From a press release:

Eastside communities have not just recovered from the economic downturn, they’re thriving. Cities from Redmond to Renton are once again adding jobs, housing and businesses.

The Puget Sound Regional Council forecasts employment along the entire Eastside will grow 70 percent between 2010 and 2040. Renton is a big part of this growth. In the next few years alone, Renton will add 1.2 million square feet of retail/commercial space and 3,300 new homes.

But with such dramatic growth comes growing pains.

Ask anyone who has driven Route 405 recently: our transportation infrastructure is having a hard time keeping up with demand. Roads, bridges and public transit haven’t grown as fast as jobs and population. The same is true for the system that powers our factories, homes and businesses: our Eastside power system needs an upgrade to keep up with growth, too.

Join the Renton Chamber of Commerce for a discussion on growth and infrastructure on the Eastside. Representative Judy Clibborn will join speakers from the Puget Sound Regional Council and Puget Sound Energy to discuss how the Eastside’s infrastructure is coping with a thriving economy and growing population.

The talk will be 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Holiday inn, One South Grady Way.

Please RSVP to Kjordan@gorenton.com by Oct. 30.