TagDave McFadden(6)

The Port of Seattle is requesting $900,000 to continue its Economic Development Partnership (EDP) program, which provides grants of $5,000–$60,000 to King County cities for local economic development projects such as small business assistance, tourism promotion, and workforce development. In the 2022–2023 cycle, 27 cities participated and collectively leveraged over $1.6 million in matching resources, supporting nearly 700 businesses and generating millions of marketing impressions. For 2024, the program is shifting to one-year contracts to better align with cities' biennial budget timelines.

The Port of Seattle Commission is requesting authorization for its 2019 Tourism Marketing Support Program, a grant initiative now in its fourth year that distributes up to $200,000 in King County tax levy funds to local destination marketing organizations, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to promote tourism across Washington State. Grants of up to $10,000 each require a two-to-one match from recipients and must be used for advertising, public relations, digital marketing, trade shows, or familiarization tours aimed at attracting out-of-state visitors. Over its first three years, the program funded 57 projects and generated approximately $700,000 in additional tourism marketing statewide.

The Port of Seattle's 2018 Tourism Marketing Support Program awarded grants totaling $200,000 to 26 organizations across Washington State to promote local tourism destinations. Recipients, including visitor bureaus, arts councils, and cultural organizations, received up to $10,000 each in matching funds for projects such as digital marketing campaigns, familiarization tours, and international outreach. The program required a two-to-one match, meaning for every Port dollar awarded, the recipient contributed fifty cents.

The Port of Seattle awarded $150,000 in Tourism Marketing Support grants to 18 organizations across Washington State in 2017, helping fund projects ranging from whale-watching promotions to international media campaigns. Each recipient was required to provide a matching contribution at a two-to-one ratio, generating a combined total of over $257,000 in tourism marketing funds. For 2018, the Commission increased the program budget to $200,000, with the additional $50,000 designated for cultural, eco, sustainable, or nature tourism activities.