TheLab@arlington

The NW Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) is collaborating with the City of Arlington on the  Arlington Innovation Center, named "theLab@arlington" that is located at 404 N Olympic Avenue.

The focus region for NWIRC includes Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, and Island counties. This region has unique economic growth potential through entrepreneurs, inventors, and start-up businesses. 

For more information:
Diane Kamionka, NWIRC Director, Phone: 360-739-2968, Email: dianek@nwirc.com

The Vision for an Innovation Center

The 2015 North Stillaguamish Valley Economic Recovery Plan includes goals in these areas: Infrastructure, Industries and Employment, Workforce Development, Resilience and Sustainability, Placemaking, and Rural Innovation. Arlington and Darrington’s involvement in America’s Best Communities Competition furthered our commitment to creating an economically stronger community with the goals in the plan. Creating an innovation center provides co-working and incubator space for entrepreneurs of all industries and will provide access to services and education resources.

The Renovation Project

In late 2017, when the property became available,  the City of Arlington jumped at the opportunity to purchase this rare main street property to further the economic redevelopment plan downtown. The City of Arlington requested State funding in the 2018 Capital Budget to renovate the 1940s service station that is located at 404. N Olympic Avenue in downtown. The plan was to create an innovation center and business incubator, and the property also serves as a public pocket park with restrooms and a bicycle parking lot. Phase 2 of the renovation was completed in June 2022. 

The grand opening event was June 28, 2022 with Mayor Barb Tolbert, Representative Carolyn Eslick, County Councilmember Nate Nehring, and Diane Kamionka, Executive Director of NWIRC.

For more information, please contact Sarah Lopez at slopez@arlingtonwa.gov.