EVERETT – Most people consider the U.S. military on the front lines of national defense, but its easily over-looked how the U.S. military in general and Naval Station Everett, specifically, for the city and Snohomish County, are on the front lines of the economy as well.
It manifests itself on two levels, and that was on display at the 2026 State of the Station address by NSE commanding officer, Cpt. Stacy Wuthier, who spoke to gathered civic and business leaders at the Port of Everett.
One of Wuthier’s main messages focused on international trade, saying, “Washington is one of the most trade dependent states in our nation. Roughly 90% of global goods move by sea, and it’s the Navy’s job to keep those sea lanes open. So, when a destroyer deploys from Everett, it’s not just protecting the U.S. interests abroad, it’s safeguarding the economic systems that support jobs, supply chains, and industries throughout the region. The Navy’s mission is tightly linked to regional prosperity. Naval station Everett is where local meets global.”
NSE contributed $340 million in economic impact to Snohomish County, according to the Navy Region’s latest assessment. “That mission brings contracts, personnel and hundreds of millions of dollars into the region,” Wuthier told the event, organized by the Economic Alliance Snohomish County. “For a business community like this one, that means contracting opportunities, customers, taxes paid to local governments which fund services that keep this region highly competitive.”
At the base itself on the Everett waterfront, Wuthier cited, “$124 million in projects underway right now. $84 million modernization of our electrical system. We deliver more reliable power to our ships while they’re in port and the entire base. And we have another $40 million” devoted to destroyer repairs, to maintain the seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile vessels homeported at NSE, “which will ensure we can safely support our fleet for decades to come.”
That investment, Wuthier says, is “making sure the ships home ported here are prepared to deploy wherever the nation needs them.”
Locally, NSE’s footprint exists well beyond just the waterfront base, stretching into the residential neighborhoods of Snohomish County. “I would especially like to highlight the Lake Stevens housing complex,” Constitution Park, Wuthier noted, “because it reflects an important truth: sailors and families are not separated from this community, we’re imbedded.” Constitution Park Family Housing is a public-private partnership that provides quality, spacious homes for military families at NSE and a community-focused living environment tailored to service members at 12832 5th Street NE.
For NSE sailors and their families, these housing options mean, “They live in town, worship, shop, volunteer, and send their children to local schools. They contribute not just to the economy, but to the civic fabric of Snohomish County. And that’s where they call home. Naval Station Everett is where they work but out in the community is where they home,” says Wuthier.
Another significant housing effort for NSE is to the north in Smokey Point, “ We’re supporting construction of 108 new family homes in our Smokey Point complex, which will bring more military families to the Marysville community, and we expect to break ground in 2027,” Wuthier advised. The Navy Family Support Complex was initially expected to break ground earlier this year after a Draft Environmental Impact Statement was completed in May 2025.
NFSC Smokey Point is intended to develop two new residential neighborhoods, renovate existing hotel suites to 20 apartment units, and include parks, a community center, and nature trails. The proposed expansion would add up to 108 low-rise multifamily housing units by constructing 88 townhomes surrounding the existing Navy family support complex and converting a former 72-room hotel into 20 apartments. The proposed additional housing units would support an estimated 250-350 new residents.
The 108-unit Smokey Point residential expansion was authorized and funded with $19 million specifically to support an influx of approximately 2,900 sailors and their families. These families were originally scheduled to arrive by 2026 to crew the Navy’s new Constellation-class guided-missile frigates. However, because of engineering, design instability, and supply chain disruptions, the Navy was forced to delay the delivery of the lead frigate from 2026 to April 2029. Subsequently, the broader frigate program faced total restructuring and subsequent cancellations, which delayed the need for expanded housing.
Because the 2,900 new personnel will no longer be arriving on the original 2026 timeline, the immediate, critical pressure to deliver these specific community housing units by the summer of 2027 was alleviated. This allowed naval planners to adjust the procurement and environmental assessment timelines, realigning the project’s groundbreaking to 2027.
“Our intergovernmental support agreement with the city of Everett is saving time and resources for both the Navy and the city, and we’re looking to do more of those. Every one of these processes involves planning, engineering, design, construction, and long-term maintenance, and those opportunities support local businesses and jobs,” Wuthier advised. That partnership with local jurisdictions, Wuthier states, “is essential for our shared success.”
According to the Washington Statewide Defense Economic Impact Study, NSE supports nearly 7,000 jobs and generate $29 million in state and local taxes among “customers, your neighbors, your families, which means increased sales, stronger local businesses, and share prosperity through Snohomish County,” Wuthier articulated.
“Naval Station Everett isn’t just a military installation, we’re a steady engine of economic activity for the region. But beyond the statistics, what truly matters is something you can’t quantify. The partnership we share with our community. Your support, your advocacy, and your collaboration don’t just make our mission possible, they make us successful,” Wuthier underscored.
Citing NSE’s pivotal position in the larger naval presence across Puget Sound including, Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, Naval Air Station Whidbey and Naval Magazine Indian Island, the Captain reinforced, “Given the region’s strong and active veteran population, one thing I especially want to highlight, is Naval Station Everett remains a place where veterans are always welcome. Veterans with a valid ID have access to many of our morale, welfare and recreation programs, including the gym, recreation events, programs, discounted tickets, and the opportunity at places like Jim Creek. Eligible veterans have free access to our pool and fitness facilities and can also use our clinic and pharmacy.”
Connecting NSE’s future to its past, the commanding officer, offered, “Since our groundbreaking in 1984, the base and this region have grown together. Our mission today is simple and steady. We provide superior shore support to the Navy and our Coast Guard forces, enabling them to carry out our nation’s strategic objectives. And every day we work to ensure a high-quality life for our sailors, our civilians, and their families.”
Wuthier concluded, “You cannot succeed alone. Community matters. This is all a good reminder what it looks like in practice. Two neighbors on the same waterfront working together for this region.”