Author: amymcforduvall

Small-Town Businesses

amymcforduvall

Our small-town businesses are the heart of Duvall 💙 From coffee shops to family-run restaurants, they’re where we gather, where our kids get their first jobs, and where so many of our traditions are rooted.

As a small business owner myself, I know how important it is for the city to support—not hinder—local businesses. When they thrive, our whole community thrives. 🌟 I’d love to hear from you: 👉 What can Duvall be doing better to support our local businesses?

Check out the video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14JB752prna/

Ideas – Small Business Incubator

amymcforduvall

I’ve been getting asked what my ideas are for Duvall—and I do have them. Plenty. But here’s what I believe: the best ideas for our city don’t come from one person. They come from listening, asking good questions, and working together—with our community, City Council, and city staff. So instead of starting with a plan set in stone, I want to start with a conversation. One idea I’d love to explore with you is a year-round business incubator—a space where local makers, bakers, and creators can showcase their products throughout the year. Think of it like a farmers market, but open year round! As a Western Washington University alum, I was always inspired by the simplicity of the vendor’s row setup on campus. Duvall has an incredible number of home-based businesses, and this space could give them more opportunities to grow and connect with the community. This wouldn’t compete with our beloved farmers market; instead, it would complement it while keeping Duvall’s community vibrant and connected. What kinds of businesses or vendors would you love to see in a space like this?

Protecting Duvall’s Environment Through Regional Leadership

amymcforduvall

From 2018 to 2021, I had the honor of serving on the King Conservation District Committee as a representative of Sound Cities Association (SCA), a regional body focused on sustainable land use, natural resource management, and conservation across King County.

Why does this matter for Duvall? Because our rivers, forests, farms, and open spaces shape our quality of life, property values, and community health. On the committee, I worked to ensure Duvall’s unique environmental needs were represented in regional planning and funding decisions.

During my service, I advocated for programs that supported local farmers, protected watersheds, and encouraged sustainable development. I also helped direct grants to strengthen our regional food system—supporting projects that kept farmland viable and connected residents to local food sources.

This behind-the-scenes work mattered. It helped small cities like Duvall have a voice, protected our natural resources, and supported a healthy Snoqualmie Valley for generations to come. These are the values I’ll continue to champion as your mayor.

Shaping Policy Together Through the Public Issues Committee

amymcforduvall

From 2022 to 2024, I had the privilege of serving as Duvall’s representative on the Sound Cities Association (SCA) Public Issues Committee (PIC)—a regional table where every member city has a voice and a vote.

Why does this matter for Duvall? Because so many of the decisions that shape our daily lives—on housing, transportation, public safety, climate, and more—start at the regional level. PIC is where city leaders come together to review policy proposals, share perspectives, and make recommendations that go on to the SCA Board of Directors.

For Duvall, that means ensuring our unique needs as a small city are heard alongside those of larger cities. It’s where we can speak up about the realities of living and working in the Snoqualmie Valley, and make sure those priorities are reflected in regional policy.

It may be work that happens behind the scenes, but it’s one of the most important ways we protect our seat at the table—and make sure Duvall’s voice helps shape the future of our region.

Why Experience Matters in the Mayor’s Office

amymcforduvall

Being mayor isn’t just about cutting ribbons or leading meetings—it’s about knowing how to navigate complex systems, advocate for our city’s needs, and deliver results that improve daily life for residents.

That’s where legislative experience makes a difference. Understanding how policies are shaped, budgets are negotiated, and partnerships are built means we don’t lose time learning the ropes. Instead, we can move quickly and effectively to bring resources home to Duvall.

Advocacy experience is equally important. Our city doesn’t exist in a bubble—we rely on county, regional, and state partners for funding, infrastructure, and services. A mayor who knows how to advocate, collaborate, and build relationships ensures Duvall’s voice is heard and our priorities don’t get lost in the shuffle.

The role of mayor is about more than vision—it’s about turning vision into action. And that takes both legislative know-how and the ability to advocate effectively for our community.

That’s the kind of leadership I’m ready to bring to Duvall.