Our Role

Our job is to keep people informed. Since Pierce County has 790,500 residents, 3,000+ county employees, 23 towns and cities, hundreds of businesses and organizations, neighboring counties on all four sides and a state legislature just down the road, that can be a real challenge.

To provide usable, timely and consistent information to all these audiences and to emphasize the importance of communications, County Executive John Ladenburg elevated the communication services division to the department level in January 2001.

With the major issues facing Pierce County, it's never been more important to stay in touch. Transportation, public safety, parks and recreation, the environment, and economic development are all challenges that require thoughtful, informed decisions.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

With these important issues in mind, the Communications Department provides public education and outreach services through a variety of programs on C-RCC cable TV in cooperation with the Rainier Communications Commission. We also assist elected officials and other departments in providing informational materials to citizens, other jurisdictions, and the state legislature.

MEDIA AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Media relations is another function of this department. We respond to newspaper, radio and television station requests for facts and figures. We also provide the media with other valuable newsworthy information, including public hearings and new services for citizen use.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

A third responsibility is internal communications. County employees are located over a wide geographic area and provide diverse services countywide. Our department strives to provide our employees information so they may feel connected to their fellow employees and part of the Pierce County team, while they maintain a high level of service to the community.

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTION

Not only does the Communications Department assist other elected officials and departments with communications direction, we also partner with other organizations in the marketing of Pierce County. Economic development is vital to the health of this area. We work with the Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma-Pierce County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Economic Development Board to emphasize the benefits of conducting business here in Pierce County.