De-risking the PNW: Identifying "Hidden" Local Regulatory Liabilities
February 02, 2026
by a professional from Harvard University in Tacoma, WA, USA
While standard due diligence catches the big legal red flags, many Searchers are blind to the "Municipal Drift" that can erode margins post-acquisition. In 2026, Washington businesses are facing a complex web of local B&O tax expansions, new state-level tech service taxes, and shifting municipal permit requirements.
As a former Mayor and CEO, I help Searchers look past the P&L to see:
Municipal Resilience: Are the city’s zoning and tax plans aligned with the company’s 5-year growth?
Infrastructure Upside: Can the company’s "Capital Stack" be improved with federal infrastructure or resiliency grants?
Modernization Risk: Is the target’s data governance ready for the shift toward AI-driven operations?
If you're evaluating a deal in the PNW and want an executive's "gut check" on local operational risks, let's connect.