While the challenges of COVID-19 abound, there are positive signs worth celebrating. Businesses are reinvesting in Pierce County, new business and development are heading our way and a familiar landmark is back in action. Here’s the latest:

• Infoblox signs six-year lease in Tacoma. The global and local cybersecurity leader just signed a new lease to remain in its 43,957-square-foot digs in the Horizon Pacific Center in Tacoma’s Brewery District. Infoblox cited the company’s stronger-than-ever partnership with the University of Washington-Tacoma and continued support from Pierce County and the City of Tacoma for the decision. The company has occupied the space since 2016 when it selected Tacoma for its Center of Excellence.

“Infoblox is a perfect example of a recruitment effort that keeps paying off, even during a pandemic,” said EDB President Bruce Kendall. “That’s how good economic development works.”

Check out the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

• Silverback Marine moving from Seattle to Tacoma. The full-service aluminum boat builder’s new manufacturing space is at the Port of Tacoma’s Earley Business Center, a 50-acre maritime industrial park.

“Tacoma is an ideal location for us since it is central for our workforce, and Tacoma is very supportive of innovative companies like us,” said Ian Gracey, CEO of Silverback Marine. “Both the city and the Port of Tacoma have a proactive, forward-thinking approach, which makes Tacoma’s maritime ecosystem very attractive and sustainable.”

“Startups and emerging small businesses play a key role in our economic development efforts,” said Jeff Robinson, City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development director. “We welcome Silverback Marine to Tacoma and look forward to working with them as they grow their company here.”

Silverback Marine specializes in landing crafts, skiffs, offshore boats, barges, dredges and catamaran boats for a wide customer base that includes maritime, government, commercial and pleasure craft boaters.

Read more about the move on the Port of Tacoma website.

• Kmart property sold. The very large and long-closed property on Tacoma’s 6^th Avenue has been purchased by Seattle-based apartment developer Goodman Real Estate. The 10-acre site sold for $14 million. According to Goodman CEO George Petrie, a three-story apartment development with up to 400 units is planned for the spot. Read more about the deal in The News Tribune.

• Hotel Murano is up and running. Following a full shut-down due to COVID-19, the 319-room downtown Tacoma hotel began welcoming back guests the end of April. The hotel was boarded up in September due to shuttered events at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma Dome and Cheney Stadium.