Bottled Beverage Company Looking to Open up Facility in Everett

At Wednesday evening’s Everett City Council meeting, Steve Winter of Tethys Enterprises unveiled before the public his company’s proposal to start up a bottled beverage company in North Everett. Winter described the proposed facility as “environmentally responsible” which would utilize fully compostable bio-degradable plastic bottles.

“This plant will position Everett as the global leader in environmentally responsible beverage manufacturing and distribution,” Winter said.

The proposed 1 million square foot facility could create up to 1,000 jobs with a projected payroll of over $61 million.

“We have a great opportunity to have a very clean industry,” commented Mayor Ray Stephanson on Wednesday.

The resources and infrastructure in Everett make it an attractive location for the Tethys business model. Everett possesses two assets that Tethys needs in particular; water and a railway. As an alternative to the traditional beverage model of truck transport for distribution, Tethys plans on utilizing the railway to move their product.

The presentation at City Council on Wednesday was a workshop format, for informational purposes, without a council vote, which could eventually come as soon as the end of March.

One topic that sparked discussion was the city’s water resources. The Tethys operation would require 5 million gallons of untreated water a day. Tim Benedict of the City Attorney’s office explained at the City Council meeting that there are four water transmission lines flowing into Everett. The #4 line runs parallel to the US 2 Trestle and follows Pacific Avenue, carrying untreated water for industrial use to Kimberly-Clark. The maximum flow of the #4 water line is 50 million gallons a day. Kimberly-Clark uses an average of 27 million gallons of water a day or 40 million on peak days. Tethys would pay the City of Everett “the going rate” for water usage, according to Benedict. Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher raised concerns about the City’s water obligations to Tethys during times of draught. Benedict explained that the agreement would allow the City to reduce its supply of water to Tethys in such an event.

Another topic of discussion was the location of the proposed beverage plant. Although no site has been publicly announced yet, “North Everett” is the target. During Benedict’s presentation to the council, he pointed to a map and outlined the north eastern edge of Everett along the Snohomish River as possible area of location. The more desirable locations would be closer to the #4 water transmission line.

So, what kind of drinks will be produced with 5 million gallons a day of Cascade Mountain water?

“It will be anything from brewed teas and coffees, to sodas and bottled water,” Winter said. Tethys Enterprises is a new private venture, but Steve Winter is a life long resident of Snohomish County, having served as the COO of Intermec.

Everett City Council will announce at what future meeting this proposal will be discussed, read, and voted upon.