that are part of a region, poaching each other for business, isn't exactly the best economic development strategy,” said Strickland.

"I could see how Federal Way feels like this is a big blow, but they can come back from this is well,” she added.

Strickland says it took years, but the building is now occupied by a regional State Farm office. She told KIRO 7 the company employs 1,200 people inside.

"How do you come back, how do you pick yourself back up?” said Strickland.

"Even when a company moves from a city, you can recover from it. It is actually something you can recover from,” she added.

KIRO