BURLINGTON, WA-Burlington's mayor, Roger A. Tjeerdsma, tells GlobeSt.com that each day 30,000 to 40,000 cars carrying eager shoppers make their way to his town's retail stores. But the booming business comes at the price of major traffic congestion—and developers eager to participate in the town's good fortune are being required to chip in big bucks to help solve the problem.

While it may only have an estimated 7,000 residents, Burlington is a regional, retail hub. From its well-known outlet center for national chains to a growing population of car dealerships and its 423,852 sf enclosed Cascade Mall, the retail industry here is hopping.

Situated at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Interstate 5, the town draws visitors from the whole of Skagit County, a predominantly rural area. Others come from those traffic traveling north and south between Seattle, 60 miles to the south, and Vancouver, B.C., a similar distance to the north.